1998 Mazda MPV problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
113,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 16 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 18.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Steering: 2; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Suspension:Rear: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 7 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 | 3 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
2000: 3; 2001: 3; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2016: 4
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering 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 10818944 · 2016-01-08 (January 8, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA MVP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE IGNITION BEGAN TO SMOKE. NO FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE FLAMES. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 101,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 101,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10818944 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10822861 · 2016-01-28 (January 28, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED TO EMIT SMOKE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 217,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 217,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10822861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051567 · 2004-01-03 (January 3, 2004)
PREMATURE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WITH ONLY 66,000 HIGHWAY MILES, TRANSMISSION STARTING SLIPPING.VEHICLE HAS TRANSMISSION COOLER AS PART OF FACTORY TOWING PACKAGE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10255863 · 2009-01-21 (January 21, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA MPV WAGON. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE A REMEDY. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF RETRIEVING A REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT…
Owner-reported narrative. 113,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10255863 at NHTSA ↗