VehicleVerdict

1997 Mazda MPV problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 27 complaints on file for the 1997 Mazda MPV — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

27

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other MPV years?

MPV NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 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, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all MPV years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Mazda MPV problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags830%
Engine726%
Transmission27%
Latches & Locks27%
Seats27%
Seat Belts14%
Electrical System14%
Steering14%
Suspension14%
Fuel System14%
Tires & Wheels14%

Does the 1997 Mazda MPV have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A TREE, AND BOTH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THE ACCIDENT. DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED IN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE SLID ON ICY ROAD, SKIDDING 200 FEET INTO A TREE, HIT TREE AT 40 MPH. BOTH DRIVER AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 12, 1998 · crash

“CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE AND 5-10 MINUTES LATER WAS TOLD THAT VAN WAS ON FIRE. FIRE DEPT. SAID REAR TAIL PIPE CAME INTO CONTACT WITH PINE STRAW THAT WAS ON THE GROUND WHERE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CONTACTS PINE STRAW, STARTING A FIRE. FIRE DEPT. PH. #[PHONE]. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 27, 1997 · fire

“CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, ALSO THE DRIVER'S SEAT COLLASPED FORWARD, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN INJURIES. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · crash

“ENGINE KNOCKING, SVC DEPT ADVISED US TO MAZDA OIL ADDITIVE, BUT STILL KNOCKS EVEN THOUGH LOW MILES. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION WILL GET STUCK WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP AND TURNING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, VERY DANGEROUS/NEAR COLLISION BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD GO INTO 4WD ON ITS OWN WHILE WE WERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 15, 2000

“I AM FILING A COMPLAINT IN REGARD TO MY VEHICLE'S EQUIPMENT THAT FAILED AND WAS FAULTY IN A RECENT AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH IN A STRAIGHT LANE WHEN A VEHICLE QUICKLY ENTERED ACROSS MY PATH TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. I HAD NO TIME TO BRAKE, SO THE OTHER CAR IS WHAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · July 27, 2006 · crash

1997 Mazda MPV — common questions

Is the 1997 Mazda MPV reliable?

The record is thin — 27 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1997 MPV problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (8 complaints), engine (7 complaints), latches & locks (2 complaints).

Does the 1997 Mazda MPV have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1997 Mazda MPV. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.