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1996 Mazda MX-6 problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Mazda MX-6 is airbags. Its complaint count is close to a typical MX-6 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
12
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
28
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
20-26mpg

The worst 1996 Mazda MX-6 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    7
  • Brakes
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    7
  • Brakes
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 2

Electrical system: ignition: switchReported October 19, 2015 · 1,368,500 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 conductive and overheat.
Risk
If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Remedy
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, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.

Recall number 15V674000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactiveReported October 8, 1998 · 213,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
Dealers will reprogram the sas unit to reduce the probability of unnecessary deployments in low speed undercarriage impacts.

Recall number 98V249000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Mazda MX-6

Defect investigations

Headlight failureOpened December 20, 1999, closed August 30, 2000

Obtained recall 99v‑358

RQ99022

Oversensitive air bag deploymentOpened May 23, 1997, closed October 9, 1998

In may of 1997, odi upgraded to an engineering analysis with 51 complaints.odi is now aware of 88 complaints of alleged inappropriate airbag deployments.typical complaints allege that the airbags deployed after the vehicle hit a pot hole at between 20 and 45 MPH, or that the airbags deployed while driving at between 20 or 60 MPH for no apparent reason.approximately 25 drivers alleged that they did not hit anything in the roadway.mazda will conduct a safety recall ofall 1995 and 1996 models of the mazda 626 and mx-6, as well as a small number of 1997 mazda 626 models, equipped with the same sas unit.the sas unit controls the airbag systemit contains a built-in crash sensor to detect vehicle deceleration during a collision.affected models were assembled from june 1, 1994 through september 10, 1996 and have a VIN within the following ranges: mazda 626:1yvge22**s5300001 through 1yvge22**v5599030 mazda mx-6: 1yvge31**s5300001 through 1yvge31**t5589965all owners will be notified of the possibility that their vehicle may experience an unnecessary airbag depoyment in certain situations.they will be instructed to bring their vehicle to a mazda dealer to reprogram the sas unit to reduce the frequency of unnecessary deployments.

EA97012

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Mazda MX-6 28

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 28 bulletins for the 1996 Mazda MX-6

1996 Mazda MX-6 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD20-2328-3123-26
2.5L 6‑cylFWD182420

What 1996 Mazda MX-6 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 10, 2006 · Wheels · 110,000 miles · KS

All 4 wheels are cracked on the outside, and bac side of the rims. They look deep and the wheels might break at any time.

Filed Aug 2, 2001 · Airbags · TX

Vehicle was going 55mph , and consumer was not sure what vehicle ran over, but air bag deployed. Nothing was hit, and no damage was done. No injuries. Consumer is contacting manufacturer.

Filed Mar 28, 2001 · Airbags · CA · crash · 1 injury

Head-on crash at 35-40 MPH, and neither airbag deployed. Driver sustained injuries.

Filed Aug 2, 2000 · CA

Engine check light remains illuminated, indicating a malfunction within the system, cause unknown. Please give any further details.

Filed Dec 8, 1999 · LA

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

Filed Aug 20, 1998 · Airbags, Brakes · VA · crash

Consumer was involved in an accident. Point of impact was drivers side, front at 60 to 65 MPH, in which there was no deployment of driver's or passenger's side airbags. Cause unkown. Also brake rotors have excessive wear and tear. Cause also unknown.

Filed May 13, 1998 · Airbags · TX

False/violent deployment of air bag, resulting in injuries.

Filed Mar 13, 1998 · Brakes · CA · crash

While driving on good road conditions, no rain, driver applied the brakes in a regular stopping situation and the pedal went to the floor, causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a truck. The vehicle is being repaired. The dealership could not find a problem with the brake system.

Filed Mar 19, 1997 · Airbags · WV

False deployment of driver's and passenger's air bags.

Filed Feb 18, 1997 · Airbags · WV

Both air bags deployed spontaneously.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1996 Mazda MX-6 before you buy

Compare the 1996 Mazda MX-6

Other model years

19901991199219931994199519961997

Questions about the 1996 Mazda MX-6

Is the 1996 Mazda MX-6 reliable?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 1996 Mazda MX-6, close to a typical MX-6 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Mazda MX-6?

Airbags, with 7 complaints. Next is brakes (2).

How many recalls does the 1996 Mazda MX-6 have?

2 recalls, covering electrical system and air bags.

Was there a recall on the 1996 Mazda MX-6 airbags?

Yes, 1 recall: 98V249000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Mazda MX-6 get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Mazda MX-6 range from 20 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-23 city and 28-31 highway.

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