Total Complaints
64 filings
MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK · model year
1997 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK
64 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1997MAZDAB-SERIES TRUCK carries 64 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 B-SERIES TRUCK is tires with 8 filings, followed by tires:tread/belt (5) and suspension:front (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 21 investigation files overlapping the 1997 B-SERIES TRUCK, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
64
Complaints
6
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
6 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| TIRES | 8 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 5 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 4 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | 3 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT | 2 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20161024STRUCTURE:BODY
AT INSPECTION STATION MEYER & SONS, 62 SHEFFIELD ROAD, EGREMONT, MA 01258: DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS CHECK; BUMPERS/FENDERS CHECK BOTH FAILED; THERE IS A CRACK IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT DOME, WHICH DOES NOT AFFECT THE OPERATION OF ANY LIGHTS. THERE IS A LARGE RUST SPOT IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. WE DO NOT BELIEVE A CRACKED LIGHT GLOBE AND RUST HOLES SHOULD FAIL THE TRUCK INSPECTION!!!
Mileage: 300,000
20161024EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AT INSPECTION STATION MEYER & SONS, 62 SHEFFIELD ROAD, EGREMONT, MA 01258: DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS CHECK; BUMPERS/FENDERS CHECK BOTH FAILED; THERE IS A CRACK IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT DOME, WHICH DOES NOT AFFECT THE OPERATION OF ANY LIGHTS. THERE IS A LARGE RUST SPOT IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. WE DO NOT BELIEVE A CRACKED LIGHT GLOBE AND RUST HOLES SHOULD FAIL THE TRUCK INSPECTION!!!
Mileage: 300,000
20160622POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA B-SERIES 4000. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CLUTCH FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURED STEEL CASTING LOCATED UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND BEHIND THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Mileage: 115,000
20100312VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA B4000( N/A). THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH PROCEEDING TO A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL WHEN UNEXPECTEDLY, SMOKE EXPELLED UNDERNEATH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND HOOD AREA WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. A TEMPORARY FIX WAS PERFORMED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME OPERATION. DURING THE TRAVEL THERE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE POWER AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT INSTALLED A NEW BRAKE RESERVOIR AND DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEACTIVATION SWITCH AND THE TECHNICIAN BLEED THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V414000 (VEHICLESPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL). THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT
Mileage: 165,000
20090823SUSPENSION:REAR
FRONT AND REAR LEAF SPRING SUPPORT MOUNTS ROTTED AWAY. *TR
Mileage: 1
20061010FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
UPON FILLING MAZDA 1997 B-2300 TRUCK WITH GAS NOTICED A STREAM OF FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE GAS TANK INCHES AWAY FROM EXHAUST. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE. *JB
Mileage: 72,000
20060203SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK IN MY MAZDA PICKUP TRUCK UNEXPECTEDLY RELEASED FALLING BACKWARDS WHILE DRIVING. FORTUNATELY I WAS GOING SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT AT THE TIME AND THERE WAS NO LOSS OF CONTROL. I FOUND THE LARGE TORX-HEAD SCREWS THAT ANCHOR THE SEAT BACK TO THE RECLINING FRAME HAD SHEARED OFF.
Mileage: 80,000
20050321FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1997 MAZDA PICKUP CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN A RESULT OF STICKING CONTACTS IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. UPDATED 08/28/07. *JB
20041201STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, AND THEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONSUMER'S HOUSE, WHERE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT TIE ROD BROKE. *AK
Mileage: 150,000
20040810SUSPENSION:FRONT
NAR 03/05/2003 THE CONSUMER EXPERINCED SEVERE FRONT SUSPENSION VIBRATIONS AND DATE THE PROBLEM THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED BY EITHER MAZDA OR FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *CB
20030302SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS. THE DEALERS CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. IF VEHICLE IS STALLED AN THEN RESTARTED, ABS LIGHT WILL GO OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKE TO 3 DEALERS. THERE IS NO PROBLEM. LIGHT SEEMS TO COME ON MORE OFTEN WHEN VEHICLE IS WARM. WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE TURNED OFF, OCCASIONALLY THEY WILL START OPERATING AT THE HIGHEST SPEED. TAKES SEVERAL TRIES OF TURNING THEM ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN TO MAKE THEM STOP. FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKES EXCESSIVELY WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS AND BRAKING. CRACKS WERE FOUND IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY OF 1999. DOME LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. PROBLEM IS REMEDIED BY REMOVING THE FUSE FOR THE DOME LIGHT OVER NIGHT AND THEN REPLACING THE NEXT MORNING.*JB
Mileage: 60,000
