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2001 Mazda 6 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 189 owner complaints for the 2001 Mazda 6 Series. Most complaints involve power train (140) and engine and engine cooling (20).

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Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Oct 2005
Owner complaints
189
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Oct 5, 2005NHTSA 05E065000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

189 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2001 – Jul 2019
  1. Power train140
  2. Engine and engine cooling20
  3. Equipment15
  4. Air bags11
  5. Electrical system6
  6. Tires5
  7. Seat belts5
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic5
  9. Visibility4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 6 Series model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996362
1997360
1998434
1999320
2000217
2001189
200288
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

140 reports
“I HAVE PUT SO MUCH MONEY IN THIS CAR. ALTERNATOR, TRANSMISSION, BRAKES, TIRES AND BALL JOINTS. NOW THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS REPLACED, WIPER MOTOR AND QUARTER PANELS ARE ALL RUSTED OUT. I AM DISABLED AND THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION. SHOULD ALL OF THIS SHOULD OF GONE WRONG? IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR EIGHT YEARS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 5, 2015Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Structure, Tires, Service brakes, Visibility/wiperODI 10670033

Engine and engine cooling

20 reports
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WATER RESERVOIR OFF THE RADIATOR HAS TO BE REPLACED FOR THE FIFTH TIME. THE RESERVOIR HOLDS THE OVERFLOW FROM THE RADIATOR. THERE IS A CRACK IN THE SEAL WHERE THE SEAL MEETS. SHE HAS HAD TO PAY FOR EACH REPAIR BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2009Engine and engine coolingODI 10273474

Equipment

15 reports
“THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2001 MAZDA 626 I4 HAS FAILED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT FAILED AT 118,000 MILES WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT A INTERSECTION ALMOST CAUSING AN SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH THE CARS BEHIND ME. AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT FOR 2K THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AT 120,000 MILES WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION ON A UPHILL SLANT AND ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH THE CARS BEHIND ME AS I BACKED THE CAR DOWN THE HILL TO THE CURBSIDE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE HORRIBLE CD4E TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AGAIN AND THE CERTIFIED TRANSMISSION SHOP TELLS ME FORD HAS REDESIGNED THE DRUM FOR THESE TRANSMISSIONS (THE PART THAT FAILED BOTH TIMES) AND THEY ONLY RELEASE THEM 1 AT A TIME FROM THE FORD FACTORY TO TRANSMISSION SHOPS TO AVOID A RECALL ON THE PREVIOUS DESIGN WHICH FAILED ALL OF THEIR CD4E TRANSMISSIONS PREMATURELY. THIS IS VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE ON FORDS PART AND THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND NOT HIDE FROM THEIR FAILURES WHILE STICKING IT TO THEIR COSTUMERS. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 12, 2011Power train, EquipmentODI 10395684
All 2001 6 Series problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Mazda 6 Series as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4266
05 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
07 —FAQ

2001 6 Series questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Mazda 6 Series have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Mazda 6 Series problems?

Owners filed 189 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (140), engine and engine cooling (20), equipment (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026