Model year record

1994 Mazda Navajo recalls & problems

The 1994 Mazda Navajo has 3 safety recalls and 49 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (11 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints49filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

StructureNov 24, 1999

Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut

Recall 99V3100026,800 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.
Risk: WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDER BALL STUD TO DISENGAGE, UNEXPECTEDLY ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL FROM AN OPEN POSITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL LIFTGATE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. DEPENDING UPON THE CONDITION OF THE LIFTGATE SHEET METAL IN THE AREA OF THE BRACKET, DEALERS MAY ALSO INSTALL A LARGER REINFORCEMENT.

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 28, 1996

Power assist › Hydraulic

Recall 96V0240022,500 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE STUDS WHICH ATTACH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY CAN DEVELOP STRESS CORROSION CRACKING AFTER BEING OPERATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATION.
Risk: IF A CRACK OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN ONE OR BOTH STUDS FRACTURING. THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VACUUM BOOSTER, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PREVENTING THE SERVICE BRAKES FROM FULLY ACTIVATING INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER ASSEMBLY.

Parking brakeOct 31, 1994

Conventional

Recall 94V16900248,609 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE PARKING BRAKE CONTROL SELF-ADJUST PAWL DOES NOT LINE UP PROPERLY WITH THE SELF-ADJUST RACHET CAUSING THE PAWL TO SLIP OVER ONE OR MORE TEETH IN THE RACHET.
Risk: WHEN THE ABOVE OCCURS, IT CAN RESULT IN PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM INEFFECTIVENESS. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL FREELY, IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT LEFT IN GEAR.
Fix: A WEDGE WILL BE INSTALLED WHICH WILL SERVE TO LOCK THE PARKING BRAKE SELF-ADJUST MECHANISM PAWL INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RACHET. ALSO, OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE PARKING BRAKE WHENEVER TOOTH SKIP OCCURS AND WILL BE REMINDED TO ALWAYS TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN GEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1994 Mazda Navajo 4-DR. 4x4

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Navajo

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Navajo 4x4

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Navajo

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Navajo 4x4

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Master cylinder	11	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut; Body › Hatchback/liftgate	8	0	0	0	—
SuspensionRear; Front › Wheel bearing	7	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Linkages	7	0	0	0	—
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly; Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior	7	0	1	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly › Axle shaft	6	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys; Engine	6	0	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt; Temporary/emergency spare tire	5	1	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Linkages › Arm › Idler and attachment	3	0	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	2	0	1	0	—
WheelsRim	2	1	0	2	—
Exterior lightingBrake lights › Switch; Turn signal	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

VisibilityFire
STARTED VEHICLE SNOWY DAY TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER - SMOKE STARTED COMING IN THROUGH HEATING AND DEFROST VENTS, SMELLED LIKE PINE NEEDLES. TURNED CAR OFF SMOKE PROCEEDED TO GET WORSE - CALLED FIRE DEPT. SUV WAS THEN ON FIRE, SUV IS COMPLETELY TOTALED - FROM READING OTHER INCIDENTS I REALLY THINK THIS A FAULT WHERE DEBRIS GETS IN THE FAN COMPARTMENT AND CATCHES ON FIRE - SOME TYPE OF NOTICE SHOULD BE SENT TO PEOPLE WITH NAVAJO MAZDAS AND FORD RANGERS/EXPLORERS THAT HAVE THIS TYPE OF FAN COMPARTMENT.*TR
Mar 1, 2009 · 65,000 miles
Wheels › RimCrash2 injuries
CONSUMER'S MAZDA SUV WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF FAULTY WORK PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BY TECHNICIANS AT PEP BOYS.*MR THE CONSUMER PURCHASED RIMS FROM A LOCAL RETAILER, HOWEVER WHEN HE RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED ALL 4 OF THE RIMS HAD STAINS, RUST/ BLEMISHES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP DESTROYED HIS TRANSMISSION AND THE IGNITION.*JB
Apr 1, 2002
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS FUEL PUMP AND CRANK SENSOR FAILURE. TS
Jan 16, 2003
Tires › Tread/belt
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE AND DIFFICULT TO DRIVE, CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY, WAS ABLE TO PULL VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER, GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES AND SAW THAT ONE OF THE TIRES HAD COME COMPLETLEY APART AND WAS IN SHREDS AROUND THE WHEEL, ALL 4 TIRES WERE REPLACED AND CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *JB
Feb 26, 1994
Steering › Linkages › Arm › Idler and attachment
SERPENTINE BELT IDLER PULLEY IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN BEARINGS WENT, IT WOULD CAUSE BELT TO OVERHEAT AND THEN SNAP. WOULD LOSE POWER STEERING CONTROL. STEERING WOULD GO INTO A HARD MANUAL STEERING INSTEAD. *AK
Feb 6, 2001
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
PULLEY WAS DEFECTIVE AND REDESIGNED. OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED THAT PULLEY CAN DISENTEGRATE CAUSING BELT TO BREAK RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, OVERHEATING, AND BATTERY CHARGING. THE COMPANY REDESINGED THE PULLEY SO THEY KNOW THEY HAD A PROBLEM, BUT THE CONSUMER IS AT RISK. IT ALSO COST $165.00 PARTS AND LABOR TO FIX. IF IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM, I THINK I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS STOPPED AT THE TIME THE BELT SEPARATED. I WOULD HATE TO HAVE LOST MY STEERING AT 70 MPH.*AK
Feb 6, 2001
Power train › Axle hubs
AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUB FOR THE FRONT WHEELS DOWS NOT WORK. WHENEVER SWITCHING FROM 2-WD TO 4-WD HUBS FAILED TO LOCK IN PLACE. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT WOULD NEED A NEW LOCKING HUB. GAVE NO INDICATION WHAT CAUSED PROBLEM. *AK
Feb 1, 2001
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
THE IGNITION MODULE SWITCH IS FAILING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *SLC
Nov 27, 2000

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SEPARATION OF MASTER CYLINDERClosedLed to recall 96V024001
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
EA95018 · opened Jun 19, 1995 · closed Apr 2, 1996