Mazda MX-6 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Mazda MX-6 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 1987 drew the fewest (1) and the 1993 the most (54).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Seat belts | — | — |
| 1986 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Fuel system | — | — |
| 1997 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 2 | Power train | — | 20–26 |
| 1992 | 7 | 0 | Power train | — | — |
| 1996 | 12 | 2 | Air bags | — | 20–26 |
| 1991 | 13 | 0 | Seat belts | — | — |
| 1990 | 14 | 0 | Seat belts | — | — |
| 1988 | 16 | 5 | Seat belts | — | — |
| 1989 | 28 | 1 | Seat belts | — | — |
| 1995 Among the most complaints |
33 | 2 | Air bags | — | 20–26 |
| 1994 Among the most complaints |
46 | 2 | Power train | — | 20–26 |
| 1993 Among the most complaints |
54 | 2 | Service brakes | — | 19–26 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Mazda MX-6 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
1993 Mazda MX-6: 54 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 11 (20%); Engine and engine cooling 9 (17%); Steering 6 (11%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 6 injuries, 1 death. 2 recall campaigns listed.
1994 Mazda MX-6: 46 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 13 (28%); Electrical system 8 (17%); Engine and engine cooling 7 (15%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 8 injuries. 2 recall campaigns listed.
1995 Mazda MX-6: 33 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 10 (30%); Power train 7 (21%); Engine and engine cooling 4 (12%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 3 fires, 10 injuries. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Mazda MX-6 years with the fewest complaints
1986 Mazda MX-6: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel system 1 (50%); Seat belts 1 (50%).
Reports mention 1 fire. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Mazda MX-6 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 33 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 46 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 54 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 1 | — |
| 1992 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Mazda MX-6 recalls
- Ignition Switch may Overheat (1993–1997 model years; 1,368,500 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2015; 15V674000)
- INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT BUCKLES (1988–1989 model years; 360,433 vehicles across all models; filed May 1995; 95V103005)
- MAZDA/AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT (1995–1996 model years; 213,000 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 1998; 98V249000)
- FUEL:THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL:PEDAL (1988 model year; 72,883 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 1988; 88V022000)
- MAZDA/HEADLIGHT WIRE (1994 model year; 40,000 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 1999; 99V358000)
All 10 Mazda MX-6 recall campaigns · Mazda MX-6 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Mazda MX-6 years FAQ
Which Mazda MX-6 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 1987 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Mazda MX-6 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 1993, 1994 and 1995 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the seat belts. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Mazda MX-6 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the seat belts (49 of 228 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Mazda MX-6 have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns covering the Mazda MX-6. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mazda MX-6 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.