Most common 1997 Mazda MPV problems
Share of the 22 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda MPV complaints by model year
Best MPV years: 2006, 1998, 1995. Years to avoid: 2000, 2002, 2003, 2001, 2004. Compare all years →
1997 Mazda MPV recalls (1)
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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.
What 1997 Mazda MPV owners say
Air bags
I am filing a complaint in regard to my vehicle's equipment that failed and was faulty in a recent automobile accident. I was traveling approximately 40-45 MPH in a straight lane when a vehicle quickly entered across my path to make a left hand turn. I had no time to brake, so the other car is what stopped my motion. It was a hard hit! My Mazda MPV crashed into the other person's car. During our front impact with the other car's driver side, my airbags did not deploy causing injury. Had the airbag worked, I feel I wouldn't had slid into the dash and been jerked backwards by my seat belt restraint causing injury to my back and or spinal alignment. I have been suffering every day from the accident due to this injury. …
While driving at 30 MPH had a frontal impact with a tree, and both driver's and passenger's airbags did not deploy, which did not protect the occupant in the accident. Driver's seat belt failed in accident. Vehicle slid on icy road, skidding 200 feet into a tree, hit tree at 40 MPH. Both driver and passenger sustained injuries.
Engine & cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Mazda MPV. While the vehicle was parked at a car wash, smoke fumes appeared from the hood of the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 15V674000 (electrical system), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that heavy fumes of smoke were seen coming from the hood of the vehicle before it stalled after the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer could not be reached. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Driving uphill on I-70 at the speed limit (55) the car lost all power, the driver steered to the shoulder. The engine compartment began smoking. By the time the fire department arrived the Mazda MPV ('97) was consumed in fire.
1997 Mazda MPV engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Mazda MPV a good car?
Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 MPV rates better than average: 48% fewer complaints than a typical year of the MPV 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 1997 Mazda MPV?
The air bags — 8 complaints, 36% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the engine & cooling (6) and seats (2).
How many recalls does the 1997 Mazda MPV have?
There is 1 recall for the 1997 Mazda MPV, the most recent from October 19, 2015 (switch). 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 MPV?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2006, 1998 and 1995. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 2002, 2003, 2001 and 2004. See the full Mazda MPV years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Mazda MPV problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 20% 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.