VehicleVerdict

2001 Mazda B-Series Truck problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 55 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median B-Series Truck year — the 2001 model ranks #7 of 20 B-Series Truck years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (11), speed control (9), and body & structure (7), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

55

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other B-Series Truck years?

B-Series Truck NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all B-Series Truck years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Mazda B-Series Truck problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1120%
Speed Control916%
Body & Structure713%
Transmission611%
Seat Belts47%
Tires & Wheels47%
Suspension35%
Fuel System35%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Electrical System12%
Engine12%
Latches & Locks12%
Lighting12%
Other12%
Steering12%
Airbags12%

Does the 2001 Mazda B-Series Truck have recalls?

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

09V414000Speed ControlOctober 23, 2009 · 39,600 units

Defect

MAZDA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 1997 AND MODEL YEAR 2001 THROUGH 2003 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS) AND/OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND MANUFACTURED ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 5, 2002. A COMPONENT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY DETERIORATE OVER TIME AND DEVELOP A LEAK. THIS OCCURRENCE COULD CAUSE THE SWITCH TO OVERHEAT, SMOKE OR BURN WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy

MAZDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A UNIVERSAL FUSED JUMPER HARNESS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500 OPTION #6.

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.

01V227002Seat BeltsAugust 6, 2001 · 27,533 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELTS SUPPLIED BY TRW. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE DRIVER'S AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER'S OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY NOT FULLY LATCH. FORD CROWN VICTORIA BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS BUILT AT ST. THOMAS ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. LINCOLN TOWN CARS BUILT AT WIXOM ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. LINCOLN NAVIGATORS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. FORD WINDSTARS BUILT AT OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT FROM 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. FORD RANGERS BUILT AT TWIN CITIES PLANT FROM 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, AND ALSO AT THE EDISON PLANT FROM 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. FORD F-150 TRUCK BUILT AT NORFOLK PLANT FROM 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; AT ONTARIO PLANT FROM 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; AT KANSAS CITY PLANT FROM 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. FORD SUPER DUTY F-250, F-350, F-450, AND F-550 TRUCKS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; AND AT CUAUTITLAN PLANT FROM 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. FORD EXCURSIONS BUILT AT KENTUCKY PLANT FROM 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. FORD EXPEDITIONS BUILT AT MICHIGAN TRUCK PLANT FROM 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE OCCUPANT PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT OUTBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND IF THE BUCKLE FAILS THE INSPECTION PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE FRAME, SUSPENSION, AND BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH PREMATURELY. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED ALL AROUND BEFORE 75,000 MILES. BEFORE 80,000 MILES THE TRUCK HAS BEEN DECLARED NON-REPAIRABLE AS THE FRAME AND SUSPENSION HAVE RUSTED THROUGH AT INSPECTION. TRUCK WAS LIGHTLY USED SINCE 2001 AND HAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 26, 2018

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA B3000. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AGO, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V347000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). AS OF MARCH 10, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 24, 2007

“2001 - REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES & BRACKETS ROT OFF THE FRAME. REPLACED BOTH. THE ENTIRE AREA OF THE FRAME WHERE THE BUMPER, LEAF SPRING, SPARE TIRE AND TRAILER HITCH ATTACH IS ALL EXTREMELY ROTTED. THE GARAGE WHERE REPAIRED MENTIONED TO KEEP CHECKING THE FRAME PERIODICALLY, AS IT MAY ROT FASTER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 3, 2011

“WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE LACKED ACCELERATION FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. NO IMPACT REPORTED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HAD TO PUMP THE GAS PEDAL BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN IT RAINS THE VEHICLE SLIDES. *TC *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 1, 2001

“TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON PASSENGER REAR SIDE OCCURRED ON 8/28/09 IN ST. AUGUSTINE FLORIDA. THE VEHICLE WAS A MAZDA B2300 (2001). THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SPUN AROUND 180 DEGREES ON I95, WENT INTO THE DITCH & COLLIDED INTO THE GUARDRAIL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 28, 2009 · crash

2001 Mazda B-Series Truck — common questions

Is the 2001 Mazda B-Series Truck reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 55 complaints put the 2001 model at #7 of 20 B-Series Truck years. It is one of the B-Series Truck years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 B-Series Truck problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (11 complaints), speed control (9 complaints), body & structure (7 complaints).

Does the 2001 Mazda B-Series Truck have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 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.