HEADLIGHT FAILURE
OBTAINED RECALL 99V-358
FaultScore report
Owners have filed 68 complaints about the 1993 Mazda MX-6 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2008. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.
FaultScore 65/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mazda MX-6.
How this is worked out68
Complaints
6
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
3 complaints report a death.
130,500 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 142,500 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 139,500 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 171,000 mi
Median failure at 118,000 miles
Median failure at 136,000 miles
Median failure at 44,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
OBTAINED RECALL 99V-358
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
Risk: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
THE LOWER ARM BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION.
Risk: THE INSUFFICIENT TORQUE OF THE LOWER BALL JOINTRETAINING BOLT CAN RESULT IN THE SUSPENSION FAILING WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTIONAND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT PULLING MY DAUGHTER OFF THE ROAD AND HEAD ON INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPT WITH AN AIR BAG SHE STILL WAS THROWN HEAD FIRST INTO THE WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR. THE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY BUT DID NOT STOP HER. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10128576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT PULLING MY DAUGHTER OFF THE ROAD AND HEAD ON INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPT WITH AN AIR BAG SHE STILL WAS THROWN HEAD FIRST INTO THE WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR. THE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY BUT DID NOT STOP HER. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10128576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING TO THE MALL ON I-95 NORTH WHEN MY CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE TACHOMETER STARTED REDLINING, SO I STOPPED PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. NOW IT WILL COST ME ANYWHERE BETWEEN $1,500.00 AND $2,000.00 TO REBUILD IT. AND TO GET A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION WILL COST $2,500.00 AND UP. PLEASE HELP ME, I'M A COLLEGE STUDENT AND I CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIRS TO MY CAR. AND I DESPERATELY NEED MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #752145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING ACCIDENT RESULTED IN HEAD INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #508884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SEAT BELT FAILED CAUSING DRIVER TO BE EJECTED FROM VEHICLE IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #508884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK FAILED IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #508884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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 GUARD ASSEMBLY IF THE COIL SPRINGS WERE REPAIRED DUE TO THE RESPONSE THEY RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #10242822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10228688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:ACTUATOR
ON THE MODELS WITH REAR DISC BRAKES: AFTER APPLYING, AND THEN RELEASING THE PARKING BRAKE IN A NORMAL MANNER THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR PIVOTING PIN BEARING ON ONE OF THE REAR CALIPERS SEIZED, CAUSING IT NOT RELEASE OR TO NOT FULLY RELEASE. THIS COULD CAUSE A HANDLING/BRAKING INSTABILITY ISSUE, NOT TO MENTION PREMATURE BRAKE PAD WEAR/FAILURE. AN IMPROPERLY DESIGNED CALIPER INVOLVING THE SEAL AROUND THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR PIVOTING PIN AND BEARING WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #10190419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT: THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2005 THERE WERE NO RUNNING LIGHTS, DASHBOARD OR TAIL LIGHTS. WENT TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND IT SHORTED OUT THE FUSE BOX, AND IT STARTED SMOKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC , AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THEN ,WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, WERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AND THEY REFUSED TO FIXED THE PROBLEM EVEN WITH THE CONSUMER PAYING THEM FOR THE WORK. THEY STILL WOULD NOT FIX THE VEHICLE. DRIVING WAS FINE IN DAYLIGHT, BUT AT NIGHT THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10138772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DT: THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2005 THERE WERE NO RUNNING LIGHTS, DASHBOARD OR TAIL LIGHTS. WENT TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND IT SHORTED OUT THE FUSE BOX, AND IT STARTED SMOKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC , AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THEN ,WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, WERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AND THEY REFUSED TO FIXED THE PROBLEM EVEN WITH THE CONSUMER PAYING THEM FOR THE WORK. THEY STILL WOULD NOT FIX THE VEHICLE. DRIVING WAS FINE IN DAYLIGHT, BUT AT NIGHT THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10138772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
DT: THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2005 THERE WERE NO RUNNING LIGHTS, DASHBOARD OR TAIL LIGHTS. WENT TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND IT SHORTED OUT THE FUSE BOX, AND IT STARTED SMOKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC , AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. THEN ,WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, WERE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AND THEY REFUSED TO FIXED THE PROBLEM EVEN WITH THE CONSUMER PAYING THEM FOR THE WORK. THEY STILL WOULD NOT FIX THE VEHICLE. DRIVING WAS FINE IN DAYLIGHT, BUT AT NIGHT THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10138772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT PULLING MY DAUGHTER OFF THE ROAD AND HEAD ON INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPT WITH AN AIR BAG SHE STILL WAS THROWN HEAD FIRST INTO THE WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR. THE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY BUT DID NOT STOP HER. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10128576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT PULLING MY DAUGHTER OFF THE ROAD AND HEAD ON INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPT WITH AN AIR BAG SHE STILL WAS THROWN HEAD FIRST INTO THE WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR. THE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY BUT DID NOT STOP HER. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #10128576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10106502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT AND DID NOT COME BACK ON. THERE WAS NO WARNING. 8JB
NHTSA complaint #10055900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING TIRE TURNED WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL BEING TURNED. THEN, THREE SECONDS LATER, THE WHEEL CORRECTED ITSELF.
