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FaultScore report

1997 Mazda Millenia problems

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 1997 Mazda Millenia with NHTSA between 1998 and 2006. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 8 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Mazda Millenia All 1997 cars
C

FaultScore 42/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mazda Millenia.

How this is worked out

The numbers

21

Complaints

3

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries reported

77,500 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 25 vs 50 Severity 98 vs 50 Early failure 0 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 25
Against the median year of the Mazda Millenia. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 98
19% 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 1997 compares with every other Mazda Millenia

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 1997 Mazda Millenia

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

Transmission & Drivetrain 6 28.6%

Median failure at 125,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 3 14.3%

Median failure at 77,500 miles

Brakes 3 14.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 63,000 mi

Airbags 3 14.3%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 63,000 mi

Other & Unspecified 1 4.8%
Seats 1 4.8%
Seat Belts 1 4.8%

Median failure at 109,097 miles

Wheels 1 4.8%

Median failure at 48,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 4.8%
Engine & Cooling 1 4.8%

Median failure at 125,000 miles

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%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 28.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 14.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 42.9%

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 1998 peak 3 Feb 2006

Complaints that involved harm

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

at 63,000 miles Cary, NC Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN SEVERE COLD WEATHER BRAKE PEDAL COMMENCED TO MAKE A POPPING NOISE WHILE BRAKING. VEHICLE LOST BRAKING AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA complaint #10110890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Cary, NC Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN SEVERE COLD WEATHER BRAKE PEDAL COMMENCED TO MAKE A POPPING NOISE WHILE BRAKING. VEHICLE LOST BRAKING AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA complaint #10110890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockville, MD Crash

AIR BAGS

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE GOING 30MPH. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10001712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moncure, NC 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP WHEN DUAL FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OR UNDER CARRIAGE IMPACT . VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT, AND THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF DEFECT. DEFECT CAUSED BURN ON ELBOW.

NHTSA complaint #869467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

at 109,097 miles Swansea, MA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT STRAPS EXTENDED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT EXPOSING THE MANUFACTURER'S WARNING STICKER INDICATING A NEED TO REPLACE THE STRAPS. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE ALERTED. THE DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACING THE FRONT SEATBELT STRAPS, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE.

NHTSA complaint #10151129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Cary, NC Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN SEVERE COLD WEATHER BRAKE PEDAL COMMENCED TO MAKE A POPPING NOISE WHILE BRAKING. VEHICLE LOST BRAKING AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA complaint #10110890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Cary, NC Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN SEVERE COLD WEATHER BRAKE PEDAL COMMENCED TO MAKE A POPPING NOISE WHILE BRAKING. VEHICLE LOST BRAKING AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA complaint #10110890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Norcross, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND OFF FOR TWO YEARS. I'VE TOOK IT TO 5 DIFFERENT MAZDA SPECIALIST INCLUDING THE DEALER AND EVERYONE OF THEM TELLS ME SOMETHING DIFFERENT... THINGS THAT WERE ALREADY DONE. KNOW ONE CAN SEEM TO PIN POINT WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR. OH BY THE WAY... THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SWITCHING FROM THE FIRST TO SECOND AND IT'S NOT THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR HAS COST ME A LOT OF MONEY AND IT'S UP THERE WITH THE 626. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MAZDA AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10049379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Norcross, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND OFF FOR TWO YEARS. I'VE TOOK IT TO 5 DIFFERENT MAZDA SPECIALIST INCLUDING THE DEALER AND EVERYONE OF THEM TELLS ME SOMETHING DIFFERENT... THINGS THAT WERE ALREADY DONE. KNOW ONE CAN SEEM TO PIN POINT WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR. OH BY THE WAY... THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SWITCHING FROM THE FIRST TO SECOND AND IT'S NOT THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR HAS COST ME A LOT OF MONEY AND IT'S UP THERE WITH THE 626. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MAZDA AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10049379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,000 miles Minnetonka, MN

WHEELS

TWO WHEELS HAVE CRACKED AT LESS THAN 50,000 MILES OF CITY DRIVING ON MY 1997 MAZDA MILLENIAS. THIS HAS CAUSED GRADUAL ESCAPE OF AIR--UNKNOWN TO THE DRIVER UNTIL POTENTIALLY UNSAFE TIRE PRESSURE DEVELOPED AND VISIBLE DEFLATION NOTED.

NHTSA complaint #10045042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 77,500 miles Lawrenceville, GA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

I PURCHASED A 97 MAZDA MILLENNIA IN 8/97 WITH 29K MILES. TODAY IT IS AT 77K MILES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK HAS STARTED IMPLODING DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF SUCTION IN THE TANK. THE SUCTION HAS ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENSORS. THE QUOTED REPAIR PRICE WAS $1,800. THE SERVICE REP INFORMED ME THAT MAZDA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED AN ADVISORY TO MECHANICS TO NOT ONLY CHECK THE FUEL GAUGE BUT ALSO THE FUEL TANK. THIS IS NOT CURRENTLY A RECALL ITEM OR A DEFECT BUT SHOULD BE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL CASES OF OTHER MILLENNIA OWNERS WITH SAME MODEL YEAR EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE REPAIRS SHOULD BE AT MAZDA'S EXPENSE SINCE THE SUCTION IN THE TANK IS TOO HIGH OR THE FUEL TANK ITSELF IS NOT STRUCTURALLY CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE PRESSURE. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL/DEFECT NOTICE SO THAT THIS ISSUE CAN BE FIXED. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10023152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atlantic City, NJ

