Showing the 2016 Mazda6 Sport. NHTSA's VIN data shows it with a 2.5 L engine, but that may not be every version of it, so the numbers below cover every version of this model year. Every version
Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.
Fuel economy
29–32 mpgcombined; city 25–28, highway 36–38; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$10,150–$11,200U.S. average; Ohio $9,070–$10,010 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2016 Mazda6. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.
Owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda6. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.
Complaints by part of the car
Part
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Electrical system
11
1
0
2
Power train
11
0
0
1
Service brakes
11
2
0
1
Unknown or other
11
4
0
3
Seats
9
0
0
1
Engine
7
0
0
1
Vehicle speed control
7
2
0
2
Air bags
6
3
0
5
Steering
6
3
0
3
Structure
5
2
0
3
Suspension
5
0
0
0
Wheels
5
1
0
1
9 more parts
Fuel/propulsion system
4
0
0
0
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
1
0
0
Exterior lighting
2
0
0
0
Parking brake
2
0
0
0
Seat belts
2
0
0
0
Visibility/wiper
2
0
0
0
Forward collision avoidance
1
0
0
0
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
0
0
0
Tires
1
0
0
0
Complaints by model year
Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2016 Mazda6 over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.
Air bags: sensor; Seats; Steering: electric power assist system
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Mazda6 vehicles. Debris from the welding process during manufacturing of the front passenger seat frame may damage the occupant classification system (OCS) wiring.
Risk: If the wiring becomes damaged, there may be a loss of power steering assist and the deactivation of the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of a crash and the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will attach a protective pad on the seat frame. If the OCS harness is damaged, insulating tape will be applied to the harness. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1517H.
Carmakers sent NHTSA 670 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2016 Mazda6, the latest on Sep 11, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.
The parts they mention most: equipment (220), electrical system (183), engine and engine cooling (58), engine (51), power train (50).
NHTSA hasn't opened a defect investigation that covers this model year.
Maintenance
Oil
The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2016 Mazda6.
EPA class: midsize cars. EPA greenhouse gas score: 7–8 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
Version
Engine
Transmission
Fuel
City / hwy / comb
6 Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
28 / 38 / 32
6 Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
26 / 37 / 30
6 Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cyl
Manual 6-spd
Regular Gasoline
25 / 36 / 29
Sources and dates
U.S. EPA fuel economy data, file of Sep 29, 2026
NHTSA owner complaints, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA recalls, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA manufacturer communications, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA defect investigations, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, file of Aug 7, 2026
U.S. Energy Information Administration, file of Oct 12, 2026
Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data