RoadVitals

1996 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.
12
Latest Apr 10, 2006
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.
3
Latest Oct 19, 2015
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.
2
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.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Mazda MX6, most frequently naming the airbags, brakes and body & structure categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 28 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

  • Airbags758.3%
  • Brakes216.7%
  • Body & structure18.3%
  • Other / unspecified18.3%
  • Seat belts18.3%

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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
15V674000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Oct 19, 2015
1,368,500 units potentially affected
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
The risk: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
The remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
Mazda North American OperationsManufacturer number 8715JView on NHTSA.gov
05E065000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Oct 5, 2005
42,962 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
The remedy: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6698.
SPX FILTRANView on NHTSA.gov
98V249000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Oct 8, 1998
213,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
The risk: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS IN LOW SPEED UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

RQ99022ClosedRecall Query

HEADLIGHT FAILURE

Opened Dec 20, 1999
Closed Aug 30, 2000

OBTAINED RECALL 99V-358

EXTERIOR LIGHTING
EA97012ClosedEngineering Analysis

OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

Opened May 23, 1997
Closed Oct 9, 1998

IN MAY OF 1997, ODI UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WITH 51 COMPLAINTS.ODI IS NOW AWARE OF 88 COMPLAINTS OF ALLEGED INAPPROPRIATE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS.TYPICAL COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE AT BETWEEN 20 AND 45 MPH, OR THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING AT BETWEEN 20 OR 60 MPH FOR NO APPARENT REASON.APPROXIMATELY 25 DRIVERS ALLEGED THAT THEY DID NOT HIT ANYTHING IN THE ROADWAY.MAZDA WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OFALL 1995 AND 1996 MODELS OF THE MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AS WELL AS A SMALL NUMBER OF 1997 MAZDA 626 MODELS, EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME SAS UNIT.THE SAS UNIT CONTROLS THE AIRBAG SYSTEMIT CONTAINS A BUILT-IN CRASH SENSOR TO DETECT VEHICLE DECELERATION DURING A COLLISION.AFFECTED MODELS WERE ASSEMBLED FROM JUNE 1, 1994 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 1996 AND HAVE A VIN WITHIN THE FOLLOWING RANGES: MAZDA 626:1YVGE22**S5300001 THROUGH 1YVGE22**V5599030 MAZDA MX-6: 1YVGE31**S5300001 THROUGH 1YVGE31**T5589965ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY THAT THEIR VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE AN UNNECESSARY AIRBAG DEPOYMENT IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.THEY WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO A MAZDA DEALER TO REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE FREQUENCY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS.

AIR BAGSLed to recall 98V249000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 12
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 10, 2006

ALL 4 WHEELS ARE CRACKED ON THE OUTSIDE, AND BAC SIDE OF THE RIMS. THEY LOOK DEEP AND THE WHEELS MIGHT BREAK AT ANY TIME. *NM

NHTSA ID
10154972
Incident
Jan 1, 2006
Mileage
110,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 2, 2001

VEHICLE WAS GOING 55MPH , AND CONSUMER WAS NOT SURE WHAT VEHICLE RAN OVER, BUT AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NOTHING WAS HIT, AND NO DAMAGE WAS DONE. NO INJURIES. CONSUMER IS CONTACTING MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ID
893255
Incident
Jul 28, 2001
Airbags
Filed Mar 28, 2001
Crash reported1 injury reported

HEAD-ON CRASH AT 35-40 MPH, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID
884467
Incident
Mar 27, 2001
Filed Aug 2, 2000

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
866595
Filed Dec 8, 1999

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
715794
Incident
Dec 7, 1999
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Aug 20, 1998
Crash reported

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. POINT OF IMPACT WAS DRIVERS SIDE, FRONT AT 60 TO 65 MPH, IN WHICH THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS. CAUSE UNKOWN. ALSO BRAKE ROTORS HAVE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR. CAUSE ALSO UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
827030
Airbags
Filed May 13, 1998

FALSE/VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG, RESULTING IN INJURIES.

NHTSA ID
535505
Incident
Apr 21, 1998
Brakes
Filed Mar 13, 1998
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING ON GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS, NO RAIN, DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES IN A REGULAR STOPPING SITUATION AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF A TRUCK. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
821950
Incident
Mar 6, 1998

Manufacturer communications

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

09-003-20-3671

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer’s responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement.  Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers.  When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles.  This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage.  Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the “Speedometer Replacement Label”. Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore.  In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda’s vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service. With the use of SPECMO’s services, it is possible that the odometer will be set between 10 to 31 miles over the odometer mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs. Please make sure that the customer is aware that there may be a slight variance to the odometer, in which case the customer may have to accept the slightly higher mileage. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after- warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.

0900716

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Speedometer replacement procedure

0400502

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

INADVERTENT DISABLING OF BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK. *TT

01299

STRUCTURE:BODY

SUBJECT REGARDING PAINT DAMAGE - IRON PARTICLES / INDUSTRIAL FALLOUT / ACID RAIN. *TT

01599

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

INFORMATION REGARDING PISTON STANDARDIZATION FOR VEHICLES WITHIN CERTAIN VIN RANGES. *TT

01598

SUBJECT REGARDING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT (MIL) ILLUMINATION W/DTC P1407. *YC

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—
1996Viewing123262.9
1995333265.9
1994464157.2
1993543155.3
1992710—
1991131245.5
1990141246.4
1989282358.3
1988165363.2
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.