NHTSA vehicle safety data
1997 Mazda MX-6 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 1997 Mazda MX-6 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mazda dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Mazda MX-6, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1997 Mazda MX-6 owner complaints
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Mazda MX-6, describing incidents dated December 4, 2003 to February 3, 2007.
Most-cited components
- Power Train 2 complaints
Newest complaints
ODI #10191744 · Filed
TRANSMISSION
ODI #10050056 · Filed
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY FROM THE SECOND GEAR TO OVER DRIVE. VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS 40 MPH. DEALER STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT OWNER EXPENSE OF $2800.00 DOLLARS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
Ignition Switch may Overheat
NHTSA #15V674000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice
Reported October 19, 2015 · Mazda North American Operations
Potentially affected: 1,368,500 vehicles
Repair completion: 0.62% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Mazda campaign 8715J · Owners notified December 17, 2015 · Vehicles built September 1, 1992 – May 30, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
FUEL FILTER LEAKS
NHTSA #05E065000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice
Reported October 5, 2005 · SPX FILTRAN
Potentially affected: 42,962 vehicles
Owners notified September 27, 2005
Defect description
CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.
Safety consequence
IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
Manufacturer remedy
SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6698.
Notes
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY:1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
MAZDA/TIMING BELT
NHTSA #98V206001 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice
Reported September 8, 1998 · MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC
Potentially affected: 40,000 vehicles
Owners notified November 20, 1998 · Vehicles built December 11, 1996 – June 26, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER CAN BREAK AND GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT.
Safety consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TENSIONER AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (-1888-327-4236).
Other Mazda MX-6 model years
Check your 1997 Mazda MX-6 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mazda MX-6 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Mazda VIN