Most common 1999 Mazda B-Series Truck problems
Share of the 78 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda B-Series Truck complaints by model year
Best B-Series Truck years: 2005, 2007, 2006. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 1996, 1998, 1997. Compare all years →
1999 Mazda B-Series Truck recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control
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.
Vehicle speed control
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.
What 1999 Mazda B-Series Truck owners say
Wheels & tires
Firestone wilderness left rear tire had a blowout. Tire size was 225/70r15. The consumer contacted the manufacturer but they indicated that there was no recall on the tire. The consumer replaced the tire with a non Firestone tire.
#1 at approximately 1000 miles the diferential pinion gears were replaced due to a grinding noise from the rear end, #2 at 9,500 miles I took the Truck back to the dealer and complained of noises in the rear end and front end vibration. They disregarded the noises in the rear end and replaced the two front tires. Since then there have been several attempts by Mazda to balance the front tires, I still have the vibration in the front during normal driving. 18 October 1999 with approximately 12,000 miles on the vehicle, I toook it back, this time there is a very distinctive noise from the rear end and front end vibration. Mazda ordered a complete rear axle assy and once again balanced the front tires. I was told by service manager that the Truck is safe to drive. Note: the rear axle assembly will move abour one inch from side to side when I shake the rear tires. …
Body & structure
10 years in northeast pennsylvania have caused little to no rust on 3 other Ford vehicles in the family, but my Truck got hit with an extreme case of rust. No major offroading or mudding, no jumping/abusing the Truck whatsoever. Toyota recalled the frames of their pickups, and I *believe* that Ford got their frames from the same steel manufacturer. I speculate that steel manufacturer, and/or Ford, did not "dip" these frames in any anti-rust formula. Frame rust/rot/cracking on a 1999 Mazda b4000 4x4 (the Truck is/was made by Ford, 98% the same as a Ford ranger). Rear leafspring shackles fully corroded and extreme rust around sparetire carrier. Seems to be a problem with the late 90's - early 2000's rangers. New rear leaf spring shackles were added in place of the rotted out shackles. Frame was welded on 2 different occasions at rear upper shock mount where frame cracked. …
Tl contact owns a 1999 Mazda b4000. The contact stated that the interior lighting in his vehicle would illuminate intermittently. The failure forced him to pull over while driving various speeds. He removed the bulbs. In addition, the lights would not turn off when the door was closed, which could have potentially worn down the battery. The manufacturer stated that they would take his complaint, but offered no further assistance. The current mileage was approximately 148,000 and failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Updated 05/14/09. The consumer was informed the problem was a faulty door switch.
Air bags
Tl* the contact owned a 1999 Mazda b-Series Truck. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the front driver side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a fractured vertebrae, flattened spinal cord, pinched nerve, and carpal tunnel to the right hand. In addition, the contact was knocked unconscious from the air bag and required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 04/06/15 the consumer received 5 stitches for facial lacerations and was awarded permanent disability. Updated 6/25/2015
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Mazda B-Series Truck a good car?
Based on 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 B-Series Truck rates avoid: 2.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the B-Series Truck at the same age. It is one of the B-Series Truck years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Mazda B-Series Truck?
The wheels & tires — 12 complaints, 15% of all complaints for this model year, most often about tread/belt. Next are the body & structure (11) and air bags (10).
How many recalls does the 1999 Mazda B-Series Truck have?
There are 2 recalls for the 1999 Mazda B-Series Truck, the most recent from August 7, 2007 (vehicle speed control). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda B-Series Truck?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 2007 and 2006. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 1996, 1998 and 1997. See the full Mazda B-Series Truck years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 Mazda B-Series Truck problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 97,000 miles; 15% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.