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER SAW SMOKE COMING FROM PASSENGER SEAT WHICH IS WHERE THE AUTOMATIC SEAT WARMERS ARE LOCATED. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10015539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockville, MD Crash

AIR BAGS

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE GOING 30MPH. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #10001712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Springwichg, RI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND WITHOUT WARNING FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT MARK THE CORRECT MEASUREMENT OF FUEL IN GAS TANK. FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY NEEED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #8006926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

East Springwichg, RI

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND WITHOUT WARNING FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT MARK THE CORRECT MEASUREMENT OF FUEL IN GAS TANK. FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY NEEED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #8006926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brentwood, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAD PROBLEMS GOING TO A MAZDA DEALER (VAL STROUGH MAZDA, OAKLAND, CA)IN GETTING THE TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSED. THEY FIRST SAID IT WAS THE SELECTOR WHCIH COST $300 PLUS , THEN AFTER CHANGING IT SAID IT WAS THE VALVE BODY AND WOULD COST $1200PLUS BUT WERE ONLY 90% SURE. IF IT WASNT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $3000 PLUS FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEY REFUNDED ONLY THE COST OF THE PART APPROX $100 BUT STILL CHARGED ME FOR LABOR THAT WAS UNECESSARY.I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO IMMEDIATLEY TOLD ME IT WAS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH INTERIOR DAMAGE TO THE GEARS. IT COST ME $2500 TO HAVE A REBUILT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. MAZDA SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE IT OUT RATHER THAN TRYING TO RUN UP A BILL WHICH STILL WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A NEW TRANSMISSION OF COURSE AFTER PAYING $1500 PLUS DOLLARS TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I ALSO FIND IT UPSETTING THAT A TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL AFTER ONLY 68K MILES. MY MECHANIC (GEORGES AUTO, SAN LEANDRO ,CA) AND THE TRANSMISSION SHOP (DONS TRANSMISSIONS, SAN LEANDRO CA) HAVE SEEN MANY OF THESE VEHICLES RECENTLY WITH SIMILAR AND LESS MILEAGE HAVING NEED OF THE SAME REPAIR.. THEY CALL IT A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ONE WAS REPORTED WITHIN 2 DAYS OF MINE ANOTHER JUST 3 WEEKS LATER. AS RECENTLY AS THIS WEEK I SPOKE WITH MY MECHANIC AND HE'S SEEN 3 MORE. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS.I WAS INFORMED BY DONS TRANSMISSION THATTHERE WAS A RECALL ON THE MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION BUT I CANNOT FIND ANY RECORD,THE 626 USES THE SAME TRANSMISSION AS THE MILLENIA.

NHTSA complaint #749624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia, SC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON EVERY FOUR MONTHS IN THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS. EACH TIME I TAKE IT TO PULLIAM WRAY, I'M INFORMED THAT IT'S A DIFFERENT PROBLEM. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE IS THREE HUNDRED DIFFERENT THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. WITH THIS IN MIND , I COULD SPEND A SMALL FORTURE. EACH TIME THAT I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP, I'M CHARGE NEARLY THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE FIRST TIME THAT IT WAS IN THE SHOP, THE PART WAS UNDER WARRENTY. IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, I HAVE HAD SOME SENSOR REPLACED TWICE. AT THE PRESENT THE LIGHT IS ON, AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #748921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Moncure, NC 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS AT A STOP WHEN DUAL FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OR UNDER CARRIAGE IMPACT . VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT, AND THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF DEFECT. DEFECT CAUSED BURN ON ELBOW.

NHTSA complaint #869467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Portdepoist, MD

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

CONSUMER HAS PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE HUBS/ CLUTCH AND WHEEL BEARINGS. SHE HEARS A THUMPING NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #850926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Portdepoist, MD

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER HAS PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE HUBS/ CLUTCH AND WHEEL BEARINGS. SHE HEARS A THUMPING NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #850926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Portdepoist, MD

POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS

CONSUMER HAS PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE HUBS/ CLUTCH AND WHEEL BEARINGS. SHE HEARS A THUMPING NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #850926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Duarte, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKES FROZE AFTER WASHING CAR BRAKES. YH

NHTSA complaint #606706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION IS NOISY IN LOW GEAR. YH

NHTSA complaint #606013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Walton Hills, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES & THEY CANNOT FIX IT. THEY HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR PARTS ALL OVER THE WORLD, THEY SAY, AND CANNOT FIND ONE. THEY CANNOT GIVE ME A DATE WHEN IT WILL BE REPAIRED. I AM LEASING THE CAR BUT I DON'T HAVE USE OF IT. THEY HAVE LOANED ME A CAR THAT IS NOT TO THE STANDARD I AM PAYING THE LEASE FOR. IT IS VERY FRUSTRATING.

NHTSA complaint #540299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Anchorage, AK

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #535978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.