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Mazda MAZDA6 vs Nissan Altima: reliability compared

From 2006 to 2021, owners filed an average of 108 complaints per model year about the Mazda MAZDA6 and 684 about the Nissan Altima.

Side by side

Mazda MAZDA6Nissan Altima
Model years compared2006-20212006-2021
Owner complaints1,73110,951
Complaints per model year108684
Recalls2440
Years to avoid200920102008200920132014
Best years201320152017201820192020
Most common problemAirbagsTransmission
Crash ratingNo dataNo data
Fuel economyNo data29-32 mpg combined (2021)

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 Mazda MAZDA6: 1732006 Nissan Altima: 82420062007 Mazda MAZDA6: 1562007 Nissan Altima: 4712008 Mazda MAZDA6: 1112008 Nissan Altima: 1,03120082009 Mazda MAZDA6: 3862009 Nissan Altima: 1,5472010 Mazda MAZDA6: 2252010 Nissan Altima: 38120102011 Mazda MAZDA6: 1362011 Nissan Altima: 2422012 Mazda MAZDA6: 1002012 Nissan Altima: 42620122013 Mazda MAZDA6: 232013 Nissan Altima: 2,3152014 Mazda MAZDA6: 1372014 Nissan Altima: 1,11420142015 Mazda MAZDA6: 602015 Nissan Altima: 9562016 Mazda MAZDA6: 782016 Nissan Altima: 55520162017 Mazda MAZDA6: 602017 Nissan Altima: 3952018 Mazda MAZDA6: 602018 Nissan Altima: 22620182019 Mazda MAZDA6: 62019 Nissan Altima: 2352020 Mazda MAZDA6: 22020 Nissan Altima: 16220202021 Mazda MAZDA6: 182021 Nissan Altima: 71
Mazda MAZDA6Nissan Altima

Problems compared

MAZDA6Altima
Airbags4731,581
Body2651,053
Suspension211781
Electrical1831,331
Engine1471,345
Steering1271,245
Transmission1121,904
Lights981,132

Questions about the Mazda MAZDA6 vs Nissan Altima

Which is more reliable, the Mazda MAZDA6 or the Nissan Altima?

Between 2006 and 2021, the Mazda MAZDA6 has 2 years to avoid and the Nissan Altima 4. The Mazda MAZDA6 has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Mazda MAZDA6 drew fewer complaints per model year (108 vs 684), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda MAZDA6 or the Nissan Altima?

From 2006 to 2021, the Mazda MAZDA6 was covered by 24 recalls and the Nissan Altima by 40.

What years of the Mazda MAZDA6 and Nissan Altima should you avoid?

Mazda MAZDA6: 2009 and 2010. Nissan Altima: 2008, 2009, 2013 and 2014.

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