Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1993 Mazda Navajo
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
725.0%
Tires
517.9%
Engine & Cooling
517.9%
Equipment & Accessories
27.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
27.1%
Body & Structure
27.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
27.1%
Doors, Latches & Locks
13.6%
Steering
13.6%
Electrical System
13.6%
When owners complained
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.
Mar 1995peak 4Sep 2006
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Mazda Navajo
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.
EA95018Opened 19 Jun 1995Closed 2 Apr 1996SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDER
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
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.
United States — NHTSA
00T005000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.
Risk: IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.
Risk: WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDER BALL STUD TO DISENGAGE, UNEXPECTEDLY ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL FROM AN OPEN POSITION.
97V235002
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL ASSEMBLY CAN SEPARATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING DUE TO INCORRECT HINGE ENGAGEMENT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER SUNROOF INSTALLATION OF THE GLASS PANEL.
Risk: UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL COULD POSSIBLY DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
96V024002
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC
THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.
Risk: IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM FULLY ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS ARE ATTACHED TO BRACKETS THAT ARE WELDED TO THE LIFTGATE. THE BRACKET WELDS CAN FRACTURE.
Risk: WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDER BALLSTUD TO DISENGAGE.
94V169002
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.
Risk: WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Miami, FL1 injured
TIRES
CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION IN FRONT END OF VEHICLE BUT BEFORE HE COULD SLOW DOWN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING HIM TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, HIT THE MEDIAN AND ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE APPEARS TO HAVE SEPARATED, THE OTHERS WENT FLAT ON IMPACT(FIRESTONE ATX P235/75R15). NLM
NHTSA complaint #553805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salamanca, NY1 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CONSUMER INJURED FINGER IN DOOR LATCH, DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE DOOR LATCH.
NHTSA complaint #525349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DEALER DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR RECALL NO 95V164000, OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON 12/95, AND CONTACTED DEALER THE SAME DATE.
NHTSA complaint #982846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Selah, WA
TIRES
I JUST RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE ON A TIRE RECALL FROM YEARS AGO. I BOUGHT A NEW MAZDA NAVAJO IN 1993 AND IT HAD FIRESTONE ATX TIRES. THEY FAILED WAY BEFORE ANY RECALL SO I REPLACED THEM AT MY COST WITH THE SAME. THESE TIRES FAILED ALSO SO I REPLACED THEM WITH SOMETHING ELSE. 2 SETS (10 TIRES) AT MY COST. WHEN THE RECALL CAME OUT I GOT NOTHING. IN FACT, I DIDN'T EVEN OWN THE VEHICLE ANYMORE. MY COMPLAINT IS...WHEN IT TAKES SO LONG TO IDENTIFY A PROBLEM, WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO HAD PROBLEMS BEFORE THE RECALL? THEY CAN FIND ME 10 YEARS LATER, BUT WHY DON'T I HAVE ANY RECOURSE TO GET COMPENSATED FOR RISKING MY LIFE AND PAYING OUT OF POCKET?
NHTSA complaint #10169642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden Valley, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
THE HEADS WERE SEVERLY CRACKED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE THERE HAVE , NOT ONLY BEEN SO MANY INSTANCES BUT MANY TIMES, AS WITH THIS CASE THE HEADS WERE SO SEVERLY CRACKED THAT ONLY COMPLETE REPLACEMENT IS ACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #755197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden Valley, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE HEADS WERE SEVERLY CRACKED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE THERE HAVE , NOT ONLY BEEN SO MANY INSTANCES BUT MANY TIMES, AS WITH THIS CASE THE HEADS WERE SO SEVERLY CRACKED THAT ONLY COMPLETE REPLACEMENT IS ACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #755197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden Valley, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE HEADS WERE SEVERLY CRACKED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE THERE HAVE , NOT ONLY BEEN SO MANY INSTANCES BUT MANY TIMES, AS WITH THIS CASE THE HEADS WERE SO SEVERLY CRACKED THAT ONLY COMPLETE REPLACEMENT IS ACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #750495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Meguon, WI
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC SPARE TIRE CABLE HAD SNAPPED AND CAUSED TIRE TO COME LOOSE. HAVE NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #893415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hilton HEA, SC
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE VEHICLES TIRES EXPERIENCED MANY FAILURES PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT BUT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 2000 (FIRESTONE ATX P235/75R15). NLM
NHTSA complaint #560366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE LIFTGATE BRACKET REPAIRED PER RECALL NOTICE 99V-310, DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE CLAIMING THAT THE RECALL NOTICE EXPIRED, AS A RESULT CONSUMER HAD THE BRACKET REPLACED BY ANOTHER COMPANY, HOWEVER SINCE THE ORIGINAL BRACKET BROKE THE TAILGATE DOES NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY, THIS IS ALLOWING EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #555836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aurora, IL
