2018 Mazda MAZDA6 engine problems
32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2018 Mazda MAZDA6 — 55% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The car only has 70k miles on it. The engine started smoking under the hood. Immediately stopped to look. There was oil leaking but I could not see from where. I took it across the street to the Toyota dealership and had them look at it. They explained to me that there was a crack in the cylinder…”
filed Aug 7, 2026
“Crack in Cylinder Head of engine. Mazda has been sued about this and have issued recalls on turbo engines, but not on non turbo ones though its the same systemic design issue with these engines. Wants me to pay 5-7k out of pocket.”
filed Apr 30, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s)…
SA-041-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 19, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance…
SA-029-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-002/19 09/30/19 and 12/19/19 DESCRIPTION If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal…
SA-026-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 16, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) and TSB(s) listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-035/24 05/31/24 DESCRIPTION There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not…
SA-014-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 11, 2026Subject: TSB 01-001/26 Warranty and Parts Kit Update INCLUDES: Warranty Extension Program - Special Service Program (SSP) D8 Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0126:00, 2018-2025 CX-5, 2019-2023 Mazda3, 2019-2022 CX-3…
SSPD8 Repair d · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Mar 5, 2026
Engine problems in other MAZDA6 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 MAZDA6 | 4 | 7% |
| 2016 MAZDA6 | 7 | 9% |
| 2015 MAZDA6 | 4 | 7% |
| 2014 MAZDA6 | 15 | 11% |
| 2012 MAZDA6 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 MAZDA6 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 MAZDA6 | 4 | 2% |
| 2009 MAZDA6 | 11 | 3% |
| 2008 MAZDA6 | 2 | 2% |
| 2007 MAZDA6 | 9 | 6% |
| 2006 MAZDA6 | 10 | 6% |
| 2005 MAZDA6 | 4 | 3% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2018 Mazda MAZDA6
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.