VehicleVerdict

1989 Mazda MPV problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 27 complaints on file for the 1989 Mazda MPV — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

27

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other MPV years?

MPV NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted184 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 27 complaints1990: 55 complaints1991: 81 complaints1992: 95 complaints1993: 65 complaints1994: 41 complaints1995: 21 complaints1996: 21 complaints1997: 27 complaints1998: 26 complaints1999: 2 complaints2000: 184 complaints2001: 82 complaints2002: 143 complaints2003: 141 complaints2004: 84 complaints2005: 45 complaints2006: 16 complaints
MPV NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MPV years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Mazda MPV problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts830%
Brakes519%
Engine519%
Fuel System415%
Transmission27%
Other14%
Seats14%
Electrical System14%

Does the 1989 Mazda MPV have recalls?

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

15V674000Electrical SystemOctober 19, 2015 · 1,368,500 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.

Consequence

If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.

95V103005Seat BeltsMay 24, 1995 · 360,433 units

Defect

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

91V161000BrakesSeptember 11, 1991 · 29,824 units

Defect

WHEN APPLYING THE FOOT (SERVICE) BRAKE IN THE LOW VEHICLE SPEED CONDITION, THE BRAKING POWER PRODUCED MAY BE MORE THAN EXPECTED.

Consequence

THE UNEXPECTED BRAKING POWER COULD RESULT IN REAR BRAKELOCKUP AND THE VEHICLE BECOMING DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

Remedy

REPLACE BRAKE SHOE ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED ASSEMBLY.

91V013000BrakesJanuary 22, 1991 · 6,680 units

Defect

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO TEMPERATURES BELOW 5 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT (-15 DEGREES C), THE NEUTRAL DETERGENT USED AS AN ASSEMBLY LUBRICANT MAY STICK TO THE CHECK VALVE, PREVENTING VALVE FROM FUNCTIONING.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE POWER ASSIST WHICHDESCREASES BRAKING ABILITY, AND PRESENTS A POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE VACUUM HOSE ASSEMBLY.

89V194000Seat BeltsNovember 7, 1989 · 10,587 units

Defect

THE CENTER SAFETY BELT ATTACHMENT HARDWARE BRACKETS FOR THE THIRD SEAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE SPECIFIED TENSILE LOAD.

Consequence

VANS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210

Remedy

REPLACE SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES WITH BRACKETS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON WET ROADS AND ON A TURN VEHICLE SLID AND FILPPED OVER AND RAN INTO A TREE. BUT, SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD IN PLACE. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · March 21, 2001 · crash

“ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, RESULTING IN NO BRAKING ABILITY, PEDAL GETS HARD, REPLACED/REPAIRED SEVERAL PARTS OF THE SYSTEM, TO NO AVAIL. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 25, 1994

“CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE FUEL TANK HAD CRACK CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND CONSUMER CAN STRONGLY SMELL GAS FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 16, 2002

1989 Mazda MPV — common questions

Is the 1989 Mazda MPV reliable?

The record is thin — 27 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1989 MPV problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (8 complaints), brakes (5 complaints), engine (5 complaints).

Does the 1989 Mazda MPV have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Mazda MPV. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Mazda MPV under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mazda MPV years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the MPV years to avoid are 2000, 2002, 2003, 1992, 2004, 2001, 1991, 1993, 2005, 2006. The cleanest record among MPV years belongs to 1988.

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.