The Mazda6 has established itself as a classy, comfortable, enjoyable sedan. While it isn’t as perfect as the Honda Accord, it still delivers a luxurious experience that others in its class can’t compete with. Unfortunately, its performance is somewhat lacking, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a turbo variant powering the trim levels. In addition, Mazda does not offer an eco-friendly hybrid variant, which could bring more potential buyers than standard gas cars. For the latest model, the lower trims have a list of standard driver assists, but the fanciest features are reserved for the higher trim levels. But, if you are in the market for a Mazda6, what are the common problems to look out for?

Mazda6 engine overheating

Affecting models from 2003 to 2012, the Mazda6 engine can overheat due to a problem with the cooling fan operation. The issues happen because of a faulty cooling fan control module. If the engine is to overheat, things can warp, seals can blow out, causing a leak, or the engine can detonate. According to RepaiPal, over 150 people have reported this issue, with an average mileage of around 125,000. The repair cost could be about $100 with something as simple as the module replacement. On the other hand, if damage has occurred, it could result in a complete engine replacement.

Mazda6 ticking noise from the engine

Commonly due to infrequent oil changes, the engine on the Mazda6 can become noisy. The Mazda6 engine uses a hydraulic lifter. When the oil inside the hydraulic lifters starts to gum up, the lifters will tick and become very noisy. The lifters will need to be adjusted, and a new oil change should help remedy the problem. Costs of the adjustment can vary but are generally around $300. Once the lifters are adjusted, keeping up with oil changes will help prevent the problem in the future.

Mazda6 stalling under acceleration

The last concerning issue with the Mazda6 is that some models will stall under light acceleration. In the 2003-2008 and 2012 models, the problem is resolved by updating the powertrain control module (PCM). Most owners reported the issue with an average of 122,000 miles. With the software update being a simple fix, this repair should cost around $100. If the issue continues to occur, there may be another problem with the transmission. While only reported with the six-speed automatics, there are a few accounts of miss-shifting.

Is the Mazda6 reliable?

While there may be a multitude of common issues with the Mazda6, it is still a reliable car overall. RepairPal gives the model a 4 out of 5 rating in reliability across all years, which is above average for a sedan. In addition, the average annual repair cost is $481, which is lower than the average in its class. Most of the issues are centered around the early 2000s models. So, if you are in the market for a Mazda6, newer models like the 2013 and up are the ones to go for.