Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 5 of 15 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
15 reports
103,132 miles · Aug 3, 2009
Air BagsInjury
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 WIND…
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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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279226
72,756 miles · Aug 25, 2008
Power Train
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…
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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. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10239555
125,000 miles · Mar 21, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
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?*AK
NHTSA ODI #10114389
117,778 miles · Aug 10, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
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 ODI #10086552
90,000 miles · May 5, 2004
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. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10072160
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
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 CO…
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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"*AK
NHTSA ODI #765241
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2001
Power Train
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #753786
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2000
Electrical System
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 ODI #555111
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
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 …
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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 ODI #715586
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 1999
Wheels
WHEEL RIMS CORRODED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA ODI #545079
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Mazda Millenia Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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