RoadVitals

1997 Mazda B-Series Truck

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
52
Latest Oct 24, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Oct 23, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 52 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Mazda B-Series Truck, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, suspension and interior & seats categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 91 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Tires & wheels1321.3%
  • Suspension711.5%
  • Interior & seats711.5%
  • Engine711.5%
  • Visibility58.2%
  • Transmission58.2%
  • Brakes34.9%
  • Exterior lighting23.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09V414000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Oct 23, 2009
39,600 units potentially affected
The defect: MAZDA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 1997 AND MODEL YEAR 2001 THROUGH 2003 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS) AND/OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND MANUFACTURED ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 5, 2002. A COMPONENT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY DETERIORATE OVER TIME AND DEVELOP A LEAK. THIS OCCURRENCE COULD CAUSE THE SWITCH TO OVERHEAT, SMOKE OR BURN WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.
The risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
The remedy: MAZDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A UNIVERSAL FUSED JUMPER HARNESS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500 OPTION #6.
MAZDA MOTOR CORPView on NHTSA.gov
00T005000

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

Aug 21, 2000
14,400,000 units potentially affected
The defect: TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, SIZE P235/75R15, PRODUCED AT THE DECATUR, ILLINOIS TIRE PLANT AND ALL FIRESTONE RADIAL ATX AND RADIAL ATX II TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15. OPERATION OF THESE TIRES AT LOW INFLATION PRESSURES, HIGH SPEED, AND IN HOT WEATHER, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD.
The risk: IF THE TREAD SEPARATES FROM THE TIRE, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: THE REPLACEMENT/REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THIS CAMPAIGN EXPIRED ON AUGUST 29, 2001. HOWEVER, CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-465-1904 FOR POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE.
BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 52
Body & structureExterior lighting
Filed Oct 24, 2016

AT INSPECTION STATION MEYER & SONS, 62 SHEFFIELD ROAD, EGREMONT, MA 01258: DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS CHECK; BUMPERS/FENDERS CHECK BOTH FAILED; THERE IS A CRACK IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT DOME, WHICH DOES NOT AFFECT THE OPERATION OF ANY LIGHTS. THERE IS A LARGE RUST SPOT IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. WE DO NOT BELIEVE A CRACKED LIGHT GLOBE AND RUST HOLES SHOULD FAIL THE TRUCK INSPECTION!!!

NHTSA ID
10918514
Incident
Oct 8, 2016
Mileage
300,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA B-SERIES 4000. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CLUTCH FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURED STEEL CASTING LOCATED UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND BEHIND THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID
10875985
Incident
Jun 12, 2007
Mileage
115,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 12, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA B4000( N/A). THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH PROCEEDING TO A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY, SMOKE EXPELLED UNDERNEATH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND HOOD AREA WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. A TEMPORARY FIX WAS PERFORMED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. DURING THE TRAVEL THERE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE POWER AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A NEW BRAKE RESERVOIR AND DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND THE TECHNICIAN BLEED THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V414000 (VEHICLESPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 165,000

NHTSA ID
10319309
Incident
Oct 10, 2008
Mileage
165,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 23, 2009

FRONT AND REAR LEAF SPRING SUPPORT MOUNTS ROTTED AWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10281481
Incident
Aug 19, 2009
Mileage
1 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 10, 2006

UPON FILLING MAZDA 1997 B-2300 TRUCK WITH GAS NOTICED A STREAM OF FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE GAS TANK INCHES AWAY FROM EXHAUST. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10170431
Incident
Oct 10, 2006
Mileage
72,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 3, 2006

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK IN MY MAZDA PICKUP TRUCK UNEXPECTEDLY RELEASED FALLING BACKWARDS WHILE DRIVING. FORTUNATELY I WAS GOING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT AT THE TIME AND THERE WAS NO LOSS OF CONTROL. I FOUND THE LARGE TORX-HEAD SCREWS THAT ANCHOR THE SEAT BACK TO THE RECLINING FRAME HAD SHEARED OFF.

NHTSA ID
10149409
Incident
Feb 1, 2006
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 8, 2005
Fire reported

1997 MAZDA PICKUP CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF STICKING CONTACTS IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. UPDATED 08/28/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10113725
Incident
Mar 1, 2005
Steering
Filed Dec 1, 2004

VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, AND THEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONSUMER'S HOUSE, WHERE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT TIE ROD BROKE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10101954
Incident
Dec 1, 2004
Mileage
150,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01-006-21-3779a

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce unnecessary battery replacement cost. For new vehicles in stock at the dealer, inspect and maintain the battery periodically according to the repair procedure.

09-025-21-3824

EQUIPMENT

This service bulletin provides information regarding the proper use of the driver’s floor mat to avoid any potential interference with the foot pedals. The following are possible causes of floor mat interference, which can be avoided with proper usage.

SA-041-21

EQUIPMENT

Accessory instructions can be found on OneMazda under Dealer Resources - Parts & Accessories. The links provided below can be used for quick access: For 2016 models and newer: NOTE: Instructions are found under the "Attachments" section once a part is selected. Accessories E-catalog For models prior to 2016: Accessory Parts and Installation Instructions

01-006-21-3779

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce unnecessary battery replacement cost. For new vehicles in stock at the dealer, inspect and maintain the battery periodically according to the repair procedure.

01-005-21-3778

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The Mazda DCA-8000PM is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000PM is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use the following test procedures in this Service Bulletin to test Mazda vehicle batteries and to generate a Warranty Code.

09-002-21-3770

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mazda B-Series Truck by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009450—
2008113055.3
2007373050.2
2006116043.2
2005163359.3
2004243361.9
2003211150.9
2002282050.3
2001373045.1
2000583052.3
1999784053.6
1998675050.7
1997Viewing522047.9
1996552044.2
1995422052.0
19941226360.1
1993921—
1992113261.2
1991144263.2
1990163046.6

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.