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2002 Mazda 6 SeriesRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 88 owner complaints for the 2002 Mazda 6 Series. Most complaints involve power train (70) and electrical system (4).

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Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
88
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2002 Mazda 6 Series as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

88 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2002 – Feb 2020
  1. Power train70
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Suspension4
  4. Engine and engine cooling3
  5. Seat belts3
  6. Air bags3
  7. Tires3
  8. Structure2
  9. Equipment2

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
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
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

70 reports2 crashes
“WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF FORWARD GEAR WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKES AND GENTLY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE DIDNT MOVE. MANUALLY SHIFTING INTO 1ST GEAR WAS THE CAR ABLE TO MOVE BUT CAUSING A VERY HARSH LURCHING FORWARD CAUSING A LOUD "CLUNKING" NOISE. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE CAR 3 MILES TO MY HOME. I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END ACCIDENT AT THE NEXT TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN 1ST GEAR AND HAVING THE BRAKES APPLIED THE TRANSMISSION CAUGHT IN GEAR AND LUNGED FORWARD CAUSING ME TO CONTACT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH MYSELF AND THE OCCUPANT OF THE VEHICLE I HIT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WELL AS PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AND THE BACK OF THEIRS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 2, 2020Power trainCrash reportedODI 11306609

Electrical system

4 reports
“THE CAR STARTED TO NOT WANT TO CRANK IT WOULD CRANK SOMETIMES THEN ONE DAY WE WENT TO THE STORE THEN WHEN WE WENT TO LEAVE THE STORE IT FINALLY JUST STOPPED TRYING TO CRANK ONLY MAKING A CLICKING SOUND AND WHILE TRYING TO CRANK IT THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING AND ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE I BELIEVE IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 19, 2015Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 10811234

Suspension

4 reports
“HEARD NOISE AND BAD VIBRATION FROM FRONT LEFT , IT GOT WORSE AND LOUDER WHEN MAKING TURNS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO STATED THAT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD. AROUND TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE SAME THING HAPPENED, HEARD LOUD NOISE ON FRONT RIGHT, GOT LOUDER WHEN TURNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED FRONT RIGHT BEARING. CAR ALWAYS SERVICED AT DEALER, TWO WEEKS BEFORE TOOK CAR TO DEALER FOR PULLING TO THE RIGHT. DEALER STATED IT NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT AND BALANCING. DID THAT NEXT DAY AND SAME THING HAPPENED WITHIN THE PAST MONTH. I HAD NEW FRONT BRAKES, NEW TIRES, NEW RIGHT AND LEFT BEARINGS, AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO BALANCE AND ROTATE TIRES. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, BUT DEALER INSISTED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG, SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT CHANGE GEARS LIKE IT SHOULD WHEN GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS. VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO, HAD TO REPLACE COOLANT BOTTLE THREE TIMES, AND ONCE CAR OVERHEATED. IT WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 19, 2005Suspension, Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, TiresODI 10118125
All 2002 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 2002 Mazda 6 Series as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4512
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

2002 6 Series questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Mazda 6 Series have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.

What are the most common 2002 Mazda 6 Series problems?

Owners filed 88 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (70), electrical system (4), suspension (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026