MazdaMazda62008Overview/mazda/mazda6/2008/base/

2008 Mazda Mazda6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Mazda6.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2008 Mazda6 presents as a passenger car that recorded 111 total owner complaints and five recalls, with air bags emerging as the leading complaint category. Across the model's 2002–2021 complaint history, the 2008 figure sits well below the 2009 peak of 386 complaints and above the 2020 low of two, positioning this model year in the lower half of reported issues for the generation. That placement indicates the 2008 edition avoided the sharp complaint spike that defined the following year while still reflecting the elevated reporting levels common to the model's earlier half.

Model year202020192018201720162015201420132008

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 40R · 590 CCA battery, OE oil filter AJTM14302. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 40R · 590 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterAJTM14302 alt LF0114312
Engine air filterRF2A13Z40A9U alt AJ5713Z40A9U
Spark plugAJTT18110
Front wiper bladesGK2A67330A alt GK2C67330A
Serpentine beltAJ5815908 alt AJ5715909A
ThermostatAJ5715171A alt 9XB06807S
Cabin air filterGK3J61148 alt GK3J61B03

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.4 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height56.7 in
Wheelbase105.5 in
Curb weight3058 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Mazda6 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–8.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 2003 s V6 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2005s Sport Wagon 3.0L V67.20 sec15.70 sec220 hpFWD
2003s V6 Sedan 3.0L V66.40 sec15.10 sec220 hpFWD
2003s V6 Sedan 3.0L V66.80 sec15.40 sec220 hpFWD
2003s V6 Sedan 3.0L V67.00 sec15.30 sec220 hpFWD
2003i Sedan 2.3L I-47.90 sec16.40 sec160 hpFWD
2003s V6 Sedan 3.0L V68.10 sec16.30 sec220 hpFWD
2003i Sedan 2.3L I-48.60 sec16.35 sec160 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.6
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity6.1
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity5.0-6.2

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) BearingsSOHC: 30-36 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsSOHC: 14-22 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12.0-14.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32.0-47.0 ft-lbs
Main BearingsSOHC: 75-85 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Front Wheel Hub175-202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition TimingTurbo: 10, Non-Turbo: 8 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm
Ignition Timing10 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.05 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.07 oz
Standard BCI Group Number40R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance590 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16-20 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-193 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11.4
Injector Primary Resistance1.0-1.2 @ 68 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-75 ft-lbs / 38-49 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.94 in / 0.35 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.91 in / 0.315 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
171-77 ft. lbs., step 2: 87-9371–77 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
188 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 35-39 ft. lbs., step 4: 85-9588 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
145
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep DOHC

171-88 inch lbs. in crisscross pattern.71–88 in
215-18

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 75,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect)
Every 25,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Frame Fasteners (torque) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 45,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEmission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Mazda6 represents a relative low point in complaints and recalls within its generation's arc. With 111 complaints and 5 recalls, the 2008 model shows an improvement over the 2007 model's 165 complaints and 7 recalls, and it avoids the significant spike seen in 2009, which recorded 386 complaints and 10 recalls. The primary area of concern for the 2008 model is Air Bags with 77 complaints, although the provided data does not specify the root cause of these issues. The vehicle also had 3 investigations and 213 TSBs, figures that are consistent with the surrounding model years. Because it has the fewest complaints and recalls of any year between 2003 and 2012, this is a good year to buy.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
213
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
111
Owner complaints
15 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 111 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags77
Power Train4
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Steering3
Unknown Or Other2
Power Train,Engine2
Structure2
Electrical System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V402000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 15/06/2018

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an…

19V781000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 31/10/2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 213 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-041-262026-06-18Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
SA-061-252025-12-17Electrical SystemIf you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start…
07-004-25a2025-12-10Unknown Or OtherA musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system…
SA-039/252025-08-21StructureSome vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.)…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Mazda6. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2008 Mazda6 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.