Most common 2002 Mazda B-Series Truck problems
Share of the 28 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 →
2002 Mazda B-Series Truck recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Mazda is recalling model year 1995 through 1997 and model year 2001 through 2003 trucks equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switch (scds) and/or anti-lock brake system (ABS) and manufactured on or before December 5, 2002.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners that dealers will install a universal fused jumper harness on the cruise control deactivation switch free of charge. The safety recall began on December 11, 2009.
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.
What 2002 Mazda B-Series Truck owners say
Air bags
Consumer started the vehicle which was engaged in lower gear, with out pushing the clutch, the vehicle hit a wall ,and both air bags deployed. The consumers wife pushed in the clutch and started the vehicle, not realizing that the Truck was left in first gear instead of setting the emergency brake, she released the clutch. The vehicle immediately jerked directly into the wall in front of it. This caused both air bags to deploy. The problem was with the side air bag switch being in the off position, and the air bags deployed anyway.
While driving 50 MPH consumer's child was plugging in a cell phone cord, and lost control of vehicle. Vehicle veered down into an embankment. Then, came back onto the highway, side swiped another vehicle, and slammed into a guardrail. Seat belts were worn, but the air bags did not deploy. Consumer's child suffered severe injuries.
Engine & cooling
Transmission 1st/2nd gear synchromesh went out 5 times, finally Mazda admitted something was wrong with engine,3x was under warranty, last 2x I paid all costs. Judge ruled against Mazda in small claims court.
I have been to the dealership twice. I had it towed one of the times. The Truck has been stalling out on me when I have been driving down the road. The dealership (sullivan watts Mazda) has said there is nothing wrong, and to have it towed back in the next time I have the problem. My Truck did stall one last time while I was trying to stop at a red light. When the Truck stalled I lost brake pressure and power steering and rear ended a car, totaling it. Causing $4,800 damage to my Truck.
Transmission & drivetrain
Transmission 1st/2nd gear synchromesh went out 5 times, finally Mazda admitted something was wrong with engine,3x was under warranty, last 2x I paid all costs. Judge ruled against Mazda in small claims court.
Transmission will not shift into overdrive until speeds of 58-60 are reached - when accelerating. Took vehicle to dealer for the complaint. Dealer tech said vehicle would not shift during 'agressive accelerating' . Driver must ease up on gas pedal before transmission would shift to overdrive. Said this was normal. Never heard of an automatic transmission with such requirements. None that I have ever owned required an easing up on gas in order to shift. When I followed dealers instructions, vehicle will still not shift until it has been driven for some period of time. Under such conditions, I can't get into overdrive for the trips I take, so the overdrive does me no good. Vehicle gets very poor mileage as a relult. Don't think this is a normal condition. I only have less than 2000 miles (since oct 2002) because of such driving conditions and poor mileage.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Mazda B-Series Truck a good car?
Based on 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 B-Series Truck rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the B-Series Truck at the same age. 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 2002 Mazda B-Series Truck?
The air bags — 6 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the engine & cooling (6) and transmission & drivetrain (6).
How many recalls does the 2002 Mazda B-Series Truck have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2002 Mazda B-Series Truck, the most recent from October 23, 2009 (cruise 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 2002 Mazda B-Series Truck problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 28,000 miles; 75% 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.