- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1996 Mazda MX-6 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 1996 Mazda MX-6 with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (7) and the brakes (2). Those complaints describe 3 crashes and 1 injury. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in October 2015 for the switch. For comparison, the 1995 has 38 and the 1997 has 4.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical MX-6 year, for its age
#138 most complained-about 1996 vehicle
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1996 Mazda MX-6 problems
Share of all 15 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1996 Mazda MX-6 recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Certain spx filtran fuel filters with a 45-degree angle inlet tube, model 800f350-s1, sold as replacement filters for 1993-1997 ford probe,1993-2001 mazda 626 and mx-6, and 1983-1994 loyal, 3-door coupe, hatchback, sedan, wagon, brat, dl, gl, gl-10, rx, xt, and xt6 passenger vehicles with efi or turbo engines. These filters are packaged as wix, napa, and carquest brand fuel filters. Certain spx filtran fuel filters with a 90-degree angle inlet tube, model 800f300-s2, sold as replacement filters for 19983-1994 subaru vehicles with efi or turbo engines. These filters are packaged as wix, napa, and carquest brand fuel filters. Fuel may leak from the filter due to non-conforming brazing welds where the inlet tube is connected to the filter can.
- The risk
- In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire can occur.
- The fix
- Spx will notify its customers and provide a full refund. The recall began september 27, 2005. Owners may contact mr. Chris greeson at 704-869-3733 or contact the wix information hotline at 800-949-6698.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sas sensor unit. These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts.
- The risk
- Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will reprogram the sas unit to reduce the probability of unnecessary deployments in low speed undercarriage impacts.
What owners say
Be the first MX-6 owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
15 complaints about the 1996 Mazda MX-6
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
All 4 wheels are cracked on the outside, and bac side of the rims. They look deep and the wheels might break at any time. *Nm
Vehicle was going 55mph , and consumer was not sure what vehicle ran over, but air bag deployed. Nothing was hit, and no damage was done. No injuries. Consumer is contacting manufacturer. *Ak
Head-on crash at 35-40 mph, and neither airbag deployed. Driver sustained injuries. *Ak
Engine check light remains illuminated, indicating a malfunction within the system, cause unknown. Please give any further details. *Ak
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
Transmission just went out with no signs or problems, just stop and could not drive vehicle.
Consumer was involved in an accident. Point of impact was drivers side, front at 60 to 65 mph, in which there was no deployment of driver's or passenger's side airbags. Cause unkown. Also brake rotors have excessive wear and tear. Cause also unknown.
False/violent deployment of air bag, resulting in injuries.
While driving on good road conditions, no rain, driver applied the brakes in a regular stopping situation and the pedal went to the floor, causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a truck. The vehicle is being repaired. The dealership could not find a problem with the brake system. *Ak
VACUUM HOSE FAILED CAUSING TRUCK TO HESITATE.
False deployment of driver's and passenger's air bags. *Ak
BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY.
While lifting hood up the hood fell down on the consumer. The consumer was not hurt but could have been hurt very badly. *Ak
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.
Headrests do not extend high enough to protect driver from injury. *Dsh
Mazda MX-6: every year compared
All MX-6 years1996 Mazda MX-6 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Mazda MX-6 | 15 | 3 | D | |
| 1996 Mazda 626 | 362 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1996 Mazda Protege | 73 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 1996 Mazda B-Series | 58 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata | 29 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1996 Mazda MPV | 21 | 1 | A | Compare |
| 1996 Mazda Millenia | 18 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1996 Mazda Miata | 3 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1996 Mazda MX-3 | 2 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1996 Mazda MX-6
Does the 1996 Mazda MX-6 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1996 Mazda MX-6: switch (October 2015); fuel system, gasoline (October 2005); sensor / control module-inactive (October 1998). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Mazda MX-6?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (7), brakes (2), seats & seat belts (2).
How many complaints has the 1996 Mazda MX-6 had?
15 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 17, 1996 and the latest on April 10, 2006. Of these, 3 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1996 Mazda MX-6 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 36 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Mazda MX-6 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Mazda MX-6 years have the most complaints?
1993 (54), 1994 (48), 1995 (38). See every Mazda MX-6 year compared.
What should I do if my 1996 Mazda MX-6 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data