VehicleVerdict

1998 Mazda B-Series Truck problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 81 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median B-Series Truck year — the 1998 model ranks #3 of 20 B-Series Truck years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 32 deaths and 27 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Tires & Wheels leads the complaint categories with 22 reports (27% of the total).

81

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

27

Injuries

32

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other B-Series Truck years?

B-Series Truck NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted157 complaints1990: 22 complaints1991: 15 complaints1992: 14 complaints1993: 18 complaints1994: 157 complaints1995: 54 complaints1996: 73 complaints1997: 64 complaints1998: 81 complaints1999: 96 complaints2000: 74 complaints2001: 55 complaints2002: 31 complaints2003: 25 complaints2004: 26 complaints2005: 17 complaints2006: 14 complaints2007: 37 complaints2008: 11 complaints2009: 4 complaints
B-Series Truck NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all B-Series Truck years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Mazda B-Series Truck problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels2227%
Speed Control1316%
Engine911%
Brakes67%
Transmission56%
Suspension45%
Lighting45%
Airbags45%
Other34%
Electrical System34%
Body & Structure34%
Fuel System22%
Steering11%
Driver Assistance11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 1998 Mazda B-Series Truck have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V347000Speed ControlAugust 7, 2007 · 76,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. AN INTERIM NOTICE WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2007, DIRECTING THEM TO HAVE THE SPEED DEACTIVATION CONTROL SWITCH DISCONNECTED TEMPORARILY. A SECOND NOTIFICATION LETTER TO OWNERS WAS IN FEBRUARY 2008 ADVISING THEM TO RETURN TO DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF THE REPAIR PART. OWNERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WHO DID NOT RECEIVE A PHASE 2 NOTICE AND HAVE NOT HAD THE RECALL COMPLETED WILL BE NOTIFIED BEGINNING AUGUST 6, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

00T005000Tires & WheelsAugust 21, 2000 · 14,400,000 units

Defect

TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.

Consequence

IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.

99V062002Speed ControlMarch 31, 1999 · 22,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1998-1998 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCKS (B2500, B3000 AND B4000) EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND BUILT FROM JANUARY 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.

Consequence

IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS USED AND THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, A STUCK THROTTLE COULD RESULT, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE MADE.

97V186002Fuel SystemNovember 6, 1997 · 191 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY 4X2 AND 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINES. THE FLEXIBLE SECTION OF THE CHASSIS MOUNTED FUEL LINE THAT CONNECTS TO THE ENGINE WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE LINE COULD CONTACT THE MANIFOLD.

Consequence

THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL LINE, OR IN SOME CASES, CAUSE A FUEL LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL CLIP TO HOLD THE FUEL LINE IN THE INTENDED DESIGN POSITION.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE CASING OF THE TIRE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. TIRES HAD BEEN INSPECTED AND ROTATED JUST 1,000 MILES EARLIER AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. THE SUDDEN LOSE OF THE TIRE TREAD AND RESULTING LOSS OF CONTROL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AND HIT THE CENTER DIVIDER OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 14, 1999 · crash

“1998 MAZDA B2500 SE EXTENDED CAB: PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE IDLE SPEED DURING IDLE SITUATIONS (E.G., STOP SIGN, STOPLIGHT, GARAGE START) W/ CLUTCH DISENGAGED; ENGINE REVS FROM 1000 RPM TO 3000 RPM AND THEN QUICKLY BACK DOWN TO 1000 RPM. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT COULD BE A POTENTIAL ROOT CAUSE OF AN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 29, 2003

“B4000 TRUCK CONTINUOUSLY OVERHEATS. THERMOSTATS HAVE BEEN REPLACE 4 TIMES. TRUCK HAS BEEN WORKED ON BY CERTIFIED MECHANICS AT FORD DEALERSHIP. 2002 TRUCK OVERHEATED. THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE OVERFLOW BOTTLE BUT NONE IN THE RADIATOR. RADIATOR LEAKED AND HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN. I REPLACED RADIATOR AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 4, 2004

“Mazdaspeed 3 turbo Vin:[XXX] [REDACTED] Fuel pump EfI 400hp @ idel Turbo propultion not installed Cricket wireless broadband internet Connection.....? Swiage leakage: [XXX] [XXX] West covina sheriff dept. West covina ca INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 26, 2020 · crash · fire

“FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM ENGAGED ON IT'S OWN, CAUSING SEVERE LEFT TURNS AS FRONT WHEEL LOCKS UP. HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES, EVEN THOU FIXED TWICE. THERE IS NO LOCKING HUB CONVERSION AVAILABLE FOR THIS MODEL OR THE FORD RANGER IT'S CLONE. WILL NOT DRIVE THIS ON SNOW OR ICE COVERED ROADS. FOUR WHEEL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 23, 2007 · crash

1998 Mazda B-Series Truck — common questions

Is the 1998 Mazda B-Series Truck reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 81 complaints put the 1998 model at #3 of 20 B-Series Truck years. It is one of the B-Series Truck years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 B-Series Truck problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (22 complaints), speed control (13 complaints), engine (9 complaints).

Does the 1998 Mazda B-Series Truck have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Mazda B-Series Truck. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mazda B-Series Truck years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the B-Series Truck years to avoid are 1994, 1999, 1998, 2000, 1996, 1997, 2001, 1995, 2004, 2005. The cleanest record among B-Series Truck years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.