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1994 Mazda Navajo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Mazda Navajo do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 22.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 1 of 49 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.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

49 reports
65,000 miles · Mar 2, 2009
VisibilityFire

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 I…

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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.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10260409

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2005
WheelsCrashInjury

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 D…

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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.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10132346

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

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 ODI #10004476

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2001
Tires

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, AL…

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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. *JB

NHTSA ODI #560815

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881804

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat Belts

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. …

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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.*AK

NHTSA ODI #740574

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 2001
Power Train

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI #879624

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2000
Electrical System

THE IGNITION MODULE SWITCH IS FAILING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #557572

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2000
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

THE THROTTLE WAS DIRTY CAUSING THE PEDAL TO STICK AND THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY. NLM

NHTSA ODI #555703

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2000
Structure

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 99V310002 AND IS WAITING FOR DEALER TO RECEIVE PARTS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #554865

Official recalls

3

99V310002 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support Device/strut

Nov 24, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL LIFTGATE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. DEPENDING UPON THE CONDITION OF THE LIFTGATE SHEET METAL IN THE AREA OF THE BRACKET, DEALERS MAY ALSO INSTALL A LARGER REINFORCEMENT.

96V024002 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic

Feb 28, 1996

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

94V169002 · Parking Brake:conventional

Oct 31, 1994

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

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

1

EA95018 · Separation Of Master Cylinder

Opened Jun 19, 1995 · Closed Apr 2, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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.