Owners have filed 26 complaints
about the 1998 Mazda MPV with NHTSA between 1999 and 2016.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 12 of 13 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 — 19
Against the median year of the Mazda MPV. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
46.2% 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 1998 Mazda MPV
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
726.9%
4 crashes, 0 fires
Electrical System
311.5%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 101,000 mi
Other & Unspecified
27.7%
Fuel & Propulsion
27.7%
Suspension
27.7%
Brakes
27.7%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Steering
27.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 125,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
27.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 300,000 mi
Seat Belts
13.8%
Median failure at 154,162 miles
Tires
13.8%
Median failure at 107,845 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
13.8%
Transmission & Drivetrain
13.8%
Median failure at 66,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
111.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
555.6%
150,000+ miles
333.3%
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.
Feb 1999peak 6Apr 2016
Recalls on the 1998 Mazda MPV
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
15V674000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Risk: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2015489232,227 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, a defect in the ignition switch could cause an electrical short to develop over time. This could result in smoke and/or fire, increasing the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Recall 200017686,835 units in Canada
Other
Certain vehicles do not comply with Regulation 6 - Statement of Compliance. Vehicles have an incorrect National Safety Mark (NSM). Correction: Since this non-compliance does not present a risk to vehicle safety, no further action will be taken.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 300,000 milesMintern, SCFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 MAZDA MVP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 55 MPH, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.
NHTSA complaint #10820229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesAdelphi, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA MVP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE IGNITION BEGAN TO SMOKE. NO FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE FLAMES. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 101,000.
NHTSA complaint #10818944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesHeron, MTFire
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA MPV WAGON. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE A REMEDY. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF RETRIEVING A REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #10255863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW City, NYCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT OF HIM. CONSUMER HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE SIDE. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN FRONT END CRASH. NO INJURIES. *AK
NHTSA complaint #890568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TXCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN VAN WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS.
NHTSA complaint #557553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, VAN STARTED ROLLING FORWARD AND HIT A COMMERICAL TRUCK TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH. VAN WAS TOTALLED. ALSO, AIR BAGS FAILED TO INFLATE.
NHTSA complaint #853554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 100,000 milesSAN Mateo, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORST. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #10861969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 217,000 milesModesto, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED TO EMIT SMOKE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 217,000.
NHTSA complaint #10822861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300,000 milesMintern, SCFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 MAZDA MVP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 55 MPH, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.
NHTSA complaint #10820229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesAdelphi, MDFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA MVP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE IGNITION BEGAN TO SMOKE. NO FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE FLAMES. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 101,000.
NHTSA complaint #10818944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,162 milesTroy, MI
SEAT BELTS
BOLT HOLDING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH SNAPPED IN TWO AND LEFT THE LATCH HANGING FREE.
NHTSA complaint #10365463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesHeron, MTFire
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA MPV WAGON. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE A REMEDY. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF RETRIEVING A REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #10255863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,845 milesTampa, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TRAVELING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 275 NORTH OF TAMPA, FLORIDA AT 10:30 P.M. ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2006 WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED ON A NEARLY NEW (6 WEEK OLD) FIRESTONE TIRE. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SKIDDING SIDEWAYS TO THE LEFT AND THEN TO THE RIGHT, ALMOST OVER TURNING BEFORE BEING ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I ALSO ALMOST COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SEPARATING TREAD HIT THE LEFT BACK WHEEL WELL, TEARING OUT THE WHEEL WELL COVER, DAMAGING THE BACK BUMPER BEYOND REPAIR AND DAMAGING THE FRONT OF THE WHEEL WELL COVER AND LEFT BACK PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THE FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL WAS CALLED AND A TROOPER KEPT HIS VEHICLE BEHIND ME WITH HIS EMERGENCY LIGHTS FLASHING WHILE I CHANGED THE TIRE BUT HE DID NOT WRITE A REPORT. REPAIRS WILL HAVE TO BE MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10202267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,000 milesGlastonbury, CT
