1990 Mazda MPV: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 47 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (28% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1990 mazda mpv. The contact stated while driving, he crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There was no police report filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was taken to the contact's residence. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2011
“Vehicle was idling in driveway while I was checking transmission fluid level. Suddenly, it drove away in reverse, crossed the street and went down another driveway crashing into the corner of a garage. It then went across another back yard and crashed into the side of another garage. The police were notified and a report was made. *la”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2003
“The vehicle was involved in an accident. The vehicle was hit from behind while making a left hand turn into a parking lot. The body left side window broke. Also, child safety seat was forward facing. *ak the collision caused the side window on the driver's side to shatter. The consumer is concerned because tempered glass was suppose to shatter into small pieces, but it did not. *yh *nlm”Owner report · Visibility · May 1999
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle experienced smoke and gas smell from engine which may cause a fire. Cause unknown. Please provide further information. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 1998
“While parked on an incline with ignition off, gear indicating the park position, ten year old son was able to force the gear from park down to low and into drive, vehicle rolled about about 3 feet, crashing into another vehicle. The problem was reported to manufacturer. *ak *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 1996
“ABS; rear barke failure caused the consumer to have a near accdent, needed to replace the front and rear brakes too often. *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Feb 1996
“Brakes system failure, excessive wear of the pads and rotors on vehicle, needs replacement every 6-9 months, equipped with trailer towing package. Tt”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 1995
“ABS: grabby braking; wheel locks up very easily, resulting in skidding and loss of control; corrected under recall #92v027000; problem reoccurred.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 1995
“Brake shoe/drum lining malfunctioned, causing pbrakes to fail 8 times prior to/after recall repairs, once resulting in an accident (92v-027). *ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Mar 1995
“Whens itting at a stop light or stop sign, vehicle suddenly accelerated out of control due to ashorted out oxygen sensor. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 1995
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
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.
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.
THE REAR BRAKE LININGS CAN CHANGE OVER TIME. AS THE BRAKES WEAR, THE COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION CAN INCREASE, PRODUCING INCONSISTENT REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE AND PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF THE ABS SYSTEM.
Remedy: REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES WITH ASSEMBLIES WHOSE FRICTION CHARACTERISTICS DO NOT CHANGE. THIS WILL REDUCE THE RISK OF PREMATURE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATION.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1990 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact MPV 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 1990 Mazda MPV reliable?
NHTSA has 47 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1990 Mazda MPV. The most complained-about area is power train (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1990 Mazda MPV problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 134,000 miles or less.
Does the 1990 Mazda MPV have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:switch. 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.