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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
Safety risk
UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS IN LOW SPEED UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Air bags: frontal
8
96,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
7
67,000 mi
Visibility: windshield
4
—
Air bags
3
54,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
3
—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module
1
141,073 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
1
110,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition
1
—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
1
—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.
1
—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
1
—
Power train: axle assembly
1
—
Service brakes
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
1
—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system
1
—
Tires
1
—
Wheels
1
—
The 1994 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1996 model has 3 times as many 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.