VehicleVerdict

2002 Mazda B-Series Truck problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2002 Mazda B-Series Truck sits mid-pack among B-Series Truck years: 31 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 28, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (6), transmission (6), and engine (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

31

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other B-Series Truck years?

B-Series Truck NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all B-Series Truck years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Mazda B-Series Truck problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags619%
Engine619%
Transmission619%
Speed Control310%
Seat Belts26%
Tires & Wheels26%
Seats26%
Brakes26%
Electrical System13%
Lighting13%

Does the 2002 Mazda B-Series Truck have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE. I HAD IT TOWED ONE OF THE TIMES. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN STALLING OUT ON ME WHEN I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE DEALERSHIP (SULLIVAN WATTS MAZDA) HAS SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, AND TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK IN THE NEXT TIME I HAVE THE PROBLEM. MY TRUCK DID…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 9, 2003 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH CONSUMER'S CHILD WAS PLUGGING IN A CELL PHONE CORD, AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE VEERED DOWN INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THEN, CAME BACK ONTO THE HIGHWAY, SIDE SWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND SLAMMED INTO A GUARDRAIL. SEAT BELTS WERE WORN, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 4, 2003 · crash

“DT*: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA B-2300 TRUCK. WHILE AT A STOP AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK UPDATED 03/09/06”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 10, 2005

“DEALER CONFIRMS THIS RECALL WAS COMPLETED NOV 1, 2007 I CALLED TODAY TO CONFIRM, AND GAVE MY NEW ADDRESS: 4133 224TH LANE SE, UNIT #101, ISSAQUAH, WA 98029-5203. HOW DO I GET THIS RECALL REMOVED - IMPORTANT FOR POTENTIAL FUTURE SALE... DEALER IS LEE JOHNSON CHEV /MAZDA OF KIRKLAND WA. UPDATED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 1, 2007

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA B3000. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE AND TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE MAZDA DEALER ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2007. THE DEALER DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH, HOWEVER, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER ON SEPTEMBER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 26, 2007

2002 Mazda B-Series Truck — common questions

Is the 2002 Mazda B-Series Truck reliable?

It is close to typical for the B-Series Truck: 31 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2002 B-Series Truck problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (6 complaints), transmission (6 complaints), engine (6 complaints).

Does the 2002 Mazda B-Series Truck have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 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.