1998 Mazda Millenia Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 17%of 29 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,458miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Mazda Millenia, 17% of the 29 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,458 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Transmission failure, at 55k miles car should not have major trans. Problems. Checked internet and found this is a very common problem with Mazda vehicles for many years. Why are they still having these problems? Drivers may be injured trying to get into traffic when the trans. Fails. Dt”
NHTSA complaint #770082, filed 2002-11“After exiting from a ramp, I proceeded to accelerate into traffic. There was a jerk and car felt as if it was stuck in gear. Turned on and off, car did not move forward while in drive. Other components appeared to be working. Towed to Mazda dealer. Informed needed completely new transmission”
NHTSA complaint #732316, filed 2000-09“Abnormal shifting at low speeds like when you drive from stop sing to stop sing the tranny shift to third gear skiping the 2nd gear then when hit gas shift back to 2nd gear all of that whit out going over 15 or 20 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #729477, filed 2000-08Related service bulletins
- 10206002Dec 8, 2021Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission (A/T) oil cooler and lines must be power flushed completely before an…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Mazda Millenia
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Mazda Millenia
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology