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Mazda MilleniaModel year report

1996 Mazda Millenia Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
103,132miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.3L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Mazda Millenia (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1996 Mazda Millenia. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and electrical system (3). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 103,132 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 9 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “I have a 1996 Mazda that has had two transmissions in it. After researching I have found that between 1994-2002 these transmissions have failed greatly. My transmission locked up at a speed of 55mph and my family and I almost went through the windshield. Something must be done by Mazda to correct this problem and compensate the victims of this poorly designed machine.”

NHTSA complaint #10239555, filed 2008-08, 72,756 miles

Air bags: “I was stopped at stoplight and both airbags inadvertently deployed. I have a 1996 Mazda millennia s and no other passengers were in the car. The force of the airbag tore some skin off my left arm and the inside of my left arm is very bruised from the elbow to the wrist. The force of the passenger side airbag shattered my windshield.”

NHTSA complaint #10279226, filed 2009-08, 103,132 miles

Electrical system: “Car was turning off when stopped, took to a Mazda dealer cables were replaced, problem continued. Mazda burned, fire started under the hood, firefighters could not find the cause.”

NHTSA complaint #10086552, filed 2004-08, 117,778 miles

Engine cooling: “While driving 65 MPH consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the engine. Vehicle was taken to independent shop, and mechanic determined fuel oil pressure was leaking.”

NHTSA complaint #10072160, filed 2004-05, 90,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 90,000 and 117,778 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5020%50–7520%75–10060%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 103,132 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1997419992000200120022004200520082009
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Mazda Millenia. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Millenia · sedan not rated4 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1996 Mazda Millenia version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Millenia FWD2.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic182620$4,100
Millenia FWD2.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic182420$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 Mazda Millenia in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 9 on record; the latest 9 are shown.

Other model years of the Mazda Millenia

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20022156,5030—20—Stable
20012957,1250—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20001938,5000—20—Stable
19992760,0000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19982976,5000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19971677,5000—20—Stable
199615103,1320—20—Stable
199582103,5460—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mazda Millenia model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Mazda Millenia have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 1996 Mazda Millenia as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1996 Mazda Millenia is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 4 complaints (27% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.

Has the 1996 Mazda Millenia been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Mazda Millenia get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Mazda Millenia (Millenia, 2.3L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Mazda Millenia reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 103,132 miles and the middle half falls between 90,000 and 117,778 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.