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FaultScore report

1996 Mazda B-Series Truck problems

Owners have filed 73 complaints about the 1996 Mazda B-Series Truck with NHTSA between 1996 and 2015. The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers. Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 16 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mazda B-Series Truck All 1996 cars
C

FaultScore 46/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mazda B-Series Truck.

How this is worked out

The numbers

73

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

1 complaint reports a death.

140,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 70 vs 50 Severity 35 vs 50 Early failure 0 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 70
Against the median year of the Mazda B-Series Truck. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 35
6.8% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1996 compares with every other Mazda B-Series Truck

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1996 Mazda B-Series Truck

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 13 17.8%

Median failure at 180,000 miles

Tires 8 11.0%
Seat Belts 7 9.6%
Brakes 7 9.6%

Median failure at 48,500 miles

Airbags 6 8.2%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Lights 5 6.8%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 5 6.8%

Median failure at 102,000 miles

Steering 5 6.8%
Suspension 4 5.5%
Transmission & Drivetrain 4 5.5%
Body & Structure 3 4.1%

Median failure at 150,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 2 2.7%

Median failure at 133,650 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 1.4%

Median failure at 140,000 miles

Equipment & Accessories 1 1.4%
Seats 1 1.4%
Electrical System 1 1.4%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Windshield Wiper/Washer 7 22.6%
Tread/Belt 6 19.4%
Buckle Assembly 6 19.4%
On-Off Switch Assembly 4 12.9%
Foundation Components 2 6.5%
Windshield 2 6.5%
Front 2 6.5%
Door 2 6.5%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 14.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 4 57.1%
150,000+ miles 2 28.6%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jun 1996 peak 6 Dec 2015

Recalls on the 1996 Mazda B-Series Truck

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

09V414000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

MAZDA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 1997 AND MODEL YEAR 2001 THROUGH 2003 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS) AND/OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND MANUFACTURED ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 5, 2002. A COMPONENT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY DETERIORATE OVER TIME AND DEVELOP A LEAK. THIS OCCURRENCE COULD CAUSE THE SWITCH TO OVERHEAT, SMOKE OR BURN WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

Risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

00T005000

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

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.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Long Beach, CA 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

DESIGN OF TRUCK DOES NOT OFFER HEAD SUPPORT IN TRUCK RESULTING IN NECK AND HEAD INJURIES OF DRIVER DURING VEHICLE COLLISON.

NHTSA complaint #542256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Forecast, WA Crash 1 killed

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER STATES THAT SON'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WAS KILLED. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #814507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Adolphus, KY Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT 15 TO 20MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #814207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 180,000 miles Saratoga Springs, NY

VISIBILITY/WIPER

LIKE MANY OTHERS WIPERS WERE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY ONLY TO STOP WORKING COMPLETELY REPLACED SWITCH TO NO AVAIL. HAVE RED ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE GENERAL ELECTRIC MODULE WITH TRY REPLACING THAT NEXT!

NHTSA complaint #10807868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Corning, NY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED/ CRACKED / HOLES / ROTTEN FROM RUST

NHTSA complaint #10715641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Beaver Dams, NY

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

FRAME IS CRACKED AND HAS HOLES FROM RUST. SPRING SHACKLES HAVE HOLES FROM RUST. WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT NEW FRAME OR MAJOR FRAME REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10510417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,000 miles RED OAK, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA B4000. THE CONTACT NOTICED A GAS LEAK WHILE FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GAS UP TO THE FILLING NECK. THIS LEAKAGE HAS OCCURRED TWICE BEFORE. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 145,000.

NHTSA complaint #10199409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,000 miles SUN Valley, NV

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

CRUISE CONTROL CAME ON WITHOUT TURNING IT ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISABLED IT UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA complaint #10148898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 122,300 miles Tupelo, MS

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

DT: GAS WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK. THE CONSUMER JUST BOUGHT THE TRUCK A WEEK AGO AND THE GAS TANK STARTED LEAKING ON MAY 5-16-05. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE TRUCK TO A MECHANIC ON 5-16-05 AND THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE GAS TANK LOOKED DEFECTIVE. THIS IS TO BE FIXED ON FRIDAY MAY 20, 2005. THE CONSUMER IS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. THE MECHANIC SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO DROP THE TANK AND TRY AND SEE IF THE WHOLE TANK WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10121154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tucson, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR

CONSUMER CHECKED THE BRAKES, AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKES ROTORS ON THE 2 FRONT WHEELS WERE CRACKED. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT WANTED TO KNOW IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10075510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,500 miles Great Falls, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

METAL BRAKE LINE FAILED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT LEADING TO A COMPLETE LOSS OF ALL BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKING. ONE BRAKE LINE CORRODED THROUGH, ANOTHER LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED, AND THE 3RD LINE IS JUST STARTING TO CORRODE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10023679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Archdale, NC

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

DOOR INDICATOR BELL RING WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE SWITCH WAS CHANGE D AND PROBLEM RETURNED.

