1989 Mazda MPV Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 5campaigns 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
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.6L 4-cyl RWD · 17 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Mazda MPV (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1989 Mazda MPV. The part named most often is seat belts, with 8 complaints (36% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and fuel system (4). Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the buckle assembly 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.
- Seat belts8 36%
- Engine cooling4 18%
- Fuel system4 18%
- Brakes3 14%
- Electrical system1 4.5%
- Other or unknown1 4.5%
- Seats1 4.5%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Consumer was driving on wet roads and on a turn vehicle slid and filpped over and ran into a tree. But, seat belts did not hold in place. Has not contacted dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #884291, filed 2001-03Fuel system: “Consumer states that while driving at any speed and no warning the fuel tank had crack causing fluid to leak out and consumer can strongly smell gas fumes inside the vehicle dealer notified. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #8020038, filed 2002-10Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Mazda MPV version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPV RWD | 2.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| MPV RWD | 2.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| MPV RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| MPV RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| MPV 4WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 18 | 16 | $4,200 |
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
- 15V674000Oct 19, 2015Electrical system › Ignition › SwitchCovers: Mazda MPV 1989–1998, Protege 1990–1998, 626 1993–1998 +4 more
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points…
- 95V103005May 24, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Mazda MPV 1989–1991, 929 1988–1991, MX-6 1988–1989 +1 more
The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." if a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
- 91V161000Sep 11, 1991Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › DrumCovers: Mazda MPV 1989
When applying the foot (service) brake in the low vehicle speed condition, the braking power produced may be more than expected.
- 91V013000Jan 22, 1991Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Mazda MPV 1989
When the vehicle is exposed to temperatures below 5 degrees fahrenheit (-15 degrees c), the neutral detergent used as an assembly lubricant may stick to the check valve, preventing valve from functioning.
- 89V194000Nov 7, 1989Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Mazda MPV 1989
The center safety belt attachment hardware brackets for the third seat may not withstand the specified tensile load.
Recall details for the 1989 Mazda MPV → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Mazda MPV.
Other model years of the Mazda MPV
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 12 | 38,944 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 36 | 53,414 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 71 | 55,000 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 113 | 37,586 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 124 | 60,950 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 70 | 71,750 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 149 | 75,827 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1998 | 19 | 113,000 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 22 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 18 | 122,795 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 19 | 132,500 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 36 | 125,000 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 51 | 117,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1992 | 61 | 142,000 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 66 | 95,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 47 | 134,000 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 22 | — | 5 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
All Mazda MPV model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Mazda MPV have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1989 Mazda MPV as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Mazda MPV is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 8 complaints (36% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.
Has the 1989 Mazda MPV been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Mazda MPV get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Mazda MPV (MPV, 2.6L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
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.