- The problem
- The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." If a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
- The risk
- The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Owners should promptly check the condition and operation of both front safety belt buckles and carefully inspect the red release button for any breaks or cracks. They should ensure that both buckles are operating properly by inserting each latch plate into its buckle, tugging on the belt to make sure the latch is securely locked, and then pressing the release button. The latch plate should pop out of the buckle when the button is pressed. If either release button shows a sign of breaking or cracking or if either buckle fails to operate properly, owners should promptly contact their authorized dealer to schedule an appointment to have the buckle replaced or repaired, free of charge. The manufacturer is developing a remedy designed to prevent failure of the buttons that are not currently broken.
Vehicle safety record
1988 Mazda MX6 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 1988 Mazda MX6 with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (9) and the electrical system (2). Those complaints describe 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in May 1995 for the buckle assembly. For comparison, the 1987 has 1 and the 1989 has 28.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical MX6 year, for its age
#55 most complained-about 1988 vehicle
- Complaints
- 17
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1988 Mazda MX6 problems
Share of all 17 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1988 Mazda MX6 recalls 5
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
- At ambient temperatures below 0 degree f, frost may accumulate within the throttle body under extended constant speed operation.
- The risk
- Frost accumulation on the throttle valve may prevent thevalve from returning smoothly.
- The fix
- Install a new type thermostat designed to raise the coolant temperature and warm the throttle body to a level above freezing.
- The problem
- Vehicles equipped with rear brake drums transported by train may experience separation of the brake shoe from the wheel brake cylinder piston.
- The risk
- Should separation occur, repeated brake operation maydamage the wheel brake cylinder dust boot, allowing water or dust intrusion andsubsequent piston contamination.
- The fix
- All vehicles will be inspected and if no separation is found grease will be applied to the component interface to lower friction and avoid subsequent relative motion. If separation is found the wheel brake cylinder dust boot will be replaced.
- The problem
- Fuel tank fixing band retention is not sufficient, allowing the band to rub against the fuel tank by vehicle vibrations.
- The risk
- This could wear a hole in the fuel tank which couldresult in fuel leakage.
- The fix
- Repair fuel fixing band by installing a rubber sheet.
- The problem
- Floor mat could interfere with release of accelerator pedal due to improper shape of mat.
- The risk
- This could result in loss of accelerator control andcreate potential for an accident.
- The fix
- Remove present mat and replace with new improved mat.
What owners say
Be the first MX6 owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
17 complaints about the 1988 Mazda MX6
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
While driving at an undetermined speed and with no warning rear suspension collapsed. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the service dealer. *Ak the failure was due to salt corrosion. The vehicle spun around, slid across the left lane and into the median. *Sc
Consumer states that there is an electrical short that drains the battery in as low as half an hour after the battery has been charged, the alternator has been replaced three times along with the battery, main fuse and distributor, however the problem continues. *Slc
Consumer bought four tires, and three had tread separation. *Ak
Seat belt lock and release mechanism jammed rendering seatbelt useless. Nlm
Initially when this problem occurred, I discovered the door handle mechanism is made of pot metal and not of a very strong nature for the frequent use it gets. Checking with the dealer I find it will cost $300 to fix. To save money I researched used part places. I discovered this is a wide spread problem and door handles are rare to come by as most are already bought up. I have searched northern as well as southern ca, and will now try in tx. I feel this is a safety issue because my 2 year old was locked in...
Read the full complaint
the car the other day and the handle of course being broken wouldn't open. Luckily I was able to put something down through the glass to open it from the inside. This is obviously a defective part, is there anyway to have it fixed by the dealer?.
Had parked vehicle & put windows down. While putting power windows down, started to make noises & got stuck. Power windows hit a rod. The door became unlocked & open. Tried closing door, but door did not close properly. Will be taking vehicle to dealer to have door & windows checked. *Ak
Frontal collision, impact 12:00 position, lap/shoulder belt did not retract, vehicle was completely stopped. *Ak
The dealership does not have the parts available and hasn't had the parts in a month 95v1003005. Please describe. *Ak
While driving smoke started coming from the engine and through the heating ducts, driver pulled over the fire had started. Tt
The front passenger side seatbelt will not latch and when it is latched it will not unlatch. Please describe. Tt
Vehicles automatic transmission has an overdrive hold feature which comes on by itself and shifts into lower gears. This occurs with no warning. Tt
Experiences intermittent seatbelt buckle failure, takata buckle won't interlock, when pull on buckle releases. Tt
Buckle model no 524. Plastic part in seat belt would not engage properly on driver seat. Tt
Passenger seat belt buckle red button broke, resulting in inoperative seat belt. Tt
Seat latch on drivers side has problem latching and sticks when you try to unlatch it. Tt
Mode no 524, lap/shoulder buckle will not snap, plastic inside buckle broke. Tt
OIL PAN FAILURE.
Mazda MX6: every year compared
All MX6 years1988 Mazda MX6 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 Mazda MX6 | 17 | 5 | D | |
| 1988 Mazda 626 | 46 | 6 | C | Compare |
| 1988 Mazda 929 | 36 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1988 Mazda 323 | 35 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 1988 Mazda RX7 | 24 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1988 Mazda B Series | 2 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1988 Mazda Mazda | 1 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1988 Mazda 323 Wagon | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 1988 Mazda B2200 | 1 | 0 | C | 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 1988 Mazda MX6
Does the 1988 Mazda MX6 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1988 Mazda MX6: buckle assembly (May 1995); accelerator pedal (February 1988); shoes / linings (December 1987); tank assembly (December 1987) and more. 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 1988 Mazda MX6?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (9), electrical system (2), engine & cooling (1).
How many complaints has the 1988 Mazda MX6 had?
17 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on December 4, 1994 and the latest on February 19, 2003. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1988 Mazda MX6 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 29 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Mazda MX6 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 MX6 years have the most complaints?
1989 (28), 1988 (17), 1986 (2). See every Mazda MX6 year compared.
What should I do if my 1988 Mazda MX6 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