Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 5 of 33 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports3 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
33 reports
54,000 miles · Dec 6, 2017
Air BagsCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1995 MAZDA MX-6. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT FULLY DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SMALL BALLOON-LIKE SUBSTANCE CAME OUT OF THE AIR BAG PARTIALLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1995 MAZDA MX-6. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT FULLY DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SMALL BALLOON-LIKE SUBSTANCE CAME OUT OF THE AIR BAG PARTIALLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. STOKES MAZDA OF NORTH CHARLESTON IN SOUTH CAROLINA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11052754
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury
MAZDA MX6 BRAKES ENGAGED WHILE ON A BRIDGE CAUSING THE CAR TO SKID INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN WALL. UPON THE IMPACT MY MOUTH HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND BUSTED MY LIPS OPEN, THE AIRBAG THEN DEPLOYED CAUSING MY HEAD TO BE SLAMMED AGAINST THE HEADREST WHILE A BURST OF HOARD GAGGING SMOKE/DUST, PARTICLES, WERE EMITTED. IN A GASP OF TE…
Read full complaint
MAZDA MX6 BRAKES ENGAGED WHILE ON A BRIDGE CAUSING THE CAR TO SKID INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN WALL. UPON THE IMPACT MY MOUTH HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND BUSTED MY LIPS OPEN, THE AIRBAG THEN DEPLOYED CAUSING MY HEAD TO BE SLAMMED AGAINST THE HEADREST WHILE A BURST OF HOARD GAGGING SMOKE/DUST, PARTICLES, WERE EMITTED. IN A GASP OF TERROR AND FEAR THAT I MAY DIE FROM SUFFOCATION FROM THE CAR FILLED SMOKE/DUST FROM THE AIRBAG I KICKED THE DRIVER DOOR OPENED AND ROLLED OUT ONTO THE GROUND GASPING FOR AIR AND LAID THERE UNTIL AN AMBULANCE ARRIVED. THE VEHICLE ENGINE ETC. WAS NOT ON FIRE OR SMOKING FROM THIS WRECK. WHILE MY FACIAL INJURIES HEALED, THE DAMAGE TO MY LEFT JAW RESULTED IN A VERY COSTLY SURGERY SEVERAL YEARS LATER OF WHICH DID NOT REPAIR THE JAW AND NOW LIVE WITH DAILY DEBILITATING FACIAL/CRANIAL PAIN. THERE IS A SPECIFIC RANCID SMELL FROM THIS AIRBAG THAT WILL NEVER LEAVE MY MIND AS WELL AS THE TEXTURE OF THE HARD CANVAS LIKE MATERIAL THAT RIPPED THE SKIN OFF MY FACE. THE DEPLOYMENT OF THIS AIRBAG AFTER THE INITIAL IMPACT IS A VIVID IMAGE TO THIS DAY IN 2014. THIS MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO HAVE NOT CORRECTED THIS AS MY WRECK WAS IN 1995. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10659695
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2007
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MAZDA MX-6. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. WHEN IN REVERSE, IT WOULD JERK BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE PURCHASE DATE, POWERTRAIN, AND MILEAGE INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10192660
141,073 miles · Jul 23, 2004
Air BagsInjury
STOPPED AT A CONVIENCE STORE, LEFT THE CAR RUNNING BUT TURNED OFF THE HEADLIGHTS. RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE DOOR, SAT DOWN IN THE DRIVERS SET AND REACHED OVER TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SMACKED ME IN THE FACE, WHILE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND PUSHED THE PLASTIC FA…
Read full complaint
STOPPED AT A CONVIENCE STORE, LEFT THE CAR RUNNING BUT TURNED OFF THE HEADLIGHTS. RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE DOOR, SAT DOWN IN THE DRIVERS SET AND REACHED OVER TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SMACKED ME IN THE FACE, WHILE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND PUSHED THE PLASTIC FACE PIECE INTO THE WINDSHIELD, BRAKING THE WINDSHIELD AND FORCING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR OFF THE WINDSHIELD. BOTH SIDES OF THE HEADLINER ARE PULLED LOOSE.
