1997 Mazda MPV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
14 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 14 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 7.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 7.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2006: 2; 2010: 1; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 745514 · 2001-05-18 (May 18, 2001)
OVERDRIVE INDICATOR BLINKS CONSTANTLY WHEN IGNITION APPLIED, BROUGHT TO DEALER TO SERVICE, TOLD NEED TO REPLACE COMPLETE TRANSMISSION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 745514 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 750951 · 2001-08-22 (August 22, 2001)
ENGINE KNOCKING, SVC DEPT ADVISED US TO MAZDA OIL ADDITIVE, BUT STILL KNOCKS EVEN THOUGH LOW MILES. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION WILL GET STUCK WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP AND TURNING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, VERY DANGEROUS/NEAR COLLISION BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GO INTO 4WD ON ITS OWN WHILE WE WERE DRIVING 65 ON THE INTERSTATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 750951 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10824291 · 2016-02-04 (February 4, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA MPV. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT A CAR WASH, SMOKE FUMES APPEARED FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HEAVY FUMES OF SMOKE WERE SEEN COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT STALLED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT B…
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10824291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165569 · 2006-08-15 (August 15, 2006)
I AM FILING A COMPLAINT IN REGARD TO MY VEHICLE'S EQUIPMENT THAT FAILED AND WAS FAULTY IN A RECENT AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH IN A STRAIGHT LANE WHEN A VEHICLE QUICKLY ENTERED ACROSS MY PATH TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. I HAD NO TIME TO BRAKE, SO THE OTHER CAR IS WHAT STOPPED MY MOTION. IT WAS A HARD HIT! MY MAZDA MPV CRASHED INTO THE OTHER PERSON'S CAR. DURING OUR FRONT IMPACT WITH THE OTHER CAR'S DRIVER SIDE, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING INJURY. HAD THE AIRBAG WORKED, I FEEL I WOULDN'T HAD SLID INTO THE D…
Owner-reported narrative. 93,395 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165569 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 723719 · 2000-06-07 (June 7, 2000)
ON FOUR OCCASSIONS MY STEERING WHEN GOING FROM A COMPLETE STOP TO CHANGING LANES TO THE RIGHT LANE AND THEN CORRECTING BACK TO THE LEFT, GOT STIFF AND WOULD NOT TURN. SUBSEQUESTLY THIS LAST TIME I ENDED UP ON THE SHOULDER OF A BUSY FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN AS I HAD TWO TIMES PREVIOUSLY, TO HAVE THEM TELL ME THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND FIND THAT OTHER 1997 MADZA MPV'S ALSO REACTED THE SAME. IT WAS A "NORMAL STEERING FUNCTION". I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE THEIR SAFETY JE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 723719 at NHTSA ↗