Mazda MX-6 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
119 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
108,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 to 1997 model years. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 119 complaints (16.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 13.4% |
| Braking behavior | 12 | 10.1% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 5.0% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 4.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 19 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 9 |
| Seat Belts | 9 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 3 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 19; Air Bags:Frontal: 9; Seat Belts: 9; Air Bags: 4; Electrical System: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 98 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 21 |
| 1996 | 21 |
| 2000 | 19 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
1995: 21; 1996: 21; 2000: 19; 2001: 15; 2002: 8; 2003: 13; 2004: 4; 2005: 4; 2006: 3; 2007: 5; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 16 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10228688 · 2008-05-22 (May 22, 2008)
I HAVE A 1993 MAZDA MX6 WITH 105,000. IN 1999 THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. THEN, RECENTLY, I'VE HAD MY CAR IN 3 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THEY'VE REPLACED SOLENOIDS, TORQUE CONVERTER, INLINE BOOST VALVE AND SO FAR IT ISN'T FIXED. I'VE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE BUT MAZDA HASN'T DONE ANYTHING FOR CONSUMERS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10228688 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10242822 · 2008-09-18 (September 18, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX6. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND. HE CONTINUED IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND TURNED THE STEERING COLUMN TO THE LEFT, BUT THE NOISE PERSISTED. HE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS FAILED. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, ONLY A GUARD ASSEMBLY SHOULD BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT THE COIL SPRINGS FROM FAILING AGAIN. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT BECAUSE THE COIL SPRINGS ALREADY FAILED, THEY WOULD ONLY INSTALL THE G…
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10242822 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003272 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
I OWN A 1993 MAZDA MX-6 LS COUPE. MY DISTRIBUTOR HAS FAILED 3 TIMES NOW. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE FAILURE IS ALSO INTERMITTENT. FAILURE AT REST IS OF NO ISSUE, YOUR CAR JUST DOESN'T START OR STARTS BUT DOESN'T RUN. HOWEVER, WHEN THE DISTRUBUTOR FAILS WHEN DRIVING IS THE ISSUE. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING, THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS WELL AS POWER BRAKES. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AMONG MX-6 DRIVERS, AS CAN BE SEEN ON THESE SITES: HTTP://WWW.MX6.COM HTTP://WWW.PROBETALK.COM …
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003272 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106502 · 2005-01-17 (January 17, 2005)
APPLIED PARKING BRAKE. REAR BRAKE CALIPER PARKING BRAKE MECHANISM DESIGN FAILURE CAUSED THE REAR CALIPER TO NOT RELEASE AFTER RELEASING THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE. HAD TO MANUALLY (FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR) FORCE THE ACTUATOR LEVER BACK. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 112,435 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050541 · 2003-12-15 (December 15, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING TIRE TURNED WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL BEING TURNED. THEN, THREE SECONDS LATER, THE WHEEL CORRECTED ITSELF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050541 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 762640 · 2002-06-04 (June 4, 2002)
ENGINE STALLED ON FREEWAY DRIVING AT 70-75 MPH. CAR RESTARTED A FEW MINUTES LATER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 762640 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10927492 · 2016-11-22 (November 22, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MAZDA MX-6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 01/04/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE CALLED ANOTHER DEALER AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 20 MINUTES. UPDATED 03/08/17.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10927492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 711262 · 2000-04-07 (April 7, 2000)
IT SEEMS AS IF THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ENGINE VALVES ARE FAULTY. I HAVE SEEN MANY TSB'S ABOUT ALL RELATED PROBLEMS...IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE MAZDA IS TAKING CARE OF THE PROBLEMS!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 711262 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 2 |
1990: 0; 1991: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 2; 1994: 2; 1995: 2; 1996: 2; 1997: 2