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Vehicle safety record

2002 Mazda B-Series Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 2002 Mazda B-Series with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (6) and the engine & cooling (6). Those complaints describe 5 crashes and 6 injuries. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 2001 has 38 and the 2003 has 22.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical B-Series year, for its age

#183 most complained-about 2002 vehicle

Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
6
Deaths
0

Most common 2002 Mazda B-Series problems

Share of all 29 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 2002 Mazda B-Series

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Mazda B-Series. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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29 complaints about the 2002 Mazda B-Series

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.

Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Transmission 1st/2nd gear synchromesh went out 5 times, finally mazda admitted something was wrong with engine,3x was under warranty, last 2x I paid all costs. Judge ruled against mazda in small claims court.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11180839
Acceleration & cruise control

Dealer confirms this recall was completed nov 1, 2007 I called today to confirm, and gave my new address: 4133 224th lane se, unit #101, issaquah, wa 98029-5203. How do I get this recall removed - important for potential future sale... Dealer is lee johnson chev /mazda of kirkland wa. Updated 02/08/17*lj *cn

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10948432
Driver assistance

Can not get the local mazda dealer (skyland automotive)(888-231-1092) to make an appointment to have the safety recall 4707h repaired. Can you help.

Filed Incident Electronic stability control (ESC)NHTSA 10322960
Engine & cooling

I was driving in the high way and braked for there was traffic ahead and as soon as my rpm went low my truck suddenly hesitated deeply and turned off. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10281449
Engine & cooling

Engine cooling system had internal corrosion which caused heating failure (thermostat). In new hampshire when the temperature is at or below zero, the risk of freezing to death because the car will not heat properly could have its consequences. In order to correct the problem, the engine had to be replaced (used engine) at a cost of $3000.00 The problem was caused, most likely by incorrect antifreeze installed in the engine. This was done either at the factory or the new car dealership when the car was preped for sale. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10269801
Seats & seat belts

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mazda b3000. While the contact was seated in the parked vehicle, the driver's seat back rest failed. He currently has a box behind the back rest to keep it erect. The dealer wants to keep the vehicle overnight and charge for a diagnostic. The contact does not want to leave his vehicle overnight or pay for the diagnostic. He feels that it is mazda's responsibility to correct the failure for free. The contact plans to take the vehicle to an independent body shop. The current mileage was 72,000 and failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Incident SeatsNHTSA 10223143
Transmission & drivetrain

Since I purchased the vehicle there has been noticeable play in the rear differential. I ignored it for a long time and then after the warranty had expired I took it to a repair shop in the area that has a very good reputation for repairing and setting up differentials. After examining the gears in the rear end he told me the play was caused by a part that was machined incorrectly at the factory. He said it was a hole that was drilled too large for the pin that is installed in it to hold the axle gears in place....

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He assured me that it was not caused by wear because this pin is not a moving part. I have continued to drive the truck without any repair being made, it does not seem to be getting any worse, but who knows how long until it fails? *Tr

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10221310
Lights

Passenger low beam headlight does not work fuse is ok fuse slot has power lamp was replaced still does not work. *Tr

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10219193
Acceleration & cruise control

Factory recall we were notified to have our cruise control on our 2002 mazda 4wd-b400 pu disconnected because of a factory recall. We did this in october 2007. To date we have heard nothing about the repairs. Our dealers keeps telling us that they are waiting for parts. Where in the world are these parts manufactured that they can't get them by now? Since then we are getting an "engine light on" which indicates that we either have a short circuit condition or the dpfe/egr valve pressure sensor has failed. I want to know if this is due to their disconnecting the cruise control? Please let me know soon! *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10217961
BrakesAcceleration & cruise control

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mazda b3000. The contact received a safety recall notice and took her vehicle to the mazda dealer on september 26, 2007. The dealer deactivated the cruise control switch, however, the abs light illuminated the same day. The vehicle was returned to the dealer on september 27, 2007. Mazda reconnected the cruise control switch and informed her that the safety recall did not apply to her vin. She stated that the abs light was not illuminated when she brought the vehicle in for the recall repair. The purchase date and recall number were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 28,000.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10204351
Airbags

The vehicle is a 2002 mazda b4000 truck. Problem: intermittent air bag indicator light on dash. Took to local dealer on 6-29-06 and diagnostic analysis showed a faulty air bag harness. Warranty purchase date was 03-31-03 with 3 year expiration 03-31-06. Current odometer is 49,849. Cost of repair is stated by dealer to be $1500 parts and labor for replacement or they say manufacturer has "approved" a less expensive repair of replacing only the connectors at a cost of $422.96 Parts and labor. Concern about...

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longevity of original product parts, safety of occupant(s) with indicator light on and or off, high cost of repair, and short term repair guarantee. Do not feel secure in the vehicle with my family. *Nm

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10162833
Wheels & tires

I have original goodyear tires on my truck which are having bulges on the sides of two of the tires. I have gone to two dealers-the first said that they were safe and won't replace them for my safety;the second dealer said they had no warranty on that particular model even though they offered similar tires having warranties to 60,000 miles. My concern is for first the safety other fellow drivers who may not notice this defect. Second, the companies inability to report and replace my tires,or report this to corporate. I will watch this defect on my truck, but my concern is for those on long and fast trips. I remember the other defects on tires and those poor peoples problem. *Jb

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10160449
Seats & seat belts

Dt*: the contact stated on two separate occasions the driver side seat belt would not lock. The vehicle was taken the dealership both times and the buckle assembly was replaced both times. The final time, the buckle assembly would not release. The buckle assembly was replaced a third time.

