Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 Mazda MX-6, and it carries 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 13 | 24% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 7% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 5% |
| Air bags | 3 | 5% |
| Tires | 2 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 4% |
| Suspension | 2 | 4% |
| Power train | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MAZDA MX-6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILAB
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TRYING TO GET A RECALL DONE FROM POTAMKIN MAZDA 7400 BIRD RD MIAMI, FL 33155. I CALLED SO THAT I COULD GET SOME INFORMATION, THE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THE TOWING WOULD BE FREE FOR THE RECALL BEFORE HE GAVE ME T
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
ON MY WAY TO WORK ABOUT 30 MINUTES BEFORE 8:00 A.M. TRAVELING ON THE FLORIDA'S TURNPIKE SOUTH ABOUT TO EXIT, ON TO MIAMI DADE COLLEGE, ON THE WAY TO WORK THEN CLASS. I PROCEEDED TO YIELD THEN STOP AT THE INTERSECTION AT
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
1994 MAZDA MX6 RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE'S RIGHT FRONT FENDER, RIGHT FRONT DOOR, RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WELL AND RIM. *NM
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I WAS COMING HOME FROM SCHOOL ONE NIGHT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ABOUT 5-6 MINUTES LATER I WAS GETTING OFF OF THE FREEWAY WHEN MY CAR STOPPED. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON ALTHOUGH THE RADIO
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
MY NEW REMINGTON BRAND TIRE (ON MY MAZDA MX-6), BOUGHT LESS THAN ONE MONTH AGO, RIPPED TWICE IN THE SIDEWALL AFTER I DROPPED INTO A POTHOLE LAST NIGHT. I WROTE IT OFF TO BAD LUCK. HOWEVER, WHEN AT THE TIRE PLACE, N
NHTSA complaint: Tires
FAILURE OF VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONNECTION.*MR THE VEHICLE HEADLIGHT SWITCH INITIALLY FAILED JANUARY 1999. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTE
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
I AM THE OWNER OF A 1994 MAZDA MX-6 (4 CYLINDER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). BECAUSE OF WHAT I BELIEVE MAY BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT OR DESIGN FLAW, I'VE BEEN FORCED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE TWICE OVER TH
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1994 Mazda MX-6. 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.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become co
Risk: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500,
CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TUR
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
Fix: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHT WIRE THAT RUNS THROUGH THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER CAN FAIL AT THE POINT WHERE IT IS SOLDERED TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
Risk: THE FAILURE OF THIS WIRE COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH LEVER.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEEDOMETER GEAR SET CAN FAIL. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE AN INOPERATIVE SPEEDOMETER, SEVERE LACK OF POWER, AND/OR A TRANSMISSI
Risk: A DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF INCREASED SPEED DUE TO THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING CORRECTLY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPEEDOMETER GEAR SET AND IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER GEAR SET AT NO CHARGE. THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERS NECESSARY REPAIRS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S SPE
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 82 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 13 of them (24%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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 82/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1994 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 72/100. 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.