Buy Mazda 6 Side View Mirrors

Below is a comprehensive, plain-language guide that pulls together key facts, safety rules, maintenance tips, costs, and answers to common questions about the Mazda 6 side mirror (also called a door mirror, wing mirror, or side-view mirror).

Quick Facts

Mazda 6 sedans use two power-adjustable mirrors that meet U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111 for rear visibility, giving drivers a clear view of traffic beside and behind the car. (Federal Register) Most trims since 2018 add LED turn-signal indicators in the mirror housings, improving visibility to other road users. (Car and Driver) Higher trims include heating coils that defrost along with the rear window, (Mazda USA) a driver-side auto-dimming feature to cut nighttime glare, (Mazda USA) and Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) lamps embedded right in the mirror glass.

Fit & Generations

• 2003-2008 (1st gen) - Different mirror shape and mounting pattern; not interchangeable with later cars.
• 2009-2013 (2nd gen) - Mirrors bolt on with three 10-mm studs and use a single 6-pin connector.
• 2014-2021 (3rd gen) - A how-to video confirms the same removal steps through 2021: take off the door trim, unplug the harness, remove three nuts, swap the unit. (1A Auto)
  Always match year, paint-code cover, and features (heat, memory, BSM) before ordering a replacement.

Key Features

• Power adjustment - An interior joystick lets you fine-tune both mirrors.
• Heating/defogger - Turns on with the rear-window defog button to clear ice and fog. (Mazda USA)
• Auto-dimming (driver side) - Linked to the interior mirror; darkens when bright headlights approach. (Mazda USA, Mazda USA)
• Blind Spot Monitoring lights - Amber LEDs in each mirror warn of vehicles in adjacent lanes.
• Auto-folding - With the switch in "AUTO," mirrors fold when the doors lock and unfold at ignition-on. (Mazda Owners Manual)
• LED turn signals - Integrated flashers improve side visibility. (Car and Driver)
• Convex passenger-side glass - Gives a wider field but must show the safety warning per federal rules. (NHTSA)

Safety & Laws

Under FMVSS 111, every passenger car sold in the U.S. must provide a driver-side flat mirror and, if fitted, a convex passenger mirror marked "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear." (Federal Register, NHTSA) IIHS studies show that blind-spot detection systems cut lane-change crashes, reducing relevant police-reported collisions by about 14 percent. (IIHS Crash Testing, IIHS Crash Testing) For best coverage, set your mirrors using the AAA "CarFit" method so you barely see the car's flank and cover blind zones. (AAA Exchange)

DIY Installation

1. Remove door panel screws and trim clips.
2. Unplug the mirror harness.
3. Support the mirror, then remove the three 10-mm nuts.
4. Lift off the old unit and seat the new one.
5. Torque nuts snugly, reconnect wire, and refit the panel. A detailed step-by-step video walks through the process. (1A Auto)
   Tip: Disconnect the battery if your mirror has BSM or puddle-lamp wiring to avoid warning lights.

Care Tips

• Keep mirror glass clean with a soft microfiber cloth.
• In winter, use the built-in defogger instead of scraping to avoid scratches.
• Fold manually only at the hinge point to prevent motor damage.
• Test BSM lamps during pre-trip checks--they should light for two seconds at key-on.

Cost to Replace

A typical Mazda 6 mirror swap costs $331-$367 in the U.S., with parts around $252 and labor $79-$115. (RepairPal.com) Australian workshops quote roughly AUD 200-450. (AutoGuru) Heated, BSM, or painted-cap versions run higher.

Choosing a Mirror

• Match the build - Heat, memory, auto-dimming, and BSM all require the correct harness.
• Painted vs. textured - Some mirrors come with a primered cap ready for body-color spray.
• Glass type - Driver side is flat; passenger side is convex to widen the view in right-hand traffic. (NHTSA)
• Turn-signal option - LED repeaters came standard on most 2018-2021 trims. (Car and Driver)

Legal & Helpful Links

• FMVSS 111 rear-visibility standard
• 2021 Mazda 6 Blind-Spot Manual Section
• Mirror Defogger Instructions
• AAA CarFit Mirror-Adjustment Guide (PDF)
• IIHS Blind-Spot Effectiveness Study
• RepairPal Cost Estimator

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will a 2013 mirror fit my 2018 Mazda 6?
A: No. The 2014 redesign changed the mounting studs, wiring plug, and shape. Use a mirror from the 2014-2021 generation for those models. (1A Auto)

Q: Why does the passenger mirror say "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear"?
A: It is convex glass, required by federal law to widen your field of view; the warning reminds you that distances look smaller. (NHTSA)

Q: How do I turn on the mirror heater?
A: Start the car and press the rear-window defog button; the mirror heaters come on automatically.

Q: My driver mirror dims at night. Can I disable it?
A: Yes. Press the small "OFF" button on the interior auto-dimming mirror; this also cancels the door-mirror dimming. Press again to restore. (Mazda USA)

Q: The mirrors no longer fold when I lock the car-what happened?
A: Check that the mirror switch is in the center "AUTO" position. If still inactive, cold weather can slow the motors; fold manually and try again later. (Mazda Owners Manual)

Q: Do blind-spot lights stay on all the time?
A: No. They illuminate only when radar detects a vehicle in the adjacent lane and flash if you signal in that direction.

Q: Can I replace just the mirror glass?
A: Yes, if the housing and motors are intact. Glass comes off with gentle prying, but be sure to reconnect the heater leads if present.

Q: Are aftermarket convex mirrors legal on the driver side?
A: Not in the U.S.; the driver-side mirror must be flat to meet FMVSS 111 field-of-view rules. (NHTSA)

Q: How much torque for the three mounting nuts?
A: Mazda does not publish a spec, but 7-10 N·m (hand-tight with a 10-mm socket) is typical for M6 mirror studs.

Q: Does blind-spot detection really help?
A: Research from IIHS shows vehicles with the feature have about 14 percent fewer lane-change crashes. (IIHS Crash Testing)

Q: What tools do I need for DIY replacement?
A: A plastic trim tool, Phillips driver, 10-mm socket, and torx bit for some door screws. (1A Auto)

Q: Will painting the cap affect the BSM sensor?
A: No-BSM uses radar in the rear bumper, not the mirror; use proper primer and color-coat for best match.

Q: My mirror vibrates on the highway-fix?
A: Check that all three nuts are tight and the rubber gasket is seated; a loose gasket causes shaking.

Q: Does every Mazda 6 have heated mirrors?
A: Heating is standard on many Touring/Grand Touring trims but not on the base Sport. Confirm build sheet or look for the heater icon on the defog button. (Car and Driver)

Q: Why does the BSM lamp seem dim on sunny days?
A: The system intentionally dims in bright light; press the dimmer-cancellation button on the dash to brighten it if needed.