FaultScore

BMW 535D vs Mazda MX-6

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure BMW 535D Mazda MX-6
Complaints on file 98 241
Model years covered 2014–2016 1990–1997
Worst model year 1994
Best model year 1996
Crashes reported 0 32
Fires reported 8 3
Injuries reported 2 31
Deaths reported 0 3
Most complained-about part Fuel & Propulsion Transmission & Drivetrain
Share of complaints involving harm 10.2% 28.6%

BMW 535D by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 36 36.7%
Transmission & Drivetrain 8 8.2%
Other & Unspecified 6 6.1%
Electrical System 4 4.1%
Body & Structure 3 3.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 1.0%
Lights 1 1.0%

Mazda MX-6 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Brakes 31 12.9%
Engine & Cooling 27 11.2%
Airbags 26 10.8%
Seat Belts 25 10.4%
Electrical System 17 7.1%
Suspension 11 4.6%
Fuel & Propulsion 10 4.1%