Model year record

1990 Mazda MPV recalls & problems

The 1990 Mazda MPV has 3 safety recalls and 47 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (13 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints47filed by owners

Crashes · fires10 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemOct 19, 2015

Ignition › Switch

Recall 15V6740001,368,500 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.

Seat beltsMay 24, 1995

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 95V103005360,433 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 27, 1992

Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings

Recall 92V02700095,074 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: THE REAR BRAKE LININGS CAN CHANGE OVER TIME. AS THE BRAKES WEAR, THE COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION CAN INCREASE, PRODUCING INCONSISTENT REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE AND PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF THE ABS SYSTEM.
Risk: INCONSISTENT BRAKING AND PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF THE ABSSYSTEM CAN CAUSE SUDDEN STOPS OR INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCES, AND RESULT ININCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES WITH ASSEMBLIES WHOSE FRICTION CHARACTERISTICS DO NOT CHANGE. THIS WILL REDUCE THE RISK OF PREMATURE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATION.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

MPV

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

MPV

19mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

MPV

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

MPV

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

MPV 4x4

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

MPV 4x4

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit	13	2	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/linings	9	1	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Retractor	7	1	0	2	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Emission control; Engine	6	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Rear	5	2	0	1	—
Electrical systemWiring › Front underhood	3	0	3	0	—
StructureBody; Body › Hood	3	0	0	1	—
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Windshield › Electrical heating element; Glass, side/rear	3	1	0	1	—
Child seat	1	1	0	0	—
Seats	1	1	0	2	—
Parking brakeConventional	1	0	0	0	—
Tires	1	0	0	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bagsCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Jun 13, 2011
Power train › Automatic transmissionCrash
VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN DRIVEWAY WHILE I WAS CHECKING TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL. SUDDENLY, IT DROVE AWAY IN REVERSE, CROSSED THE STREET AND WENT DOWN ANOTHER DRIVEWAY CRASHING INTO THE CORNER OF A GARAGE. IT THEN WENT ACROSS ANOTHER BACK YARD AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER GARAGE. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS MADE. *LA
Oct 16, 2003 · 154,000 miles
Suspension › Rear
THE REAR SWAY BAR FAILED. MR SCC *JB
Jan 3, 2003 · 114,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINT ON THIS ISSUE. *YD
Jul 24, 1996
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
WHILE DRIVING IN ALL WHEEL DRIVE MODE THE ABS SENSOR FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY COME TO A STOP. NLM
Dec 21, 2000
Power train › Automatic transmission
THREE TIMES SINCE THIS I PURCHASED THIS CAR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND REQUIRED A TOTAL REPLACEMENT. ON EACH OCCASION I HAVE REQUESTED SOME INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT MIGHT BE CAUSING THESE FAILURES. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I DRIVE MOSTLY ON FREEWAYS AND CONSERVITIVILY AND DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL.
Jan 29, 1993
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
ENGINE HEAD GASKET/ WATER PUM, AND HEATER CORE FAILED 3 TIMES, SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE..
Jul 25, 1998
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
IT IS NOT REIABLE VEHICLE FOR ME, SPEACILLY IF THERE IS A KID. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
Jul 25, 1998

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREClosedLed to recall 95V103005
There is no summary currently available
EA95005 · opened Mar 10, 1995 · closed Aug 1, 1995
INCONSIST.BRK PERFORMANCEClosedLed to recall 92V027000
There is no summary currently available
EA92008 · opened Feb 3, 1992 · closed Mar 16, 1992
INCONSISTENT BRAKE PERFORMClosed
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PE91134 · opened Oct 1, 1991 · closed Feb 3, 1992
THROTTLE STICKINGClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE91088 · opened Jun 18, 1991 · closed Oct 21, 1991