Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

1993 Mazda MX-6: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

54 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

112,435 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1993 model year. Data updated: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 54 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior1222.2%
Engine operation611.1%
Steering behavior611.1%
Transmission and shifting59.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
6
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc
3
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
3
Air Bags:Frontal
2
Electrical System:Ignition
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper6
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine4
Power Train:Automatic Transmission4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc3
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs3
Air Bags:Frontal2
Electrical System:Ignition2

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 3; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
6
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9996
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 2

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 45 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
6
1996
8
1997
3
1998
7
1999
6
2000
5
2001
5
2002
2
2003
5
2004
1
2005
3
2007
1
2008
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19956
19968
19973
19987
19996
20005
20015
20022
20035
20041
20053
20071
20082

1995: 6; 1996: 8; 1997: 3; 1998: 7; 1999: 6; 2000: 5; 2001: 5; 2002: 2; 2003: 5; 2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 2

Pattern summary

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10003272 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)

I OWN A 1993 MAZDA MX-6 LS COUPE. MY DISTRIBUTOR HAS FAILED 3 TIMES NOW. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE FAILURE IS ALSO INTERMITTENT. FAILURE AT REST IS OF NO ISSUE, YOUR CAR JUST DOESN'T START OR STARTS BUT DOESN'T RUN. HOWEVER, WHEN THE DISTRUBUTOR FAILS WHEN DRIVING IS THE ISSUE. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING, THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS WELL AS POWER BRAKES. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AMONG MX-6 DRIVERS, AS CAN BE SEEN ON THESE SITES: HTTP://WWW.MX6.COM HTTP://WWW.PROBETALK.COM …

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003272 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10020846 · 2003-06-01 (June 1, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A POP FROM THE RIGHT FRONT AREA OF CAR. THEN THE AREA BEGAN SQUEEKING AND GROANING WHEN CONSUMER WOULD HIT A BUMP. JACKED THE SIDE UP AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT RIGHT SPRING HAD BURST IN A DIAGONAL FASHION. *TT

Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020846 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10021375 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)

1993 MAZDA MX-6 LS ([XXX]) DESCRIBED CAR HAS "ODOMETER FRAUD" CURRENTLY, AS OF 6/8/03, ODOMETER IS SHOWING AROUND 68,000 MILES. AFTER I GAVE HIM A SECURITY DEPOSIT OF $300.00 IN CASH ON 6/8/03, I CHECKED THE VEHICLE HISTORY ON CARFAX.COM AND SAW THAT ON 08/14/1998 THE CAR HAD 113,872 MILES ON IT. I AM TRYING TO HAVE MY SECURITY DEPOSIT OF $300 BACK FROM THE OWNER OF THE CAR AND REPORT THE ODOMETER FRAUD.*AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021375 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10047650 · 2003-11-26 (November 26, 2003)

I OWN A 1993 MAZDA MX6, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BALL JOINTS ON ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE TWICE AND ONCE ON THE OTHER SIDE, I WENT ON THE NET AND SAW THAT THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH THE BALL JOINTS ON THIS MODEL, AND WAS TRYING TO SEE IF I COULD BE REIMBURSED, I HAVE THE BILLS AND DATES THAT THE REPAIRS WAS DONE. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10047650 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10050541 · 2003-12-15 (December 15, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING TIRE TURNED WITHOUT THE STEERING WHEEL BEING TURNED. THEN, THREE SECONDS LATER, THE WHEEL CORRECTED ITSELF. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050541 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10055900 · 2004-01-27 (January 27, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT AND DID NOT COME BACK ON. THERE WAS NO WARNING. 8JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10055900 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10106502 · 2005-01-17 (January 17, 2005)

APPLIED PARKING BRAKE. REAR BRAKE CALIPER PARKING BRAKE MECHANISM DESIGN FAILURE CAUSED THE REAR CALIPER TO NOT RELEASE AFTER RELEASING THE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE. HAD TO MANUALLY (FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR) FORCE THE ACTUATOR LEVER BACK. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 112,435 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106502 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10128576 · 2005-07-13 (July 13, 2005)

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT PULLING MY DAUGHTER OFF THE ROAD AND HEAD ON INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPT WITH AN AIR BAG SHE STILL WAS THROWN HEAD FIRST INTO THE WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR. THE AIR BAG DID DEPLOY BUT DID NOT STOP HER. THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.