NHTSA complaint #10022630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BUCKLE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #564322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacremento, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

FRONT SEAT BELT A (L) BUCKLE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #564320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BUCKLE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #564325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BUCKLE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #564322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacremento, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

FRONT SEAT BELT A (L) BUCKLE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #564320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BUCKLE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #564325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUN Valley, NV

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WAS DRIVING 60MPH WHEN CRUISE CONTROL CAME ON.CRUISE CONTROL COULD NOT BE RELEASED AFTER HITTING BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN SHUT VEHICLE DOWN. ONCE RESTARTED, CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ACTIVATED.*AKCONSUMER STATES THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENS AT EACH FAILURE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #894820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Falls Church, VA

STEERING:LINKAGES

WHILE DRIVING ALONG SLOWLY, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE & VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY. I PULLED INTO THE MEDIAN ATTEMPTING TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC & THEN DISCOVERED STEERING WAS SLOW & LETHARGIC. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT OF TRAFFIC & INTO A PARKING LOT, I HEARD A LOUD "POP." I GOT OUT OF THE CAR & DISCOVERED THE TIE ROD SEPARATED ENTIRELY FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL & SLASHED THE INNER TIRE WHEEL (RESULTING IN THE FLAT).*AK (TIRESIZE: P22570R14)

NHTSA complaint #749670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carlyle, PA

TIRES:SIDEWALL

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES P215/75R15 DOT W2HF1PJ016 HAVE CRACKS ALL THE WAY AROUND TIRE ON SIDEWALL, CONSUMER NOTICED CRACKS WHEN RECALL 00T005 WENT PUBLIC IN AUGUST OF 2000, DEALER WON'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL TIRES ARE ON RECALL. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #877611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairview Heights, IL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STAY ON WHEN TURNED OFF IN THE FAST MODE.

NHTSA complaint #737246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Sobrante, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. WE'VE TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WE'VE HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THAT HAS NEVER SOLVED THE PROBLEM. SINCE WE ONLY USE WIPERS WHEN IT RAINS, THE FAILURE HAS CAUSES A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I BEEN IN SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED, ONE WHEN A TRACTOR TRAILER SPRAYED MY WINDSHEILD AND I COULDN'T SEE. MAZDA HAS BEEN UNWILLING TO VOLUNTARILY INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE DETAIL. AS A RESULT, WE'VE CONTINUALLY HAD TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE SHOP FOR REPAIR. WE CURRENTLY HAVE THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT I'M CONCERNED THAT MAZDA WILL JUST REPLACE THE SWITCH, COLLECT THEIR MONEY, AND SEND US ON OUR WAY. FROM PAST EXPERIENCE, REPLACING THE SWITCH HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. AS THE RAINY SEASON APPROACHES, I HOPE THIS MATTER CAN BE RESOLVE BEFORE A WIPER FAILURE CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, INJURY, OR EVEN DEATH.

NHTSA complaint #737162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmot FLA, NH

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

CONSUMERS TIRES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACED TIRES, CONSUMER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT IS TAKING TO GET MONEY BACK (7 WEEKS). NLM

NHTSA complaint #556925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Enumclaw, WA

SUSPENSION:FRONT

FRONT SUSPENSION OF TRUCK UNSTABLE, HIGHLY UNSTABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, FRONT SHOCKS REPLACED BUT NO CHANGE WHATSOEVER

NHTSA complaint #733853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lincoln, NE

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TIRE TREAD CAME OFF, FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX P235-75-15. (CLAIM# 27-6081-899)

NHTSA complaint #6900170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bonners Ferry, IA

SEAT BELTS

SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT AND LOCK PASSENGERS IN THE SEAT.

NHTSA complaint #871785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Havana, FL

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

BELT SEPARATION DISCOVERED AND TIRE RELACED PRIOR TO SHREDDING. ALL TIRES CUPPED PREMATURELY UNRELATED TO FRONT END PROBLEMS.AND .U HASSIS( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 22570R14 )

NHTSA complaint #730858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.