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Mazda MPVModel year report

1998 Mazda MPV Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
113,000miles, 9 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
17 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 20 hwy

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

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mazda MPV. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (26% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and brakes (2). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 113,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 54 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the switch and 18 technical service bulletins 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.

Also reported: Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “When attempting to stop, brake pedal went to the floor with no resistance, causing a rear-end collision. No warning lights appeared on dashboard. Vehicle behind me noted rear brake lights on. Airbags did not deploy.”

NHTSA complaint #702890, filed 1999-02

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 1998 Mazda MPV. The contact stated that when attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition switch started to emit smoke and the instrument panel lights failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v674000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 217,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10822861, filed 2016-01, 217,000 miles

Brakes: “Abs brake problems. While at a complete stop, brake pedal went to floor, van started rolling forward and hit a commerical truck traveling about 50 MPH. Van was totalled. Also, air bags failed to inflate.”

NHTSA complaint #853554, filed 1999-12

Other or unknown: “Engine check light stays illuminated while driving. Consumer has taken vehicle into dealer a few times for this problem, but they could not find anything wrong with vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #895972, filed 2001-09

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 101,000 and 154,162 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5011%50–750%75–10056%100–15033%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: 113,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

200020032005200920164
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Mazda MPV. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
MPV · sedan FWDnot rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1998 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
MPV RWD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic152017$3,950
MPV 4x43.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131715$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

Recall details for the 1998 Mazda MPV → · Check a 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 MPV

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20061238,9442—18—Not enough data
20053653,4143—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20047155,0005—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200311337,5864—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200212460,9504—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20017071,7503—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200014975,8275—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199819113,0001—17—Stable
199722100,0001—17—Stable
199618122,7951—17—Stable
199519132,5001—19—Stable
199436125,0001—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199351117,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199261142,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19916695,0003—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199047134,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198922—5—19—Stable

All Mazda MPV model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Mazda MPV have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1998 Mazda MPV as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

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

Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (26% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 1998 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 1998 Mazda MPV get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Mazda MPV (MPV, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Mazda MPV reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 113,000 miles and the middle half falls between 101,000 and 154,162 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.