Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Problems with fuel system practically since date of purchase. Notified Mazda motors but was brushed aside. 1/13/03-engine decarbon/fuel injector cleaner;12/17/03-replace all spark plugs;02/06/04 - replaced shorted out knock sensor; 07/23/04 - engine decarbon/fuel injector cleaner; 08/23/04 - replaced sticking idle air control valve & throttle body gasket; 01/14/05 - replaced failed catalytic converter; 02/04/05 - replaced fuel pressure regulator; 07/22/05 - replaced idle air control valve & throttle body gasket; 05/24/06 - replaced pulse generator; 09/15/06 - replaced starter with remanufactured starter; 10/18/06 - replaced thermostat /car overheating; 10/13/06 - replaced intake air tube; 10/18/06 - replaced spark plugs & replaced belts / car overheating; 12/08/06 - replaced cam shaft belt, 2 serpentine belts 11/25/08 - replaced all spark plugs, wires & cleaned throttle body this …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mazda Millenia. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and noticed that the door locks began locking and unlocking by themselves repeatedly. He took the vehicle to the dealer, but they were unable to identify a code that was causing the failure. The technician replaced the crankshaft position sensor and the distributor; however, the vehicle will currently not start. The manufacturer would not assist. The failure mileage was 116,000. Updated 10/14/08 updated 10/23/08.
2001 Mazda Millenia - ongoing EGR flow/check engine light issues; bought car new from dealer and had problem within 12-months - asked and was never provided solution to issue; dissatisfied from day 1 of owning car; repairs do not fix issue and check engine light remains lit; no car repair shop or Mazda dealer has been able to fix problem; thousands of dollars and time spent - this is a known Mazda engine issue that needs to be resolved by Mazda; as a customer I should not have to spend more time/money.
Purchased vehicle brand new from dealer (crossroads Mazda in cary, nc) and from day 1 have had issues with the engine and the check engine light. Transmission completely replaced in May 2004 (right after it went out of warranty); continual problems with check engine light illuminating for no reason and as of 12/08, cannot get car inspected due to check engine light; requesting a repair waiver since this is a known Mazda issue and they have done nothing to resolve/assist their customers.
I own a 2000 Mazda Millenia s model. My Millenia has the lysholm supercharger (s/c). Recently, the car has begun to blow blue smoke out the exhaust pipe at startup. The smoke at startup last for about 15-30 seconds. I took the car into the local Mazda dealer. The Mazda mechanic removed the front intercooler and front intercooler pipe. The mechanic said there was oil in the intercooler and the intercooler pipe. He said this indicates the lysholm s/c is leaking. He said the lysholm s/c has a bad seal. Yet, he said he has never taken a lysholm s/c apart and does not know which seal is leaking. He said Mazda just replaces the entire lysholm s/c. A new lysholm s/c is approx. $7000 cad. My car has the 5 yr /100,000km (62,500 miles)power train warranty. The power train warranty states it covers "..all internal parts"...and "..all gaskets and seals..". …
The ignition coils in my car are going bad. One right after the other. Mazda told me that the heat of the engine (miller cycle) is causing this. I think the engine was poorly designed. There are 6 coils & I have replaced 3 so far, 1 in 12/04 & 2 in 4/06 along with all the plugs. This problem started in 2002 when cylinder #4 was misfiring. Mazda replaced the spark plug. The coil in cylinder #4 was the first coil to go bad. The original plugs were champion. I was told these were the wrong plugs especially for this type of high performance engine. Mazda said to expect to replace the other 3 coils. & then what? Do we start over again? My car only has 32,000 miles on it. Both catalytic converters have been replaced. I think Mazda should do something to correct the design of this engine to allow the coils more air.
Check engine light came on. Vehicle had only 50,551 miles (1999 Mazda Millenia). Dealer said vehicle needed a new transmission-$3175, oxygen sensor$345, cam position sensor and o ring-$850. Vehicle mileage warranty ended at 50,000 miles. Dealer refused to extend warranty for repair.
I currently own a 1999 madza Millenia, which I purchased pre-owned, in 2002. I have had nothing but problems and extremely expensive repair bills since that time. The car breaks down/is in need of repair every 3-4 months, and it is always the same major problem with 2-5 new things needing to be repaired as well. My latest repair bill, (2) weeks ago, was to the tune of $1280. 80. The check engine came on in October 2003 and has not went off since that time. I was afraid to drive the car when this occurred, but I was told it was OK to do so when it once again it came on after I took it in for repair to the tune of $898.00. It has blinked a total of (3) times with the latest being on yesterday (the aforementioned $1280.80 repair bill was to correct the blinking problem (2) weeks previous). …
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda Millenia years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (28), 2000 (7), 2001 (7), 1998 (6) and 2002 (6) model years. Engine complaints make up 34% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Mazda Millenia engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Mazda Millenia model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mazda Millenia engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles; 39% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (24 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline (16).
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.