1997 Mazda B-Series Truck Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 1997 Mazda B-Series truck most often report tire tread or belt separation, and some describe it as sudden while driving at speed. A second theme is vibration that continued after balancing, alignment or other repairs, along with intermittent ABS warning lights and wipers or a dome light operating on their own. Mileage is mostly not recorded, complaints were filed mainly between 1998 and 2003, and isolated reports describe airbag non-deployment, a fire and a fuel leak.

1. 1
   Tires

   Tire tread or belt separation while driving

   • 10 complaints (19%)
   • typically at 4.0 yrs old
   • filed 2000–2002

   Owners describe tread or belt separation, and in some cases shredding or peeling tread, sometimes with an unusual sound, vibration, or a sudden blowout. Many mention Firestone tires, and some say the tires were not covered by a recall or that a replacement claim was denied. Mileage is not recorded for these complaints, which were filed between 2000 and 2002, and some describe the separation while driving at highway speed.

   What to check: Check the tires for bulges, peeling, or uneven tread, and read the DOT code to see whether any tire recall applies. Ask for any tire replacement records from the original owner.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This size tire is not under recall but should be. These tires are showing tread separation now. Firestone dealers have told me that I should be very concerned about the condition of my tires but there is nothing they can do for me because they do not qualify for replacement.( DOT number: w29v1pk336 tire size: p265/75r15 )”

   NHTSA complaint #728892, filed 2000-08

   “While driving at 70mph in right lane on rural highway, I heard a thud and immediately lost control of the truck and was thrown into the left lane almost over the center line. I regained control of the truck and stopped on the side of the road. The tread on the driver back tire was completely peeled off, but the tire had not deflated. The back truck fender and fender guard was completely bent underneath the truck. …”

   NHTSA complaint #750323, filed 2001-08
2. 2
   Suspension

   Vibration that persists after balancing or repairs

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 6,114 mi at 1.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2003

   Owners describe front-end or suspension vibration, and in some cases vibration from the tires, that continued after the tires were balanced, replaced or aligned. Some describe uneven tire wear and a vibration that gets worse the longer they drive, and some say the dealer or manufacturer did not correct it. Mileage is mostly not recorded, and where it is given it is about 6,000 miles; complaints were filed between 2000 and 2003, with some describing vibration at around 50 mph or higher.

   What to check: Ask for records of tire balancing, alignment and front suspension work, and check whether the front tires are wearing unevenly. Test drive at highway speed, since complaints say the vibration is most noticeable at around 50 to 55 mph.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle experiences excessive front suspension vibration which caused the tire to wear unevenly, the vehicle has been taken to several facilities to be repaired but he problem still exist, the vehicle ABS light illuminates on and off, the dealer replaced the front brakes. Nlm”

   NHTSA complaint #568356, filed 2002-12

   “While driving about 50 MPH could feel a vibration from front tires. Took vehicle to dealer where vehicle was checked and alignment was done. Then, found out that front tires had a belt separation, then replaced. Mazda, b4000 1992, 265/75r15 sl. Tires are firestone wilderness at.”

   NHTSA complaint #890355, filed 2001-06
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Wipers or dome light operating on their own

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 2.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2003

   Owners describe the windshield wipers starting on their own, sometimes at the highest speed, even with the switch turned off. Some describe a dome light that goes off and on by itself while driving, or that will not turn off at night, which limits the view outside the cab. Where the dealer replaced switches, a complaint says the dome light problem returned soon after. Where mileage is given it is about 60,000 miles, complaints were filed between 2000 and 2003, and some describe the problem while driving or at night.

   What to check: Ask whether the wiper and dome light switches or wiring have been inspected for electrical faults. Test both with the controls off to see whether they operate on their own.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dome light goes off and on by itself when driving, dealer knows of problem, said it was switches, changed , but problem started again as soon as I left the service area. Many other reports of this failure on the web, this is an electrical problem not a switch problem, interferes with my ability to see, especiallly backing up , can't see at all.”

   NHTSA complaint #727755, filed 2000-08

   “Abs light comes on intermittently. Vehicle has been taken to several dealers. The dealers can not find a problem with the ABS system. If vehicle is stalled an then restarted, ABS light will go off. Check engine light comes on intermittently. Vehicle has been take to 3 dealers. There is no problem. Light seems to come on more often when vehicle is warm. When windshield wipers are turned off, occasionally they will start operating at the highest speed. Takes several tries of turning them on and then off again to make them stop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10008332, filed 2003-03, 60,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake faults: intermittent ABS light or lost brake power

   • 5 complaints (10%)
   • median 87,500 mi at 6.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2016

   Owners describe an ABS warning light that comes on and off intermittently, sometimes clearing after the engine is stopped and restarted. Some say the dealer could not find a fault, while a complaint describes front brake parts being replaced and the problem still continuing. A complaint also describes smoke under the dash while approaching a traffic signal, followed later by complete loss of brake power that required the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. Where mileage is given, it ranges from about 6,000 to 165,000 miles, complaints were filed between 2002 and 2010, and an ABS-light complaint says the light seems to come on more often when the vehicle is warm.

   Recall 09V414000

   What to check: Ask whether the speed control deactivation switch recall has been completed, since the recall describes the switch developing a leak and overheating. Check the ABS and brake warning lights during a test drive, and ask whether the brake reservoir has been inspected or replaced.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 1997 Mazda b4000( n/a). The contact was driving approximately 15 MPH proceeding to a traffic stop signal when unexpectedly, smoke expelled underneath the instrument panel and hood area which caused the driver to pull over to the side of the road. A temporary fix was performed and the vehicle was able to resume operation. During the travel there was complete loss of brake power and the emergency brake was engaged to bring the vehicle to a stop. The contact installed a new brake reservoir and deactivation switch. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10319309, filed 2010-03, 165,000 miles

Buying note. Prospective buyers may want to inspect the tires for separation or uneven wear, check tire recall status, and ask whether any vibration was corrected by repairs. Because some complaints mention an ABS warning light and a brake switch recall, checking the brake and warning lights during a test drive and asking about the deactivation switch is practical.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 35 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.