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Mazda carsCode GG

Mazda 6 I problems (2002–2007)

All 3 engines of the Mazda 6 I that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo, the MZR-CD and the MZR gasolina. The safest option is the MZR gasolina in the 1.8 MZR 116-126 hp (L8-DE, 2002-2015) and 2.0 MZR 140-160 hp (LF-DE, LF-VE, 2003-2015) versions, with a «Buy» verdict.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Outside the engine: Outside the engine, according to owner reports on fiches-auto.fr, the first-generation Mazda 6 mainly suffers from corrosion in the rear wheel arches, window regulator faults, seized brake calipers and tyre wear; there are no independent studies quantifying this.[2]

Mazda 6 I (2002–2007)
Photo: jjron · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468105.6out of 10

Mazda 6 I rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 15 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it is based on few sources or few documented faults, so it is not included in the rankings. Having few documented faults does not mean it is reliable: it may simply be little studied. How it is calculated

  • Engine4.9From 3.7 to 5.9 depending on the engine
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension7.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
  • Brakes7.51 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Tyres and wheels9.31 fault
  • Steering8.9Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.4 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electrical system9.31 fault
  • Headlights and lights7.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior6.11 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Airbags and safety7.11 fault

The weak points of the Mazda 6 I

  1. 1Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and VVT actuator failure on the 2.3 DISI Turbo2.3 MZR DISI Turbo engine
  2. 2High severity: Premature turbocharger wear from poor lubrication on the 2.3 DISI Turbo2.3 MZR DISI Turbo engine · repair €2,200
  3. 3High severity: Oil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerationsMZR-CD engine
  4. 4Critical severity: Big-end bearing damage in the 2.3 MZR, with isolated cases in the 1.8 and 2.0MZR gasolina engine
  5. 5Critical severity: Defect in the driver's airbag gas generatorAirbags and safety

Documented engines, from highest to lowest risk

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

1 recall or campaign documented, the latest: Defect in the driver's airbag gas generator. See the campaigns for the Mazda 6 I

13 sourcesHow we work

2.3 MZR DISI Turbo

Mazda 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo (L3-VDT) · Petrol

In the 6 I
2005–2007[7]
Name
Mazda 6 MPS
Faults that affect it
3 · 2 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
63
High risk

Verdict for the version it uses

Faults that affect the 6 I

  1. Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain stretch and VVT actuator failure on the 2.3 DISI TurboThe 2.3 DISI Turbo's timing chain and its tensioner wear sooner than expected, especially on pre-2010 units: a rattle when cold is the warning, and if it fails it can damage the engine.Appears at around 100,000 km
  2. High severityFrequency: CommonTurboPremature turbocharger wear from poor lubrication on the 2.3 DISI TurboThe 2.3 DISI Turbo's turbo, with faults documented mainly on the CX-7, wears out through poor lubrication and causes blue smoke, loss of power and oil consumption; replacing it costs around €2,200 in Spain.Repair (garage): €2,200Appears at around 100,000 km
  3. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationOil consumption and sludge in the 2.3 DISI Turbo engineThe 2.3 DISI Turbo can burn oil and build up sludge if service intervals are stretched; the sludge blocks the turbo's passages and speeds up wear on the turbo and the timing.

6 I 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo pageAll versions and faults of the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo

MZR-CD

Mazda MZR-CD 2.0/2.2 (RF, R2) · Diesel

In the 6 I
2002–2007[2][9]
Names
Mazda6 2.0 CD121 · Mazda6 2.0 CD136
Faults that affect it
3 · 2 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
48
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 2.0 MZR-CD 121-143 (RF, 2002-2005, no DPF)2002–2005 · 121–143 hp · RF

    With caution

    It is the oldest version of the family (over 20 years old in 2026) and shares with the rest the sensitivity to oil dilution and carbon build-up documented by fiches-auto.fr and gebrauchtwagenberater.de, although without a particulate filter as yet. A reasonable buy if you check the service history.[1][2][6]

  • 2.0 MZR-CD 105-143 (RF, 2005-2010, with DPF)2005–2010 · 105–143 hp · RF

    With caution

    The particulate filter adds sensitivity to short journeys (incomplete regeneration and oil dilution), documented by fiches-auto.fr and gebrauchtwagenberater.de on the Mazda6 and Mazda3 of these years; we have found no equivalent reports for the Mazda5 with this engine, although it shares the same design.[1][2][6][10]

Faults that affect the 6 I

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The MZR-CD has 4 documented faults in total.

  1. High severityFrequency: CommonLubricationOil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerationsOn the 2.0 and 2.2 MZR-CD, injector seals that age badly and incomplete particulate filter regenerations on short journeys can let unburnt diesel into the sump, diluting the oil and leaving the engine with less lubrication.
  2. High severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboTurbocharger wear or failureThe MZR-CD's variable-geometry turbo appears among the faults cited by Mazda6 and Mazda3 owners, with cases of whistling, loss of boost pressure and, in one documented case, a repair of over €3,600 in France; it tends to be made worse if the oil has previously been diluted.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: CommonIntakeCarbon on the injectors, EGR valve and intakeUrban use and short journeys encourage carbon to build up on the injectors, EGR valve and intake of the MZR-CD, with loss of power and jerking; documented on the Mazda6 and Mazda3, on both the 2.0 and the 2.2.

6 I MZR-CD pageAll versions and faults of the MZR-CD

MZR gasolina

Safest option

Mazda MZR de gasolina atmosférico (series Z and L: 1.3 a 2.5) · Petrol

In the 6 I
2002–2007[1][2][11]
Names
Mazda6 1.8 (120 CV) · Mazda6 2.0 (140 CV) · Mazda6 2.3 (165 CV)
Faults that affect it
4 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
41
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • 1.8 MZR 116-126 hp (L8-DE, 2002-2015)2002–2015 · 116–126 hp · L8-DE, L8-VE

    Buy

    Gebrauchtwagenberater.de rates the petrol engines of the Mazda6 GG as reliable, the 1.8 among them; fiches-auto.fr records one case of a blown engine among 16 testimonials for the 1.8 of the Mazda6 GG, and a thermostat and a lambda sensor beyond 160,000 km in two testimonials for the GH. There is no data of its own for the Mazda5 and the MX-5 with this engine; the teaser of the auto motor und sport article (paywalled) only says that the MX-5 NC is not very problematic as a used car, without naming the engine.[1][2][3][4]

  • 2.0 MZR 140-160 hp (LF-DE, LF-VE, 2003-2015)2003–2015 · 140–160 hp · LF-DE, LF-VE

    Buy

    Gebrauchtwagenberater.de considers the petrol engines of the Mazda3 and Mazda6 reliable and attributes no faults specific to the 2.0; fiches-auto.fr adds isolated cases of oil consumption (3 among 17 testimonials in the Mazda3 BK and 2 among 19 in the Mazda6 GG) and of sensors, and a damaged big-end bearing at around 50,000 km.[1][2][5][6]

  • 2.3 MZR naturally aspirated 165 hp (L3-VE, 2003-2008)2003–2008 · 165 hp · L3-DE, L3-VE

    With caution

    Gebrauchtwagenberater.de attributes relatively high oil consumption to it (up to one litre every 2,000 km) and big-end bearing damage, and two of the six testimonials for the 2.3 on fiches-auto.fr mention very high oil consumption. It can be bought with the oil change history in hand and by keeping an eye on the level.[1][2]

Faults that affect the 6 I

  1. Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockBig-end bearing damage in the 2.3 MZR, with isolated cases in the 1.8 and 2.0Gebrauchtwagenberater.de cites big-end bearing damage as a known weak point of the 2.3 MZR of the Mazda6 GG, and fiches-auto.fr adds two isolated cases: a Mazda6 1.8 with a blown engine and a Mazda3 2.0 with a damaged big-end bearing at around 50,000 km.
  2. Medium severityFrequency: CommonLubricationHigh oil consumption in the 2.3 MZR of the Mazda6 (GG)The naturally aspirated 2.3 MZR of the Mazda6 GG has relatively high oil consumption: gebrauchtwagenberater.de puts it at close to one litre every 2,000 km and two of the six testimonials for the 2.3 on fiches-auto.fr mention very high consumption.
  3. Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationOil consumption in the 1.3, 1.6 and 2.0 MZR at high mileageIn the smaller petrol MZR engines, oil use appears mainly at high mileage: gebrauchtwagenberater.de places it in the Mazda2 DE from around 150,000-200,000 km, and fiches-auto.fr records isolated cases in the 2.0 of the Mazda3 and Mazda6 and in the 1.3 of the Mazda2.Appears at around 150,000 km
  4. Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionMisfires from spark plugs and ignition coils in petrol MZR enginesSpark plugs appear among the fault points of the Mazda2 DE in the ADAC statistics cited by gebrauchtwagenberater.de, and fiches-auto.fr attributes the misfires of the Mazda3 1.6 to coils, spark plugs or sensors.

6 I MZR gasolina pageAll versions and faults of the MZR gasolina

Faults of the Mazda 6 I outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

What the MOT inspection finds on the Mazda 6 I

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 1,834 inspections of 750 cars registered between 2002 and 2006, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 10.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 10.7%.

    Average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 19.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 13.6%.

    More defects than average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 1.6% of inspections; in cars of its age, 4.6%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 28.8% of inspections; in cars of its age, 29.1%.

