Owners have filed 17 complaints
about the 1996 Mazda Millenia with NHTSA between 1997 and 2009.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 8 worst.
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 — 20
Against the median year of the Mazda Millenia. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
35.3% 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%.
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 Millenia
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
423.5%
Median failure at 72,756 miles
Airbags
317.6%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 114,066 mi
Electrical System
317.6%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 117,778 mi
Engine & Cooling
317.6%
Median failure at 90,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
15.9%
Wheels
15.9%
Lights
15.9%
Suspension
15.9%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
120.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
120.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
360.0%
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 1997peak 3Aug 2009
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 103,132 milesBakersfield, CA1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS STOPPED AT STOPLIGHT AND BOTH AIRBAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. I HAVE A 1996 MAZDA MILLENNIA S AND NO OTHER PASSENGERS WERE IN THE CAR. THE FORCE OF THE AIRBAG TORE SOME SKIN OFF MY LEFT ARM AND THE INSIDE OF MY LEFT ARM IS VERY BRUISED FROM THE ELBOW TO THE WRIST. THE FORCE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SHATTERED MY WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #10279226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesLittle Rock, ARCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
SOMETHING POPED LOUD IN THE REAR OF THE CAR AND THEN SKIDDED SIDEWAYS DOWN THE ROAD, HIT THE DITCH WITH THE NOSE OF THE CAR, THEN PROCEEDED TO FLIP 5 TIMES, AND HIT A HOUSE. BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WHY DID THE AIR BAGS FAIL?
NHTSA complaint #10114389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,778 milesMiami, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CAR WAS TURNING OFF WHEN STOPPED, TOOK TO A MAZDA DEALER CABLES WERE REPLACED, PROBLEM CONTINUED. MAZDA BURNED, FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, FIREFIGHTERS COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #10086552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newtown, CTCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A INTER-SECTIONAL CRASH; GOING ABOUT 10-15 MPH; WHERE THE WHOLE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #813529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 103,132 milesBakersfield, CA1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS STOPPED AT STOPLIGHT AND BOTH AIRBAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. I HAVE A 1996 MAZDA MILLENNIA S AND NO OTHER PASSENGERS WERE IN THE CAR. THE FORCE OF THE AIRBAG TORE SOME SKIN OFF MY LEFT ARM AND THE INSIDE OF MY LEFT ARM IS VERY BRUISED FROM THE ELBOW TO THE WRIST. THE FORCE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SHATTERED MY WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #10279226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,756 milesGulfport, MS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 1996 MAZDA THAT HAS HAD TWO TRANSMISSIONS IN IT. AFTER RESEARCHING I HAVE FOUND THAT BETWEEN 1994-2002 THESE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE FAILED GREATLY. MY TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AT A SPEED OF 55MPH AND MY FAMILY AND I ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE BY MAZDA TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND COMPENSATE THE VICTIMS OF THIS POORLY DESIGNED MACHINE.
NHTSA complaint #10239555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesLittle Rock, ARCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
SOMETHING POPED LOUD IN THE REAR OF THE CAR AND THEN SKIDDED SIDEWAYS DOWN THE ROAD, HIT THE DITCH WITH THE NOSE OF THE CAR, THEN PROCEEDED TO FLIP 5 TIMES, AND HIT A HOUSE. BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WHY DID THE AIR BAGS FAIL?
