1993 Mazda MX-6: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 54 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (17% of complaints); the 1991 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Dt: the consumer noticed that on september 17, 2005 there were no running lights, dashboard or tail lights. Went to turn on the headlights and it shorted out the fuse box, and it started smoking. Took vehicle to a local mechanic , and they could not figure out what was wrong. Then ,went back to the dealer, were she purchased the vehicle, and they refused to fixed the problem even with the consumer paying them for the work. They still would not fix the vehicle. Driving was fine in daylight, but at night there were no lights. This happened every time the consumer was driving the vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 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 report · Steering · Jul 2005
“While driving tire turned without the steering wheel being turned. Then, three seconds later, the wheel corrected itself. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 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 report · Suspension · May 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 http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dorothy.bradbury/probemx/index.htm as well as many others”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2002
“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 report · Suspension · Mar 2002
“On the models with rear disc brakes: after applying, and then releasing the parking brake in a normal manner the parking brake actuator pivoting pin bearing on one of the rear calipers seized, causing it not release or to not fully release. This could cause a handling/braking instability issue, not to mention premature brake pad wear/failure. An improperly designed caliper involving the seal around the parking brake actuator pivoting pin and bearing was the cause of the failures.*ak”Owner report · Parking Brake · Jun 2001
“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 report · Parking Brake · Jun 2001
“I was driving to the mall on I-95 north when my car started slowing down I pushed the gas pedal and the tachometer started redlining, so I stopped pushing the gas pedal. Now it will cost me anywhere between $1,500.00 and $2,000.00 to rebuild it. And to get a brand new transmission will cost $2,500.00 and up. Please help me, I'm a college student and I can't afford the repairs to my car. And I desperately need my car. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: 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 LOWER ARM BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION.
Remedy: INSPECT THE LOWER BALL JOINT RETAINING BOLTS AND TIGHTEN LOOSE BOLTS TO THE CORRECT TORQUE.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1993 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact MX-6 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1993 Mazda MX-6 reliable?
NHTSA has 54 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Mazda MX-6. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Mazda MX-6 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 112,435 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Mazda MX-6 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.