Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 34 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seat Belts. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports1 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
34 reports
197,000 miles · Nov 19, 2003
Fuel System, Other
WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING IT IDLES ABOUT 2000 RPM THEN DROPS TO 1000 RPM AND REVS BACK UP TO 1800 RPM AND CONTINUES PULSATE IN NEUTRAL EVERY SECOND UNTIL YOU PUT IT IN DRIVE. IN DRIVE IT REMAINS IDLING AT 1500 RPM UNTIL YOU SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART. IF THE ENGINE IS NOT WARM ENOUGH IT STARTS OVER DOING THE SAME THING …
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WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING IT IDLES ABOUT 2000 RPM THEN DROPS TO 1000 RPM AND REVS BACK UP TO 1800 RPM AND CONTINUES PULSATE IN NEUTRAL EVERY SECOND UNTIL YOU PUT IT IN DRIVE. IN DRIVE IT REMAINS IDLING AT 1500 RPM UNTIL YOU SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART. IF THE ENGINE IS NOT WARM ENOUGH IT STARTS OVER DOING THE SAME THING OTHERWISE IT BEGINS TO IDLE CORRECTLY. WITH THE IDLE HIGH IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STOP THE CAR. WHAT CAN BE DONE?*AK
NHTSA ODI #10047196
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2000
Fuel System, Gasoline
VERY STRONG FUEL VAPOR BOTH INTERNAL/EXTERNAL THIRD OCCURRENCE. FIRST TWO, BOTH RESULTED IN REPLACING FUEL RAIL AND ALL INJECTOR SEALS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #738064
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2000
Power Train
MAZDA SEAMS TO HAVE A HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION FAILERS WHAT CAN THE MAZDA OWNER DO WHEN MAZDA DOES NOT WANT TO COME CLEAN CHECK OUT HTTP://WWW.CARCAST.COM/CC/CONFERENCE/ I ALSO HAVE A 626/TURBO WITH A BAD TRANSMISSION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #733276
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING TIMING BELT SHEARED OFF FOR THE SIXTH TIME WITHOUT A WARNING. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN THROUGH A TOTAL OF 8 BELTS. DEALER/MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #861918
Mileage unknown · May 3, 1999
Structure
ALL 4 DOOR HANDLES ON THE OUTSIDE BROKE. THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. RECALL# 93V174000, DOES NOT INCLUDE REAR DOOR HANDLES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #837371
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
THIS FAILURE ONLY HAPPENS BELOW 20DEG F. PROBLEM GOES AWAY WHEN ENGINE WARM. ON VERY COLD STARTUP, FUEL DRIPS RAPIDLY AND VISIBLY FROM BOTTOM OF PRESSURE REGULATOR TO VALVE COVER. SEE ODI ID'S 380248, 437128, 416832, 825336, 946072, 956814, 979475. TURKEY DEALERS LET CAR WARM IN GARAGE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE PROBLEM. P…
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THIS FAILURE ONLY HAPPENS BELOW 20DEG F. PROBLEM GOES AWAY WHEN ENGINE WARM. ON VERY COLD STARTUP, FUEL DRIPS RAPIDLY AND VISIBLY FROM BOTTOM OF PRESSURE REGULATOR TO VALVE COVER. SEE ODI ID'S 380248, 437128, 416832, 825336, 946072, 956814, 979475. TURKEY DEALERS LET CAR WARM IN GARAGE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE PROBLEM. PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN PART AND/OR FUEL IS UNCOMFORTABLY COLD. MY DEALER SAID "YOU HAVE A GAS LEAK" WHEN I DROVE IN. 2 HOURS LATER THEY CHARGED $25 AND SAID THERE WAS NO GAS LEAK, EVEN THOUGH I POINTED TO THE PART WHICH DRIPS.
NHTSA ODI #703640
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 1999
Structure
THE RIGHT REAR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE CANNOT OPEN DOOR. DEALER SAYS THAT REAR DOOR HANDLES ARE NOT PART OF RECALL 93V174000. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834494
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 1998
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED FUEL VAPOR SMELL COMING INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE DEALER SHOP THREE TIMES BEFORE CORRECTION WAS MADE, BUT ALL COST WAS TO THE CONSUMER. *AK THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE ONLY REPAIRS NEEDED WERE THE REPLACEMENT OF AN OLD/CRACKED…
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CONSUMER EXPERIENCED FUEL VAPOR SMELL COMING INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE DEALER SHOP THREE TIMES BEFORE CORRECTION WAS MADE, BUT ALL COST WAS TO THE CONSUMER. *AK THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE ONLY REPAIRS NEEDED WERE THE REPLACEMENT OF AN OLD/CRACKED RUBBER TUBING AND TO RETIGHTEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLTS OR THE HEAD BOLTS. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, CONSUMER STATES IT FEELS LIKE DRIVING OVER A BUMPY ROAD, DEALER REPLACED FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS, RESURFACED ROTORS, AND PACKED WHEEL BEARINGS, AT AN EARLIER TIME THE TWO FRONT ROTORS HAD BEEN REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #825336
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM CONCERNING REOCCURRING BRAKE MULFUNCTION DUE TO ROTOR WARPAGE EVERY 3000 MILES OF WEAR; DEALER NOTIFIED AND PROBLEM CANNOT BE RESOLVED. ALL COST STILL TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER FLUSH ABS, REPLACED FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS, ROTORS, AND WHEEL BEARINGS, HOWEVER CONSUMER STATES THAT SYMPTOMS …
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CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM CONCERNING REOCCURRING BRAKE MULFUNCTION DUE TO ROTOR WARPAGE EVERY 3000 MILES OF WEAR; DEALER NOTIFIED AND PROBLEM CANNOT BE RESOLVED. ALL COST STILL TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER FLUSH ABS, REPLACED FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS, CALIPERS, ROTORS, AND WHEEL BEARINGS, HOWEVER CONSUMER STATES THAT SYMPTOMS OF ROTOR WARPAGE STILL EXISTS. *AK *TT
NHTSA ODI #825332
Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 1998
Structure
OUTSIDE REAR DOOR HANDLES BROKE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INCLUDED UNDER A RECALL ON THE FRONT DOORS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
RESIN MOLDED FRONT HANDLES FAIL AT THE DOOR LATCH ACTUATING ROD ATTACHMENT, FREEING THE ROD TO FALL INSIDE THE DOOR FRAME. SUBSEQUENT LOWERING OF THE ASSOCIATED WINDOW MAY FORCE THE ACTUATING ROD DOWNWARD AND RELEASE THE DOOR LATCH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INADVERTENT ACTUATION OF THE DOOR LATCH CAUSES THE DOORTO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN OCCUPANT FALLING OUT OF THEVEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE/LATCH ASSEMBLY.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3
EA92031 · Inadvertent Door Opening
Opened Sep 25, 1992 · Closed Nov 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE92050 · Inadvertent Door Opening
Opened Jun 2, 1992 · Closed Sep 25, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE91088 · Throttle Sticking
Opened Jun 18, 1991 · Closed Oct 21, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
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