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Mazda MX-6Model year report

1988 Mazda MX-6 Problems

Complaints
16filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
140,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Mazda MX-6 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1988 Mazda MX-6. The part named most often is seat belts, with 9 complaints (56% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and body and structure (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 140,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the buckle assembly filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #786035, filed 2002-07

Body and structure: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #712667, filed 1999-10

Suspension: “While driving at an undetermined speed and with no warning rear suspension collapsed. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the service dealer. The failure was due to salt corrosion. The vehicle spun around, slid across the left lane and into the median.”

NHTSA complaint #10053508, filed 2003-02, 140,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 140,000 and 140,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–100100%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 140,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

199571996199719992000200120022003
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1988 Mazda MX-6 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Mazda MX-6.

Other model years of the Mazda MX-6

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
199612110,0002—23—Not enough data
19953396,0002—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19944680,1132—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199354112,4352—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19927—0———Not enough data
199113—0———Not enough data
199014—0———Not enough data
198928—1——Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198816140,0005———Stable

All Mazda MX-6 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Mazda MX-6 have?

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1988 Mazda MX-6 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1988 Mazda MX-6 is reported most often?

Seat belts is named most often, in 9 complaints (56% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 1988 Mazda MX-6 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Mazda MX-6 reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 140,000 miles and the middle half falls between 140,000 and 140,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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.

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.