    Average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 5.9% of inspections; in cars of its age, 2%.

    Many more defects than average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 3.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.6%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 2.9% of inspections; in cars of its age, 14.1%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 5.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 6.5%.

    Average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 15.9% of inspections; in cars of its age, 17.4%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Mazda 6 I

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo (2005–2007)

Timing chain stretch and VVT actuator failure on the 2.3 DISI Turbo

Critical severity

Premature turbocharger wear from poor lubrication on the 2.3 DISI Turbo

High severity

Oil consumption and sludge in the 2.3 DISI Turbo engine

Medium severity

If it has the MZR-CD (2002–2007)

Oil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerations

High severity

Turbocharger wear or failure

High severity

Carbon on the injectors, EGR valve and intake

Medium severity

If it has the MZR gasolina (2002–2007)

Big-end bearing damage in the 2.3 MZR, with isolated cases in the 1.8 and 2.0

Critical severity

High oil consumption in the 2.3 MZR of the Mazda6 (GG)

Medium severity

Oil consumption in the 1.3, 1.6 and 2.0 MZR at high mileage

Low severity

Misfires from spark plugs and ignition coils in petrol MZR engines

Low severity

Wear parts for the Mazda 6 I

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

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Buying a Mazda 6 I?

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Own a Mazda 6 I? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Mazda 6 I reliable?

All 3 engines of the Mazda 6 I that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the 2.3 MZR DISI Turbo, the MZR-CD and the MZR gasolina. The safest option is the MZR gasolina in the 1.8 MZR 116-126 hp (L8-DE, 2002-2015) and 2.0 MZR 140-160 hp (LF-DE, LF-VE, 2003-2015) versions, with a «Buy» verdict. Outside the engine, according to owner reports on fiches-auto.fr, the first-generation Mazda 6 mainly suffers from corrosion in the rear wheel arches, window regulator faults, seized brake calipers and tyre wear; there are no independent studies quantifying this.

Which Mazda 6 I engine is the most reliable?

Among the 3 engines we have documented, the safest option is the MZR gasolina in the 1.8 MZR 116-126 hp (L8-DE, 2002-2015) and 2.0 MZR 140-160 hp (LF-DE, LF-VE, 2003-2015) versions, with a «Buy» verdict. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de rates the petrol engines of the Mazda6 GG as reliable, the 1.8 among them; fiches-auto.fr records one case of a blown engine among 16 testimonials for the 1.8 of the Mazda6 GG, and a thermostat and a lambda sensor beyond 160,000 km in two testimonials for the GH. There is no data of its own for the Mazda5 and the MX-5 with this engine; the teaser of the auto motor und sport article (paywalled) only says that the MX-5 NC is not very problematic as a used car, without naming the engine.[1][2][3][4]

What problems does the Mazda 6 I have apart from the engine?

Outside the engine, according to owner reports on fiches-auto.fr, the first-generation Mazda 6 mainly suffers from corrosion in the rear wheel arches, window regulator faults, seized brake calipers and tyre wear; there are no independent studies quantifying this. The most important documented faults are: defect in the driver's airbag gas generator (airbags and safety, critical severity), corrosion of the rear wheel arches on the bodywork (bodywork and interior, medium severity), brake calipers and handbrake that seize (brakes, medium severity) and electric window regulator failure (electrical system, low severity).[2]

What faults does the Mazda 6 I have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: timing chain stretch and VVT actuator failure on the 2.3 DISI Turbo (2.3 MZR DISI Turbo, critical severity), premature turbocharger wear from poor lubrication on the 2.3 DISI Turbo (2.3 MZR DISI Turbo, high severity), oil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerations (MZR-CD, high severity), big-end bearing damage in the 2.3 MZR, with isolated cases in the 1.8 and 2.0 (MZR gasolina, critical severity) and turbocharger wear or failure (MZR-CD, high severity).

What is the best year to buy a Mazda 6 I?

According to our rating by year, the best is 2002 (6.2/10); the worst rated is 2007 (5.6/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Mazda 6 I have recalls?

Yes: we have documented one campaign for the Mazda 6 I, such as defect in the driver's airbag gas generator (2022). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[2]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Mazda 6 I: Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 8 August 2025 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  2. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2002-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2008-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  4. Gebrauchtwagencheck Mazda MX-5 NCauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published 14 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  5. Mazda 3 I (2003 – 2009) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 3 December 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  6. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2003-2009)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  7. Mazda L engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  8. Problemas Mazda CX-7Totalrenting · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Japanische Zuverlässigkeit? Ärger mit den Dieseln von Mazda und Toyotagebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  11. Mazda6Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  12. 2009 Mazda CX-7 engine problemsCarComplaints · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026
  13. Mazda 2 II (DE): Typische Mängel & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 28 September 2025 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German