1998 Mazda B-Series: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 67 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (28% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Report s as stolen from Santa Clarita ca newhall. Reporting to the chp.gov [XXX] ca tip line [XXX] Western general insurance, clabasas www.downeynissan.com Management LLC INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”Owner report · Wheels · Sep 2021
“Mazdaspeed 3 turbo Vin:[XXX] ************************* Fuel pump EfI 400hp @ idel Turbo propultion not installed Cricket wireless broadband internet Connection.....? Swiage leakage: [XXX] [XXX] West covina sheriff dept. West covina ca INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2020
“Have erratic speed speedometer goes up and down as I'm driving can fill power of vehicle goes up and down. Also gas mileage has went from 20 miles to the gallon too 10 mpg. Replaced the speed sensor but didn't help”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have had a head gasket replace on this 1998 mazda b4000 within 61,000 miles. The first head gasket replacement was 1-21-2008. Now the same thing seems to be happening at 78,100 miles are there any issues with this model? I only drive the truck to work and back which is only about 5 miles from my home. Also the front end suspension makes a loud squeaking/popping noise when you turn the steering wheel or hit a rough place in pavement. The "key in the ignition" buzzer keeps dinging after you take the key out of the ignition. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2012
“Vehicles throttle stick open when released. Cannot slow vehicle down. Only way to slow down is to turn ignition off. Manufacturer said they are aware and had tsb on this during warranty. Took it in and they said they found no problem. Took it in twice since for same problem and they say I now need to pay for the repair. When this situation happens, there is no control of the speed of this vehicle.. Even stepping on brakes doesn't help. I have reported this 3 times to you prior, but with the toyota problems, I thought you might be more interested in this now. I am also reporting this problem to the local news media, along with a copy of this report. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2010
“Throttle sticks wide open on my 1998 mazda b2500 truck. Only recourse is to turn engine off to slow down. Have had it in to mazda shop twice for this problem. First time under warranty, could not find the problem second time, mazda says not covered under warranty, even though they had a tsb for this problem. I don't want to be a fatal statistic, because of yet another vehicle manufacturers failure to act. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2010
“Interior light stay on after it rains or moisture is in the air. Had door switch replaced, work for about a year and then recur again. The interior light can only be shut off by taking out the fuse. The interior light get shoot that it can burn your hand if touched. This seems to be a ongoing problem with1998 mazda b2500 trk. And for randers. It could possibly cause a interior fire. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 mazda b2500. While driving 50 mph and attempting to decelerate, the contact must place the vehicle into neutral and then turn off the ignition. The vehicle's engine overpowers the brakes. The contact feels that this is a safety issue because the vehicle should be stopped by applying the brakes. In addition, the throttle sticks and remains open. The brake failure has been occurring for the last eight years. The vehicle has been taken to the repair shop three times regarding the failure, but no failure was identified. The failure mileage was 35,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jun 2008
“Four wheel drive system engaged on it's own, causing severe left turns as front wheel locks up. Has happened three times, even thou fixed twice. There is no locking hub conversion available for this model or the ford ranger it's clone. Will not drive this on snow or ice covered roads. Four wheel drive system consistently does not engage when you want it to. Truck built by ford. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2007
“Dt: consumer was pulled over for the brake lights not working. He changed the fuse. When changing the fuse he noticed smoke, and fluid was leaking from the switch. The switch was corroded. There was no prior warning. The dealer had not looked at the vehicle. *ak the consumer stated he experienced the same problem with the cruise control switch as stated in the ford recall even though his vehicle is not a ford, however ford did manufacturer the vehicle. Updated 12/07/05. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY 4X2 AND 4X4 PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L ENGINES. THE FLEXIBLE SECTION OF THE CHASSIS MOUNTED FUEL LINE THAT CONNECTS TO THE ENGINE WAS ROUTED TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE LINE COULD CONTACT THE MANIFOLD.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL CLIP TO HOLD THE FUEL LINE IN THE INTENDED DESIGN POSITION.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 1998-1998 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCKS (B2500, B3000 AND B4000) EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND BUILT FROM JANUARY 1998 THROUGH MARCH 4, 1999. A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAN INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO PULLEY AND NOT ALLOW THE THROTTLE TO RETURN TO IDLE WHEN DISENGAGING THE CRUISE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE REPLACEMENT CABLES ARE NOT AVAILABLE. CUSTOMERS ARE BEING ADVISED NOT TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM UNTIL A REPLACEMENT CAN BE MADE.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS. AN INTERIM NOTICE WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2007, DIRECTING THEM TO HAVE THE SPEED DEACTIVATION CONTROL SWITCH DISCONNECTED TEMPORARILY. A SECOND NOTIFICATION LETTER TO OWNERS WAS IN FEBRUARY 2008 ADVISING THEM TO RETURN TO DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF THE REPAIR PART. OWNERS OF AFFECTED VEHICLES WHO DID NOT RECEIVE A PHASE 2 NOTICE AND HAVE NOT HAD THE RECALL COMPLETED WILL BE NOTIFIED BEGINNING AUGUST 6, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact B-Series by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Mazda B-Series reliable?
NHTSA has 67 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Mazda B-Series. The most complained-about area is tires (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Mazda B-Series problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 67,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Mazda B-Series have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.