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2006 Mazda Mazda5 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Mazda Mazda5 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Uneven inner-edge tire wear.” Mazda's Skyactiv engines use unusually high compression ratios (13:1 to 16:1) and require strict adherence to oil intervals — extending oil life on a Skyactiv engine accelerates carbon buildup on intake valves. Mazda's published Schedule 1 (severe) covers most US driving conditions.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Mazda Mazda5.

Reported to NHTSA

Uneven inner-edge tire wear

SUSPENSION, TIRES

21 NHTSA complaints · 2006-11 → 2016-03

“MY 2006 MAZDA5 SUFFERS FROM UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR. THE INSIDE EDGE TIRES WEARS COMPLETELY DOWN TO THE STEAL BELTS WHILE THE REST OF THE TIRES APPEAR BRAND NEW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10254206
“BOUGHT THE MAZDA5 NEW IN JUNE OF 2006, SINCE THEN WE HAVE PUT 22,000 MILES ON THE CAR, THE TIRES WHICH WERE TOYO'S WORE OUT AT 21,000 MILES ON THE INSIDE, OUTSIDE LOOKED LIKE YOU COULD DRIVE ON THEM ANOTHER COUPLE THOUSAND MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10280155
“I RECENTLY NOTICED SEVERE WEAR ON THE INSIDE SHOULDERS OF BOTH REAR TIRES ON MY 2006 MAZDA 5. LOOKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE REAR TIRES APPEAR TO LEAN IN AT THE TOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10207662

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear sliding door latch failure

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

6 NHTSA complaints · 2007-12 → 2018-11

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10837414
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LATCH ON THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS SEIZED AND FRACTURED WHILE THE DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10819838
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MAZDA5. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V463000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10392338

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hydraulic brake pedal failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

6 NHTSA complaints · 2008-03 → 2019-06

“I WAS COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I TRIED AGAIN AND AGAIN AND FINALLY TROMPED ON THEM AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPOPED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10222200
“ROAD DRY, NO POT HOLES, CLEAN, APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, APPLIED THE BRAKES NO THERE WAS NOTHING. PUSHED HARDER, NOTHING, AGAIN NOTHING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10222586
“BRAKE PEDAL SPONGY AFTER ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED,SEEM LIKE ABS CONTROL UNIT FAULT PUMP AIR IN BRAKE SYSTEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11151836

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Suspension noise and repeat component wear

SUSPENSION

8 NHTSA complaints · 2008-02 → 2017-08

“STARTED WITH A RUBBING NOISE IN SUSPENSION, DEALER SAID IT WAS NOTHING. SEEMED TO GO AWAY BUT RETURNED EARLY IN 2007 AS A CREAKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10217759
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FIVE TIMES TO HAVE THE CONTROL ARMS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10339363
“AT 62,000 MILES HAD A NOISE IN THE REAR. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS THE SHOCKS. THIS IS THE 3RD SET OF SHOCKS THAT HAVE BROKEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10355665

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt hardware failure

SEAT BELTS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2009-04 → 2014-10

“SEATBELT IN MY 2006 MAZDA 5 LITERALLY FELL APART AS WE WERE BUCKLING IT. WE HAD THIS VEHICLE IN TO MAZDA TO REPAIR SIMILAR PROBLEM EXACTLY A YEAR AGO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10266591
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10356996
“I OWN A 2006 MAZDA5 AND THE SEATBELT BASE CONNECTOR FELL APART, LITERALLY COLLAPSED AND ALL THE PIECES OF HARD PLASTIC CAME OFF LEAVING AN UNLATCHABLE METAL PLATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10651283

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering failure or lockup

STEERING

9 NHTSA complaints · 2006-10 → 2019-02

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10172157
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 5. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURES LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10821990
“POWER STEERING WENT OUT DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH DOWNHILL. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND FAULT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10457645

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Parking brake fails to hold vehicle

PARKING BRAKE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2006-08 → 2010-01

“I AM THE OWNER OF A MAZDA5- MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I PARKED MY CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ENGAGED THE BRAKE. MY DAUGHTER RE-ENTERED THE CAR ABOUT 1 HOUR LATER, AS SHE GOT IN THE CAR AND SAT DOWN SHE FELT IT MOVE AND HOPPED OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10165608
“THE HANDBRAKE ON MY 2006 MAZDA 5 DOES NOT STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING BACKWARDS WHEN IT'S PARKED ON AN INCLINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE NOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10265017
“MY 2006 MAZDA5 WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS 28,000 MILES. THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BE PULLED UP FULLY WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED, YET IT DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING ONCE PUT IN DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10268272

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and post-stall fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2005-11 → 2018-05

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA 5. WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND CAUGHT FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10914547
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10378429
“OIL LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER ON MAINTAINED MAZDA 5. ADDED 2 QUARTS OIL. FOLLOWING DAY ENGINE BEGAN TO RATTLE , JERK AND STOP GOING 65 MPH ON FREEWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10303114

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2 (highway-only): 7,500 miles. Turbo engines: 5,000 miles regardless of schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles; every 5,000 on AWD models, where the front-biased coupling wears tires unevenly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Skyactiv-G direct injection is sensitive to airflow restriction — inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Replace ATF every 60,000 miles severe / 100,000 normal. Use Mazda FZ ATF — substitutes cause harsh 1-2 shifts and torque converter shudder.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs every 60,000 miles on Skyactiv-G 2.0L and 2.5L; 45,000 miles on the 2.5L Turbo.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

FL-22 Long-Life Coolant

Every 60,000 mi

Mazda FL-22 (yellow): first change at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 60,000. Do not substitute — silicate-free formula prevents water pump damage on Skyactiv engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. On most models it sits behind the glove box.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

18 crashes 1990–2024

How the 18 occupant deaths break down

10

driver deaths

8

passenger deaths

18

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2006 Mazda Mazda5 reflects Mazda's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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