1994 Mazda MX-6: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
80,113 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 31 complaints (25.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 19.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 12.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.5% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
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 | 8 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 |
| Child Seat | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8; Electrical System: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner: 2; Child Seat: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1
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 | 2 |
| 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: 2; 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). 27 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 | 5 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1995: 5; 1996: 1; 2000: 7; 2001: 2; 2002: 3; 2003: 5; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2009: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10005731 · 2003-02-12 (February 12, 2003)
REPLACED REAR CALLIPER DUE TO CALLIPER STICKING. FOUND WEBSITE THAT STATED THIS IS A DESIGN FAULT FOR PRE JAN 5, 1995 MAZDA MX6 VEHICLES. I CONTACTED MAZDA MANUFACTURING AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE WEBSITE STATES THAT WE CAN RECEIVE A REFUND FOR AT LEAST THE PRICE OF THE CALLIPER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005880 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006123 · 2003-01-31 (January 31, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED TRANSMISSION FAILED TO WORK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006123 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037723 · 2003-08-27 (August 27, 2003)
THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER LOCKED UP WHICH CAUSED INADEQUATE BRAKING AND RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050880 · 2003-12-21 (December 21, 2003)
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 TRANSMISS…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073756 · 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)
FAILURE OF VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTION.*MR THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHT SWITCH INITIALLY FAILED JANUARY 1999. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONSUMER WAS REIMBURSED. THE REPLACED HEADLIGHT SWITCH FAILED FEBRUARY 2004, 5 YEARS AFTER THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS INSTALLED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSE TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR THE REPAIR OF THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10073756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10125692 · 2005-06-17 (June 17, 2005)
MY NEW REMINGTON BRAND TIRE (ON MY MAZDA MX-6), BOUGHT LESS THAN ONE MONTH AGO, RIPPED TWICE IN THE SIDEWALL AFTER I DROPPED INTO A POTHOLE LAST NIGHT. I WROTE IT OFF TO BAD LUCK. HOWEVER, WHEN AT THE TIRE PLACE, NOT ONE BUT TWO OTHER CUSTOMERS SAID THEY HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THEIR TIRES, THAT THE SIDEWALL OF A RELATIVELY NEW TIRE SEEMED RATHER WEAK, AND GAVE WAY UNDER SEEMINGLY GENERAL CIRCUMSTANCES. I REALIZE YOU MAY NOT TAKE ACTION ON THIS LETTER, AND I UNDERSTAND. HOWEVER, IF YOU SEE A PATTERN OR RECEIVE MORE COMPLAINTS,…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10125692 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10157936 · 2006-05-20 (May 20, 2006)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10157936 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V674000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
Reported: 2015-10-19 (October 19, 2015)
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Consequence: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V358000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 1999-12-17 (December 17, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHT WIRE THAT RUNS THROUGH THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER CAN FAIL AT THE POINT WHERE IT IS SOLDERED TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
Consequence: THE FAILURE OF THIS WIRE COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH LEVER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