Owner-reported narrative. 171,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10128576 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

15V674000 · Electrical System:Ignition:Switch

Reported: 2015-10-19 (October 19, 2015)

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: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
92V045000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm

Reported: 1992-04-02 (April 2, 1992)

THE LOWER ARM BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION.

Consequence: THE INSUFFICIENT TORQUE OF THE LOWER BALL JOINTRETAINING BOLT CAN RESULT IN THE SUSPENSION FAILING WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTIONAND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSPECT THE LOWER BALL JOINT RETAINING BOLTS AND TIGHTEN LOOSE BOLTS TO THE CORRECT TORQUE.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

54 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

16.7%Usable mileage9 / 54 records
83.3%Valid incident date45 / 54 records
100.0%Valid filing date54 / 54 records
83.3%Ordered incident and filing dates45 / 54 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component19901991199219931994199519961997
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

215.4%
ODI 502840

SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVE. *SD

Look up ODI 502840 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

47.4%
ODI 10228688

I HAVE A 1993 MAZDA MX6 WITH 105,000. IN 1999 THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. THEN, RECENTLY, I'VE HAD MY CAR IN 3 TIMES FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THEY'VE REPLACED SOLENOIDS, TORQUE CONVERTER, INLINE BOOST VALVE AND SO FAR IT ISN'T FIXED. I'VE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE BUT MAZDA HASN'T DONE ANYTHING FOR CONSUMERS. *TR

Look up ODI 10228688 at NHTSA ↗

919.6%
ODI 10005880

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

Look up ODI 10005880 at NHTSA ↗

721.2%
ODI 10000777 · 67,000 mi

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.

Look up ODI 10000777 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

2100.0%
ODI 10050056 · 67,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY FROM THE SECOND GEAR TO OVER DRIVE. VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS 40 MPH. DEALER STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT OWNER EXPENSE OF $2800.00 DOLLARS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH

Look up ODI 10050056 at NHTSA ↗

Air Bags:Frontal
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

23.7%
ODI 508884

VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING ACCIDENT RESULTED IN HEAD INJURIES.

Look up ODI 508884 at NHTSA ↗

48.7%
ODI 812673

CONSUMER WAS GOING ABOUT 40-45 MPH WHEN A CAT RAN OUT IN FRONT OF AUTO, SLAMMED ON BRAKES, SKIDDED AND HIT A TRASH CAN ON THE STREET, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS SLIGHTLY INJURED. *AK

Look up ODI 812673 at NHTSA ↗

721.2%
ODI 10064736 · 96,000 mi

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

Look up ODI 10064736 at NHTSA ↗

650.0%
ODI 515297

FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS. *AK

Look up ODI 515297 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

114.3%
ODI 9005709

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT OPERATING TEMP, CAR WILL DIE AND HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT THREE MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING.

Look up ODI 9005709 at NHTSA ↗

59.3%
ODI 539648

VEHICLE HAS ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH.

Look up ODI 539648 at NHTSA ↗

24.3%
ODI 533730

ENGINE OIL LEAKS.

