VehicleVerdict

1999 Mazda B-Series Truck problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 96 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median B-Series Truck year — the 1999 model ranks #2 of 20 B-Series Truck years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across tires & wheels (12), speed control (11), and body & structure (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

96

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

15

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other B-Series Truck years?

B-Series Truck NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 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, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all B-Series Truck years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Mazda B-Series Truck problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels1213%
Speed Control1111%
Body & Structure1111%
Airbags1010%
Transmission1010%
Visibility & Wipers99%
Brakes66%
Fuel System55%
Suspension55%
Electrical System55%
Engine44%
Other33%
Seat Belts22%
Steering11%
Seats11%
Lighting11%

Does the 1999 Mazda B-Series Truck have recalls?

4 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THESE TIRES HAVE NOT YET FAILED IN AN EXTERNAL SENSE. THEY HAVE BEGUN TO MAKE A GROWLING SOUND THAT WAS NOT PRESENT EARLIER.I HAD THEM CHECKED THIS SUMMER WHEN THE ORIGINAL RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR DIFFERENT TIRE SIZES AND THEY WERE JUDGED ALLRIGHT. THE NOISE HAS INCREASED ALTHOUGH FAILURE HAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels

“I HAD A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE DEALER THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH ON MY TRUCK. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP IN TUSCALOOSA ALABAMA, WHERE THEY REPLACED IT, BUT LET THE WIRES JUST HANGING LOOSE IN THE ENGINE, VERY SLOPPY WORK, ALSO PRIOR THE RECALL THE SWITCH BURNT OUT MELTING THE CRUISE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 5, 2009

“WIND TUNNEL AFFECTS DRIVING AND RAIN IS COMING THROUGH DRIVER'S DOOR. TRUCK HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY DAMAGED AND REPAIRED, UNKNOWN TO THE OWNER--FENDER AND DOOR ARE OUT OF ALIGNMENT, AND THERE IS A GAP BETWEEN DRIVER DOOR AND BODY, ALLOWING RAIN AND WIND TO COME IN. HOOD HAS ALSO BEEN REFINISHED. DEALER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure

“I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, SLID ON SOME GRAVEL AND STRUCK THE RIGHT FRONT RIM OF MY TRUCK ON THE CURB. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, WARPED THE STEERING WHEEL, DESTROYED THE HORN AND CAUSED OVER $2500 DOLLARS OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. NO BODY DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE VEHICLE. MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 24, 1999 · crash

“SHIFT KNOB HAS COME OFF WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1 TO 2 IN MIDDLE OF A SHIFT IN A COUPLE OF SITUATIONS, CAUSING MISSED SHIFTS, AND THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE RAPIDLY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE KNOB IS ONLY HELD IN PLACE BY AN AXIAL PRESS SPLEEN, WITH NO REAL MEANS OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 1, 2004

1999 Mazda B-Series Truck — common questions

Is the 1999 Mazda B-Series Truck reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 96 complaints put the 1999 model at #2 of 20 B-Series Truck years. It is one of the B-Series Truck years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 B-Series Truck problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (12 complaints), speed control (11 complaints), body & structure (11 complaints).

Does the 1999 Mazda B-Series Truck have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 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.