1989 Mazda 929 Problems
- Complaints
- 36filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Mazda 929 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 1989 Mazda 929. The part named most often is body and structure, with 19 complaints (53% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (4) and latches, locks and linkages (3). NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the door filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure19 53%
- Vehicle speed control3 8.3%
- Brakes2 5.6%
- Engine cooling2 5.6%
- Seat belts2 5.6%
- Fuel system1 2.8%
- Other or unknown1 2.8%
Example complaints
Body and structure: “The outside door handles, both front and rear, keep breaking, thereby making the doors inoperative from the outside. Both rear handles have been replaced twice and both front handles were replaced due to a recall, the left front has since broken. The material used in these handles is of such poor quality that the metal actually breaks. I am always driving around with at least one (once with two) inoperative door due to a broken handle.”
NHTSA complaint #708108, filed 1999-07Transmission and drivetrain: “While driving transmission would slip when changing. Automatic transmission would be rought shifting from one gear to another. Took vehicle to dealer & informed by mechanic that no problem was found. Transmission got worse & vehicle was not driveable.”
NHTSA complaint #873016, filed 2000-10Latches, locks and linkages: “Mfr 53404 NHTSA 93v174; door assembly; outer handle; gillman Mazda rosenburg tx. Vehicle experiencing doors locking 3 of 4 after recall service 9/19/95.”
NHTSA complaint #979628, filed 1996-02Vehicle speed control: “When applying brakes to stop vehicle surged forward. Immediately placed shift in neutral with foot on the brake pedal, engine with no load raced to 5000 RPM and was climbing higher until the ignition was turned to off. Restarted the engine and it immediately raced to 5000 RPM. This sequence occurred 5 times before the engine finally reset to a normal RPM start and could be driven home. Auto has experenced this problem for 2 years but can not be duplicated in the shop. …”
NHTSA complaint #754863, filed 2001-11Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Mazda 929 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 929 RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 929 RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 95V103005May 24, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Mazda 929 1988–1991, MPV 1989–1991, MX-6 1988–1989 +1 more
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.
- 93V174000Oct 29, 1993Structure › Body › DoorCovers: Mazda 929 1988–1989, 626 1988–1991
Resin molded front handles fail at the door latch actuating rod attachment, freeing the rod to fall inside the door frame. Subsequent lowering of the associated window may force the actuating rod downward and release the door latch.
Recall details for the 1989 Mazda 929 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Mazda 929.
Other model years of the Mazda 929
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 12 | — | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 19 | — | 1 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 35 | 94,500 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 18 | 86,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 12 | — | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 36 | — | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 34 | 197,000 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Mazda 929 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Mazda 929 have?
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 1989 Mazda 929 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Mazda 929 is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 19 complaints (53% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 4.
Has the 1989 Mazda 929 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Mazda 929 get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Mazda 929 (929, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.