Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 1991 Mazda MX-6 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
18
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
2
Investigations
1
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 5 | 28% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 5 | 28% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 3 | 17% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 2 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 1 | 6% | new |
| Speed Control | 1 | 6% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 1 | 6% | ▼ down |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
THE GROOVE FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RETAINER RING WAS INCORRECTLY MACHINED.
Consequence
IF THE RETAINING RING DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THEGROOVE, THE AXLE LUG NUTS WILL BREAK, CAUSING THE BRAKE DRUM, WHEEL, AND TIREASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
MIDAS SHOPS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE DRUMS WITH OTHER BRAKE DRUMS FROM ANOTHER SUPPLIER.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“PASSENGER SIDE RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILED IN A WRECK AUG/95 AND WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVER SIDE RESTRAINT SYSTEM HAS BEEN MALFUNCTIONING THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT EITHER JAMS IN THE TRACK OR FAILS TO OPERATE. DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE SYSTEM. I BELIEVE THE MAZDA MX6…”
“FRONT AXLE BEARINGS BROKE AND THE AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE CONSUMER THOUGHT THE BEARINGS AND THE HUB BROKE AGAIN.”
“AFTER CHANGING OIL, CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE TAIL PIPE. AFTER VEHICLE SAT OVER NIGHT, AND STARTED IT FOR FIRST TIME SMOKE WOLD COME FROM TAIL PIPE. *AK *SLC”
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LIGHT COMES ON ,OWNER ALSO NOTES THAT MUST OPEN DOOR WHILE DRIVING, HE STATES THAT HIS OUTSIDE HANDLE BROKE. *AK”
The record is thin — 18 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (5 complaints), transmission (5 complaints), engine (3 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1991 Mazda MX-6. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the MX-6 years to avoid are 1994, 1993, 1989, 1995. The cleanest record among MX-6 years belongs to 1999.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.