STEERING
(1) IT WAS RAINING. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AT AS THE HIGHWAY TURNED SLIGHTLY. (2) WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL THERE WAS A DELAY FOR THE WHEELS TO RESPOND. CONSEQUENTLY, I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE WHEEL TURNED, THEN I TURNED THE WHEEL IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES. AS I SLOWED DOWN TO BELOW MINIMUM HIGHWAY SPEED, I FINALLY GAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. (3) I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE & HAVE DONE NOTHING SO FAR EXCEPT TO CALL MAZDA, AS I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10128300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesWalnut Creek, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WITH ONLY 66,000 HIGHWAY MILES, TRANSMISSION STARTING SLIPPING.VEHICLE HAS TRANSMISSION COOLER AS PART OF FACTORY TOWING PACKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10051567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warner, NH
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
CRACKED FRONT WINDSHIELD : A CRACK DEVELOPED AT THE BOTTOM CENTER. NO SIGN OF AN OBJECT HITTING IT. IT IS SYMMETRICAL, STRAIGHT UP APPROX. 2" AN ARC THEN STRAIGHT ACROSS 6-8" THEN AN ARC AND STRAIGHT DOWN. THE CRACK IS SMOOTH AND STRAIGHT. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10010725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albion, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WE DO NOT FEEL THAT WE SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE FOWLERERS WHEN IT IS PART OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER 50,000 MILE AND THE INSERVICE DATE IS 5-29-1998. ITS ONLY 3 MONTHS AFTER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. WHICK MEANS IT WAS PROBLAY BAD AT THE TIME IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WE HAD ONLY HAD IT 2 WEEKS BEFORE WE HEARD TAPPING COMING FROM THE ENGINE,. WE TOOK IT TO ROSE CITY MOTORS AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS BAD FOWLERS AND MAZDA SAID WE SHOULD REPLACE ALL FOWLERERS WHICK COST 1,500.00 DOLLARS. THEY ARE WILL TO ONLY CHARGE US HALF. WE DO NOT CONSIDER THIS AS FAIR. THE ENGINE IS A MAJOR PART OF A VEHICLE. ITS SCARY TO THINK YOUR BUYING A GOOD VEHICLE AND SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE MOTOR ALREADY.
NHTSA complaint #751701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE INTO DEALER A FEW TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #895972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW City, NYCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT OF HIM. CONSUMER HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE ON THE SIDE. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN FRONT END CRASH. NO INJURIES. *AK
NHTSA complaint #890568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TXCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN VAN WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS.
NHTSA complaint #557553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BAY Head, NJ
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR ANTI-SWAY BAR BRACKETS SNAPPED OFF (BOTH) FROM REAR AXLE HOUSING - MAZDA SERVICE REFERRED TO AUTO BODY - DETERMINED BY AUTO BODY THEY WERE NOT WELDED ENTIRE LENGTH OF BRACKET (ENGINEERING/PRODUCTION OVERSIGHT) - MAZDA CONSUMER COMPLIANCE HAS DENIED RESPONSIBILITY
NHTSA complaint #728145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cooper City, FL
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM
WITH THE TOW PACKAGE, THE OPTIONAL FEATURE LOAD LEVER WHICH IS USED BY AN AIR PUMP FAILED, CAUSING THE REAR SUSPENSION TO DROP AND MISALIGN. THIS MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. ALSO REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT DOES NOT "RECOIL" PROPERLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #855568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, VAN STARTED ROLLING FORWARD AND HIT A COMMERICAL TRUCK TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH. VAN WAS TOTALLED. ALSO, AIR BAGS FAILED TO INFLATE.
NHTSA complaint #853554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, VAN STARTED ROLLING FORWARD AND HIT A COMMERICAL TRUCK TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH. VAN WAS TOTALLED. ALSO, AIR BAGS FAILED TO INFLATE.
NHTSA complaint #853554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chula Vist, CA
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG SENSOR FAILED ONE DAY AFTER PURCHASE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #608090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chula Vist, CA
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG SENSOR FAILED ONE DAY AFTER PURCHASE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #608090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chula Vist, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
GAS CAP DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. MJS
NHTSA complaint #608090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chula Vist, CA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AIRBAG SENSOR FAILED ONE DAY AFTER PURCHASE. MJS
NHTSA complaint #608090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chula Vist, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
GAS CAP DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. MJS
NHTSA complaint #608090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chula Vist, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
GAS CAP DEFECTIVE CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. MJS
NHTSA complaint #608090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Springs, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE, CAUSING A REAR-END COLLISION. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. VEHICLE BEHIND ME NOTED REAR BRAKE LIGHTS ON. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #702890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.