MazdaNavajo1991Overview/mazda/navajo/1991/base/

1991 Mazda Navajo

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Navajo.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1991 Mazda Navajo carried an EPA rating of 14/19/16 mpg and an automatic 4-speed transmission. In reliability data, it accumulated 49 owner complaints and six recalls, with tires ranking as the top complaint area. Across the 1990–1994 model run, 1991 sits above the line’s low point—1990’s single complaint—but well below the 1994 peak of 74 complaints, marking it as a mid-pack year rather than the problem-plagued high point of the Navajo’s short history.

Model year1994199319921991

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy14/19/16 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 19 / 16 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 · SAE J1703 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · SAE J1703
Differential Gear Oil75W-GL90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.5 Pints ,
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5 Pints,
Power Steering FluidATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Transmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 7,500 miClutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miDisc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Locking Hub (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Injection System (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1991 Mazda Navajo shows a marked increase in federal complaints and recalls compared with the preceding year, rising from 1 complaint and 0 recalls in 1990 to 49 complaints and 6 recalls in 1991. Complaint volume then declines to 19 in 1992 before climbing again to 30 in 1993 and peaking at 74 in 1994, indicating a volatile trend across the 1990‑1994 generation. Recall activity follows a similar pattern, with 1991 and 1993 each recording six recalls, higher than the zero recalls in 1990 and the four recalls in 1992 and 1994. The target year therefore sits at an early high‑point in the complaint/recall arc, suggesting a period of relatively more reported problems than the immediate predecessor. Given the elevated number of complaints and recalls in 1991 relative to adjacent years, this model year presents a higher risk profile and is less favorable for a purchase.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
39
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
49
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 49 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Tires9
Vehicle Speed Control7
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Power Train5
Visibility3
Structure3
Fuel System, Gasoline3
Electrical System3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

00T005000Tires:Tread/BeltReported 21/08/2000

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… Remedy: 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…

91V028000Structure:Body:BumpersReported 13/02/1991

REAR BUMPER MAY BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FATIGUE CRACKING UNDER EXTENDED TRAILER TOW SERVICE WHEN USING A BUMPER MOUNTED TRAILER HITCH. Remedy: INSTALL TWO ADDITIONAL BRACKETS, ONE ADDITIONAL BAR AND ASSOCIATED FASTENERS TO PREVENT BUMPER SEPARATION.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 39 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
09-009-19-35662019-01-14Electrical SystemIn accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…
09-034-18-3430a2018-10-10Vehicle Speed ControlIn accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…
09-035-17-30802017-08-07Electrical SystemIn accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…
09007162016-02-17Electrical SystemSpeedometer replacement procedure
09-034-14-29562014-08-15Equipment Adaptive/MobilityIN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS, FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE LISTED BELOW WHEN REPLACING…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Navajo. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 1991 Navajo have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Navajo get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.