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.
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 14Mar 2009
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 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.
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 65,000 milesFairfax, VAFire
VISIBILITY
STARTED VEHICLE SNOWY DAY TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER - SMOKE STARTED COMING IN THROUGH HEATING AND DEFROST VENTS, SMELLED LIKE PINE NEEDLES. TURNED CAR OFF SMOKE PROCEEDED TO GET WORSE - CALLED FIRE DEPT. SUV WAS THEN ON FIRE, SUV IS COMPLETELY TOTALED - FROM READING OTHER INCIDENTS I REALLY THINK THIS A FAULT WHERE DEBRIS GETS IN THE FAN COMPARTMENT AND CATCHES ON FIRE - SOME TYPE OF NOTICE SHOULD BE SENT TO PEOPLE WITH NAVAJO MAZDAS AND FORD RANGERS/EXPLORERS THAT HAVE THIS TYPE OF FAN COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10260409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willow Grove, PACrash2 injured
WHEELS:RIM
CONSUMER'S MAZDA SUV WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF FAULTY WORK PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BY TECHNICIANS AT PEP BOYS.*MR THE CONSUMER PURCHASED RIMS FROM A LOCAL RETAILER, HOWEVER WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED ALL 4 OF THE RIMS HAD STAINS, RUST/ BLEMISHES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP DESTROYED HIS TRANSMISSION AND THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #10132346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oveido, FLCrash
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A THUMPING NOISE. SHE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT RIGHT PASSENGER'S TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM RIM.
NHTSA complaint #866863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taneytown, MAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY ATTACHED GARAGE ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON , SOMETIME DURING THE NIGHT THE DASH WAS ON FIRE , SUNDAY AFTERNOON WE WENT TO GET IN THE VEHICLE AND THE ENTIRE DASH WAS BURNED, WE CALLED THE FIRE DEPT AND WAS TOLD WE WERE VERY LUCKY THE VEHICLE DID NOT BLOW THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE OFF AND IT APPEARED TO BE ELECTRICAL, WE CALLED OUR INSURANCE AND KOONS OF WESTMINSTER. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HIRED AN INVESTIGATER TO FIND THE CAUSE , HE SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN THE TAPE DECK. PRIOR TO THIS I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VIHICLE. I FEEL THIS WAS A MAZDA PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD REPLACE MY VEHICLE (SAME TYPE AND SAME MILEAGE) BUT THEY WANT MY INSURANCE TO PAY FOR THIS, I WILL GET BOOK VALUE AND THIS WILL NOT REPLACE MY VEHICLE . I DO NOT WANT ANYTHING FREE , I JUST WANT BACK WHAT I HAD. I ALSO WANT THIS RECORDED BECAUSE HAD THE WINDOWS IN MY VEHICLE NOT BEEN UP AT THE TIME , IT WOULD HAVE EXPLODED AND COULD HAVE KILLED MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF. PLEASE HELP!
NHTSA complaint #706239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wodurn, MAFire
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITION UNIT STOPPED WORKING AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. TT
NHTSA complaint #978535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 65,000 milesFairfax, VAFire
VISIBILITY
STARTED VEHICLE SNOWY DAY TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER - SMOKE STARTED COMING IN THROUGH HEATING AND DEFROST VENTS, SMELLED LIKE PINE NEEDLES. TURNED CAR OFF SMOKE PROCEEDED TO GET WORSE - CALLED FIRE DEPT. SUV WAS THEN ON FIRE, SUV IS COMPLETELY TOTALED - FROM READING OTHER INCIDENTS I REALLY THINK THIS A FAULT WHERE DEBRIS GETS IN THE FAN COMPARTMENT AND CATCHES ON FIRE - SOME TYPE OF NOTICE SHOULD BE SENT TO PEOPLE WITH NAVAJO MAZDAS AND FORD RANGERS/EXPLORERS THAT HAVE THIS TYPE OF FAN COMPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10260409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willow Grove, PACrash2 injured
WHEELS:RIM
CONSUMER'S MAZDA SUV WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF FAULTY WORK PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BY TECHNICIANS AT PEP BOYS.*MR THE CONSUMER PURCHASED RIMS FROM A LOCAL RETAILER, HOWEVER WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED ALL 4 OF THE RIMS HAD STAINS, RUST/ BLEMISHES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP DESTROYED HIS TRANSMISSION AND THE IGNITION.
NHTSA complaint #10132346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Revere, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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
NHTSA complaint #10004476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE AND DIFFICULT TO DRIVE, CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, WAS ABLE TO PULL VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER, GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES AND SAW THAT ONE OF THE TIRES HAD COME COMPLETLEY APART AND WAS IN SHREDS AROUND THE WHEEL, ALL 4 TIRES WERE REPLACED AND CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #560815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
SERPENTINE BELT IDLER PULLEY IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN BEARINGS WENT, IT WOULD CAUSE BELT TO OVERHEAT AND THEN SNAP. WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING CONTROL. STEERING WOULD GO INTO A HARD MANUAL STEERING INSTEAD.
