1997 Mazda MX-6 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 1997 Mazda MX-6, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 1997 Mazda MX-6
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Switch (electrical system)
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.
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…
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Engine (engine and engine cooling)
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner can break and get caught in the timing belt.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tensioner and replace it if necessary.
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1997 Mazda MX-6 have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 95,950 miles. Complaints peaked in 2003 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 4, 2003 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1997 Mazda MX-6. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 20–26 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 18–23 / 24–31 |
| Fuel | Premium, Regular |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2/2.5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Mazda MX-6 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mazda MX-6 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 Mazda MX-6 | 0 | 14 |
| 1991 Mazda MX-6 | 0 | 13 |
| 1992 Mazda MX-6 | 0 | 7 |
| 1993 Mazda MX-6 | 2 | 54 |
| 1994 Mazda MX-6 | 2 | 46 |
| 1995 Mazda MX-6 | 2 | 33 |
| 1996 Mazda MX-6 | 2 | 12 |
| 1997 Mazda MX-6 | 2 | 2 |
Checking a specific 1997 Mazda MX-6
How do I know if my 1997 Mazda MX-6 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 1997 Mazda MX-6; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mazda dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 15V674000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Mazda models
- 6263,130 complaints
- MAZDA32,987 complaints
- CX-52,451 complaints
- MAZDA62,234 complaints
- Tribute2,102 complaints
- CX-91,438 complaints
- CX-71,132 complaints
- Protege1,076 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.