Look up ODI 533730 at NHTSA ↗

39.1%
ODI 701397

RADIO WENT OUT, DOME LIGHTS ARE OUT, DOOR AND ENGINE LIGHT COME ON

Look up ODI 701397 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seat Belts
321.4%
ODI 500086

TAPE PLAYER DOES NOT EJECT TAPES. *SD

Look up ODI 500086 at NHTSA ↗

323.1%
ODI 485790

MOTORIZED SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. *SD

Look up ODI 485790 at NHTSA ↗

228.6%
ODI 829473

RECALL # 97V211000 MAZDA/AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RAIL; DEALER DID NOT EXPECT SHOUDLER BELT RAIL AS STATED IN RECALL NOTICE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT SYSTEM DID NOT NEED TO BE INSPECTED UNLESS IT WAS NOT WORKING. *AK

Look up ODI 829473 at NHTSA ↗

11.9%
ODI 967017

FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT BELTS WILL NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY. TT

Look up ODI 967017 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

18.3%
ODI 800840

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES WITH CAUSE NOT KNOWN. SECOND TIME DEALERSHIP REPLACED A CLOCK SPRING. NOW FOR THE THIRD TIME AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THIS MEANS AIR BAG IS DISFUNCTIONAL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK.

Look up ODI 800840 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

611.1%
ODI 518871

REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO OVERHEATING OF THE METAL. ALSO REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS. *AK

Look up ODI 518871 at NHTSA ↗

36.5%
ODI 10037723 · 72,000 mi

THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER LOCKED UP WHICH CAUSED INADEQUATE BRAKING AND RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. *AK

Look up ODI 10037723 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.7%
ODI 8000616

AFTER CHANGING OIL, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. AFTER VEHICLE SAT OVER NIGHT, AND STARTED IT FOR FIRST TIME SMOKE WOLD COME FROM TAIL PIPE. *AK *SLC

Look up ODI 8000616 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

47.4%
ODI 488364

WATER ENTERED THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO BLOW A ROD/CRACK THE BLOCK. *DSH

Look up ODI 488364 at NHTSA ↗

36.5%
ODI 518694

RADIATOR MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, DRIVER'S SEAT BELT/DOOR LOCKS/ OXYGEN SENSOR AND ENGINE VALVES FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO BE EXCESSIVELY NOISY. *AK

Look up ODI 518694 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

114.3%
ODI 559012

SELECTOR LEVER WAS REPLACED, IT WOULD NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. *SLC

Look up ODI 559012 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

48.7%
ODI 10927492

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MAZDA MX-6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 01/04/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE CALLED ANOTHER DEALER AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 20 MINUTES. UPDATED 03/08/17.*JB

Look up ODI 10927492 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Ignition
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

23.7%
ODI 10003272 · 100,000 mi

I OWN A 1993 MAZDA MX-6 LS COUPE. MY DISTRIBUTOR HAS FAILED 3 TIMES NOW. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE FAILURE IS ALSO INTERMITTENT. FAILURE AT REST IS OF NO ISSUE, YOUR CAR JUST DOESN'T START OR STARTS BUT DOESN'T RUN. HOWEVER, WHEN THE DISTRUBUTOR FAILS WHEN DRIVING IS THE ISSUE. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING, THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS WELL AS POWER BRAKES. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AMONG MX-6 DRIVERS, AS CAN BE SEEN ON THESE SITES: HTTP://WWW.MX6.COM HTTP://WWW.PROBETALK.COM …

Look up ODI 10003272 at NHTSA ↗

24.3%
ODI 707858

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE TACHOMETER READING WENT TO ZERO AND THERE WAS NO POWER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD AND CAR WAS TOWED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE IGNITOR IN THE DISTRIBUTOR HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST WAS $523. 00. I'VE HEARD THAT OTHER MAZDA'S HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT FORD, WHICH OWNS 1/3 OF MAZDA AND BUILT THIS CAR IN FLAT ROCK, MI, HAS BEEN SUED IN CAL. FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH FORD VEHICLES. *AK

Look up ODI 707858 at NHTSA ↗

13.0%
ODI 800890

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING IN RAIN AND CAR CUT OFF, LET IT SIT, WENT BACK, CAR STARTED WENT HOME AND PARKED IT AND WENT TO START IT AND VEHICLE WOULD N'T START . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK

Look up ODI 800890 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil SpringsToo few reports for a range160,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10020846 · 160,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A POP FROM THE RIGHT FRONT AREA OF CAR. THEN THE AREA BEGAN SQUEEKING AND GROANING WHEN CONSUMER WOULD HIT A BUMP. JACKED THE SIDE UP AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT RIGHT SPRING HAD BURST IN A DIAGONAL FASHION. *TT