NHTSA complaint #881804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
SERPENTINE BELT IDLER PULLEY IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN BEARINGS WENT, IT WOULD CAUSE BELT TO OVERHEAT AND THEN SNAP. WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING CONTROL. STEERING WOULD GO INTO A HARD MANUAL STEERING INSTEAD.
NHTSA complaint #881804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
SERPENTINE BELT IDLER PULLEY IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN BEARINGS WENT, IT WOULD CAUSE BELT TO OVERHEAT AND THEN SNAP. WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING CONTROL. STEERING WOULD GO INTO A HARD MANUAL STEERING INSTEAD.
NHTSA complaint #881804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
PULLEY WAS DEFECTIVE AND REDESIGNED. OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED THAT PULLEY CAN DISENTEGRATE CAUSING BELT TO BREAK RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, OVERHEATING, AND BATTERY CHARGING. THE COMPANY REDESINGED THE PULLEY SO THEY KNOW THEY HAD A PROBLEM, BUT THE CONSUMER IS AT RISK. IT ALSO COST $165.00 PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX. IF IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM, I THINK I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS STOPPED AT THE TIME THE BELT SEPARATED. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE LOST MY STEERING AT 70 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #740574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PULLEY WAS DEFECTIVE AND REDESIGNED. OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED THAT PULLEY CAN DISENTEGRATE CAUSING BELT TO BREAK RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, OVERHEATING, AND BATTERY CHARGING. THE COMPANY REDESINGED THE PULLEY SO THEY KNOW THEY HAD A PROBLEM, BUT THE CONSUMER IS AT RISK. IT ALSO COST $165.00 PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX. IF IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM, I THINK I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS STOPPED AT THE TIME THE BELT SEPARATED. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE LOST MY STEERING AT 70 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #740574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Battle Creek, MI
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUB FOR THE FRONT WHEELS DOWS NOT WORK. WHENEVER SWITCHING FROM 2-WD TO 4-WD HUBS FAILED TO LOCK IN PLACE. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WOULD NEED A NEW LOCKING HUB. GAVE NO INDICATION WHAT CAUSED PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #879624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Orleans, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE IGNITION MODULE SWITCH IS FAILING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #557572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thompson Ridge, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED THREE YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #555703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thompson Ridge, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #555703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thompson Ridge, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE THROTTLE WAS DIRTY CAUSING THE PEDAL TO STICK AND THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #555703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 99V310002 AND IS WAITING FOR DEALER TO RECEIVE PARTS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #554865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thompson Ridge, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ON AUG 7, 2000 I WAS ON ROUTE 17, WHEN I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY, MY GAS PEDAL JAMMED AND STARTED EXCELERATING VERY QUICKLY, I WAS DRIVING AT 85 MILES PER HOUR, WITHIN SECONDS OF ENTERING THE HIGHWAY. THANK GOD, I WAS CAPABLE, TO HANDLE THE SITUATION AND WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD SAFELY! I CONTACTED MAZDA CORP TO INFORM THEM OF THIS. THERE REPLY WAS MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRENTY AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR MY VEHCILE. THE MECHANIC WHO FIXED MY VEHCILE SAID IS WAS BECAUSE MY THROTTLE WAS DIRTY. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS MY GAS PEDDAL BECOMING JAMMED LIKE THAT SO EASILY I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS VEHCILE BECAUSE THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.
NHTSA complaint #728483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sugar Creek, MO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. YOU CAN SLOW THE CAR, BY BRAKING, BY 15-20 MPH AND THE SYSTEM CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. THE ONLY WAY TO SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TO HIT THE OFF SWITCH ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS COULD LEAD TO UNCONTROLLED SPEED AND POSSIBLE CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #726501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Thompson Ridge, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE VERY FAST ON ITS OWN. ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE THE VEHICLE TO STOP. VEHICLE DROVE ABOUT 3 MILES WHEN CONSUMER HAD A CHANCE TO PLACE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL WHICH EVENTUALLY STOPPED VEHICLE. DEALER HAS ADVISED CONSUMER THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL'S CABLE HAD BINDED AND FREID (WEAR AND TEAR) WHICH CAUSED PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #867326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oveido, FLCrash
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A THUMPING NOISE. SHE PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT RIGHT PASSENGER'S TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM RIM.
NHTSA complaint #866863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Philadelphia, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE ABS LIGHT STAYED ON AND CAUSED ABS SYSTEM TO DISENGAGE. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND DEALER IS STILL UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #865791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salt Lake, UT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #719233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N. Tonawanda, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MAZDA DEALER REFUSES TO FINANCIALLY ASSIST WITH NECESSARY REPAIRS. NO SAFE DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #718906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.