Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Mazda Navajo, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 9 | 18% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 10% |
| Power train | 5 | 10% |
| Visibility | 3 | 6% |
| Structure | 3 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 6% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4% |
| Steering | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 CONSUM
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
THE REAR BUMPER SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME WHILE PULLING A TRAILER. *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Structure
SHORT IN CONNECTION AT THE FUEL TANK. PLASTIC IS MELTED THROUGH, THERE APPEARS TO BE SCORING ON THE INSIDE OF THE UNIT THAT WOULD BE INDICATIVE OF SPARK AND OR HIGH HEAT. CONCERN IS THAT THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE AND
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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 INSI
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS AT, P23 75R15, CONSUMER HAS REPLACED ALL FIVE TIRES. TIRES TREAD SEPARATED FROM RIM.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Tires
CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE INTO SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE WHERE TECHNICIAN FOUND OUT THAT FRONT TIRES WERE SHOWING TREAD SEPARATION. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE TIRES.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Tires
THE PROPORTIONING VALVE FAILED "CLOSED" AND DID NOT ALLOW FOR THE BRAKE FLUID TO GO TO THE REAR BRAKES, AS A RESULT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN THE FRONT TIRES LOCKING UP AND SKIDDED CAUSING COLLISION. *MJS
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
PEOO 020;CONSUMER WERE INSPECTING TIRES AND NOTICED THAT FRONT REAR TIRES HAD CRACKS ALL AROUND THE TIRES TIRES ARE THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS #AT P23575R15. #DOT W2. *AK THE FRONT TWO TIRE HAD CRACKS ALL AROUND THE
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1991 Mazda Navajo. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE T
Risk: IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
REAR BUMPER MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE CRACKING UNDER EXTENDED TRAILER TOW SERVICE WHEN USING A BUMPER MOUNTED TRAILER HITCH.
Risk: BUMPER COULD SEPARATE FROM VEHICLE WHEN USING A BUMPERMOUNTED TRAILER HITCH BALL.
Fix: INSTALL TWO ADDITIONAL BRACKETS, ONE ADDITIONAL BAR AND ASSOCIATED FASTENERS TO PREVENT BUMPER SEPARATION.
FRONT HEAT SHIELD EXTENSION MAY CONTACT THE UPPER FRONT CORNER OF PLASTIC FUEL TANK DAMAGING OR PUNCTURING THE FUEL TANK.
Risk: SUCH FUEL TANK DAMAGE COULD ALLOW VAPOR AND OR FUEL TOESCAPE; THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF A SOURCE OF IGNITION IS PRESENT.
Fix: RELOCATE HEAT SHIELD; REPLACE FUEL TANK IF DAMAGED OR PUNCTURED.
THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.
Risk: IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM FUL
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 84 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 66 | good |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and tires is the most reported area with 9 of them (18%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 84/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.