TIRES
THESE TIRES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ALL WEATHER STREET TIRES (PER SALESMAN), BUT THESE TIRES CAUSE MY CAR TO SKID OUT OF COMPLETE STOP ON WET PAVEMENT AND SKID AND SLIDE IN SNOW OR SLUSH. HAD AN INSTANCE WHERE ON A WINDY AND WET DAY WHERE THE VEHICLE SLID ACROSS A LANE AND A HALF OF TRAFFIC NEARLY HITTING A TANKER TRUCK. ALL INDICATIONS ARE THAT THESE TIRES DO NOT HUG THE ROAD VERY WELL AND ENDANGER THOSE IN THE VEHICLE. NOTE THAT I REPLACED 4 OF THE WILDERNESS STYLE TIRES WITH THESE TIRES A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO (AND STILL HAVE A RECALLED WILDERNESS AS A SPARE). I NOTIFIED FIRESTONE VIA E-MAIL AND GOT A COMPLICATED, CANNED RESPONSE THAT DID NOTHING TO SATISFY MY PROBLEM. I HOPE THAT THE NUMBERS I PULLED OFF THE TIRE ARE CORRECT (LTP235/ 75R15 M//S ; 22433UR BMO2528). *AK( DOT NUMBER: 22433UR TIRE SIZE: 75 R15 )
NHTSA complaint #731241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Augustine, FL
TIRES
HEADING SOUTH ON I-95 OUTSIDE SAVANNAH, GA, TIRE EXPLODED CAUSING TREAD TO PEEL AND FLY OFF PUTTING CAR IN DANGEROUS SITUATION AND DANGER TO OTHER CARS. WE WERE ABLE TO BRAKE AND WEAVE TO AVOID IMPACT AND OVERTURNING BEFORE COMING TO A STOP OFF HIGHWAY. IN ADDITION TO A LOST TIRE, THE EXPLOSIONAND RUBBER PEELING IN THE AREA OF THE GAS TANK RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE MUFFLER AND UNDERSIDE OF CAR. WE REPLACED TIRE, ($101.74) HAD THE MUFFLER REPAIRED (UNDER WARRANTY). DAMAGE REMAINS TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS $703.84. PLEASE ADVISE IF YOU WISH TO VIEW DAMAGE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75/R15 )
NHTSA complaint #728246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL1 injured
TIRES
CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION IN FRONT END OF VEHICLE BUT BEFORE HE COULD SLOW DOWN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING HIM TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, HIT THE MEDIAN AND ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE APPEARS TO HAVE SEPARATED, THE OTHERS WENT FLAT ON IMPACT(FIRESTONE ATX P235/75R15). NLM
NHTSA complaint #553805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bedford, NH
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA RECALL 94V169000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 94S91 CONCERNING EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE: MECHANICAL. PARKING BRAKE FAILS SO THAT IT WILL NOT ENGAGE. DEALER PUTS "WEDGE" IN MECHANISM TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT THE WEDGE DOES NOT LAST-- IT BREAKS AND FALLS OUT. MAZDA CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THAT THEY CAN DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE THIS IS WHAT NHTSA HAS INSTRUCTED THEM TO DO. *AK.ET.
NHTSA complaint #860920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, CO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH TRANSMISSION FROZE UP, LOCKING THE REAR WHEELS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #839179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ballston SPA, NY
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AFTER COMPRESSOR FAILED @35000MI. AND WAS REPLACED, REFRIGERATOR LEAKS OUT IN ABOUT 2 MONTHS,NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIND LEAK,INCLUDES DEALER AND INDEPENDENT GARAGES, THEY RE FILLED IT, LEAKS OUT .
NHTSA complaint #704737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Shreveport, LA
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
WHEN I TURN ON THE HEATER, THERE IS A SMELL OF BURNING MATERIAL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. RECENTLY I PAID THE DEALER TO CLEAN LEAVES FROM THE HEATER. THEY SUGGESTED I NOT PARK UNDER TREES. SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS MADE BY FORD, ANY RECALL FOR DEBRIS IN THE HEATER WOULD APPLY.
NHTSA complaint #704436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salamanca, NY1 injured
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CONSUMER INJURED FINGER IN DOOR LATCH, DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE DOOR LATCH.
NHTSA complaint #525349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKES EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #531131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SC
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN DEFECTIVE, CAUSING VIGOROUS VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #531131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #531131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Millburn, NJ
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUN ROOF: WAS IN THE PARKING LOT, SITTING IN VEHICLE AND THE SUN ROOF COMPLETELY SHATTERED.
NHTSA complaint #815837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #513719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sarasota, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE VIBRATES SEVERELY WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 50-70MPH, A TSB WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM FEB,1996, A KIT TO REPLACE ENGINE MOUNTS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT WAS CREATED TO ALLEVIATE THIS CONDITION.*AK THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE BEEN FIXED BY DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #800575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sarasota, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE VIBRATES SEVERELY WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 50-70MPH, A TSB WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM FEB,1996, A KIT TO REPLACE ENGINE MOUNTS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT WAS CREATED TO ALLEVIATE THIS CONDITION.*AK THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE BEEN FIXED BY DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #800575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.