1991 Mazda MPV Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1991 Mazda MPV, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1621.6%
- Engine1621.6%
- Transmission1317.6%
- Seat belts79.5%
- Electrical45.4%
- Fuel system45.4%
- Interior & seats34.1%
- Powertrain (other)34.1%
- Steering34.1%
- Body & structure22.7%
- Suspension11.4%
- Tires & wheels11.4%
- Airbags11.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRONT WHEEL SKIDDED AND THE FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING ON LIGHT SNOW COVERED HIGHWAY. IT CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME IMMOBILIZED. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR AND IT OVERTURNED. *TR
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY AND APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL ABRUPTLY. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND CONSUMER COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRAKES LOCKED UP. TS
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH AN OIL LEAK THAT IS CAUSING SMOKE AND A HORRIBLE SMELL, VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER 5 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED, VALVE COVER GASKETS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, REAR CAP SEALS REPLACED, AND O RINGS WERE REPLACED. *SLC
REPAIR SHOP NOTIFIED ME THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS KNOWN TO MAZDA AND IS IN A TSB REGARDING ROCKER ARMS WHICH WERE MODIFIED . HOW CAN MAZDA BE ALLOWED TO SELL A KNOWN DEFECT TO CONSUMERS. IS THERE ANY REPAIR COMPENSATION ALLOWED TO OWNERS? THANK YOU.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WHICH HAD A TRANSMISSION COOLER, FAILED PREMATURELY AT 64,000 MILES.*AK
TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AND FAILED AGAIN.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SEAT BELTS ON MY 1991 MAZDA MPV ARE SIMPLY FALLING APART. THE FUEL VAPOR SEPARATOR DOES AN INADEQUATE JOB OF KEEPING GASOLINE FUMES OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON BOTH OF THESE ITEMS. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO THE LOCAL DEALER THEY ONLY PERFORMED AN INSPECTION. BOTH ISSUES REMAIN UNRESOLVED. BESIDES NOT EVER BUYING ANOTHER MAZDA EVER. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE SAFETY ISSUES RESOLVED. *NM
NO PARTS FOR RECALL ON SEATBELT BUCKLES SINCE 5/12/96. RECALL 95V103005. *AK CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT THE RECALL AND THEY STATED THEY DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT RRECALL AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS FOR REPAIRS.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THE RIGHT REAR AUDIO SPEAKER CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING.*JB
KEY SWITCH GETTING HOT AND YOU CAN SMELL WIRES BURNING
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SEAT BELTS ON MY 1991 MAZDA MPV ARE SIMPLY FALLING APART. THE FUEL VAPOR SEPARATOR DOES AN INADEQUATE JOB OF KEEPING GASOLINE FUMES OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON BOTH OF THESE ITEMS. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO THE LOCAL DEALER THEY ONLY PERFORMED AN INSPECTION. BOTH ISSUES REMAIN UNRESOLVED. BESIDES NOT EVER BUYING ANOTHER MAZDA EVER. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE SAFETY ISSUES RESOLVED. *NM
AT THE TIME I HAD THIS COMPONENT FAILURE, I DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I TOOK THIS VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED MAZDA DEALER WHO PROCEEDED TO TAKE A FULL 10 MINUTES TO LOOK AT THIS VEHICLE AND TELL ME THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM WITH IT. I PREVIOUSLY FILED A COMPLAINT AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY FEEDBACK. DURING THE TIME I HAD THIS FAILED COMPONENT ON MY FUEL SYSTEM, I DEVELOPED A CHRONIC ASTHMA CONDITION. ANOTHER DEALER FINALLY FOUND A CRACK IN THE FUEL VAPOR SEPARATOR ONE YEAR LATER WHEN I TOOK THIS VEHICLE BACK FOR ANOTHER INSPECTION. IT TOOK 4 MONTHS AFTER THE SECOND MAZDA DEALER FOUND THE CRACK FOR ME TO OBTAIN A REPLACEMENT PART FOR THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE DEALER NEVER INFORMED ME IT WAS UNSAFE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THIS CAR REEKING OF FUEL ODORS. I WOULD LIKE AN INVESTIGATION TO BE CONDUCTED ON A FORMAL LEVEL. I BELIEVE MAZDA FAILED TO INFORM THEIR CUSTOMERS OF DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH DRIVING A CAR THAT MAY HAVE FUEL VAPORS LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THE AUTHOIRZED DEALER FAILED TO WARN OF THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF FUEL ODORS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMS BY READING THE RECALL LETTERS ISSUED IN APRIL 1998 AND JAN 1999 THAT THE FIRST LETTER REFLECTED AN ATTITUDE OF NONCHALANCE, AND MAZDA IMPLIED THAT THERE WAS REALLY NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN, OR TRUE BELIEF THAT THIS RECALL SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. THOUGH I DID TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AND HAD MY CAR INSPECTED FOR THE FAILED COMPONENT, THE AUTHORIZED MAZDA DEALER DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED THAT I, A CONSUMER IN GOOD FAITH, WAS PLACED IN HARMS WAY. ALONG WITH MY CHILDREN. PLEASE RESPOND TO MY REQUEST AND ADVISE IF I NEED TO CHANNEL OR REDIRECT MY EFFORTS TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATION REQUEST SOMEWHERE ELSE. SINCERELY, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
PARKED VEHICLE. WAS GETTING OUT WHEN THE LOCKS FAILED TO RELEASE. HAD TO FORCE LOCK UP TO RELEASE. RELOCKED DOOR ONCE OUTSIDE. THEN TRIED TO UNLOCK DOOR AFTER RETURNING & LOCK WOULD NOT RELEASE. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED LOCKING MECHANISM INSIDE DOOR WAS BROKEN & NEED TO BE FIXED. *AK
DRIVERS DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK/OPEN FROM OUTSIDE DUE TO SPRING IN MECHANISM. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
PAINT STARTED TO CHIP AWAY. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME.
DISTRIBUTOR CAP FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRONT WHEEL SKIDDED AND THE FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING ON LIGHT SNOW COVERED HIGHWAY. IT CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME IMMOBILIZED. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR AND IT OVERTURNED. *TR
CRACKED ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DISTRIBUTOR CAP FAILED.
POOR PERFORMANCE OF THE REAR DOOR ON THE VEHICLE THE DOOR CAME DOWN. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT STRUTS FAILED, CAUSING NOISE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
FIRESTONE FR 680 ASRWS TIRE (P205 70 R14) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION ON BOTH FRONT TIRES, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING ALL 4 TIRE BE REPLACED. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR HIT GARAGE CAUSING STRUCTURAL DAMAGE, TOTALED FRONT OF CAR AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .