FaultScore

FaultScore report

2002 Mazda Millenia problems

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 2002 Mazda Millenia with NHTSA between 2002 and 2014. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 8 worst.

C

FaultScore 51/100

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

How this is worked out

The numbers

22

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

71,489 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

29%

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 26 vs 50 Severity 94 vs 50 Early failure 49 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 26
Against the median year of the Mazda Millenia. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 94
18.2% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 49
29% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2002 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 2002 Mazda Millenia

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

Engine & Cooling 6 27.3%

Median failure at 92,345 miles

Airbags 4 18.2%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 37,000 mi

Suspension 3 13.6%
Body & Structure 2 9.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 9,000 mi

Other & Unspecified 1 4.5%

Median failure at 143,000 miles

Doors, Latches & Locks 1 4.5%

Median failure at 116,000 miles

Seat Belts 1 4.5%
Wheels 1 4.5%

Median failure at 56,503 miles

Lights 1 4.5%
Electrical System 1 4.5%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 4.5%

Median failure at 52,000 miles

When it fails

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

1,000 – 9,999 miles 3 21.4%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 14.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 14.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 3 21.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 4 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.

May 2002 peak 2 Oct 2014

Complaints that involved harm

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

at 9,000 miles Victoria, TX Crash 1 injured

STRUCTURE

I DROVE A MAZDA MILLENIA. IF THERE IS ANY QUESTION OF THE INTEGRITY OF THIS VEHICLE, TALK TO ME! THIS CAR HELD TOGETHER AND SAVED MY LIFE AFTER A VERY BAD ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS HIT TWICE,SPUN AND HIT A CONCRETE POST! THIS IS A MIRACLE AND I AM A BELIEVER! BAD VALENTINES DAY, GREAT CAR! THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT, BUT I DIDNT KNOW WHERE TO SUBMIT A GREAT COMPLIMENT! I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THIS CAR DID SAVE MY LIFE.

NHTSA complaint #10007829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BIG Bend, WI Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #762944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

at 143,000 miles Washington, DC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AIRBAG LIGHT IN DRIVER DASH CLUSTER HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES. SOMETIMES IT STAYS ON, SOMETIMES IT BLINKS OFF AND ON.

NHTSA complaint #10649875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 92,345 miles Dublin, OH

ENGINE

DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 65 MPH FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES WHEN CAR SUDDENLY OVER-HEATED, IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO BERM. SMOKE IN THE ENGINE AREA AND ALL COOLANT LOST. TOTAL DRIVING TIME BEFORE INCIDENT WAS LESS THAN 20 MINUTES. CAR WAS TOWED TO MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP WHICH DIAGNOSED SAME ISSUE, ENGINE FAILURE. CAR REMAINS AT PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA complaint #10485953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 146,036 miles White Castle, LA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

OBDII, O2 SENSOR (OXYGEN SENSOR), EGR (EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION), EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSES CHECK ENGINE TO FLASH.

NHTSA complaint #10442823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waterbury, CT

STRUCTURE

2002 MAZDA MILLENIA PAINT PEELING OFF OF SIDE VIEW MIRRORS & BACK SIDE WHEEL WELLS PAINT BLISTERING AND RUSTING. CALLED MAZDA THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10267728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,876 miles Nashville, TN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

PROBLEMS WITH FUEL SYSTEM PRACTICALLY SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE. NOTIFIED MAZDA MOTORS BUT WAS BRUSHED ASIDE. 1/13/03-ENGINE DECARBON/FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER;12/17/03-REPLACE ALL SPARK PLUGS;02/06/04 - REPLACED SHORTED OUT KNOCK SENSOR; 07/23/04 - ENGINE DECARBON/FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER; 08/23/04 - REPLACED STICKING IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE & THROTTLE BODY GASKET; 01/14/05 - REPLACED FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER; 02/04/05 - REPLACED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR; 07/22/05 - REPLACED IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE & THROTTLE BODY GASKET; 05/24/06 - REPLACED PULSE GENERATOR; 09/15/06 - REPLACED STARTER WITH REMANUFACTURED STARTER; 10/18/06 - REPLACED THERMOSTAT /CAR OVERHEATING; 10/13/06 - REPLACED INTAKE AIR TUBE; 10/18/06 - REPLACED SPARK PLUGS & REPLACED BELTS / CAR OVERHEATING; 12/08/06 - REPLACED CAM SHAFT BELT, 2 SERPENTINE BELTS 11/25/08 - REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUGS, WIRES & CLEANED THROTTLE BODY THIS VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 159,000 MILES ON IT & HAS NOW BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED, WHEEL BALANCE LINKS REPLACED, VALVE COVER GASKETS REPLACED. I WISH I'D KNOW ABOUT YOUR WEBSITE A LONG TIME AGO. I CAN'T AFFORD THE $3500 IT'LL TAKE TO REPAIR THIS CAR SO TODAY, I'LL HAVE TO TRADE IT & GO BACK TO PAYING A CAR NOTE. THIS CAR WAS PAID OFF. IT DIDN'T FALL UNDER THE LEMON LAW RULE BUT IF I HAD TO CLASSIFY IT, I'D CERTAINLY CLASSIFY IT AS A LEMON OR PUT IT UP FOR RECALL CONSIDERATION. ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME PART OF THE VEHICLE IS ABSURD. I'VE OWNED MANY VEHICLES & NEVER REQUIRED THIS MUCH MAINTENANCE. I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW 11/2002.

NHTSA complaint #10250138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Levittown, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIAGNOSTIC CODE 1170. TO MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS COVERING EVERY ENGINE PART FROM COMPRESSION,FUEL ,HOSES ,SOLENOIDS COIL, OXYGEN SENSOR, INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP, ECT; MADZA SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE DIAGNOSTIC CODE 1170 MORE CLEAR , THEY EVEN LIST ENGINE FAILURE COME ON THIS IS UNJUST.

NHTSA complaint #10240559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 116,000 miles Rock Hill, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MILLENIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS BEGAN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING BY THEMSELVES REPEATEDLY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A CODE THAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE DISTRIBUTOR; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WILL CURRENTLY NOT START. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/23/08.

NHTSA complaint #10239606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 116,000 miles Rock Hill, SC

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MILLENIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS BEGAN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING BY THEMSELVES REPEATEDLY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A CODE THAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE DISTRIBUTOR; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WILL CURRENTLY NOT START. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/23/08.

NHTSA complaint #10239606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,503 miles SAN Lorenzo, CA

WHEELS:RIM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MILLENIA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE HAS BEEN LOSING TIRE PRESSURE REGULARLY. THE TIRE WAS MOVED TO THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED FOUR NEW MICHELIN TIRES. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE RIM CORRODING FROM THE INSIDE. THE RIM HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. NO OTHER TIRE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 56,559 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,503.

NHTSA complaint #10194222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Bourg, LA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON , SENT TO DEALER, AND DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. CAME ON AGAIN ,CHANGED PARTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE. CAME ON AGAIN CHANGED PARTS ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. NOW AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND OFF AGAIN. HAD BEEN LIKE THAT FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS NOW.

NHTSA complaint #10191602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 86,475 miles Chesapeake, VA

AIR BAGS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE WIRING, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.

NHTSA complaint #10173322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Owings Mills, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE DRIVER SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT, AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10119271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Warner Robins, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

THERE WERE BATTERY ACID FUMES SPILLING ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE COMPONENTS TO CORRODE. THE FUMES SOMETIMES ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA complaint #10097137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,724 miles Newport News, VA

AIR BAGS

PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATING.*MR

NHTSA complaint #10046280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Temple Hills, MD

SUSPENSION:FRONT

FRONT END SUSPENSION! I HAVE FOR THE PAST YEAR BEEN TRYING TO GET THEM TO ADHERE TO MY FINDINGS. THERE ARE SOUNDS COMING FROM THE END, AS THOUGH THERE WAS A HELICOPTER COMING IN FROM THE DISTANT. THE FASTER YOU GO THE LOUDER IT GETS. ALSO, DRIVING REAL SLOW OR PULLING IN AND OUT OF PARKING SPACES THERE IS A RUBBING NOISE. EVEN THE SOUND OF A METAL TAP WHEN BRAKING AND BACKING UP AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS SHIFTING. I HAVE PUT UP WITH ARLINGTON ROSENTHAL MAZDA FOR TOO LONG WITH THIS. I REALLY NEED ASSISTANCE FROM SOMEONE AND THAT'S JUST THE MAJOR PROBLEM. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS WITH MY REAR DECK THAT HOLDS THE SPEAKERS. SOUNDS LIKE BUSTED SPEAKERS OR SOMETHING IS NOT PROPERLY PLACED SEALED TIGHTLY WITH THE DECK. THEY JIMMY-RIGGED THE BRAKE LIGHT COVER IN THE REAR WINDOW WITH A LITTLE PIEACE OF RUBBER TO APPLY PRESSURE A YEAR AGO. WHICH I HAVE BEEN BACK SEVERAL TIMES SINCE FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BECAUSE IT HAS COME LOOSE OR THE RUBBER WAS JUST WORN. I THINK IT'S REALLY A SPEAKER AND MAYBE THE DECK AS WELL. WHY DON'T THEY JUST REPLACE THE WHOLE THING ALONG WITH THE SPEAKERS. BUT OF COURSE THEY WILL PROBABLY CLAIM MY WARRANTY MAY HAVE EXPIRED ON THAT PART. THE FIRST DATE OF PROBLEMS WAS STARTED BACK IN LATE AUGUST 2002 ALL THE WAY THROUGH JUNE 2004. I'M JUST TIRED NOW OF DEALING WITH AND THEY CLAIM TO BE THE BEST SERVICE SHOP IN THE AREA. CAN ANY SOMEONE ASSIST WITH THIS MATTER PLEASE.

NHTSA complaint #10075435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Durham, NC

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A WHINING AND GRINDING NOISE. THE FASTER THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING THE LOUDER THE NOISE. ALSO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKING LONGER TO CHANGE GEARS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. AFTER BEING TO THE DEALER TWICE AND A MECHANICS SHOP ONCE, A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED.

NHTSA complaint #10073419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 9,000 miles Victoria, TX Crash 1 injured

STRUCTURE

I DROVE A MAZDA MILLENIA. IF THERE IS ANY QUESTION OF THE INTEGRITY OF THIS VEHICLE, TALK TO ME! THIS CAR HELD TOGETHER AND SAVED MY LIFE AFTER A VERY BAD ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS HIT TWICE,SPUN AND HIT A CONCRETE POST! THIS IS A MIRACLE AND I AM A BELIEVER! BAD VALENTINES DAY, GREAT CAR! THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT, BUT I DIDNT KNOW WHERE TO SUBMIT A GREAT COMPLIMENT! I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THIS CAR DID SAVE MY LIFE.

NHTSA complaint #10007829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ashburn, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CONSUMER STATES THE HEADLIGHTS PROVIDE VERY POOR VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. CONSUMER CAN NOT SEE 20FT IN FRONT OF VEHICLE AT NIGHT. TS

NHTSA complaint #10001046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

D, IA

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

CONSUMER STATES THEY WHEN FASTEN A CHILD SEAT IN THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT,THE SEAT BELT CAME APART WHEN BUCKLING BELT. CONSUMER AFRAID THAT IF THIS HAD HAPPEN WHILE IN A CAR ACCIDENTCHILD WILL NOT HAVE BEEN PROTECTED. MR

NHTSA complaint #8020767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, FL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

THE DEALERSHIP EFFECTED REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE WAS "LEFT FRONT DAMPER FORK BROKE AND IT CUT THE AXLE BOOT AND STRUT IS SLIGH". TECH NOTES INCLUDE "TLY BENT, REPLACED FORK STRUT, LEFT AXLE ON LEFT FRONT AND PERFORMED ALIGNMENT". REPAIRS COVERED BY WARRANTY. REPAIR COST $1,269.06. THIS INCIDENT MAY BE SIMLIAR TO ODI ID: 8009829. POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE CONTROL ARMS ON 2002 MAZDA MILLENIA. NLM

NHTSA complaint #767157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BIG Bend, WI Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #762944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodbridge, VA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

AT 35-45 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT VEHICLE DROPPED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #8009829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.