Look up ODI 10020846 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:IgnitionToo few reports for a range100,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10003272 · 100,000 mi

I OWN A 1993 MAZDA MX-6 LS COUPE. MY DISTRIBUTOR HAS FAILED 3 TIMES NOW. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE FAILURE IS ALSO INTERMITTENT. FAILURE AT REST IS OF NO ISSUE, YOUR CAR JUST DOESN'T START OR STARTS BUT DOESN'T RUN. HOWEVER, WHEN THE DISTRUBUTOR FAILS WHEN DRIVING IS THE ISSUE. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING, THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS WELL AS POWER BRAKES. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AMONG MX-6 DRIVERS, AS CAN BE SEEN ON THESE SITES: HTTP://WWW.MX6.COM HTTP://WWW.PROBETALK.COM …

Look up ODI 10003272 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-102026-09

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 27 reports

1996: 7 complaints · 1997: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1996147
1997000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1996930
1997200

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentService Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:CaliperEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineEngine And Engine Cooling:EnginePower Train:Automatic TransmissionService Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:DiscSuspension:Front:Springs:Coil SpringsAir Bags:FrontalElectrical System:Ignition
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper—0000000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline0—000000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine00—00000
Power Train:Automatic Transmission000—0000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc0000—000
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs00000—00
Air Bags:Frontal000000—0
Electrical System:Ignition0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

3 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

6 mentions · 11.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 100,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10003272 · 100,000 mi

I OWN A 1993 MAZDA MX-6 LS COUPE. MY DISTRIBUTOR HAS FAILED 3 TIMES NOW. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE FAILURE IS ALSO INTERMITTENT. FAILURE AT REST IS OF NO ISSUE, YOUR CAR JUST DOESN'T START OR STARTS BUT DOESN'T RUN. HOWEVER, WHEN THE DISTRUBUTOR FAILS WHEN DRIVING IS THE ISSUE. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING, THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS WELL AS POWER BRAKES. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AMONG MX-6 DRIVERS, AS CAN BE SEEN ON THESE SITES: HTTP://WWW.MX6.COM HTTP://WWW.PROBETALK.COM …

Look up ODI 10003272 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 533737

ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED DUE TO DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL. *AK

Look up ODI 533737 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 707012

ENGINE STALLS AT DRIVING SPEEDS/THIS HAS HAPPEN 6 TIMES SINCE NOV 98/DEALER AND SAYS HE CAN NOT EXPLAIN IT/MAZDA SAYS THEY CAN NOT EXPLAIN IT/RESEARCH HAS COME UP WITH 3 OTHER SIMILIAR PROBLEMS/ODI ID'S 539648/813760/826489///THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. *AK

Look up ODI 707012 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Steering assistance concerns

2 mentions · 3.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 100,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10003272 · 100,000 mi

I OWN A 1993 MAZDA MX-6 LS COUPE. MY DISTRIBUTOR HAS FAILED 3 TIMES NOW. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS. THE FAILURE IS ALSO INTERMITTENT. FAILURE AT REST IS OF NO ISSUE, YOUR CAR JUST DOESN'T START OR STARTS BUT DOESN'T RUN. HOWEVER, WHEN THE DISTRUBUTOR FAILS WHEN DRIVING IS THE ISSUE. THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING, THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AS WELL AS POWER BRAKES. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AMONG MX-6 DRIVERS, AS CAN BE SEEN ON THESE SITES: HTTP://WWW.MX6.COM HTTP://WWW.PROBETALK.COM …

Look up ODI 10003272 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 485009

POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY FAILS, ESPECIALLY UPON DECELERATION. *AW

Look up ODI 485009 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 1.9% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 505078

TRANSMISSION REPLACED TWICE DUE TO GEARS STICKING/JERKY ACCELERATION. *SD

Look up ODI 505078 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b