Mazda MX-6 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 223 consumer complaints across the 9 model years of the Mazda MX-6 (1988–1996) that have at least 5 complaints. 1993 has the most, with 54. Across all years, the part named most often is seat belts (47 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All MX-6 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 12 | 110,000 | 2 | 2 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 33 | 96,000 | 2 | 8 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 46 | 80,113 | 2 | 8 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 54 | 112,435 | 2 | 8 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 7 | — | 0 | 8 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 13 | — | 0 | 7 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 14 | — | 0 | 7 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 28 | — | 1 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 16 | 140,000 | 5 | 0 | — | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Seat belts47 24%
- Transmission and drivetrain31 16%
- Engine cooling27 14%
- Brakes26 13%
- Air bags23 12%
- Electrical system21 11%
- Seats13 6.5%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)11 5.5%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1995: “On my 1995 Mazda MX-6, with 67,000 miles, the transmission has started behaving erratically. When you put it in drive, it doesn't engage immediately, then eventually engages suddenly with a lurch. I have read on-line that this particular transmission is known to be troublesome. Btw, date is 2003, the form isn't updated yet.”
NHTSA complaint #10000777, filed 2003-01, 67,000 miles1994: “On my way to work about 30 minutes before 8:00 a.m. Traveling on the florida's turnpike south about to exit, on to miami dade college, on the way to work then class. I proceeded to yield then stop at the intersection at 107th and 104th. The car shut completely off and wouldn't start again, after waiting about several minutes more a ranger towed a passenger and myself a very short distance from the intersection. Nothing was done to correct this failure, that im aware of, all old parts are still inside the vehicle as of today.”
NHTSA complaint #10210916, filed 2007-12, 88,226 miles1993: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10128576, filed 2005-07, 171,000 milesOther Mazda models
3,125 complaintsMazda MAZDA3
2,991 complaintsMazda CX-5
2,469 complaintsMazda MAZDA6
2,232 complaintsMazda Tribute
2,098 complaintsMazda CX-9
1,493 complaintsMazda CX-7
1,133 complaintsMazda Protege
1,074 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology