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Kia Optima vs Mazda MAZDA6: reliability compared

From 2006 to 2020, owners filed an average of 452 complaints per model year about the Kia Optima and 114 about the Mazda MAZDA6.

Side by side

Kia OptimaMazda MAZDA6
Model years compared2006-20202006-2020
Owner complaints6,7841,713
Complaints per model year452114
Recalls1824
Years to avoid20112012201320142015201620092010
Best years200820092010201320152017
Most common problemEngineAirbags
Crash ratingNo dataNo data
Fuel economy24-41 mpg combined (2020)No data

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

2006 Kia Optima: 1552006 Mazda MAZDA6: 17320062007 Kia Optima: 1672007 Mazda MAZDA6: 1562008 Kia Optima: 1442008 Mazda MAZDA6: 11120082009 Kia Optima: 1162009 Mazda MAZDA6: 3862010 Kia Optima: 752010 Mazda MAZDA6: 22520102011 Kia Optima: 5942011 Mazda MAZDA6: 1362012 Kia Optima: 9232012 Mazda MAZDA6: 10020122013 Kia Optima: 1,3882013 Mazda MAZDA6: 232014 Kia Optima: 5912014 Mazda MAZDA6: 13720142015 Kia Optima: 1,0112015 Mazda MAZDA6: 602016 Kia Optima: 7622016 Mazda MAZDA6: 7820162017 Kia Optima: 2582017 Mazda MAZDA6: 602018 Kia Optima: 2332018 Mazda MAZDA6: 6020182019 Kia Optima: 2142019 Mazda MAZDA6: 62020 Kia Optima: 1532020 Mazda MAZDA6: 22020
Kia OptimaMazda MAZDA6

Problems compared

OptimaMAZDA6
Engine3,331134
Electrical809183
Steering739127
Brakes495104
Transmission473112
Fuel system45958
Airbags453473
Body406265
Suspension103211

Questions about the Kia Optima vs Mazda MAZDA6

Which is more reliable, the Kia Optima or the Mazda MAZDA6?

Between 2006 and 2020, the Kia Optima has 6 years to avoid and the Mazda MAZDA6 2. The Mazda MAZDA6 has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Mazda MAZDA6 drew fewer complaints per model year (114 vs 452), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Kia Optima or the Mazda MAZDA6?

From 2006 to 2020, the Kia Optima was covered by 18 recalls and the Mazda MAZDA6 by 24.

What years of the Kia Optima and Mazda MAZDA6 should you avoid?

Kia Optima: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Mazda MAZDA6: 2009 and 2010.

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