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: 2 of 47 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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports3 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
47 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 1999
VisibilityCrashInjury
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. THE BODY LEFT SIDE WINDOW BROKE. ALSO, CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS FORWARD FACING. *AK THE COLLISION CAUSED THE SIDE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO SHATTER. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE TEMPERED GLASS …
Read full complaint
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. THE BODY LEFT SIDE WINDOW BROKE. ALSO, CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS FORWARD FACING. *AK THE COLLISION CAUSED THE SIDE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO SHATTER. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE TEMPERED GLASS WAS SUPPOSE TO SHATTER INTO SMALL PIECES, BUT IT DID NOT. *YH *NLM
NHTSA ODI #844785
Mileage unknown · Apr 25, 1999
Structure
I HAVE NOTICED A NUMBER OF MPV VANS ON THE ROAD WITH THE SAME FLAKING PAINT ON THE HOOD.*AK
NHTSA ODI #705971
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SMOKE AND GAS SMELL FROM ENGINE WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #830929
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 1998
Seat BeltsStructureSuspensionInjury
TIRES FAILED.DUNLOP SP SPORT D31J P215/65R15.
NHTSA ODI #542376
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 1998
Seat BeltsService Brakes, Hydraulic
RECALLS 95V103005/92V027000; MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS AND BRAKE LININGS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED AND THERE ARE TWO RECALLS LISTED. BUT THE DEALER SAID THAT THE RECALLS HAD BEEN DONE, AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THAT THE RECALLS HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF. THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE RECALL PROBLEMS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #822187
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 1998
Structure
VEHICLE HAS PEELING PAINT ON THE HOOD. OWNER HAS NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER MAZDA MPV'S AS WELL. *ML
NHTSA ODI #538842
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 1998
Power TrainCrash
WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE WITH IGNITION OFF, GEAR INDICATING THE PARK POSITION, TEN YEAR OLD SON WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE GEAR FROM PARK DOWN TO LOW AND INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE ROLLED ABOUT ABOUT 3 FEET, CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO MANUFACTURER. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #825119
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 1998
Visibility
HEATER FAN RELAY CONSTANTLY FAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #523262
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 1997
Power Train
TRANSMISSION COOLING UNIT RUBBER HOSE RUPTURED, CAUSING IT TO LEAK FLUID ALL OVER ENGINE. *AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
THE REAR BRAKE LININGS CAN CHANGE OVER TIME. AS THE BRAKES WEAR, THE COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION CAN INCREASE, PRODUCING INCONSISTENT REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE AND PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF THE ABS SYSTEM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCONSISTENT BRAKING AND PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF THE ABSSYSTEM CAN CAUSE SUDDEN STOPS OR INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCES, AND RESULT ININCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES WITH ASSEMBLIES WHOSE FRICTION CHARACTERISTICS DO NOT CHANGE. THIS WILL REDUCE THE RISK OF PREMATURE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATION.
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
4
EA95005 · Takata Seat Belt Buckle Failure
Opened Mar 10, 1995 · Closed Aug 1, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
There is no summary currently available
EA92008 · Inconsist.brk Performance
Opened Feb 3, 1992 · Closed Mar 16, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Air:antilock
There is no summary currently available
PE91134 · Inconsistent Brake Perform
Opened Oct 1, 1991 · Closed Feb 3, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
===
PE91088 · Throttle Sticking
Opened Jun 18, 1991 · Closed Oct 21, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
1990 Mazda Mpv Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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