1992 Mazda MPV Problems
- Complaints
- 61filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 142,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 18 mpgcombined, 2.6L 4-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 Mazda MPV (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe engine noise traced to the valvetrain, cooling-system overheating and coolant loss, and automatic transmission failures. Reports in the sample generally come at high mileage, and many describe problems that developed gradually before a repair or replacement was needed.
- Engine cooling
Engine ticking and lifter/rocker arm noise
- 7 complaints (11%)
- typically at 7.5 yrs old
- filed 1995–2002
Owners describe a loud ticking or thumping from the engine that they attribute to the lifters, rocker arms and lash adjusters. Several reports mention metal shavings or peeling surfaces on the adjusters and repeated replacement of the same parts. Some complaints state that the noise was followed by piston ring, head gasket or rocker arm work. Mostly reported on high-mileage vans, often after 100,000 miles.
What to check: Listen for a steady tick or thump from the top of the engine at idle and after warm-up, and ask whether lifters, rocker arms or lash adjusters have been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Mazda has a problem with the wiper arm-it quit during my commute during a hard rain. It posed a very real danger. Regarding the engine: Mazda knows there is a design problem and it has a very expensive fix...I now own a 2nd MPV only to have the same hla problem with this second van. Now I know it's an inherent problem and the consumer is having to pay for this very expensive fix.”
NHTSA complaint #704205, filed 1999-03“With this van there have been numerous incidents since august of 1993. The first problem was a ticking noise in the engine. The van was out of service for 3 months while they dallied around to fix it. I had it taken to northtowne Mazda and it took them a week to fix it. The second problem was a constant breakage of the little pin that shifts the gears. The thing breaks constantly and causes the gear dial letters to be off by one letter for instance the r for reverse is d for drive. …”
NHTSA complaint #764617, filed 2002-07 - Transmission and drivetrain
Automatic transmission fails or will not engage
- 12 complaints (20%)
- typically at 5.8 yrs old
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2002
Owners report transmissions that stopped engaging in drive, slipped into neutral while driving, or had to be replaced or rebuilt. Some describe random symptoms, including failure to engage when shifting from reverse to drive. In one report the van moved while the selector was believed to be in park. Reported from low mileage on some vans through high mileage on others.
What to check: Test drive from cold, check that engagement into drive and reverse is prompt, and ask for transmission service or rebuild records. Confirm the selector holds firmly in park.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Transmission had been rebuilt, under the warrenty, after I moved to ohio, for a new job, the warrenty had run out, and I needed to get the car repaired, but I never proceeded witha complaint at that time”
NHTSA complaint #705500, filed 1999-04“Driving 35mph, heard a buzzing noise when the engine stopped for no reason. Vehicle seemed to be in neutral. Could not shift in to reverse or drive. Had taken to dealer prior to problem & was informed nothin wrong w/transmission or engine. Took it back to be checked again and transmission had to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #817261, filed 1998-01
Buying note. This is an old, high-mileage design, so condition and service history matter more than anything else. Have a pre-purchase inspection cover engine noise, cooling system pressure, transmission engagement and brake hydraulics, and ask whether the ignition switch recall work was completed.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 23 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 61 consumer complaints for the 1992 Mazda MPV. 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 142,000 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 12 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 6 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Engine cooling20 33%
- Brakes13 21%
- Fuel system5 8.2%
- Electrical system4 6.6%
- Steering4 6.6%
- Vehicle speed control3 4.9%
- Equipment2 3.3%
- Exterior lighting2 3.3%
- Other or unknown2 3.3%
Also reported: Seat belts (2), Body and structure (2), Tires (2), Air bags (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “While driving consumer noticed fuel light had come on, but gas gauge showed half a tank, consumer pulled over, opened hood, and radiator reservoir exploded, and he received burns. There was no smoke prior to that.”
NHTSA complaint #879477, filed 2001-01Transmission and drivetrain: “While motor was running with consumer not in vehicle, vehicle started going backward, hit 2 parked cars, spun around, went 100 yards, and hit a utility pole. After consumer turned off engine, he noticed vehicle was in reverse, not in park as he put it.”
NHTSA complaint #877631, filed 2001-01Brakes: “Approaching intersection went to slow down/stop vehicle. Brakes failed, upon pressing on brake there was nothing but air. Pedal to the floor. Car skreeched a few times. Ended up going through red light causing accident & injury.”
NHTSA complaint #764713, filed 2002-07Fuel system: “Received information on special program #ssp-33 from Mazda regarding fuel fumes. Took vehicle to dealership. Mechanic refused to do any repairs on vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #8004326, filed 2002-02Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 142,000 and 142,000 miles.
Complaints 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 1992 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 | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| MPV RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| MPV 4x4 | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
| MPV 4x4 | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,450 |
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…
Recall details for the 1992 Mazda MPV → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA96031Fuel liquid-vapor separatorClosed · Dec 20, 1996
- PE96055Fuel liquid-vapor separator failureClosed · Sep 13, 1996
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. 6 on record; the latest 6 are shown.
- 10153339Jan 14, 2019Electrical system. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10148072Oct 10, 2018Vehicle speed control, Equipment. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10144333Aug 31, 2018Vehicle speed control. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10118467Aug 7, 2017Electrical system, Equipment. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10213425Feb 17, 2016Electrical system. Speedometer replacement procedure
- 10098367Aug 15, 2014Equipment. In accordance with federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.note:mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers.when a speedometer is…
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
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Mazda MPV?
Owners of this model year most often describe engine noise traced to the valvetrain, cooling-system overheating and coolant loss, and automatic transmission failures. The issues reported most often: Engine ticking and lifter/rocker arm noise; Automatic transmission fails or will not engage.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 Mazda MPV have?
NHTSA recorded 61 consumer complaints for the 1992 Mazda MPV as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 Mazda MPV is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 20 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 15.
Has the 1992 Mazda MPV been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1992 Mazda MPV get?
The EPA rates the 1992 Mazda MPV (MPV, 2.6L 4-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1992 Mazda MPV reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 142,000 miles and the middle half falls between 142,000 and 142,000 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.