- 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
1989 Mazda MX6 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 28 complaints about the 1989 Mazda MX6 with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (22) and the acceleration & cruise control (3). Those complaints describe 2 crashes and 1 injury. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in May 1995 for the buckle assembly. For comparison, the 1988 has 17.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical MX6 year, for its age
#51 most complained-about 1989 vehicle
- Complaints
- 28
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1989 Mazda MX6 problems
Share of all 28 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1989 Mazda MX6 recalls 2
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
- The groove for the rear wheel bearing retainer ring was incorrectly machined.
- The risk
- If the retaining ring does not sit correctly in thegroove, the axle lug nuts will break, causing the brake drum, wheel, and tireassembly to separate from the vehicle.
- The fix
- Midas shops will replace the brake drums with other brake drums from another supplier.
What owners say
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28 complaints about the 1989 Mazda MX6
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
Numerous complaints:eat assembly welds broke off causing the seat to wobble. It is unsafe to drive and I cannot find anyone that is willing to repair it. If in an accident, I could be harmed along with any passenger I may have in back (my kids). *Ak windshield wipers just stopped working. Motor failure?? Electrical system is failing. Fuses are not blown. Interior lights work sporadically, radio lighting has never worked since I purchased the car. (4 Years ago) . *Ak emergency brake is "unfixable" I have had this serviced two times and it still will not work.
The safety belt on the driver's side does not retract back into the holder, leaving the belt useless. I wondered if this would be a recall or if I need to have it serviced. Thanks. *Ak
Whil.E driving the electrical system malfunctioned, causing headlights and interior lights to get dimmer. Also,engine check light came on. There was no braking and steering ability at all, had to use the emergenncy parking brake to stop the vehicle which almost caused an accident. Please provide further information.
Total loss of power while drinving caused accident. Yh
The vehicle suddenly accelerated when in reverse then in drive. Dealer blames the rug. *Ak
Owner put vehicle in reverse when vehicle suddenly accelerated backwards and hit a vehicle, then it accelerated forward hitting another parked car; then ran onto the sidewalk. The vehicle stopped when turned off, but did the samething when turned back on and put into gear. Dealer says may have been the rug. *Ak
Driver's seat pins broke, causing the seat to wobble.
No parts. The dealer has not ordered the parts since the consumer initially called on march 3, 1997. Please describe details. *Ak
When releasing the driver's side automatic seat belt, the seat belt does retract into the retractor mechanism. *Ak
The driver's side heat restraint: adjustable broke, causing seat tomove up and down/backwards and forwards . *Ak
DRIVER'S SEAT PACK ASSEMBLY BROKE.
The manufacturer (mazda) refused to pay for repair of seat belt that the owner replaced (defective), the item was recalled after repair order was complete.
The rivers seat bracket broke and could have caused injury to the driver if involved in an accident.Please describe. *Ak
The driver side seat belt buckle when broke it was hard to use locking the seat belt buckle . Tt
SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK INTO BUCKLE. *SD
Seat belt buckle failure on driver and passenger side. Tt
Drivers side , back, and passenger seatbelts do not work. Please describe. Tt
Drivers side plastic tab to release fastner mechanism cracked. Rendering buckle inoperative. Tt
Driver seat belt will not retract. Rendering it inoperative. Tt
SEAT BELT FAILURE. TT
Welds on left front seat slide caused by broken controller. *Ak
Fragments on inside buckle broke on drivers seat. Rendering seat belt inoperative. Tt
Driver seat belt buckle comes loose occasionly. Tt
Drivers side seat belt broke off completely; passenger side is hard to latch and hard to unlatch. Tt
SUNVISOR WON'T STAY IN POSITION.
Mazda MX6: every year compared
All MX6 years1989 Mazda MX6 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 Mazda MX6 | 28 | 2 | D | |
| 1989 Mazda 626 | 42 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1989 Mazda 323 | 38 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 1989 Mazda 929 | 37 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1989 Mazda RX7 | 31 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 1989 Mazda MPV | 23 | 5 | B | Compare |
| 1989 Mazda B2200 | 3 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1989 Mazda Protege | 2 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1989 Mazda Mazda | 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 1989 Mazda MX6
Does the 1989 Mazda MX6 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1989 Mazda MX6: buckle assembly (May 1995); drum (October 1993). 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 1989 Mazda MX6?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (22), acceleration & cruise control (3), electrical system (2).
How many complaints has the 1989 Mazda MX6 had?
28 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 17, 1995 and the latest on December 11, 2003. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1989 Mazda MX6 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 28 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 1989 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