VehicleVerdict

1989 Mazda 929 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 38 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median 929 year — the 1989 model ranks #3 of 10 929 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: body & structure issues account for 50% of all reports (19 of 38), far ahead of latches & locks at 4.

38

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other 929 years?

929 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted44 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 40 complaints1989: 38 complaints1990: 14 complaints1991: 27 complaints1992: 44 complaints1993: 21 complaints1994: 21 complaints1995: 3 complaints
929 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 929 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Mazda 929 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1950%
Transmission411%
Latches & Locks411%
Speed Control38%
Brakes25%
Engine25%
Seat Belts25%
Other13%
Fuel System13%

Does the 1989 Mazda 929 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

95V103005Seat BeltsMay 24, 1995 · 360,433 units

Defect

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

93V174000Body & StructureOctober 29, 1993 · 244,000 units

Defect

RESIN MOLDED FRONT HANDLES FAIL AT THE DOOR LATCH ACTUATING ROD ATTACHMENT, FREEING THE ROD TO FALL INSIDE THE DOOR FRAME. SUBSEQUENT LOWERING OF THE ASSOCIATED WINDOW MAY FORCE THE ACTUATING ROD DOWNWARD AND RELEASE THE DOOR LATCH.

Consequence

INADVERTENT ACTUATION OF THE DOOR LATCH CAUSES THE DOORTO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN OCCUPANT FALLING OUT OF THEVEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE/LATCH ASSEMBLY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES, BOTH FRONT AND REAR, KEEP BREAKING, THEREBY MAKING THE DOORS INOPERATIVE FROM THE OUTSIDE. BOTH REAR HANDLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND BOTH FRONT HANDLES WERE REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL, THE LEFT FRONT HAS SINCE BROKEN. THE MATERIAL USED IN THESE HANDLES IS OF SUCH POOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure

“WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP WHEN CHANGING. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD BE ROUGHT SHIFTING FROM ONE GEAR TO ANOTHER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. TRANSMISSION GOT WORSE & VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEABLE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

“MFR 53404 NHTSA 93V174; DOOR ASSEMBLY; OUTER HANDLE; GILLMAN MAZDA ROSENBURG TX. VEHICLE EXPERIENCING DOORS LOCKING 3 OF 4 AFTER RECALL SERVICE 9/19/95. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · September 19, 1995

“WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. IMMEDIATELY PLACED SHIFT IN NEUTRAL WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, ENGINE WITH NO LOAD RACED TO 5000 RPM AND WAS CLIMBING HIGHER UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO OFF. RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND IT IMMEDIATELY RACED TO 5000 RPM. THIS SEQUENCE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 10, 2001

“WHILE VEHICLE STOPPED TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD RISE. ON THE OTHER HAND, WHILE TRAVELING TEMPERATURE WOULD LOWER. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

1989 Mazda 929 — common questions

Is the 1989 Mazda 929 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 38 complaints put the 1989 model at #3 of 10 929 years. It is one of the 929 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1989 929 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (19 complaints), latches & locks (4 complaints), transmission (4 complaints).

Does the 1989 Mazda 929 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Mazda 929. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Mazda 929 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mazda 929 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 929 years to avoid are 1992, 1988, 1989. The cleanest record among 929 years belongs to 1987.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.