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 risk
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.
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Safety risk
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings
Manufacturer
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC
Vehicles affected
95,074
Reported to NHTSA
1992-02-27
Owners notified
1992-05-22
Defect description
THE REAR BRAKE LININGS CAN CHANGE OVER TIME. AS THE BRAKES WEAR, THE COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION CAN INCREASE, PRODUCING INCONSISTENT REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE AND PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF THE ABS SYSTEM.
Safety risk
INCONSISTENT BRAKING AND PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF THE ABSSYSTEM CAN CAUSE SUDDEN STOPS OR INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCES, AND RESULT ININCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES WITH ASSEMBLIES WHOSE FRICTION CHARACTERISTICS DO NOT CHANGE. THIS WILL REDUCE THE RISK OF PREMATURE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATION.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Power train: automatic transmission
12
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
9
90,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
7
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
7
—
Unknown or other
4
185,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition
3
—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly
3
—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
3
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings
3
—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control
2
—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
2
—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
2
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
2
—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut
2
—
Air bags: frontal
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
1
—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline
1
100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
1
—
Power train
1
185,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
1
—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint
1
—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
1
—
Power train: manual transmission
1
—
Seat belts
1
100,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage
1
—
Seat belts: front: webbing
1
—
Seats
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
45,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light
1
—
Steering
1
45,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack
1
—
Suspension: front: shock absorber
1
—
Tires: tread/belt
1
—
The 1990 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1992 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.