1990 Mazda MPV Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 28%of 47 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 154,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1990 Mazda MPV, 28% of the 47 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 154,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Vehicle was idling in driveway while I was checking transmission fluid level. Suddenly, it drove away in reverse, crossed the street and went down another driveway crashing into the corner of a garage. It then went across another back yard and crashed into the side of another garage. The police were notified and a report was made.”
NHTSA complaint #10047682, filed 2003-11, 154,000 miles“Three times since this I purchased this car the automatic transmission has failed and required a total replacement. On each occasion I have requested some information about what might be causing these failures. Each time I was told it was just normal wear and tear. I drive mostly on freeways and conservitivily and do not believe this is normal.”
NHTSA complaint #735407, filed 2000-10“While parked on an incline with ignition off, gear indicating the park position, ten year old son was able to force the gear from park down to low and into drive, vehicle rolled about about 3 feet, crashing into another vehicle. The problem was reported to manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #825119, filed 1998-07Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | 8% |
| 2005 | 1 | 3% |
| 2004 | 8 | 11% |
| 2003 | 35 | 31% |
| 2002 | 66 | 53% |
| 2001 | 10 | 14% |
| 2000 | 7 | 5% |
| 1998 | 1 | 5% |
| 1997 | 2 | 9% |
| 1996 | 2 | 11% |
| 1995 | 2 | 11% |
| 1994 | 3 | 8% |
| 1993 | 17 | 33% |
| 1992 | 15 | 25% |
| 1991 | 16 | 24% |
| 1990 | 13 | 28% |
| 1989 | 2 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1990 Mazda MPV
8 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Mazda MPV
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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