1997 Mazda MX-6: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
95,950 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data updated: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 2 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 100.0% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10050056 · 2003-12-04 (December 4, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10191744 · 2007-05-25 (May 25, 2007)
TRANSMISSION
Owner-reported narrative. 124,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10191744 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 ↗98V206001 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 1998-09-08 (September 8, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER CAN BREAK AND GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TENSIONER AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
2 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
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 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 215.4% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 47.4%ODI 10228688I 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 | 919.6% | 721.2%ODI 10000777 · 67,000 miON 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. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 2100.0%ODI 10050056 · 67,000 miWHILE 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 |
| 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 508884VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING ACCIDENT RESULTED IN HEAD INJURIES. | 48.7%ODI 812673CONSUMER 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 | 721.2%ODI 10064736 · 96,000 miWHILE 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 | 650.0% | 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 9005709WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT OPERATING TEMP, CAR WILL DIE AND HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT THREE MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING. | 59.3%ODI 539648VEHICLE HAS ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH. | 24.3% | 39.1%ODI 701397RADIO WENT OUT, DOME LIGHTS ARE OUT, DOOR AND ENGINE LIGHT COME ON | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts | 321.4% | 323.1% | 228.6%ODI 829473RECALL # 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 | 11.9% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 18.3%ODI 800840AIR 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. | 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 518871REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS DUE TO OVERHEATING OF THE METAL. ALSO REPLACED BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS. *AK | 36.5%ODI 10037723 · 72,000 miTHE REAR BRAKE CALIPER LOCKED UP WHICH CAUSED INADEQUATE BRAKING AND RESULTING IN PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. *AK | 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 8000616AFTER 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 47.4%ODI 488364WATER ENTERED THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO BLOW A ROD/CRACK THE BLOCK. *DSH | 36.5%ODI 518694RADIATOR MALFUNCTIONED. IN ADDITION, DRIVER'S SEAT BELT/DOOR LOCKS/ OXYGEN SENSOR AND ENGINE VALVES FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO BE EXCESSIVELY NOISY. *AK | 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 559012SELECTOR LEVER WAS REPLACED, IT WOULD NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY. *SLC | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 48.7%ODI 10927492TL* 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 | 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 miI 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 … | 24.3%ODI 707858WHILE 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 | 13.0%ODI 800890CONSUMER 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 | 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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Too few reports for a range | 95,950 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10050056 · 67,000 miWHILE 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 |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | 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.
1996: 7 complaints · 1997: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
| 1997 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| 1997 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
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 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | — |
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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.