VehicleVerdict

1993 Mazda Navajo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 28 complaints on file for the 1993 Mazda Navajo — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

28

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other Navajo years?

Navajo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted77 complaints1990: 1 complaints1991: 57 complaints1992: 24 complaints1993: 28 complaints1994: 77 complaints
Navajo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Navajo years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Mazda Navajo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes725%
Engine518%
Tires & Wheels518%
Visibility & Wipers27%
Body & Structure27%
Transmission27%
Steering14%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)14%
Electrical System14%
Latches & Locks14%
Other14%

Does the 1993 Mazda Navajo have recalls?

6 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.

99V310002Body & StructureNovember 24, 1999 · 6,800 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.

Consequence

WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDER BALL STUD TO DISENGAGE, UNEXPECTEDLY ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL FROM AN OPEN POSITION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL LIFTGATE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. DEPENDING UPON THE CONDITION OF THE LIFTGATE SHEET METAL IN THE AREA OF THE BRACKET, DEALERS MAY ALSO INSTALL A LARGER REINFORCEMENT.

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.

94V169002BrakesOctober 31, 1994 · 48,609 units

Defect

THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.

Consequence

WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.

Remedy

A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA RECALL 94V169000/ MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 94S91 CONCERNING EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE: MECHANICAL. PARKING BRAKE FAILS SO THAT IT WILL NOT ENGAGE. DEALER PUTS "WEDGE" IN MECHANISM TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT THE WEDGE DOES NOT LAST-- IT BREAKS AND FALLS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 7, 1994

“THE HEADS WERE SEVERLY CRACKED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BECAUSE THERE HAVE , NOT ONLY BEEN SO MANY INSTANCES BUT MANY TIMES, AS WITH THIS CASE THE HEADS WERE SO SEVERLY CRACKED THAT ONLY COMPLETE REPLACEMENT IS ACCEPTABLE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 11, 2001

“CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION IN FRONT END OF VEHICLE BUT BEFORE HE COULD SLOW DOWN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING HIM TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, HIT THE MEDIAN AND ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE APPEARS TO HAVE SEPARATED, THE OTHERS WENT FLAT ON IMPACT(FIRESTONE ATX…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 1, 2000

“WHEN I TURN ON THE HEATER, THERE IS A SMELL OF BURNING MATERIAL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. RECENTLY I PAID THE DEALER TO CLEAN LEAVES FROM THE HEATER. THEY SUGGESTED I NOT PARK UNDER TREES. SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS MADE BY FORD, ANY RECALL FOR DEBRIS IN THE HEATER WOULD APPLY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers

“CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE LIFTGATE BRACKET REPAIRED PER RECALL NOTICE 99V-310, DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE CLAIMING THAT THE RECALL NOTICE EXPIRED, AS A RESULT CONSUMER HAD THE BRACKET REPLACED BY ANOTHER COMPANY, HOWEVER SINCE THE ORIGINAL BRACKET BROKE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 16, 1998

1993 Mazda Navajo — common questions

Is the 1993 Mazda Navajo reliable?

The record is thin — 28 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1993 Navajo problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (7 complaints), engine (5 complaints), tires & wheels (5 complaints).

Does the 1993 Mazda Navajo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Mazda Navajo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1993 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.