Skip to content
Mazda MilleniaModel year report

1998 Mazda Millenia Problems

Complaints
29filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
76,500miles, 9 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 · 17 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Mazda Millenia (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mazda Millenia. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 5 complaints (17% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (5) and fuel system (4). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 76,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 54 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Equipment (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Steering (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “I have had a terrible time with my 1998 Mazda Millenia. We bought the car in 2001 with approx. 30,000 miles. It seemed like a great car. Then one day it died as I was turning into my driveway at home. Thank goodness I wasn't driving on the main road. It was diagnosed with a head gasket problem shortly at 70,000 miles. We immediately attempted to replace the gasket. My mechanic discovered, after entering the engine, that there was a crack in the block. So we replaced the engine with a used engine with 30,000 miles on it. It, too, had coolant in the oil. The third engine is also the same. …”

NHTSA complaint #10081206, filed 2004-07, 71,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “The first time that I have problems with my 98 Mazda millennium. Was 1 month after we brought it may 2001 . The transmission went out on the car, they put an new transmission in. Now for the second time march 2003 the transmission is acting up again, after shifting into second gear it will not go into third gear causing the car to jerk and redline. Since I have brought my car I have come into contact with alot of people who have had the same problems out of this car. If Mazda knows that these cars are having these kinds of problem why are they still selling them. …”

NHTSA complaint #10010161, filed 2003-03, 96,458 miles

Fuel system: “Owner complained about a fuel tank problem. Owner took the vehicle back to the dealer, and informed the owner that the fuel tank needed to replaced. The technician determined that the vehicle needed to have the fuel tank replaced because the gas tank collapsed. The problem was with, the fuel tank, 2 sending units and the fuel canister.”

NHTSA complaint #10111214, filed 2005-03, 76,500 miles

Vehicle speed control: “During warm climate and in bumper-to-bumper traffic vehicle would suddenly and unexpectedly accelerate. Vehicle had been to the dealer on three separate occasions and they were unable to duplicate the problem. Engine RPM's jump to 3000-4000 when in heavy bumper to bumper traffic. The consumer had to stand on brake to hold car back.”

NHTSA complaint #10117629, filed 2005-05, 55,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 87,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5044%50–7544%75–1000%100–15011%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (9 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 76,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

19995200152003200520072019
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1998 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 automatic172520$4,100
Millenia FWD2.5L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172420$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 1998 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. 54 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 54 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 1998 Mazda Millenia have?

NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mazda Millenia as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1998 Mazda Millenia is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 5 complaints (17% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 5.

Has the 1998 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 1998 Mazda Millenia get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Mazda Millenia (Millenia, 2.3L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 25 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 1998 Mazda Millenia reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 76,500 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 87,000 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 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. 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.