Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1994 Mazda Navajo: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1994 Mazda Navajo, most recently filed November 1999. Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1994 Mazda Navajo. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1994 Mazda Navajo. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 99V310002 Filed Nov 24, 1999

MAZDA/HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS

Structure · body · hatchback/liftgate · support device/strut
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.
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.
Repair progress not yet reported6,800 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 99V310002
Listed for 1994 Mazda Navajo. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 96V024002 Filed Feb 28, 1996

MAZDA/BRAKES:POWER ASSIST:PRIMARY:BOOSTER

Service brakes, hydraulic · power assist · hydraulic
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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
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.
Repair progress not yet reported2,500 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 96V024002
Listed for 1994 Mazda Navajo. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 94V169002 Filed Oct 31, 1994

EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE:MECHANICAL

Parking brake · conventional
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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
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.
Repair progress not yet reported48,609 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 94V169002

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (49)

49 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.

2involved a crash
3involved a fire
2injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1994 Mazda Navajo, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 49.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1994 compares with other Navajo years

Best and worst Navajo years →
1 39 12 22 49
19901991199219931994
This year (1994)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined

18
mpg combined
16
city
22
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,700
CO₂ tailpipe
494 g/mi
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicles

What it costs you to run

$3,628per year
$302per month
833gallons a year

Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1994 Mazda Navajo configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18$3,700494
4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17$3,950523
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16$4,200555
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15$4,450593

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1994 Navajo for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Navajo years

Where to next

1994 Mazda Navajo FAQ

How many recalls does the 1994 Mazda Navajo have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 99V310002 (structure), 96V024002 (brake), 94V169002 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1994 Mazda Navajo problems?

Owners filed 49 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (10), Vehicle speed control (7), Power train (6) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1994 Mazda Navajo get?

EPA rates the 4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 16 city, 22 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1994 Navajo compare with other years?

Among the 1990–1994 Mazda Navajo model years at least five years old, the 1990 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1994 the most (49). The 1994 drew 49. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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.
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