Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Mazda MX-6, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 13 | 33% |
| Power train | 7 | 18% |
| Visibility | 4 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 8% |
| Air bags | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Tires | 1 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1995 MAZDA MX-6. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT FULLY DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
MAZDA MX6 BRAKES ENGAGED WHILE ON A BRIDGE CAUSING THE CAR TO SKID INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN WALL. UPON THE IMPACT MY MOUTH HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND BUSTED MY LIPS OPEN, THE AIRBAG THEN DEPLOYED CAUSING MY HEAD TO BE SLA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MAZDA MX-6. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. WHEN IN REVERSE, IT WOULD JERK BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
STOPPED AT A CONVIENCE STORE, LEFT THE CAR RUNNING BUT TURNED OFF THE HEADLIGHTS. RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE DOOR, SAT DOWN IN THE DRIVERS SET AND REACHED OVER TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGINE RUNNING BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG CUT THE CONSUMER'S FACE AND LIP. THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG CRACKED MULTIPLE PARTS OF THE WINDSHIELD. *AK *SC *JB
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THE VEHICLES ALTERNATOR BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIME WITHIN ONE YEAR. *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
ON MY 1995 MAZDA MX-6, WITH 67,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED BEHAVING ERRATICALLY. WHEN YOU PUT IT IN DRIVE, IT DOESN'T ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY, THEN EVENTUALLY ENGAGES SUDDENLY WITH A LURCH. I HAVE READ ON-LINE T
NHTSA complaint: Power train
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE ALTERNATOR FAILED CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1995 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 EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
Risk: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS IN LOW SPEED UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 13 of them (33%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) 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 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 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.