- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1994 Mazda MPV Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 39 complaints about the 1994 Mazda MPV with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (11) and the engine & cooling (10). Those complaints describe 12 crashes and 5 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in October 2015 for the switch. For comparison, the 1993 has 51 and the 1995 has 24.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical MPV year, for its age
#90 most complained-about 1994 vehicle
- Complaints
- 39
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 12
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1994 Mazda MPV problems
Share of all 39 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1994 Mazda MPV recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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39 complaints about the 1994 Mazda MPV
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
Defective tires. Steel belts split. Tires ready to explode. Futura 775 purchased at pep boys 02/2005. Less than 10,000 miles driven on 55,000 tire. Showed tires to 4 different auto shops and asked if this was a normal thing or if it was a defective tire? All 4 said it was a manufacturing defect, including the people in the pep boys garage. The manager of the store said it was not a defect and would not replace the tires, but offered to sell me a couple of new tires. *Tr
I had a mva on 9/20/03. A vehicle pulled in front of me and I collided with their front passenger side. The driver side air bag in my vehicle did not deploy. I was driving a mazda mpv 1994. Mpv totaled. Mpv front end collapsed. *Jb
While driving 50 mph the vehicle hit a deer. Upon impact the front air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle sustained extensive damage. *Ak *nlm
The consumer was in an accident where the vehicle was struck , and in the front center of the vehicle the air bag did not deploy. The dealer was notified. Mr scc
When we purchased this vehicle we noticed for no apparent reason lights would come,transmission went out before expected,even when replaced brakes would make a grinding noise.After talking to many people,we found out that mpv vans for several years have these same type problems*ak
Peoo 020 ; vehicle had a flat tire on passenger's rear side. She took vehicle to a tire place, and mechanic told her thattwo tire treads had separated from vehicle. Firestone, wilderness, p215/65r15, dot w2vfh30358. These tires were not original tires on vehicle, but there was a problem.*Ak
Lifters & rocker arms replaced 3 times - carbon build up was never fixed causes engine to need replacement. *Ak
I saw this 'special assignment' report on ch. 2 In la, I had the same problem on my tires, the treads on the tires came off the tire while I was driving down a steep hill making a turn and my van could of tiped over. I had to replace the tires at my cost. *Ak( dot number: hymo316 tire size: p205/70r15 )
My dealer and repair shop say they have seen several cases of this switch failure. It causes the headlights to come on by themselves. Must be a defect in the switch assembly that mazda is aware of. Mazda should cover the repair. *Ak
On april 28,2000, the transmission in our l994 mazda mpv mini-van went completely out. I was travelling at an approximate speed of 60 miles per hour on interstate l2 in baton rouge. We purchased the van, used, in january 2,000. When we had the vehicle towed to a repair shop, we were informed that the transmission could not be rebuilt. We then purchased a used transmission for installation in the van. The total cost was approximately $2,200.00. We are currently in the process of trying to determine if there are any technical service bulletins listed for the l994 mazda mpv mini-van involving the transmission. Thank you for your time. *Ak
Consumer was at stop light when trying to take off and vehicle didn't move at all. Throttle was to the floor. Consumer towed vehicle to dealer. *Ak
This problem with the lifters has been reported two separate times. Both times we were given a major run around in order to get this issue taken care of. On the first visit were told that knocking was normal for a engine to do. Which I strongle disagreed with. After going into the engine it was found there there was some collapsed lifters. Soon after the repair the problem resurfaced, this time spacers were installed. I was told that not enough oil was reaching the lifters. After this the knocking was gone for a...
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long period of time and I though the problem was taken care of. Untill we moved to georgia in july of 98 the problem has been with us untill present. I can saftly say that I take very good care of the van the oil is changed on a 2000 mile cycle so I would think that the oil should be able to reach the lifters fine. Even though I was told by the mazda dealer that the knocking noise would not cause damage to the engine, I have to disagree. The cam shaft has to have some kind of wear as well considering thats what the pushes the lifters up.
-Almost every time we start the engine, a very loud clacking noise persist for a few minutes and then after the van is warmed up the clacking sound subsides to a minimal noise level but is never the less still apparent. At first " starts" in the mornings it seems to be getting louder. It sounds like ther is no oil in the engine and the valves are just clicking and knocking like crazy. I change the oil every 3-4000 miles and make sure it is continually full. I called the mazda maintenance department at metro mazda, 1087 i-20 west frontage rd., Jackson ms, 601-944-1333 and was told by one of the mechanics not to worry about it , because most of the mpv's have that problem.
Spring inside engine lifters gave out.Car was under warranty.Consumer contacted dealer. *Ak
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 35 mph, seatbelts did not retract, and airbags did not deploy. Manufacturer has been notified. *Ak
Rocker arm/lifters are noisy, contacted dealership, recommended replacing all lifters, cost bet. $850-$1200.
In a direct frontal impact driver's airbag did not deploy which did not protect the occupant in this accident. Cause unknown. Please provide further information. *Ak
TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
Hydraulic lash adjusters were improperly designed and restrict oil flow.
Rocker arm and shaft replaced resulting in engine noise, however carbon build up still present.
While slowly pulling into the driveway and running over a small bump, the drivers side airbag deployed, causing injuries to the arm/neck/chest and shoulders. *Ak *jb
Lifters in upper valve train make clicking noises. *Ak
Lifters in upper valve train assembley makes clicking noise.
The brakes make a loud grinding noise sound, has trouble stopping the vehicle, it's like metal to metal. Pads and rotors have been checked and the dealer states everything is fine. *Ak
During frontal impact, the driver's air bag did not deploy. *Ak three people were injured in the accident. *Slc
Mazda MPV: every year compared
All MPV years1994 Mazda MPV vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 Mazda MPV | 39 | 1 | C | |
| 1994 Mazda 626 | 287 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 1994 Mazda B-Series Truck | 126 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 1994 Mazda MX-6 | 48 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 1994 Mazda MX-3 | 19 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata | 19 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1994 Mazda 929 | 13 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1994 Mazda 323 | 11 | 2 | C | Compare |
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.
Questions about the 1994 Mazda MPV
Does the 1994 Mazda MPV have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1994 Mazda MPV: switch (October 2015). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Mazda MPV?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (11), engine & cooling (10), brakes (8).
How many complaints has the 1994 Mazda MPV had?
39 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 11, 1994 and the latest on May 22, 2009. Of these, 12 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 5 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1994 Mazda MPV a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 51 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Mazda MPV 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 MPV years have the most complaints?
2000 (149), 2002 (125), 2003 (114). See every Mazda MPV year compared.
What should I do if my 1994 Mazda MPV 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