The Mazda Navajo has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1991–1994. On average a defect was admitted 3.8 years after the car was built, the slowest took 9 years. The most recalled system is Structure (4 campaigns). Owners also filed 101 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Mazda Navajo
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Structure 4 Read
What's wrong. 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
What's wrong. 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
What's wrong. Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with factory installed sunroof. The sunroof glass panel assembly can separate while the vehicle is moving due to incorrect hinge engagement. This was caused by improper sunroof installation of the glass panel
Risk. Unexpected separation of the sunroof glass panel could possibly distract the driver increasing the risk of a vehicle crash or loss of vehicle control
Fix. Owners will be provided with an instruction booklet which thoroughly outlines, with illustrations, the proper procedures for the removal, storage, and reinstallation of the sunroof's glass panel. A warning label for attachment to the sunroof's latch knob will also be provided to the owners
Tires 1 Read
What's wrong. Tire description: firestone wilderness at, size p235/75r15, produced at the decatur, illinois tire plant and all firestone radial atx and radial atx ii tires, size p235/75r15. Operation of these tires at low inflation pressures, high speed, and in hot weather, can contribute to separation of the tire tread
Risk. If the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death
Fix. The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on august 29, 2001. However, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance
What's wrong. Tire description: firestone wilderness at, size p235/75r15, produced at the decatur, illinois tire plant and all firestone radial atx and radial atx ii tires, size p235/75r15. Operation of these tires at low inflation pressures, high speed, and in hot weather, can contribute to separation of the tire tread
Risk. If the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death
Fix. The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on august 29, 2001. However, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance
What's wrong. Tire description: firestone wilderness at, size p235/75r15, produced at the decatur, illinois tire plant and all firestone radial atx and radial atx ii tires, size p235/75r15. Operation of these tires at low inflation pressures, high speed, and in hot weather, can contribute to separation of the tire tread
Risk. If the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death
Fix. The replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on august 29, 2001. However, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1 Read
What's wrong. 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
What's wrong. 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
What's wrong. 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 Brake 1 Read
What's wrong. 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…
What's wrong. 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…
Fuel System, Gasoline 1 Read
What's wrong. Front heat shield extension may contact the upper front corner of plastic fuel tank damaging or puncturing the fuel tank
Risk. Such fuel tank damage could allow vapor and or fuel toescape; this could result in a fire if a source of ignition is present
Fix. Relocate heat shield; replace fuel tank if damaged or punctured
Power Train 1 Read
What's wrong. When the automatic transmission shift lever is placed in the park position, the park pawl does not always abut or engage the park gear
Risk. Driver may believe the vehicle is safely engaged in parkwhen the gear is not truly engaged. This can lead to the vehicle jumping out ofgear unintentionally, vehicle rollaway when parked on a sloped surface, andinadvertent motion when the vehicle is started. All of these conditions canresult in a vehicle accident
Fix. Repair the transmission with a new park pawl
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 3.8 years |
| Slowest campaign | 9 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 45% |
| Campaigns on record | 9 |
Which Navajo years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Tires | |
| 1993 | Tires | |
| 1992 | Tires | |
| 1991 | Tires |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Mazda Navajo have?
9 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1991–1994. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my Navajo still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 3.8 years, and the slowest campaign came 9 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.