2000 Mazda B-Series Truck Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2000 Mazda B-Series truck most often describe tire vibration, tread separation and tire failures, and transmission or driveline failures such as shifting faults, sheared driveshaft bolts, and transfer case or axle problems. Steering leaks and rack problems, and airbag or seat belt faults including recall repairs that were not completed, also appear in the complaints. Where mileage is given for the transmission and driveline reports, failures fall between about 26,000 and 87,000 miles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission, transfer case and driveline failures

   • 11 complaints (19%)
   • median 50,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2008

   Owners describe transmissions that would not shift properly, including gears popping into neutral, shifting back and forth, and not engaging in drive. Several say the dealer quoted a new transmission, and some report that the transfer case did not engage or that driveshaft or axle parts broke while driving. Some say the problem came back after a part was replaced or a speed sensor was checked without a lasting fix. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 26,000 to about 87,000 miles, and many do not state mileage.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the automatic transmission fluid type and cooler lines were checked, and whether any transmission or driveshaft repairs are recorded in the service history. On a test drive, shift through all gears at low speed and check that the truck engages drive and reverse normally and holds its gear without popping into neutral.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission went out at 12-28-04 . Dealer told me I needed a new transmission at a cost of 3800.00 . At speeds high and low it will not shift right. I tried to get help on this problem and Mazda corp said it would take a while to maybe solve.”

   NHTSA complaint #10104650, filed 2004-12, 50,000 miles

   “While driving up a hill at any speed,the engine revs up high, but the vehicle looses power. The consumer drove the vehicle to a mechanic, who informed her that there was sludge accumulation inside the transmission. A new transmission is needed at this time. The manufacturer and the dealer are aware of the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10050062, filed 2003-12, 86,859 miles
2. 2
   Tires

   Tire vibration, tread separation and failures

   • 12 complaints (21%)
   • median 25,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2008

   Owners describe tire vibration, veering and shimmy, often starting on new or original-equipment tires, and some report tread separation or a flat that could not be repaired. Several complaints say the dealer balanced or rotated the tires without ending the vibration, and some describe uneven or premature tread wear, or a hairline crack around the tire. Some complaints name the tire brand and say that the dealer and the tire maker could not find the cause of the vibration. Where vehicle mileage is given, these reports range from about 5,850 to 85,000 miles, and many do not state mileage.

   What to check: Ask whether the tires are original equipment and whether any tread separation, runout or balance work is recorded. On a test drive, check for steady steering at highway speed, and inspect the tread and sidewalls for bulges, cracks or uneven wear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The left rear tire on the pick-up went flat while I was driving on fm623 near pettus, tx. I was traveling at about 55 MPH at the time. I noticed a pronounced reduction in power and pulled off the road. I changed the tire and took it to 2 places in beeville for repair. Both establishments advised me to report the incident as a tire failure that cannot be repaired. The tire has a little more than 3000 miles on it. (DOT number: w21111 tiresize: p22570r15/)”

   NHTSA complaint #734981, filed 2000-10

   “I took my truck to the shop this past monday and told them my front end shimmys. They told me they would look at it, that was at 5850 milage and I took a road trip to live oak, florida. Upon leaving live oak, fla. Entering I-75 north bound at the florida state line the Mazda truck started shaking, shimmy like action, and along some parts of the road it was not so easy to maintain stability all of the road. I entered the georgia welcome center and checked the times for any rocks, nails, or any other objects. …”

   NHTSA complaint #734349, filed 2000-10
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbag and seat belt faults, including recalls

   • 7 complaints (12%)
   • median 83,235 mi at 5.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2005

   Owners describe airbags that did not deploy in serious collisions, a passenger airbag warning light that did not come on, and a plastic airbag cover that cut an occupant during later impacts. A driver seat belt is described as suddenly releasing with smoke while the vehicle was accelerating from a stop. Some owners say a seat belt buckle recall was not completed despite repeated dealer visits, and another dealer asked for payment to look at a factory recall. Where mileage is given, a report describes about 83,000 miles, and another describes a vehicle only four to five weeks old, so no clear mileage pattern appears.

   Recall 00V228002

   What to check: Ask whether the seat belt buckle recall 00V228002 and any other recalls were completed, and check the recall status using the vehicle identification number on the NHTSA recall lookup. Confirm that the airbag warning light comes on at startup and goes out after the self-check.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was involved in an accident and the air bags deployed on the first impact, but when I was rear ended my head was cut open by the plastic cover for the air bag. When I was rear ended a 2nd and 3rd time my nose was cut by the same plastic cover.”

   NHTSA complaint #10105745, filed 2005-01, 83,235 miles

   “Windshield wipers come on any time and when put on turn signal,passenger airbag light dont come on or work went to dealer when I received recall letter they said they would call me on part it been over a year and the problem gets worse with everything.took it to another dealer last week they wanted me to pay 76.00 for them to look at a factory recall that was a diffrent dealer in greenvill nc(brown and ward) was last dealer I took truck last weekthat wanted to charge me.”

   NHTSA complaint #762484, filed 2002-05
4. 4
   Steering

   Power steering leaks and steering rack problems

   • 7 complaints (12%)
   • median 22,000 mi at 8.6 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2001–2008

   Owners describe power steering fluid leaking from the pump or rack, including fluid spraying over the engine after the key is turned off. Some say the dealer found a leaking rack and replaced it, after noise when turning and uneven front tire wear were reported. Others describe steering that became hard to control, including a rack and pinion failure on an overpass that nearly led to a collision. Mileage is not stated in these complaints, so no mileage pattern can be shown.

   What to check: Ask whether the power steering pump, rack and hoses were inspected for leaks, and whether the rack has been replaced. On a test drive, turn the wheel slowly at parking speed and then at moderate speed, and check for noise, stiffness or fluid under the truck.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When turning steering wheel while engine was off, it caused power steering pump to leak and blow off power steering cap. Vehicle been to dealer shop for repairs. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.”

   NHTSA complaint #881049, filed 2001-02

   “Front tires are experiencing uneven wear on the inside, front end is out of line. Consumer hears noise when turning steering wheel, dealer found power steering rack leaking and replaced rack and assembly.”

   NHTSA complaint #881916, filed 2001-03

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year should ask for records of transmission, tire and steering repairs, and check whether the seat belt buckle recall was completed. A test drive that includes highway speed, slow turns, and a close look at the tires and transmission shifts can show whether the concerns described here are present.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 47 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.