AI Damage1993 Mazda MX-6: common problems
Owners of the 1993 Mazda MX-6 filed 54 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 54
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 11% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 8 Parking brake 6% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 11 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 9 complaints (17% of all).
- Steering: 6 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Suspension: 6 complaints (11% of all).
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (9% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 54 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 11 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
Upon impact, right front, owner wants to acknowledge his head was turned slightly/hearing permanently damaged from air bag deployment please describe details.
Tt the front rotors were overheating causing the brake chatter and insufficient braking action.
While driving the cruise control was turned off, cruise control engaged, would not disenged, loss of control, flipped over, speed 65mph, no impact
Tl contact owns a 1993 mazda mx6. When shifting into reverse, the contact heard a loud sound. He continued in reverse at approximately 2 mph and turned the steering column to the left, but the noise persisted. He looked under the hood and noticed that the coil springs failed.
I have a 1993 mazda mx6 with 105,000. In 1999 the transmission had to be rebuilt. Then, recently, I've had my car in 3 times for transmission issues. They've replaced solenoids, torque converter, inline boost valve and so far it isn't fixed.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,128 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 14% most complained about).
On average one model year of the MX-6 has 18 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 54, above average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Mazda MX-6?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, engine and cooling, steering. Total complaints: 54. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rollaway, parking brake (9%), stalls while driving (7%), overheating, coolant loss (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1993 Mazda MX-6?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1993 Mazda MX-6 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1993 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.