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1997 problems

FaultScore report

1997 Mazda B-Series Truck problems

Owners have filed 64 complaints about the 1997 Mazda B-Series Truck with NHTSA between 1998 and 2016. The largest single group is the tires. Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 16 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mazda B-Series Truck All 1997 cars

FaultScore 59/100

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

How this is worked out

The numbers

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

60,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

20%

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.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 61: Against the median year of the Mazda B-Series Truck. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 73: 14.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 34: 20% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1997 compares with every other Mazda B-Series Truck

Click any bar to open that year's report.

22 15 14 18 157 54 73 64 81 96 74 55 31 25 26 17 14 37 11 4

90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

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

What breaks on a 1997 Mazda B-Series Truck

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

Tires 13 20.3%

Transmission & Drivetrain 9 14.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 115,000 mi

Suspension 7 10.9%

Median failure at 6,114 miles

Engine & Cooling 7 10.9%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 5 7.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 60,000 mi

Lights 5 7.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 180,000 mi

Seats 3 4.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 80,000 mi

Brakes 3 4.7%

Median failure at 33,057 miles

Electrical System 3 4.7%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Seat Belts 2 3.1%

Steering 2 3.1%

Median failure at 150,000 miles

Airbags 2 3.1%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Fuel & Propulsion 1 1.6%

Median failure at 72,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 1.6%

Median failure at 165,000 miles

Body & Structure 1 1.6%

Median failure at 300,000 miles

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.

Tread/Belt 5 19.2%

Gasoline 4 15.4%

Front 4 15.4%

Windshield Wiper/Washer 4 15.4%

Automatic Transmission 3 11.5%

ABS Warning Light 2 7.7%

Recliner 2 7.7%

Buckle Assembly 2 7.7%

When it fails

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

Under 1,000 miles 1 6.7%

1,000 – 9,999 miles 2 13.3%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 6 40.0%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 6.7%

100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 6.7%

150,000+ miles 4 26.7%

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.

Apr 1998 peak 5 Oct 2016

Recalls on the 1997 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 23 Oct 2009

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 21 Aug 2000

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.

Filed 21 Mar 2005 Corbin, KY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1997 MAZDA PICKUP CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF STICKING CONTACTS IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. UPDATED 08/28/07.

NHTSA complaint #10113725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 15 Sep 2000 Austin, TX Crash

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR

WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH AND UPON ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LINES GEAR SHIFT KNOB CAME OFF, CAUSING DRIVER TO BECOME DESTRUCTIVE WHICH CAUSED HIM TO HIT A CURVE. CONSUMER NOTED SCREW WAS MISSING.

NHTSA complaint #870589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 17 Jul 2000 Witchita Fall, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE THERE WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE AHEAD WITHOUT A SIGNAL ON. CONSUMER VEHICLE VEERED INTO IT. AFTER THE FACT, IT HIT THE WINDSHIELD, AND DRIVER AIRBAG WENT OFF. HOWEVER, PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF.

NHTSA complaint #865518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Feb 2000 Frederic, WI Crash

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

DOME LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. WITH THE DOME LIGHT ON AT NIGHT, DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO SEE OUTSIDE OF THE CAB. THIS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, BEGINNING IN APRIL OF 1998. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED 4 TIMES ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, DEALER HAS NOT ATTEMPTED TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. *AK WIPERS GO ON AND OFF WITH OUT THE DRIVER'S ACTION. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED PERMANENT INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #856145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Feb 2000 Frederic, WI Crash

AIR BAGS

NHTSA complaint #856145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Feb 2000 Frederic, WI Crash

INTERIOR LIGHTING

NHTSA complaint #856145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

Filed 24 Oct 2016 at 300,000 miles Great Barrington, MA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

AT INSPECTION STATION MEYER & SONS, 62 SHEFFIELD ROAD, EGREMONT, MA 01258: DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS CHECK; BUMPERS/FENDERS CHECK BOTH FAILED; THERE IS A CRACK IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT DOME, WHICH DOES NOT AFFECT THE OPERATION OF ANY LIGHTS. THERE IS A LARGE RUST SPOT IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. WE DO NOT BELIEVE A CRACKED LIGHT GLOBE AND RUST HOLES SHOULD FAIL THE TRUCK INSPECTION!!!

NHTSA complaint #10918514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 24 Oct 2016 at 300,000 miles Great Barrington, MA

STRUCTURE:BODY

NHTSA complaint #10918514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 22 Jun 2016 at 115,000 miles Chicopee, MA

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA B-SERIES 4000. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CLUTCH FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURED STEEL CASTING LOCATED UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND BEHIND THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA complaint #10875985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 12 Mar 2010 at 165,000 miles Savage, MD

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA B4000( N/A). THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH PROCEEDING TO A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY, SMOKE EXPELLED UNDERNEATH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND HOOD AREA WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. A TEMPORARY FIX WAS PERFORMED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. DURING THE TRAVEL THERE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE POWER AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A NEW BRAKE RESERVOIR AND DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND THE TECHNICIAN BLEED THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V414000 (VEHICLESPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 165,000

NHTSA complaint #10319309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Aug 2009 at 1 miles Clinton, CT

SUSPENSION:REAR

FRONT AND REAR LEAF SPRING SUPPORT MOUNTS ROTTED AWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10281481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 10 Oct 2006 at 72,000 miles Flemington, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

UPON FILLING MAZDA 1997 B-2300 TRUCK WITH GAS NOTICED A STREAM OF FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE GAS TANK INCHES AWAY FROM EXHAUST. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10170431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 3 Feb 2006 at 80,000 miles Mansfield, MA

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK IN MY MAZDA PICKUP TRUCK UNEXPECTEDLY RELEASED FALLING BACKWARDS WHILE DRIVING. FORTUNATELY I WAS GOING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT AT THE TIME AND THERE WAS NO LOSS OF CONTROL. I FOUND THE LARGE TORX-HEAD SCREWS THAT ANCHOR THE SEAT BACK TO THE RECLINING FRAME HAD SHEARED OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10149409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 21 Mar 2005 Corbin, KY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1997 MAZDA PICKUP CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF STICKING CONTACTS IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. UPDATED 08/28/07.

NHTSA complaint #10113725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 1 Dec 2004 at 150,000 miles Edmond, OK

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, AND THEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONSUMER'S HOUSE, WHERE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT TIE ROD BROKE.

NHTSA complaint #10101954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 10 Aug 2004 Palm Coast, FL

SUSPENSION:FRONT

NAR 03/05/2003 THE CONSUMER EXPERINCED SEVERE FRONT SUSPENSION VIBRATIONS AND DATE THE PROBLEM THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED BY EITHER MAZDA OR FORD MOTOR COMPANY.

NHTSA complaint #10011347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 2 Mar 2003 at 60,000 miles APO, NY

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS. THE DEALERS CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. IF VEHICLE IS STALLED AN THEN RESTARTED, ABS LIGHT WILL GO OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKE TO 3 DEALERS. THERE IS NO PROBLEM. LIGHT SEEMS TO COME ON MORE OFTEN WHEN VEHICLE IS WARM. WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE TURNED OFF, OCCASIONALLY THEY WILL START OPERATING AT THE HIGHEST SPEED. TAKES SEVERAL TRIES OF TURNING THEM ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN TO MAKE THEM STOP. FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKES EXCESSIVELY WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS AND BRAKING. CRACKS WERE FOUND IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY OF 1999. DOME LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. PROBLEM IS REMEDIED BY REMOVING THE FUSE FOR THE DOME LIGHT OVER NIGHT AND THEN REPLACING THE NEXT MORNING.