1999 Mazda B-Series Truck Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report frame rust and cracking on higher-mileage trucks, airbag non-deployment or unexpected deployment in crashes, and recurring cruise-control recall and parts-availability complaints. Tire failures on the original Firestone Wilderness tires and a driveline clunk on acceleration or when slowing to a stop also appear repeatedly, mostly on trucks with well over 50,000 miles.

1. 1
   Tires

   Tire blowouts and tread separation (original Firestone

   • 10 complaints (13%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2004

   Owners describe blowouts, sidewall damage, tread separation and a persistent thumping or growling from tires that later failed, mostly on the Firestone Wilderness tires fitted from new. Some complaints mention a spare tire of a different, smaller size than the road tires, which owners say was not disclosed. Several report the tire maker declined replacement or offered only partial credit. Mostly reported on tires with relatively low mileage, often under about 50,000 miles, and frequently within the first few years of ownership.

   What to check: Check tire brand, DOT date codes and evenness of wear on all four tires and the spare, and treat any thumping or growling as a reason to have the tires inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “#1 at approximately 1000 miles the diferential pinion gears were replaced due to a grinding noise from the rear end, #2 at 9,500 miles I took the truck back to the dealer and complained of noises in the rear end and front end vibration. They disregarded the noises in the rear end and replaced the two front tires. Since then there have been several attempts by Mazda to balance the front tires, I still have the vibration in the front during normal driving. …”

   NHTSA complaint #713933, filed 1999-10

   “Firestone wilderness left rear tire had a blowout. Tire size was 225/70r15. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but they indicated that there was no recall on the tire. The consumer replaced the tire with a non firestone tire.”

   NHTSA complaint #10076002, filed 2004-07, 45,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying or deploying unexpectedly

   • 9 complaints (12%)
   • median 98,500 mi at 16.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2018

   Complaints describe frontal and rollover crashes in which neither the driver nor passenger airbag deployed, and in a few cases airbags deploying in low-speed or minor impacts with substantial repair cost. Some owners report a passenger airbag deactivation key switch that does not work and leaves the warning light on regardless of position. Several mention contacting the manufacturer and receiving little response. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 50,000 to over 280,000 miles, in crashes at various speeds.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning light behaves normally on startup and that the passenger deactivation switch changes state with the key; ask whether any non-factory accessories were wired into the airbag circuit.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was making a left hand turn into a parking lot, slid on some gravel and struck the right front rim of my truck on the curb. The airbags deployed, warped the steering wheel, destroyed the horn and caused over $2500 dollars of damage to my vehicle. No body damage occurred to the vehicle. My question is, is this normal.”

   NHTSA complaint #718074, filed 2000-01

   “Vehicle sustained extensive frontal damage at a impact estimated at 30-40mph that resulted in state farm insurance deeming the vehicle a total loss. My son was the driver of the vehicle and he received a broken nose and is going to require surgery and is having headaches . Neither of the airbags: driver or passenger did deploy!!! If any futher information regarding this is needed as to current location of vehicle etc. Please feel free to contact me at anytime. …”

   NHTSA complaint #724515, filed 2000-06
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Cruise control deactivation switch recall and parts delays

   • 7 complaints (9%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 9.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2009

   Many complaints concern the cruise control deactivation switch recall: owners describe receiving notices, having the switch disconnected, and then waiting months or longer for replacement parts, or being told the nearest dealer is hundreds of miles away. A few report the switch had already overheated and melted steering-wheel cruise buttons before the recall, and that this damage was not covered. Others describe intermittent high idle or a throttle that does not return when cruise is disengaged. Reported mostly from the late 1990s through about 2009, at mileages from roughly 50,000 to over 90,000.

