Mazda MX-6 Problems by Year

We compared every Mazda MX-6 model year from 1995–1997 using 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 3 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 1995, which drew far more complaints than other MX-6 years at the same age. The best years are 1997 and 1996.

3model years
47complaints
3recalls
1995worst years
1997, 1996best years

Complaints by model year

19951996199733122
Owner complaints per model year, Mazda MX-6. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
19972−86%2TransmissionGood
199612−24%2AirbagAverage
1995333.9×2AirbagAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median MX-6 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Mazda MX-6 problems

  • Air bagsworst: 1995
    1736%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 1995
    919%
  • Engine & coolingworst: 1995
    49%
  • Brakesworst: 1995
    49%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 1995
    36%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroofworst: 1995
    36%
  • Electrical systemworst: 1995
    36%
  • Wheels & tiresworst: 1995
    36%
  • Other / not specified
    24%
  • Equipment & accessoriesworst: 1995
    12%
  • Lightsworst: 1995
    12%
  • Steeringworst: 1995
    12%
  • Seat beltsworst: 1996
    12%
  • Body & structureworst: 1996
    12%

Latest Mazda MX-6 recalls

Electrical system › Ignition › Switch

NHTSA recall 15V-674 · Oct 19, 2015 · 1,368,500 vehicles

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.

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.

Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA recall 98V-249 · Oct 8, 1998 · 213,000 vehicles

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sas sensor unit. These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the sas unit to reduce the probability of unnecessary deployments in low speed undercarriage impacts.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

NHTSA recall 98V206001 · Sep 8, 1998 · 40,000 vehicles

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner can break and get caught in the timing belt.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tensioner and replace it if necessary.

All 3 Mazda MX-6 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Mazda MX-6 should you avoid?

1995 — this year has the most complaints relative to other MX-6 years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 1995.

What is the best year for the Mazda MX-6?

1997 has the fewest complaints compared with other MX-6 years at the same age, followed by 1996. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Mazda MX-6 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (17), transmission & drivetrain (9) and engine & cooling (4). Airbag complaints peak in the 1995 model year.

How many recalls has the Mazda MX-6 had?

3 recalls across 1995–1997. The model year with the most is 1995. See all Mazda MX-6 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.