NHTSA complaint #10050541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
I OWN A 1993 MAZDA MX6, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TWICE AND ONCE ON THE OTHER SIDE, I WENT ON THE NET AND SAW THAT THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS ON THIS MODEL, AND WAS TRYING TO SEE IF I COULD BE REIMBURSED, I HAVE THE BILLS AND DATES THAT THE REPAIRS WAS DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10047650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
I OWN A 1993 MAZDA MX6, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TWICE AND ONCE ON THE OTHER SIDE, I WENT ON THE NET AND SAW THAT THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS ON THIS MODEL, AND WAS TRYING TO SEE IF I COULD BE REIMBURSED, I HAVE THE BILLS AND DATES THAT THE REPAIRS WAS DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10047650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1993 MAZDA MX-6 LS ([XXX]) DESCRIBED CAR HAS "ODOMETER FRAUD" CURRENTLY, AS OF 6/8/03, ODOMETER IS SHOWING AROUND 68,000 MILES. AFTER I GAVE HIM A SECURITY DEPOSIT OF $300.00 IN CASH ON 6/8/03, I CHECKED THE VEHICLE HISTORY ON CARFAX.COM AND SAW THAT ON 08/14/1998 THE CAR HAD 113,872 MILES ON IT. I AM TRYING TO HAVE MY SECURITY DEPOSIT OF $300 BACK FROM THE OWNER OF THE CAR AND REPORT THE ODOMETER FRAUD.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10021375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A POP FROM THE RIGHT FRONT AREA OF CAR. THEN THE AREA BEGAN SQUEEKING AND GROANING WHEN CONSUMER WOULD HIT A BUMP. JACKED THE SIDE UP AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT RIGHT SPRING HAD BURST IN A DIAGONAL FASHION.
NHTSA complaint #10020846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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 HTTP://HOMEPAGE.NTLWORLD.COM/DOROTHY.BRADBURY/PROBEMX/INDEX.HTM AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS
NHTSA complaint #10003272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE STALLED ON FREEWAY DRIVING AT 70-75 MPH. CAR RESTARTED A FEW MINUTES LATER.
NHTSA complaint #762640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE KEY BROKE OFF IN THE DOOR LOCK. HAD ALL THE LOCKS REPLACED AND HAD THE KEYS CODED FOR THE LOCKS AND THE KEY BROKE FOR THE 2ND TIME IN THE LOCK.
NHTSA complaint #758922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING TO THE MALL ON I-95 NORTH WHEN MY CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE TACHOMETER STARTED REDLINING, SO I STOPPED PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. NOW IT WILL COST ME ANYWHERE BETWEEN $1,500.00 AND $2,000.00 TO REBUILD IT. AND TO GET A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION WILL COST $2,500.00 AND UP. PLEASE HELP ME, I'M A COLLEGE STUDENT AND I CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIRS TO MY CAR. AND I DESPERATELY NEED MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #752145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
MY HAND BRAKE WILL FAIL TO RELEASE, OR ON REPEATED HEAVY BRAKE-APPLICATION THE CALLIPER WILL NOT RELEASE - CAUSING INTENSE HEAT TO ROTOR AND DISTORTING THE CALIPER.
NHTSA complaint #745507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
MY HAND BRAKE WILL FAIL TO RELEASE, OR ON REPEATED HEAVY BRAKE-APPLICATION THE CALLIPER WILL NOT RELEASE - CAUSING INTENSE HEAT TO ROTOR AND DISTORTING THE CALIPER.
NHTSA complaint #745507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #744440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #744441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
BRAKE CALIPER SIEZED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER AND A SUDDEN PULL TO ONE SIDE AND ABNORMAL WEAR OF BRAKE PADS, VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED.*AK CONSUMER STATED ON MULTIPLE INSTANCES AT A VARIETY OF SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITONS THE REAR CALIPERS SEIZED AND/OR STUCK AFTER APPLICATION OF BRAKES.*SLC
NHTSA complaint #886123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
PARKING BRAKE CALIPER FROZE. OVERHEATED ROTOR WHILE DRIVING. CAUSED IMBALANCE WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT. ROTOT HEATED UP TO DANGEROUS LEVEL.
NHTSA complaint #732215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.