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1996 Mazda MX-6Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 12 owner complaints about the 1996 Mazda MX-6, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-674 the manufacturer reports only 1% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Lowest repair rate 1%Owner complaints124 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem7Air bags

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 19, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Mazda MX-6 has problems

12 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags72
Service brakes, hydraulic22
Seat belts10
Structure10
Wheels10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1996 Mazda MX-6 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

1%repaired · 2017 Q1

Ignition: switch

Recall 15V-674 · Oct 19, 2015 · 1,368,500 vehicles · 8,332 repaired

Risk. If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mazda.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other MX-6 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the MX-6 median. How we score

'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Mazda MX-6 safety ratings

1996 Mazda MX-6 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Mazda MX-6, and the recalls they led to.

  1. OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTEA97012 · closed Oct 9, 1998
    Led to recall 98V-249
  2. HEADLIGHT FAILURERQ99022 · closed Aug 30, 2000
    No recall
In owners' words

What MX-6 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 893255 · Aug 2, 2001
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.
Complaint 827030 · Aug 20, 1998
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.
Complaint 800840 · Aug 14, 1996

Own a 1996 MX-6?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.