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 LOWER ARM BALL JOINTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TORQUED TO SPECIFICATION.
Safety risk
THE INSUFFICIENT TORQUE OF THE LOWER BALL JOINTRETAINING BOLT CAN RESULT IN THE SUSPENSION FAILING WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTIONAND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN ANACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
INSPECT THE LOWER BALL JOINT RETAINING BOLTS AND TIGHTEN LOOSE BOLTS TO THE CORRECT TORQUE.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
6
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
5
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine
4
—
Power train: automatic transmission
4
—
Seat belts: front: anchorage
3
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc
3
—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs
3
160,000 mi
Air bags: frontal
2
—
Electrical system: ignition
2
100,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights
2
136,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
2
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
2
—
Steering: rack and pinion
2
171,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
2
—
Unknown or other
2
44,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
1
—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash
1
136,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights
1
136,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
1
—
Parking brake
1
112,435 mi
Parking brake: conventional
1
—
Parking brake: driveline: hydraulic: actuator
1
112,125 mi
Power train: axle assembly
1
—
Seat belts
1
—
Seat belts: front
1
171,000 mi
Seats
1
—
Seats: front assembly: recliner
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
1
—
Steering
1
108,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
1
—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device
1
—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
1
—
Suspension: front
1
125,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint
1
—
Vehicle speed control
1
—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system
1
—
Visibility: windshield
1
—
The 1992 model has 8 times as many complaints as this one. The 1994 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.