   Recall 07V347000Recall 99V0620023 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the speed control deactivation switch recall work was completed and keep the receipt; until it is done, the usual advice in the recall is not to use cruise control.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had a recall notice from the dealer the cruise control deactivation switch on my truck. I took it to a dealership in tuscaloosa alabama, where they replaced it, but let the wires just hanging loose in the engine, very sloppy work, also prior the recall the switch burnt out melting the cruise control button on the steering wheel, they said they don't cover that even though the switch they recalled caused it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10278970, filed 2009-07

   “This is about an already existing recall for Mazda 1998-2002 b-series cruise control deactivation switch safety recall 4707h. I have spoken with Mazda representative several times. The problem is that they are telling me to take my truck down to the nearest dealer and they will fix the problem. That is fine except the nearest dealer to me is over 200 miles away. According the letter I got it states there is a possibility of an underhood fire. I don't feel it is safe to be driving my truck that far if it could result in a fire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10205487, filed 2007-10
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Driveline clunk on takeoff and when stopping

   • 5 complaints (6%)
   • median 63,000 mi at 4.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2004

   Complaints describe a clunk or pop from the driveline when pulling away from a stop or when slowing to a halt, sometimes loud enough to sound like a bad U-joint. Owners report driveshaft parts were replaced and the noise returned, and that dealers or the manufacturer said a fix was being developed. Some describe rough automatic transmission shifting with no remedy offered after warranty. Reported from very low mileage up to about 130,000 miles, often noted during normal stop-and-go driving.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the truck slowly from a stop and listen for a clunk or pop, and check for play in the driveshaft and U-joints; ask whether any driveline work has already been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The driveshaft or clutch unit has a loud popping noise as I come out of reverse and shift into 1st. Sometimes it is loud enough to sound like a u-joint but I have checked them. Mechanic at a dealership told me the driveshft has a sleeve on it and this is what I am hearing. But I am not convinced this is the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #745930, filed 2001-05

   “This truck is manufactured by ford, it is identical to the ford ranger with the exception of a few exterior body panels. This truck has a mechanical flaw in the drive line that feels as if the transmission bounces or thumps up and down when moderately accelerating from a stand still. My service center has attempted 4 repairs as per Mazda service bulletins, all have failed. Each time I contact my service center regarding a repair solution I am told the same thing Mazda is working on a fix . …”

   NHTSA complaint #731819, filed 2000-09
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Frame rust, cracking and rot

   • 6 complaints (8%)
   • median 166,500 mi at 14.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2009–2021

   Complaints describe heavy rust in the frame, including areas below the rear shock tower and around the rear spring shackle brackets, with some owners finding large cracks or sections thin enough that a mechanic advised the truck may not be safe to lift. Several note the body and other components are in good shape while the frame has deteriorated far more than expected, and that this occurred in Northeast and coastal climates despite regular washing. Owners generally report dealers offered no remedy. Mostly reported on trucks between roughly 40,000 and 160,000 miles, often after many years in wet or road-salt climates.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Have a mechanic inspect the frame, especially under the bed near the shock mounts and rear spring shackles, for cracks and thin or flaking metal before buying; a lift inspection is worthwhile on any example from a salt-belt state.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “10 years in northeast pennsylvania have caused little to no rust on 3 other ford vehicles in the family, but my truck got hit with an extreme case of rust. No major offroading or mudding, no jumping/abusing the truck whatsoever. Toyota recalled the frames of their pickups, and I *believe* that ford got their frames from the same steel manufacturer. I speculate that steel manufacturer, and/or ford, did not dip these frames in any anti-rust formula. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10292351, filed 2009-11, 158,000 miles

   “My frame is completely rusted out. I went to get the truck inspected and my mechanic said the frame was very thin. He said that it may not even last another year and that next year if he does inspection the frame make break while on the lift! I live in maine and have taken care of the truck, washing it regularly. Seems like other people have had the same issue. This is unsettling. The truck is is in great shape otherwise. I wish I could get more miles out of it. Seems like such a waste.... .only 97,000 miles on it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10389428, filed 2011-03, 97,000 miles

Buying note. Given the age of these trucks, frame condition matters more than mileage, so budget for a thorough underside inspection. Also confirm the cruise control recall was completed and check the age and condition of the tires before relying on the vehicle.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.