20030302VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS. THE DEALERS CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. IF VEHICLE IS STALLED AN THEN RESTARTED, ABS LIGHT WILL GO OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKE TO 3 DEALERS. THERE IS NO PROBLEM. LIGHT SEEMS TO COME ON MORE OFTEN WHEN VEHICLE IS WARM. WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE TURNED OFF, OCCASIONALLY THEY WILL START OPERATING AT THE HIGHEST SPEED. TAKES SEVERAL TRIES OF TURNING THEM ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN TO MAKE THEM STOP. FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKES EXCESSIVELY WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS AND BRAKING. CRACKS WERE FOUND IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY OF 1999. DOME LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. PROBLEM IS REMEDIED BY REMOVING THE FUSE FOR THE DOME LIGHT OVER NIGHT AND THEN REPLACING THE NEXT MORNING.*JB
Mileage: 60,000
20030302SUSPENSION
ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS. THE DEALERS CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. IF VEHICLE IS STALLED AN THEN RESTARTED, ABS LIGHT WILL GO OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKE TO 3 DEALERS. THERE IS NO PROBLEM. LIGHT SEEMS TO COME ON MORE OFTEN WHEN VEHICLE IS WARM. WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE TURNED OFF, OCCASIONALLY THEY WILL START OPERATING AT THE HIGHEST SPEED. TAKES SEVERAL TRIES OF TURNING THEM ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN TO MAKE THEM STOP. FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKES EXCESSIVELY WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS AND BRAKING. CRACKS WERE FOUND IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY OF 1999. DOME LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. PROBLEM IS REMEDIED BY REMOVING THE FUSE FOR THE DOME LIGHT OVER NIGHT AND THEN REPLACING THE NEXT MORNING.*JB
Mileage: 60,000
20030302ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS. THE DEALERS CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. IF VEHICLE IS STALLED AN THEN RESTARTED, ABS LIGHT WILL GO OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKE TO 3 DEALERS. THERE IS NO PROBLEM. LIGHT SEEMS TO COME ON MORE OFTEN WHEN VEHICLE IS WARM. WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE TURNED OFF, OCCASIONALLY THEY WILL START OPERATING AT THE HIGHEST SPEED. TAKES SEVERAL TRIES OF TURNING THEM ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN TO MAKE THEM STOP. FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKES EXCESSIVELY WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS AND BRAKING. CRACKS WERE FOUND IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY OF 1999. DOME LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. PROBLEM IS REMEDIED BY REMOVING THE FUSE FOR THE DOME LIGHT OVER NIGHT AND THEN REPLACING THE NEXT MORNING.*JB
Mileage: 60,000
20030302INTERIOR LIGHTING
ABS LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS. THE DEALERS CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. IF VEHICLE IS STALLED AN THEN RESTARTED, ABS LIGHT WILL GO OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKE TO 3 DEALERS. THERE IS NO PROBLEM. LIGHT SEEMS TO COME ON MORE OFTEN WHEN VEHICLE IS WARM. WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE TURNED OFF, OCCASIONALLY THEY WILL START OPERATING AT THE HIGHEST SPEED. TAKES SEVERAL TRIES OF TURNING THEM ON AND THEN OFF AGAIN TO MAKE THEM STOP. FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKES EXCESSIVELY WHEN GOING DOWN HILLS AND BRAKING. CRACKS WERE FOUND IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY OF 1999. DOME LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. PROBLEM IS REMEDIED BY REMOVING THE FUSE FOR THE DOME LIGHT OVER NIGHT AND THEN REPLACING THE NEXT MORNING.*JB
Mileage: 60,000
20030213SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY VIBRATED, THE TIRES WERE REPLACED 5 TIMES, ALSO THE ABS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY.*SCC *JB
Mileage: 6,114
20030213SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY VIBRATED, THE TIRES WERE REPLACED 5 TIMES, ALSO THE ABS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY.*SCC *JB
Mileage: 6,114
20021226SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES EXCESSIVE FRONT SUSPENSION VIBRATION WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO WEAR UNEVENLY, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL FACILITIES TO BE REPAIRED BUT HE PROBLEM STILL EXIST, THE VEHICLE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON AND OFF, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES. NLM
20021226SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES EXCESSIVE FRONT SUSPENSION VIBRATION WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO WEAR UNEVENLY, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL FACILITIES TO BE REPAIRED BUT HE PROBLEM STILL EXIST, THE VEHICLE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON AND OFF, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES. NLM
20020524POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN DRIVING, HARD TO ACCELARATE.*AK *SLC
Compare 1997MAZDAB-SERIES TRUCK to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
RQ26002Recall QueryOpen
Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy
PE19006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment
PE18006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Front Subframe Corrosion
PE15022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Lower ball joint separation
PE14005Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Brake Booster Failure
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1997 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK have?▼
The 1997 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK has 64 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK?▼
The most-complained component for the 1997 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK is TIRES with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES:TREAD/BELT and SUSPENSION:FRONT.
Is the 1997 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.