1999 Mazda B-Series: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 78 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (13% of complaints); the 2001 model year looks more trouble-free.
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 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owned a 1999 mazda b2500. While driving 55 mph, the contact's vehicle was involved in a front end collision. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy until after the crash, and the seat belt pretensioner did not tighten. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision shop and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. There was one injury that required medical attention. The contact suffered from a broken neck and spinal damage. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 287,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2018
“Takata recall: right side key control of passenger air bag does not work. Light stays on independent of key position. Other than the control not working there is no issue other than whether or not the passenger air bag will work.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2016
“Frame is rusted threw at rear left spring shackle bracket along with rear spring shackles. Is mazda addressing this as toyota did? I understand this is common mazda trucks and ford rangers.”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Gas tank leaks through rear side plug of tank. This happened after fuel pressure taken at time of safety inspection. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2013
“I have a 99' mazda b 3000 w/42,000 mi. Was driving the truck home from work,heard a noise from the rear. Checked bed then underneath.discovered a large crack in the truck's frame below the shock tower,with a lot of rust the truck can no longer be driven. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2011
“My frame is completely rusted out. I went to get the truck inspected and my mechanic said the frame was very thin. He said that it may not even last another year and that next year if he does inspection the frame make break while on the lift! I live in maine and have taken care of the truck, washing it regularly. Seems like other people have had the same issue. This is unsettling. The truck is is in great shape otherwise. I wish I could get more miles out of it. Seems like such a waste.... .only 97,000 miles on it.”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2011
“A trw seat buckle has failed in a 1999 mazda b3000. The buckle will not retain the latch. The buckle failed on nov. 19, 2009. The mazda was taken to mazda dealership for resolution. Dealership issued repair ticket of approximately $250.00. No buckle was in inventory to replace at that time. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2009
“I had a recall notice from the dealer the cruise control deactivation switch on my truck. I took it to a dealership in tuscaloosa alabama, where they replaced it, but let the wires just hanging loose in the engine, very sloppy work, also prior the recall the switch burnt out melting the cruise control button on the steering wheel, they said they don't cover that even though the switch they recalled caused it. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2009
“Differential sensor failed during driving. At 55 mph the transmission would not move the truck in drive. After finally stopping the truck I discovered that the truck would not move in drive 1, but it would move in drive 2, speedometer didn't work, the ABS light stayed on. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2008
“I went to the truck in the morning to find that there had been an electrical fire sometime between 11pm and 8am in the morning. The fire melted about 70% of the dashboard including the instrument panel, cracked the windshield, and melted the interior molding next to the drivers seat. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
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 1999 Mazda B-Series reliable?
NHTSA has 78 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Mazda B-Series. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Mazda B-Series problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 97,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Mazda B-Series have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. 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.