Most common 2004 Mazda B-Series Truck problems
Share of the 24 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 →
2004 Mazda B-Series Truck recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2006 B-Series vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement front passenger air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the front passenger air bag inflator, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2024.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2006 Mazda B-series trucks. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of…
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2006 B-Series trucks. Upon deployment of the driver side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Owners are advise not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2004 Mazda B-Series Truck:
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
Brake lights inoperative
This pe was opened based on technical service bulletin (TSB) #05-6-19 issued by Ford motor company and service bulletin #09-008/5 issued by Mazda motor corporation to address concerns of the center high mounted stop light (chmsl) wiring harness chaffing.
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
What 2004 Mazda B-Series Truck owners say
Air bags all 20 →
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Mazda b23s. While attempting to make a turn, another vehicle crashed into the front of the contact's vehicle. The air bags (including a repaired recalled air bag) did not deploy. A police report was filed. The driver was uninjured. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was later declared destroyed and towed away by the insurance company. The failure mileage was approximately 51,117.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mazda b-Series Truck. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V346000 (air bags) and 16V048000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Part distribution disconnect. .updated 06/21/17
Body & structure
Chassis is rusting out. Drivers side rear spring shackle, bracket fell off and need to be replaced costing me about $500.00. Mazda b2300 is also a Ford Ranger which also has similar issues. My truck has about 170,000 miles on the odometer. The drive train is strong; idles and runs smooth, does not burn oil.
I broadsided a pick up Truck that ran a stop sign. Enough damage was done that my vehicle had to be towed and likely will be written off by the insurance company as totaled. I was diagnosed with blunt trauma to the chest wall with contusions. My airbag never deployed.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Mazda B-Series Truck a good car?
Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 B-Series Truck rates better than average: 83% fewer complaints than 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 2004 Mazda B-Series Truck?
The air bags — 20 complaints, 83% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the body & structure (3) and brakes (1).
How many recalls does the 2004 Mazda B-Series Truck have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2004 Mazda B-Series Truck, the most recent from December 12, 2023 (inflator module). 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 2004 Mazda B-Series Truck problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 78,000 miles; 25% 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.