Total Complaints
22 filings
MAZDA MILLENIA · model year
22 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002MAZDAMILLENIA carries 22 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 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 2002 MILLENIA is air bags with 3 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (3) and suspension:front:control arm (2). 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 2002 MILLENIA, 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.
Total Complaints
22 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM | 2 |
| STRUCTURE | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | 1 |
| WHEELS:RIM | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
AIRBAG LIGHT IN DRIVER DASH CLUSTER HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES. SOMETIMES IT STAYS ON, SOMETIMES IT BLINKS OFF AND ON.
Mileage: 143,000
DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 65 MPH FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES WHEN CAR SUDDENLY OVER-HEATED, IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO BERM. SMOKE IN THE ENGINE AREA AND ALL COOLANT LOST. TOTAL DRIVING TIME BEFORE INCIDENT WAS LESS THAN 20 MINUTES. CAR WAS TOWED TO MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP WHICH DIAGNOSED SAME ISSUE, ENGINE FAILURE. CAR REMAINS AT PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP. *TR
Mileage: 92,345
OBDII, O2 SENSOR (OXYGEN SENSOR), EGR (EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION), EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSES CHECK ENGINE TO FLASH. *TR
Mileage: 146,036
2002 MAZDA MILLENIA PAINT PEELING OFF OF SIDE VIEW MIRRORS & BACK SIDE WHEEL WELLS PAINT BLISTERING AND RUSTING. CALLED MAZDA THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *TR
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 VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 159,000 MILES ON IT & HAS NOW BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTER
Mileage: 2,876
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIAGNOSTIC CODE 1170. TO MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS COVERING EVERY ENGINE PART FROM COMPRESSION,FUEL ,HOSES ,SOLENOIDS COIL, OXYGEN SENSOR, INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP, ECT; MADZA SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE DIAGNOSTIC CODE 1170 MORE CLEAR , THEY EVEN LIST ENGINE FAILURE COME ON THIS IS UNJUST. *TR
Mileage: 90,000
TL*THE 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 *BF UPDATED 10/23/08.*JB
Mileage: 116,000
TL*THE 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 *BF UPDATED 10/23/08.*JB
Mileage: 116,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MILLENIA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE HAS BEEN LOSING TIRE PRESSURE REGULARLY. THE TIRE WAS MOVED TO THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED FOUR NEW MICHELIN TIRES. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE RIM CORRODING FROM THE INSIDE. THE RIM HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. NO OTHER TIRE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 56,559 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,503.
Mileage: 56,503
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON , SENT TO DEALER, AND DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. CAME ON AGAIN ,CHANGED PARTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE. CAME ON AGAIN CHANGED PARTS ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. NOW AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND OFF AGAIN. HAD BEEN LIKE THAT FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS NOW. *AK
Mileage: 37,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE WIRING, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.
Mileage: 86,475
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN THE DRIVER SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE RIGHT, AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS SMOKING. RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED.*AK
THERE WERE BATTERY ACID FUMES SPILLING ONTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE COMPONENTS TO CORRODE. THE FUMES SOMETIMES ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *JB *SC
Mileage: 35,000
PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATING.*MR *CB
Mileage: 7,724
FRONT END SUSPENSION! I HAVE FOR THE PAST YEAR BEEN TRYING TO GET THEM TO ADHERE TO MY FINDINGS. THERE ARE SOUNDS COMING FROM THE END, AS THOUGH THERE WAS A HELICOPTER COMING IN FROM THE DISTANT. THE FASTER YOU GO THE LOUDER IT GETS. ALSO, DRIVING REAL SLOW OR PULLING IN AND OUT OF PARKING SPACES THERE IS A RUBBING NOISE. EVEN THE SOUND OF A METAL TAP WHEN BRAKING AND BACKING UP AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS SHIFTING. I HAVE PUT UP WITH ARLINGTON ROSENTHAL MAZDA FOR TOO LONG WITH THIS. I REALLY NEED ASSISTANCE FROM SOMEONE AND THAT'S JUST THE MAJOR PROBLEM. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS WITH MY REAR DECK THAT HOLDS THE SPEAKERS. SOUNDS LIKE BUSTED SPEAKERS OR SOMETHING IS NOT PROPERLY PLACED SEALED TIGHTLY WITH THE DECK. THEY JIMMY-RIGGED THE BRAKE LIGHT COVER IN THE REAR WINDOW WITH A LITTLE PIEACE OF RUBBER TO APPLY PRESSURE A YEAR AGO. WHICH I HAVE BEEN BACK SEVERAL TIMES SINCE FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BECAUSE IT HAS COME LOOSE OR THE RUBBER WAS JUST WORN. I THINK IT'S REALLY A SPEAKER AND MAY
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A WHINING AND GRINDING NOISE. THE FASTER THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING THE LOUDER THE NOISE. ALSO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKING LONGER TO CHANGE GEARS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. AFTER BEING TO THE DEALER TWICE AND A MECHANICS SHOP ONCE, A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. *JB
Mileage: 52,000
I DROVE A MAZDA MILLENIA. IF THERE IS ANY QUESTION OF THE INTEGRITY OF THIS VEHICLE, TALK TO ME! THIS CAR HELD TOGETHER AND SAVED MY LIFE AFTER A VERY BAD ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS HIT TWICE,SPUN AND HIT A CONCRETE POST! THIS IS A MIRACLE AND I AM A BELIEVER! BAD VALENTINES DAY, GREAT CAR! THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT, BUT I DIDNT KNOW WHERE TO SUBMIT A GREAT COMPLIMENT! I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THIS CAR DID SAVE MY LIFE.
Mileage: 9,000
CONSUMER STATES THE HEADLIGHTS PROVIDE VERY POOR VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. CONSUMER CAN NOT SEE 20FT IN FRONT OF VEHICLE AT NIGHT. TS
CONSUMER STATES THEY WHEN FASTEN A CHILD SEAT IN THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT,THE SEAT BELT CAME APART WHEN BUCKLING BELT. CONSUMER AFRAID THAT IF THIS HAD HAPPEN WHILE IN A CAR ACCIDENTCHILD WILL NOT HAVE BEEN PROTECTED. MR
THE DEALERSHIP EFFECTED REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE WAS "LEFT FRONT DAMPER FORK BROKE AND IT CUT THE AXLE BOOT AND STRUT IS SLIGH". TECH NOTES INCLUDE "TLY BENT, REPLACED FORK STRUT, LEFT AXLE ON LEFT FRONT AND PERFORMED ALIGNMENT". REPAIRS COVERED BY WARRANTY. REPAIR COST $1,269.06. THIS INCIDENT MAY BE SIMLIAR TO ODI ID: 8009829. POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE CONTROL ARMS ON 2002 MAZDA MILLENIA. NLM
Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy
Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment
Front Subframe Corrosion
Lower ball joint separation
Brake Booster Failure
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.