VehicleVerdict

1992 Mazda Navajo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 1992 Mazda Navajo — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

24

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1992 compare to other Navajo years?

Navajo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted77 complaints1990: 1 complaints1991: 57 complaints1992: 24 complaints1993: 28 complaints1994: 77 complaints
Navajo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Navajo years to avoid →

What are the most common 1992 Mazda Navajo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes521%
Engine417%
Suspension313%
Tires & Wheels313%
Visibility & Wipers313%
Transmission28%
Body & Structure14%
Latches & Locks14%
Seats14%
Airbags14%

Does the 1992 Mazda Navajo have recalls?

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

00T005000Tires & WheelsAugust 21, 2000 · 14,400,000 units

Defect

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 TIRE TREAD.

Consequence

IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

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.

97V235002Body & StructureFebruary 25, 1998 · 23,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL ASSEMBLY CAN SEPARATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING DUE TO INCORRECT HINGE ENGAGEMENT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER SUNROOF INSTALLATION OF THE GLASS PANEL.

Consequence

UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL COULD POSSIBLY DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN INSTRUCTION BOOKLET WHICH THOROUGHLY OUTLINES, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, THE PROPER PROCEDURES FOR THE REMOVAL, STORAGE, AND REINSTALLATION OF THE SUNROOF'S GLASS PANEL. A WARNING LABEL FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE SUNROOF'S LATCH KNOB WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED TO THE OWNERS.

96V024002BrakesFebruary 28, 1996 · 2,500 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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 FULLY ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

95V164002Body & StructureAugust 28, 1995 · 6,973 units

Defect

THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS ARE ATTACHED TO BRACKETS THAT ARE WELDED TO THE LIFTGATE. THE BRACKET WELDS CAN FRACTURE.

Consequence

WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDER BALLSTUD TO DISENGAGE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DUE TO THE CONTROL ARM AND THE BUSHING FAILURE THE VEHICLE SHAKES. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE MAKES A NOISE AND DOES NOT STOP PORPERLY, TRANSMISSION MOUNTS CAUSE THE ENGINE TO MOVE FOWARD/BACKWARD WHILE STOPPING AND ACELERATION, CONSUMER ALSO HAD SHOCKS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 19, 1996

“DEALER PROMISED CONSUMER THAT THEY WOULD EXCHANGE THE FIRESTONE ATX TIRES FOR ANOTHER BRAND, THE NEXT DAY THE DEALER (MAZDA) REFUSED TO HONOR THEIR WORD AND CONSUMER STILL HAS THE DEFECTIVE ATX TIRES. NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 18, 2000

“DUE TO THE CONTROL ARM AND THE BUSHING FAILURE THE VEHICLE SHAKES. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE MAKES A NOISE AND DOES NOT STOP PORPERLY, TRANSMISSION MOUNTS CAUSE THE ENGINE TO MOVE FOWARD/BACKWARD WHILE STOPPING AND ACELERATION, CONSUMER ALSO HAD SHOCKS AND TRANSMISSION MOUNT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 19, 1996

“SUNFROOF; DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY APPROXIMATELY 50MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE SUN ROOF JUST BLEW OFF VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED IN JULY 1994, AND HAD IT REPAIRED. IT HAPPENED THIS LAST TIME JULY 1997. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 12, 1997

1992 Mazda Navajo — common questions

Is the 1992 Mazda Navajo reliable?

The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1992 Navajo problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (5 complaints), engine (4 complaints), visibility & wipers (3 complaints).

Does the 1992 Mazda Navajo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Mazda Navajo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1992 Mazda Navajo under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Mazda Navajo years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Navajo years to avoid are 1994, 1991. The cleanest record among Navajo years belongs to 1990.

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.