Skip to content
Mazda MilleniaModel year report

1997 Mazda Millenia Problems

Complaints
16filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
77,500miles, 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 1997 Mazda Millenia (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mazda Millenia. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 4 complaints (25% of the total), followed by air bags (3) and brakes (3). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 77,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 45 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: “The check engine light has been on and off for two years. I've took it to 5 different Mazda specialist including the dealer and everyone of them tells me something different... Things that were already done. Know one can seem to pin point what's wrong with the car. Oh by the way... The transmission has been rebuilt. I also have a problem with the gear switching from the first to second and it's not the transmission. This car has cost me a lot of money and it's up there with the 626. I will never buy another Mazda again.”

NHTSA complaint #10049379, filed 2003-12, 125,000 miles

Air bags: “While driving 35 MPH in severe cold weather brake pedal commenced to make a popping noise while braking. Vehicle lost braking and rear ended another vehicle in front. Upon impact, neither frontal air bag deployed. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. The consumer stated the vehicle was totaled. Updated 12/12/07”

NHTSA complaint #10110890, filed 2005-02, 63,000 miles

Brakes: “I have been to the dealer 3 times & they cannot fix it. They have been looking for parts all over the world, they say, and cannot find one. They cannot give me a date when it will be repaired. I am leasing the car but I don't have use of it. They have loaned me a car that is not to the standard I am paying the lease for. It is very frustrating.”

NHTSA complaint #540299, filed 1998-08

Fuel system: “I purchased a 97 Mazda millennia in 8/97 with 29k miles. Today it is at 77k miles and the check engine light came on. I took it to the dealership and found that the fuel tank has started imploding due to the amount of suction in the tank. The suction has also caused damage to the fuel level sensors. The quoted repair price was $1,800. The service rep informed me that Mazda is aware of this problem and has issued an advisory to mechanics to not only check the fuel gauge but also the fuel tank. This is not currently a recall item or a defect but should be. …”

NHTSA complaint #10023152, filed 2003-06, 77,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 63,000 and 109,097 miles.

0%0–100%10–2520%25–5020%50–7520%75–10040%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: 77,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

199819992000200120022003420052006
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 1997 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 1997 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 1997 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. 45 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 45 bulletins →

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 1997 Mazda Millenia have?

NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 1997 Mazda Millenia as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Mazda Millenia is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 4 complaints (25% of the total), followed by air bags with 3.

Has the 1997 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 1997 Mazda Millenia get?

The EPA rates the 1997 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 1997 Mazda Millenia reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 77,500 miles and the middle half falls between 63,000 and 109,097 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.