1993 Mazda MX6 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 Mazda MX6, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1322.0%
- Engine915.3%
- Steering610.2%
- Suspension610.2%
- Interior & seats58.5%
- Transmission46.8%
- Seat belts46.8%
- Electrical35.1%
- Visibility23.4%
- Exterior lighting23.4%
- Airbags23.4%
- Fuel system11.7%
- Driver assistance11.7%
- Powertrain (other)11.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON THE MODELS WITH REAR DISC BRAKES: AFTER APPLYING, AND THEN RELEASING THE PARKING BRAKE IN A NORMAL MANNER THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR PIVOTING PIN BEARING ON ONE OF THE REAR CALIPERS SEIZED, CAUSING IT NOT RELEASE OR TO NOT FULLY RELEASE. THIS COULD CAUSE A HANDLING/BRAKING INSTABILITY ISSUE, NOT TO MENTION PREMATURE BRAKE PAD WEAR/FAILURE. AN IMPROPERLY DESIGNED CALIPER INVOLVING THE SEAL AROUND THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR PIVOTING PIN AND BEARING WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES.*AK
APPLIED PARKING BRAKE. REAR BRAKE CALIPER PARKING BRAKE MECHANISM DESIGN FAILURE CAUSED THE REAR CALIPER TO NOT RELEASE AFTER RELEASING THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE. HAD TO MANUALLY (FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR) FORCE THE ACTUATOR LEVER BACK. *JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE STALLED ON FREEWAY DRIVING AT 70-75 MPH. CAR RESTARTED A FEW MINUTES LATER.*AK
ENGINE IS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN WITH THE SAME BASIC PROBLEM, THAT WHEN ENGINE IS COLD THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE DUE TO CARBON BUILT UP IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER WITHIN THE ENGINE. *AK
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT PULLING MY DAUGHTER OFF THE ROAD AND HEAD ON INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPT WITH AN AIR BAG SHE STILL WAS THROWN HEAD FIRST INTO THE WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR. THE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY BUT DID NOT STOP HER. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.
WHILE DRIVING TIRE TURNED WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL BEING TURNED. THEN, THREE SECONDS LATER, THE WHEEL CORRECTED ITSELF. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX6. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND. HE CONTINUED IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND TURNED THE STEERING COLUMN TO THE LEFT, BUT THE NOISE PERSISTED. HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS FAILED. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, ONLY A GUARD ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT THE COIL SPRINGS FROM FAILING AGAIN. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT BECAUSE THE COIL SPRINGS ALREADY FAILED, THEY WOULD ONLY INSTALL THE GUARD ASSEMBLY IF THE COIL SPRINGS WERE REPAIRED DUE TO THE RESPONSE THEY RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
I OWN A 1993 MAZDA MX6, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TWICE AND ONCE ON THE OTHER SIDE, I WENT ON THE NET AND SAW THAT THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS ON THIS MODEL, AND WAS TRYING TO SEE IF I COULD BE REIMBURSED, I HAVE THE BILLS AND DATES THAT THE REPAIRS WAS DONE. *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2005 THERE WERE NO RUNNING LIGHTS, DASHBOARD OR TAIL LIGHTS. WENT TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND IT SHORTED OUT THE FUSE BOX, AND IT STARTED SMOKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC , AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THEN ,WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, WERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AND THEY REFUSED TO FIXED THE PROBLEM EVEN WITH THE CONSUMER PAYING THEM FOR THE WORK. THEY STILL WOULD NOT FIX THE VEHICLE. DRIVING WAS FINE IN DAYLIGHT, BUT AT NIGHT THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *AK
THE KEY BROKE OFF IN THE DOOR LOCK. HAD ALL THE LOCKS REPLACED AND HAD THE KEYS CODED FOR THE LOCKS AND THE KEY BROKE FOR THE 2ND TIME IN THE LOCK.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 1993 MAZDA MX6 WITH 105,000. IN 1999 THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. THEN, RECENTLY, I'VE HAD MY CAR IN 3 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THEY'VE REPLACED SOLENOIDS, TORQUE CONVERTER, INLINE BOOST VALVE AND SO FAR IT ISN'T FIXED. I'VE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE BUT MAZDA HASN'T DONE ANYTHING FOR CONSUMERS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING TO THE MALL ON I-95 NORTH WHEN MY CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE TACHOMETER STARTED REDLINING, SO I STOPPED PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. NOW IT WILL COST ME ANYWHERE BETWEEN $1,500.00 AND $2,000.00 TO REBUILD IT. AND TO GET A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION WILL COST $2,500.00 AND UP. PLEASE HELP ME, I'M A COLLEGE STUDENT AND I CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIRS TO MY CAR. AND I DESPERATELY NEED MY CAR. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT PULLING MY DAUGHTER OFF THE ROAD AND HEAD ON INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPT WITH AN AIR BAG SHE STILL WAS THROWN HEAD FIRST INTO THE WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR. THE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY BUT DID NOT STOP HER. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FAILED IN ACCIDENT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 1993 MAZDA MX-6 LS COUPE. MY DISTRIBUTOR HAS FAILED 3 TIMES NOW. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE FAILURE IS ALSO INTERMITTENT. FAILURE AT REST IS OF NO ISSUE, YOUR CAR JUST DOESN'T START OR STARTS BUT DOESN'T RUN. HOWEVER, WHEN THE DISTRUBUTOR FAILS WHEN DRIVING IS THE ISSUE. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING, THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS WELL AS POWER BRAKES. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AMONG MX-6 DRIVERS, AS CAN BE SEEN ON THESE SITES: HTTP://WWW.MX6.COM HTTP://WWW.PROBETALK.COM HTTP://HOMEPAGE.NTLWORLD.COM/DOROTHY.BRADBURY/PROBEMX/INDEX.HTM AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE 65 MPH REAR WINDSHIELD FELL OFF, LEAVING VEHICLE WITHOUT REAR WINDSHIELD, AND ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT TO ANOTHER DRIVER. ALSO SAID ALL THE WINDOWS WERE UP AND THE A/C WAS ON. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2005 THERE WERE NO RUNNING LIGHTS, DASHBOARD OR TAIL LIGHTS. WENT TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND IT SHORTED OUT THE FUSE BOX, AND IT STARTED SMOKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC , AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THEN ,WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, WERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AND THEY REFUSED TO FIXED THE PROBLEM EVEN WITH THE CONSUMER PAYING THEM FOR THE WORK. THEY STILL WOULD NOT FIX THE VEHICLE. DRIVING WAS FINE IN DAYLIGHT, BUT AT NIGHT THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT AND DID NOT COME BACK ON. THERE WAS NO WARNING. 8JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FAILED IN ACCIDENT.
UPON IMPACT, RIGHT FRONT, OWNER WANTS TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIS HEAD WAS TURNED SLIGHTLY/HEARING PERMANENTLY DAMAGED FROM AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
ROTOR FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS TURNED OFF, CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, WOULD NOT DISENGED, LOSS OF CONTROL, FLIPPED OVER, SPEED 65MPH, NO IMPACT *A
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN TURNING A CORNER THE STEERING STICKS AND HAS TO BE PULLED BACK AROUND. DEALER SAYS IT'S THE AXLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .