AI Damage1991 Mazda Navajo: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Mazda Navajo filed 39 complaints with NHTSA, most often about tires and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 39
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Tires 21% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 18% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 15% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 10% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 10% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 8% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 8% of all complaints
- Tires: 8 complaints (21% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 7 complaints (18% of all).
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (15% of all).
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (15% of all).
- Fuel system: 4 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 39 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 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.
While driving 70mph right rear passenger firestone atx tire blew out, causing the vehicle to lose control, and go under a semi -trailer and roll over. Vehicle was a mazda navajo. Dot # wihlat51561.
The gas pedal got stuck and while trying to put the car into neutral, the car went into reverse which caused the car to rollover.
Pressed accelerator pedal went to the floor. Car went additional thirty feet. Please describe other problems. Tt
Seat belt did not properly restrain driver during rollover accident at 40 mph, resulting in injuries. Tt
While driving at 25 mph, the sunroof of the vehicle was blown off by the wind. The sunroof tilts up at the rear and the dealer can not explain how the roof could be lost. There is a recall for this part, but the consumer's vin is not included.
The rear bumper separated from the frame while pulling a trailer.
Concern is that this could have caused a fire and or explosion. Especially if this had occoured during a time frame when warm temperatures would have made for high fuel vapor content (I.e. It occoured in the middle of summer as opposed to stranding me in the middle of a snow storm as it did)
A short occurred at the junction of the electrical connection to the fuel tank. The short melted the plastic connection and burned through the assembly to the inside of the gas tank. There was evidence of ignition inside the gas tank. This clearly could have lead to a fire or explosion of the gas tank.
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 6,011 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Navajo has 21 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 39, above average.
What to check before buying
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Mazda Navajo?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: tires, powertrain, electrical system. Total complaints: 39. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (10%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%), stalls while driving (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 Mazda Navajo?
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 1991 Mazda Navajo 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 1991 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.