1996 Mazda MX-6

○ Not enough data
1996 Mazda MX-6
RENDERED 2026-11-01T16:59:06.842Z

Only 12 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 12 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

Complaints
12

Too few to rank

Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1990: 14 complaints 1990 1991: 13 complaints 1992: 7 complaints 1992 1993: 54 complaints 1994: 46 complaints 1994 1995: 33 complaints 1996: 12 complaints 1996 12 1997: 2 complaints 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 0 complaints
1990: 14 complaints 1990 1991: 13 complaints 1991 1992: 7 complaints 1992 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 46 complaints 1994 1995: 33 complaints 1995 1996: 12 complaints 1996 12 1997: 2 complaints 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 0 complaints 1999
1990: 14 complaints 1990 1991: 13 complaints 1991 1992: 7 complaints 1992 1993: 54 complaints 1993 1994: 46 complaints 1994 1995: 33 complaints 1995 1996: 12 complaints 1996 12 1997: 2 complaints 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 0 complaints 1999

1996: 12 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199014
199113
19927
199354
199446
199533
199612
19972
19980
19990

Known problem areas

Only 12 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Air bags

7 of 12 total reports mention: air bags, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-08-20

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Service brakes

2 of 12 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Wheels

1 of 12 total reports mentions: wheels.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-04-10

Structure

1 of 12 total reports mentions: structure, most commonly citing hood.

Seat belts

1 of 12 total reports mentions: seat belts.

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1997-05-23Engineering analysisClosed 1998-10-09 Oversensitive air bag deployment
  2. R
    1999-01-04Air bags98V249000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sas sensor unit. These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the sas unit to reduce the probability of unnecessary deployments in low speed undercarriage impacts.

  3. I
    1999-12-20Recall queryClosed 2000-08-30 Headlight failure
  4. R
    2005-09-27Fuel system, gasoline05E065000 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…

    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…

  5. R
    2015-12-17Electrical system15V674000 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.

    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.

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Mazda MX-6 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 7 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 2 reports on file for this year.
  • Wheels: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V249000 · Air bags
  • Recall 05E065000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 15V674000 · Electrical system

FAQ

Is the 1996 Mazda MX-6 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Mazda MX-6?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 58% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Mazda MX-6 have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.