Mazda NAVAJO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
84 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
65,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 to 1994 model years. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 84 complaints (11.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 20.2% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 9.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 6.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 4.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires | 10 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut | 5 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 4 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 3 |
Tires: 10; Tires:Tread/Belt: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Structure:Body:Hatchback/Liftgate:Support Device/Strut: 5; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 4; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 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 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 82 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 | 18 |
| 1996 | 21 |
| 2000 | 27 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
1995: 18; 1996: 21; 2000: 27; 2001: 10; 2002: 1; 2003: 4; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 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 558325 · 2000-12-20 (December 20, 2000)
THE PROPORTIONING VALVE FAILED "CLOSED" AND DID NOT ALLOW FOR THE BRAKE FLUID TO GO TO THE REAR BRAKES, AS A RESULT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN THE FRONT TIRES LOCKING UP AND SKIDDED CAUSING COLLISION. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 558325 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856183 · 2000-02-03 (February 3, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED ,BRAKES WILL INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK DUE TO DEFECTIVE VALVE WHICH DEALER CLAIMS IS AN UNUSUAL PART TO FAIL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973750 · 1995-10-23 (October 23, 1995)
FRONT BAR ON DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, CONNECTED TO THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE, RESULTING IN PULLING TO THE LEFT RUNNING VEHICLE INTO A CURVE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479907 · 1995-07-24 (July 24, 1995)
STEERING ARM FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL, RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO EXPIRATION OF RECALL NOTICE. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479907 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505534 · 1996-06-20 (June 20, 1996)
4 OUT OF 5 GEARS BROKE OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505534 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507369 · 1996-08-14 (August 14, 1996)
TRANSMISSION GEARS CRACKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016785 · 2003-04-30 (April 30, 2003)
SHORT IN CONNECTION AT THE FUEL TANK. PLASTIC IS MELTED THROUGH, THERE APPEARS TO BE SCORING ON THE INSIDE OF THE UNIT THAT WOULD BE INDICATIVE OF SPARK AND OR HIGH HEAT. CONCERN IS THAT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE AND OR EXPLOSION. ESPECIALLY IF THIS HAD OCCOURED DURING A TIME FRAME WHEN WARM TEMPERATURES WOULD HAVE MADE FOR HIGH FUEL VAPOR CONTENT (I.E. IT OCCOURED IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER AS OPPOSED TO STRANDING ME IN THE MIDDLE OF A SNOW STORM AS IT DID)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503225 · 1996-03-29 (March 29, 1996)
GASOLINE SMELL AROUND FUEL FILLER TUBE AFTER VEHICLE PARKED FOR SHORT PERIOD. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004476 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS FUEL PUMP AND CRANK SENSOR FAILURE. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 758335 · 2002-02-16 (February 16, 2002)
A SHORT OCCURRED AT THE JUNCTION OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO THE FUEL TANK. THE SHORT MELTED THE PLASTIC CONNECTION AND BURNED THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY TO THE INSIDE OF THE GAS TANK. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF IGNITION INSIDE THE GAS TANK. THIS CLEARLY COULD HAVE LEAD TO A FIRE OR EXPLOSION OF THE GAS TANK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 758335 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 800553 · 1996-08-06 (August 6, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING, FRONT WHEEL HUB ENGAGED ON ITS OWN, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO PULL TO SIDE, REPLACED ONCE, IN TO DEALER 4 TIMES/SAME PROBLEM.*AK THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT OF 4WD, NEEDE TO BE DISCONNECTED TO RECYCLE AND THEN RECONNECTED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800553 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 | 5 |
| 1992 | 3 |
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1994 | 3 |
1990: 0; 1991: 5; 1992: 3; 1993: 5; 1994: 3