NHTSA complaint #10114389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,778 milesMiami, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
CAR WAS TURNING OFF WHEN STOPPED, TOOK TO A MAZDA DEALER CABLES WERE REPLACED, PROBLEM CONTINUED. MAZDA BURNED, FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, FIREFIGHTERS COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #10086552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesArlington, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED FUEL OIL PRESSURE WAS LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10072160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
DEAR SIRS -I AM AN ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1996 MAZDA MILLENIA PURCHASED NEW IN SEPT 1996 ON MAY 20TH 2002 WHILE TRAVELLING ON I-17 20 MILES SOUTH OF FLGASTAFF ,AZ , THE MOTOR SUDDELY SEIZED WITH NO IDIOT LIGHTS GOING OFF ,WATER TEMP GAUGE WAS READING NORMAL ..LUCKILY , I WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND 250YDS FROM AN EXIT WHICH I COASTED TO ..MAZDA USA HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY CITING THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY (36/50,000). MAZDA HAS REVIEWED THE SERVICE RECORDS AND FOUND THEM TO BE AT INTERVELS FAR EARLIER THAN SCHEDULED MAINTENACE ...THE REFUSAL BY MAZDA TO STAND BEHIND THEIR MOTORS WITH 34,372 MILES DOES NOT SPEAK WELL OF MAZDA..TO THIS DATE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE "MELTDOWN"
NHTSA complaint #765241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deltona, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #753786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elkridge, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY ALONG WITH THE HOLD AND TCS LIGHTS, TWICE WHEN THE HOLD AND TCS LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THE CAR REFUSED TO GO INTO OVERDRIVE, DEALER STATES THE ECM COMPUTER NEEDS REPLACED BUT MEPP CLAIMS OFFICE REJECTED THIS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #555111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON SPORADICALLY EVERY TIME WE CHECK IT OUT IT GOES BACK OUT THEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WE HAD THE OIL REPLACED THEN THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF WE THEN TOOK THE CAR TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THE HEADER BROKE COMPLETELY OFF THE CAMSHAFT AND IT WOULD BE $5,000 TO FIX OUR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED BY 42 DAYS AND THEY REFUSED TO HONOR AN EXTENSION AND TOLD US TO PAY OR TAKE THE CAR OFF THE PREMISES. I CONTACTED THE MAZDA WARRANTY DEPT WHO REFUSED TO EXTEND IT AND I ALSO SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO ABOUT IT. EVEN THE ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE HANDLING MY FINANCE ACCOUNT COULD DO NOTHING TO HELP. THIS CAR IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD AND WE ONLY HAD IT FOR 13 MONTHS WITH ONLY ONE PRIOR OWNER DAMAGE OF THIS CALIBER WITHOUT HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IS A BIT EXTREME. OTHER MAZDA OWNER HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM SEEMS LIKE AN ENGINE DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #715586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rome, NY
WHEELS:RIM
WHEEL RIMS CORRODED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #545079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklin, TN
SUSPENSION:FRONT
SUSPENSION DOES NOT ISOLATE FEEDBACK FROM ROUGH ROADS. DASHBOARD GETTING LOOSE. INTERIOR TRIM GETTING LOOSE. SOMETIMES (ON THE BUMPY ROADS), TRACKTION CONTROL SYSTEM DISABLES WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #702541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklin, TN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SUSPENSION DOES NOT ISOLATE FEEDBACK FROM ROUGH ROADS. DASHBOARD GETTING LOOSE. INTERIOR TRIM GETTING LOOSE. SOMETIMES (ON THE BUMPY ROADS), TRACKTION CONTROL SYSTEM DISABLES WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #702541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Franklin, TN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
SUSPENSION DOES NOT ISOLATE FEEDBACK FROM ROUGH ROADS. DASHBOARD GETTING LOOSE. INTERIOR TRIM GETTING LOOSE. SOMETIMES (ON THE BUMPY ROADS), TRACKTION CONTROL SYSTEM DISABLES WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #702541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Quinta, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #604966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS: INITIALLY, WHEN KEY IS TURNED THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND AND ENGINE FAILS TO TURN OVER. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED AGAIN THERE IS A LOUD POPPING NOISE BUT THE ENGINE TURNS OVER.
NHTSA complaint #518475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fulton, IL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE LOW BEAM ILLUMINATION IS VERY DEFICIENT. LIGHTING GOES OUT A SHORT DISTANS THEN STOPS ABRUPTLY, LIGHT CARRIES ONLY ABOUT TWO TO THREE CAR LENGHTS AHEAD OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #521328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newtown, CTCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A INTER-SECTIONAL CRASH; GOING ABOUT 10-15 MPH; WHERE THE WHOLE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #813529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.