Total Complaints
42 filings
MAZDA MX6 · model year
1989 MAZDA MX6
42 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1989MAZDAMX6 carries 42 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1989 MX6 is seat belts:front:buckle assembly with 8 filings, followed by seats (6) and seat belts:front:anchorage (3). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 21 investigation files overlapping the 1989 MX6, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
42
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 8 |
| SEATS | 6 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES | 2 |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20031211ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
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.
20031211PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
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.
20031211SEATS
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.
20031211VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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.
20031211VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW
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.
20031211EQUIPMENT
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.
19991129ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRINVING CAUSED ACCIDENT. YH
19990715SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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
19990308ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
19970828SEAT BELTS
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.
19970828ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VALVE COVER GASKET FAILED.
19970627SEATS
DRIVER'S SEAT PINS BROKE, CAUSING THE SEAT TO WOBBLE.
19970627EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
POWER ANTENNA BELT BROKEN.
19970627STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED.
19970627EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
RADIO LIGHT OUT FAILED.
19970627VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
AIR VENT IS NOT WORKING.
19970623CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
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
19970623VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN IN REVERSE THEN IN DRIVE. DEALER BLAMES THE RUG. *AK
19970321SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
NO PARTS. THE DEALER HAS NOT ORDERED THE PARTS SINCE THE CONSUMER INITIALLY CALLED ON MARCH 3, 1997. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
19970312SEAT BELTS
WHEN RELEASING THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT DOES RETRACT INTO THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM. *AK
Compare 1989MAZDAMX6 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
RQ26002Recall QueryOpen
Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy
PE19006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment
PE18006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Front Subframe Corrosion
PE15022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Lower ball joint separation
PE14005Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Brake Booster Failure
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1989 MAZDA MX6 have?▼
The 1989 MAZDA MX6 has 42 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 MAZDA MX6?▼
The most-complained component for the 1989 MAZDA MX6 is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEATS and SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE.
Is the 1989 MAZDA MX6 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.