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Vehicle safety record

1997 Mazda Millenia Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 1997 Mazda Millenia with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (5) and the airbags (3). Those complaints describe 2 crashes and 1 injury. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 1996 has 18 and the 1998 has 29.

NHTSA data checked

BFewer problems than a typical Millenia year, for its age

#140 most complained-about 1997 vehicle

Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 1997 Mazda Millenia problems

Share of all 18 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 1997 Mazda Millenia

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Mazda Millenia. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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18 complaints about the 1997 Mazda Millenia

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Seats & seat belts

Dt*: the contact stated both front seat belt straps extended and would not retract exposing the manufacturer's warning sticker indicating a need to replace the straps. The manufacturer and dealer were alerted. The dealer suggested replacing the front seatbelt straps, but no repairs were made.

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 10151129
BrakesAirbagsCrash

While driving 35 mph in severe cold weather brake pedal commenced to make a popping noise while braking. Vehicle lost braking and rear ended another vehicle in front. Upon impact, neither frontal air bag deployed. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. *Ak the consumer stated the vehicle was totaled. Updated 12/12/07

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Air bagsNHTSA 10110890
Fuel system

The consumer stated the filler neck tube has rusted. As a result fuel vapors seeped into the passenger compartment. A recall for the fuel tank filler neck has been issued, however the vehicle identification number was outside of the remedy scope. Please provide additional information. *Jb

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10097038
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrain

The check engine light has been on and off for two years. I've took it to 5 different mazda specialist including the dealer and everyone of them tells me something different... Things that were already done. Know one can seem to pin point what's wrong with the car. Oh by the way... The transmission has been rebuilt. I also have a problem with the gear switching from the first to second and it's not the transmission. This car has cost me a lot of money and it's up there with the 626. I will never buy another mazda again. *La

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power trainNHTSA 10049379
Wheels & tires

Two wheels have cracked at less than 50,000 miles of city driving on my 1997 mazda millenias. This has caused gradual escape of air--unknown to the driver until potentially unsafe tire pressure developed and visible deflation noted.

Filed Incident WheelsNHTSA 10045042
Transmission & drivetrain

My 1997 626 is having a severe transmission problem. There is only 60000 miles on it. Considering the number of complaints files on this issue, I sincerely hope that mazda does something about (recall or better go out of business). *Nlm

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10023421
Fuel system

I purchased a 97 mazda millennia in 8/97 with 29k miles. Today it is at 77k miles and the check engine light came on. I took it to the dealership and found that the fuel tank has started imploding due to the amount of suction in the tank. The suction has also caused damage to the fuel level sensors. The quoted repair price was $1,800. The service rep informed me that mazda is aware of this problem and has issued an advisory to mechanics to not only check the fuel gauge but also the fuel tank. This is not...

Read the full complaint

currently a recall item or a defect but should be. I have done research on the internet and found several cases of other millennia owners with same model year experiencing the same problem. The repairs should be at mazda's expense since the suction in the tank is too high or the fuel tank itself is not structurally capable of handling the pressure. Please issue a recall/defect notice so that this issue can be fixed. *Nlm

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10023152
Seats & seat belts

While driving the consumer saw smoke coming from passenger seat which is where the automatic seat warmers are located. *Nlm

Filed SeatsNHTSA 10015539
AirbagsCrash

Consumer states while driving the vehicle. The vehicle had an accident with another vehicle. Consumer rear ended the vehicle going 30mph. The driver side air bag did not deploy. Dealer notified.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 10001712
Fuel system

While driving vehicle and without warning fuel gauge does not mark the correct measurement of fuel in gas tank. Fuel tank assembly neeed to be replaced. *Ak

Filed Fuel system, gasoline · Fuel system, otherNHTSA 8006926
Transmission & drivetrain

I had problems going to a mazda dealer (val strough mazda, oakland, ca)in getting the transmission diagnosed. They first said it was the selector whcih cost $300 plus , then after changing it said it was the valve body and would cost $1200plus but were only 90% sure. If it wasnt I would have to pay an additional $3000 plus for a new transmission. They refunded only the cost of the part approx $100 but still charged me for labor that was unecessary.I decided to take it to a transmission shop who immediatley told me...

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it was a mechanical problem with interior damage to the gears. It cost me $2500 to have a rebuilt transmission installed. Mazda should have been able to figure it out rather than trying to run up a bill which still would have resulted in a new transmission of course after paying $1500 plus dollars to figure out the problem. I also find it upsetting that a transmission would fail after only 68k miles. My mechanic (georges auto, san leandro ,ca) and the transmission shop (dons transmissions, san leandro ca) have seen many of these vehicles recently with similar and less mileage having need of the same repair.. They call it a very common problem one was reported within 2 days of mine another just 3 weeks later. As recently as this week I spoke with my mechanic and he's seen 3 more. There has to be something wrong with these transmissions.I was informed by dons transmission thatthere was a recall on the mazda 626 transmission but I cannot find any record,the 626 uses the same transmission as the millenia.*Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 749624
Other & unknown

The service engine light has been coming on every four months in the last two and a half years. Each time I take it to pulliam wray, I'm informed that it's a different problem. I was also informed that there is three hundred different things that can cause the engine light to come on. With this in mind , I could spend a small forture. Each time that I've taken it to the repair shop, I'm charge nearly three hundred dollars. The first time that it was in the shop, the part was under warrenty. In the last year and a half, I have had some sensor replaced twice. At the present the light is on, again.*Ak

Filed Unknown or otherNHTSA 748921
Airbags1 injury

Consumer was at a stop when dual front airbags deployed without any impact or under carriage impact . Vehicle has never been involved in accident, and there was no prior warning of defect. Defect caused burn on elbow. *Ak

Filed Air bagsNHTSA 869467
Transmission & drivetrain

Consumer has problems with brake hubs/ clutch and wheel bearings. She hears a thumping noise. *Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 850926
Brakes

BRAKES FROZE AFTER WASHING CAR BRAKES. YH

Filed Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 606706
Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION IS NOISY IN LOW GEAR. YH

Filed Power trainNHTSA 606013
Brakes

I have been to the dealer 3 times & they cannot fix it. They have been looking for parts all over the world, they say, and cannot find one. They cannot give me a date when it will be repaired. I am leasing the car but I don't have use of it. They have loaned me a car that is not to the standard I am paying the lease for. It is very frustrating.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 540299
Acceleration & cruise control

TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 535978

Mazda Millenia: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
200130030Transmission & drivetrainC
200019010Engine & coolingB
199927020Wheels & tiresC
199829030Engine & coolingC
199718020Transmission & drivetrainB
199618021Transmission & drivetrainC
1995880131Engine & coolingF
All Millenia years

1997 Mazda Millenia 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 1997 Mazda Millenia

Does the 1997 Mazda Millenia have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Mazda Millenia 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 1997 Mazda Millenia?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (5), airbags (3), brakes (3).

How many complaints has the 1997 Mazda Millenia had?

18 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 27, 1998 and the latest on February 24, 2006. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 1997 Mazda Millenia a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 60 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Mazda Millenia 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 Millenia years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1997 Mazda Millenia 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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