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 10149974
Transmission & drivetrain

Dt*: the contact owns a 2002 mazda b-2300 truck. While at a stop and attempting to accelerate the vehicle stalled. The dealer determined the transmission needs to be replaced however, no repairs have been made. *Ak updated 03/09/06

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10149873
Seats & seat belts

I leaned back to get change out of my pocket and drivers seat broke and reclined completely, I was not on the street. I took the truck, (2002 mazda b3000, 41300 miles) to the dealer "holiday mazda, fond du lac,wi" and had the part replaced (part # zz99-57-002 description "seat recliner bolt") I am very concerned about this failure, it is obviously a defective part, if I had been on the highway at the time of the failure, I can just imagine the results. *Nm

Filed Incident SeatsNHTSA 10145077
Brakes

On several occasions, my mazda truck b300 v6 model has locked up on its brakes. The vehicle comes equipped with an abs (four-wheen anti-lock system) which prevents it from locking up during driving conditions. However, on four varied situations in location, weather conditions and mileage apart 20,000, 30,000-35,000, 40,000 (considering three of them was before I hit 50k and then after getting my 60k service matienance)61k, my front end tires locked up while merging onto a highway; turning leftu nderneath an...

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underpass; proceedin forward on a major road in houston, tx; and while just making a normal turn, not a sharp turn, but turning into a neighborhood, austin, tx. I in all occassions have had my foot firmly applied to the brakes and stilli lost control of the steering, with both my hands on the wheel, and had to turn the truck off after managing not to hit the car directly to my left on at least three reoccurrences. All under rainy or wet conditions where the road was level, normal, congested, or going downward on a smooth slope in elevation. I mentioned it to the dealership twice and was told that, that lost of traction was due to elevation of the truck and pressing the gas while I turned left. On the past three occassions I did not have my foot on the gas turning, ever while turning. I like my truck, but I could've had caused some major car wrecks due to some malfunctioning. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 10105859
Airbags

We have had the vehicle into the authorized mazda dealer service center for the air bag light continuing to come on. The dealership keeps fixing this problem; however, it comes back on over and over again. *La

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10074463
Engine & cooling

Intermittent, random, engine stalling. The 2002 mazda b3000 dual sport will stall randomly and without warning. So far the vehicle has stalled on four separate occasions and under different weather conditions. Several other dual sport owners I have talked to report the same stalling condition. Dealership repair facility has so far been unable to verify a fault condition leading to engine stalling.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10066164
AirbagsCrash

Vehicle was involved in a crash. Vehicle hit a tree head on while driving about 50mph. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy. *Ak

Filed Air bagsNHTSA 10063515
Engine & cooling

The check engine light has come on 3 times in 22000 kms the mechanic said not to go over 140km. Bought when I bought the truck the sales man never told any thing about it. I have passed cars and trucks on a four lane high way and some times you got to speed up to get buy.When the speed limit is 110 km and they made me pay $65 bucks to fix it.Something I didnt even no about or was told.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10071393
Transmission & drivetrain

3 Months after I purchased my truck, I started having problems with the transmission. The transmission bangs like someone hit me from the rear when shifted from park to reverse. It also shutters when I press the accelerator.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10071105
AirbagsCrash1 injury

While driving 50 mph consumer's child was plugging in a cell phone cord, and lost control of vehicle. Vehicle veered down into an embankment. Then, came back onto the highway, side swiped another vehicle, and slammed into a guardrail. Seat belts were worn, but the air bags did not deploy. Consumer's child suffered severe injuries.*Ak

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10034430
AirbagsCrash

Consumer started the vehicle which was engaged in lower gear, with out pushing the clutch, the vehicle hit a wall ,and both air bags deployed. *Ak the consumers wife pushed in the clutch and started the vehicle, not realizing that the truck was left in first gear instead of setting the emergency brake, she released the clutch. The vehicle immediately jerked directly into the wall in front of it. This caused both air bags to deploy. The problem was with the side air bag switch being in the off position, and the air bags deployed anyway. *Scc *jb

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10027187
Transmission & drivetrain

While traveling on the highway and without prior warning vehicle will stall while engaging the clutch pedal.*Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10030015
Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission will not shift into overdrive until speeds of 58-60 are reached - when accelerating. Took vehicle to dealer for the complaint. Dealer tech said vehicle would not shift during 'agressive accelerating' . Driver must ease up on gas pedal before transmission would shift to overdrive. Said this was normal. Never heard of an automatic transmission with such requirements. None that I have ever owned required an easing up on gas in order to shift. When I followed dealers instructions, vehicle will still not...

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shift until it has been driven for some period of time. Under such conditions, I can't get into overdrive for the trips I take, so the overdrive does me no good. Vehicle gets very poor mileage as a relult. Don't think this is a normal condition. I only have less than 2000 miles (since oct 2002) because of such driving conditions and poor mileage.*Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10025817

Mazda B-Series: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
200611000AirbagsA
200522010AirbagsB
200449090AirbagsD
200322032Electrical systemC
200229050AirbagsC
200138011Acceleration & cruise controlC
200058073Wheels & tiresD
1999800111Wheels & tiresF
199867063Wheels & tiresF
All B-Series years

2002 Mazda B-Series vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2002 Mazda B-Series

Does the 2002 Mazda B-Series have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Mazda B-Series right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mazda B-Series?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (6), engine & cooling (6), transmission & drivetrain (6).

How many complaints has the 2002 Mazda B-Series had?

29 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 1, 2002 and the latest on February 18, 2019. Of these, 5 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 6 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2002 Mazda B-Series a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 47 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Mazda B-Series year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Mazda B-Series years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2002 Mazda B-Series has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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