NHTSA ODI #10082497
96,000 miles · Apr 20, 2004
Air BagsInjury
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGINE RUNNING BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG CUT THE CONSUMER'S FACE AND LIP. THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG CRACKED MULTIPLE PARTS OF THE WINDSHIELD. *AK *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10064736
110,000 miles · Apr 17, 2003
Electrical System
THE VEHICLES ALTERNATOR BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIME WITHIN ONE YEAR. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10016073
67,000 miles · Jan 7, 2003
Power Train
ON MY 1995 MAZDA MX-6, WITH 67,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED BEHAVING ERRATICALLY. WHEN YOU PUT IT IN DRIVE, IT DOESN'T ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY, THEN EVENTUALLY ENGAGES SUDDENLY WITH A LURCH. I HAVE READ ON-LINE THAT THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION IS KNOWN TO BE TROUBLESOME. BTW, DATE IS 2003, THE FORM ISN'T UPDATED YET.
NHTSA ODI #10000777
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2002
Steering
NONE
NHTSA ODI #767779
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2001
TiresInjury
WHILE TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY NEAR IMPERIAL VALLEY RD., I EXPERIENCED A FRONT RIGHT TIRE FAILURE WHICH CAUSED THE THREAD TO BE COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE SIDWALLS. THE APPARENT DAMAGE WERE TO THE TIRE AND RIM OF THE CAR. THE SUSPENSION/FRAME MAY ALSO BE DAMAGED. I MAY ALSO HAVE SUFFERED INJURY FROM THE I…
Read full complaint
WHILE TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY NEAR IMPERIAL VALLEY RD., I EXPERIENCED A FRONT RIGHT TIRE FAILURE WHICH CAUSED THE THREAD TO BE COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE SIDWALLS. THE APPARENT DAMAGE WERE TO THE TIRE AND RIM OF THE CAR. THE SUSPENSION/FRAME MAY ALSO BE DAMAGED. I MAY ALSO HAVE SUFFERED INJURY FROM THE INCIDENT AS A RESULT.*AK (DOT NUMBER: CXXV5WYI38 TIRESIZE: 225/45R/17)
NHTSA ODI #754116
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2001
Exterior Lighting
MY PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS RECALL #99V358000 ON THE 1994 MAZDA MX6. THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY BECAUSE OF A LOOSE/BROKEN WIRE AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER. THE SUDDEN UNANTICIPATED LOSS OF THE HEADLIGHTS POSES A SEVERE HAZARD.*AK
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 & remedy
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS IN LOW SPEED UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
RQ99022 · Headlight Failure
Opened Dec 20, 1999 · Closed Aug 30, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
OBTAINED RECALL 99V-358
EA97012 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployment
Opened May 23, 1997 · Closed Oct 9, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
IN MAY OF 1997, ODI UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WITH 51 COMPLAINTS.ODI IS NOW AWARE OF 88 COMPLAINTS OF ALLEGED INAPPROPRIATE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS.TYPICAL COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE AT BETWEEN 20 AND 45 MPH, OR THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING AT BETWEEN 20 OR 60 MPH FOR NO APPARENT REASON.APPROXIMATELY 25 DRIVERS ALLEGED THAT THEY DID NOT HIT ANYTHING IN THE ROADWAY.MAZDA WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OFALL 1995 AND 1996 MODELS OF THE MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AS WELL AS A SMALL NUMBER OF 1997 MAZDA 626 MODELS, EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME SAS UNIT.THE SAS UNIT CONTROLS THE AIRBAG SYSTEMIT CONTAINS A BUILT-IN CRASH SENSOR TO DETECT VEHICLE DECELERATION DURING A COLLISION.AFFECTED MODELS WERE ASSEMBLED FROM JUNE 1, 1994 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 1996 AND HAVE A VIN WITHIN THE FOLLOWING RANGES: MAZDA 626:1YVGE22**S5300001 THROUGH 1YVGE22**V5599030 MAZDA MX-6: 1YVGE31**S5300001 THROUGH 1YVGE31**T5589965ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY THAT THEIR VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE AN UNNECESSARY AIRBAG DEPOYMENT IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.THEY WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO A MAZDA DEALER TO REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE FREQUENCY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS.
1995 Mazda MX-6 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration