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Mazda MX-6Model year report

1994 Mazda MX-6 Problems

Complaints
46filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,113miles, 4 complaints with mileage
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
23 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1994 Mazda MX-6 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1994 Mazda MX-6. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 13 complaints (28% of the total), followed by electrical system (8) and engine cooling (7). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,113 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 8 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the switch and 4 technical service bulletins 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.

Also reported: Other or unknown (2), Seats (2), Suspension (2), Tires (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Steering (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “I am the owner of a 1994 Mazda MX-6 (4 cylinder, automatic transmission). Because of what I believe may be a manufacturer defect or design flaw, I've been forced to replace the transmission in this vehicle twice over the course of about three years. Basically, an electronic overdrive switch will randomly begin it's function without having any control over it. A light on the dashboard will flash hold constantly until the problem is solved or the computer is reset. When this happens, which quite frankly has been very frequent, the transmission jerks and struggles to operate properly. …”

NHTSA complaint #10050880, filed 2003-12, 70,000 miles

Electrical system: “While driving at highway speeds, the engine completely died, suddenly and without any warning. The tachometer reading went to zero and there was no power. I was able to pull to side of road and car was towed. I was informed that the ignitor in the distributor had failed and needed to be replaced. The cost was $523. 00. I've heard that other Mazda's have had this problem, and that ford, which owns 1/3 of Mazda and built this car in flat rock, mi, has been sued in cal. For the same problem with ford vehicles.”

NHTSA complaint #707858, filed 1999-06

Engine cooling: “I was coming home from school one night when all of a sudden my engine light came on. About 5-6 minutes later I was getting off of the freeway when my car stopped. I was able to turn the car back on although the radio and all of my interior lights were flashing. I drove it about 5 minutes up the road to the light in front of my apartment and it stopped again. By this time, it was smoking badly! So I got some help and pushed out of the way across the street. I was told to get my stuff out because it looked as if the car was going to blow. I got my stuff out and called the police. …”

NHTSA complaint #10157936, filed 2006-05

Brakes: “While traveling at approx. 40-50 MPH and applying brakes in an emergency situation, vehicle to skid into a pole, and driver's shoulder belt failed to lock , causing the driver to hit windshield. Also, air bags deployed after impact which forced driver backwards. Driver sustained minor injuries. Mfr. Notified. Seeking help from NHTSA in this matter.”

NHTSA complaint #847147, filed 1999-09

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 72,000 and 88,226 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5050%50–7550%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,113 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

’95’97’997’01’03’05’07’16
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1994 Mazda MX-6. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
MX-6 · coupe not rated5 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1994 Mazda MX-6 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
MX-6 FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual233126$2,600
MX-6 FWD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202823$2,900
MX-6 FWD2.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic182420$4,100
MX-6 FWD2.5L 6-cyl5-speed manual182420$4,100

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

Recall details for the 1994 Mazda MX-6 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 8 on record; the latest 8 are shown.

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 1994 Mazda MX-6 have?

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 1994 Mazda MX-6 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1994 Mazda MX-6 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 13 complaints (28% of the total), followed by electrical system with 8.

Has the 1994 Mazda MX-6 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 1994 Mazda MX-6 get?

The EPA rates the 1994 Mazda MX-6 (MX-6, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1994 Mazda MX-6 reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,113 miles and the middle half falls between 72,000 and 88,226 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.