RoadVitals

1988 Mazda MX6

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Feb 19, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest May 24, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Mazda MX6, most frequently naming the seat belts, electrical and interior & seats categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts956.3%
  • Electrical16.3%
  • Interior & seats16.3%
  • Suspension16.3%
  • Tires & wheels16.3%
  • Transmission16.3%
  • Body & structure16.3%
  • Visibility16.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95V103005

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
360,433 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INCView on NHTSA.gov
88V022000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Feb 22, 1988
72,883 units potentially affected
The defect: AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW 0 DEGREE F, FROST MAY ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE THROTTLE BODY UNDER EXTENDED CONSTANT SPEED OPERATION.
The risk: FROST ACCUMULATION ON THE THROTTLE VALVE MAY PREVENT THEVALVE FROM RETURNING SMOOTHLY.
The remedy: INSTALL A NEW TYPE THERMOSTAT DESIGNED TO RAISE THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND WARM THE THROTTLE BODY TO A LEVEL ABOVE FREEZING.
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INCView on NHTSA.gov
87V196000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS

Dec 29, 1987
14,807 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR BRAKE DRUMS TRANSPORTED BY TRAIN MAY EXPERIENCE SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE SHOE FROM THE WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDER PISTON.
The risk: SHOULD SEPARATION OCCUR, REPEATED BRAKE OPERATION MAYDAMAGE THE WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDER DUST BOOT, ALLOWING WATER OR DUST INTRUSION ANDSUBSEQUENT PISTON CONTAMINATION.
The remedy: ALL VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND IF NO SEPARATION IS FOUND GREASE WILL BE APPLIED TO THE COMPONENT INTERFACE TO LOWER FRICTION AND AVOID SUBSEQUENT RELATIVE MOTION. IF SEPARATION IS FOUND THE WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDER DUST BOOT WILL BE REPLACED.
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA95005ClosedEngineering Analysis

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Mar 10, 1995
Closed Aug 1, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 95V103005
PE91088ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

THROTTLE STICKING

Opened Jun 18, 1991
Closed Oct 21, 1991

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
PE89167ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TRANSMISSION OIL LINE FIRE

Opened Sep 15, 1989
Closed Dec 21, 1989

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 16
Suspension
Filed Feb 19, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER. *AK THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO SALT CORROSION. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, SLID ACROSS THE LEFT LANE AND INTO THE MEDIAN. *SC

NHTSA ID
10053508
Incident
Dec 26, 2003
Mileage
140,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 7, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT THAT DRAINS THE BATTERY IN AS LOW AS HALF AN HOUR AFTER THE BATTERY HAS BEEN CHARGED, THE ALTERNATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES ALONG WITH THE BATTERY, MAIN FUSE AND DISTRIBUTOR, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *SLC

NHTSA ID
786035
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 7, 2001

CONSUMER BOUGHT FOUR TIRES, AND THREE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
893758
Incident
Jun 15, 2001
Seat belts
Filed Feb 9, 2000

SEAT BELT LOCK AND RELEASE MECHANISM JAMMED RENDERING SEATBELT USELESS. NLM

NHTSA ID
550825
Incident
Nov 20, 1999
Body & structure
Filed Oct 1, 1999

INITIALLY WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED, I DISCOVERED THE DOOR HANDLE MECHANISM IS MADE OF POT METAL AND NOT OF A VERY STRONG NATURE FOR THE FREQUENT USE IT GETS. CHECKING WITH THE DEALER I FIND IT WILL COST $300 TO FIX. TO SAVE MONEY I RESEARCHED USED PART PLACES. I DISCOVERED THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AND DOOR HANDLES ARE RARE TO COME BY AS MOST ARE ALREADY BOUGHT UP. I HAVE SEARCHED NORTHERN AS WELL AS SOUTHERN CA, AND WILL NOW TRY IN TX. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE MY 2 YEAR OLD WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR THE OTHER DAY AND THE HANDLE OF COURSE BEING BROKEN WOULDN'T OPEN. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PUT SOMETHING DOWN THROUGH THE GLASS TO OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECTIVE PART, IS THERE ANYWAY TO HAVE IT FIXED BY THE DEALER?.

NHTSA ID
712667
Incident
Oct 1, 1998
Visibility
Filed Sep 22, 1999

HAD PARKED VEHICLE & PUT WINDOWS DOWN. WHILE PUTTING POWER WINDOWS DOWN, STARTED TO MAKE NOISES & GOT STUCK. POWER WINDOWS HIT A ROD. THE DOOR BECAME UNLOCKED & OPEN. TRIED CLOSING DOOR, BUT DOOR DID NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE DOOR & WINDOWS CHECKED. *AK

NHTSA ID
848447
Incident
Aug 14, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Mar 18, 1997
Crash reported1 injury reported

FRONTAL COLLISION, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, LAP/SHOULDER BELT DID NOT RETRACT, VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED. *AK

NHTSA ID
978741
Incident
Aug 22, 1995
Seat belts
Filed Apr 15, 1996

THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE AND HASN'T HAD THE PARTS IN A MONTH 95V1003005. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
982703
Incident
Feb 22, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

008/97

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

USE OF A/C TRACER DYE. *TW

007/97T

AIR BAGS

PARTS REPLACEMENT AFTER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TW

001/97G

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY - DIAGNOSTIC AND CHARGING PROCEDURE. *TW

003/97G

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

WIPER MOTOR INOPERATIVE - CIRCUIT BREAKER ACTIVATION. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mazda MX6 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001000—
2000000—
1999010—
1998010—
1997230—
1996123262.9
1995333265.9
1994464157.2
1993543155.3
1992710—
1991131245.5
1990141246.4
1989282358.3
1988Viewing165363.2
1987101—
1986201—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.