Total Complaints
55 filings
MAZDA MPV · model year
1990 MAZDA MPV
55 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1990MAZDAMPV carries 55 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 3 fires, 8 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 1990 MPV is power train:automatic transmission with 10 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4) and suspension (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 1990 MPV, 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.
55
Complaints
10
Crashes
3
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
10 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 |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 10 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 4 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 2 |
| CHILD SEAT | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20160330CrashAIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
20031127CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE WAS IDLING IN DRIVEWAY WHILE I WAS CHECKING TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL. SUDDENLY, IT DROVE AWAY IN REVERSE, CROSSED THE STREET AND WENT DOWN ANOTHER DRIVEWAY CRASHING INTO THE CORNER OF A GARAGE. IT THEN WENT ACROSS ANOTHER BACK YARD AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER GARAGE. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS MADE. *LA
Mileage: 154,000
20030403SUSPENSION:REAR
THE REAR SWAY BAR FAILED. MR SCC *JB
Mileage: 114,000
20020719POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINT ON THIS ISSUE. *YD
20010131SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
WHILE DRIVING IN ALL WHEEL DRIVE MODE THE ABS SENSOR FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY COME TO A STOP. NLM
20001101POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THREE TIMES SINCE THIS I PURCHASED THIS CAR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AND REQUIRED A TOTAL REPLACEMENT. ON EACH OCCASION I HAVE REQUESTED SOME INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT MIGHT BE CAUSING THESE FAILURES. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I DRIVE MOSTLY ON FREEWAYS AND CONSERVITIVILY AND DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS NORMAL.
19991228ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
IT IS NOT REIABLE VEHICLE FOR ME, SPEACILLY IF THERE IS A KID. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK
19991228ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKET/ WATER PUM, AND HEATER CORE FAILED 3 TIMES, SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE..
19991228ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ENGINE HEAD GASKET/ WATER PUM, AND HEATER CORE FAILED 3 TIMES, SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE..
19991228VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
ENGINE HEAD GASKET/ WATER PUM, AND HEATER CORE FAILED 3 TIMES, SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE..
19991206UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PAINT IS PEELING IN SHEETS ON FRONT BUMPER, HOOD, BACK BUMPER, TAILGATE AND ROOF OF CAR.
19990930POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER FIRST OVERHAUL. NLM
19990810CrashVISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. THE BODY LEFT SIDE WINDOW BROKE. ALSO, CHILD SAFETY SEAT WAS FORWARD FACING. *AK THE COLLISION CAUSED THE SIDE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO SHATTER. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE TEMPERED GLASS WAS SUPPOSE TO SHATTER INTO SMALL PIECES, BUT IT DID NOT. *YH *NLM
19990425STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
I HAVE NOTICED A NUMBER OF MPV VANS ON THE ROAD WITH THE SAME FLAKING PAINT ON THE HOOD.*AK
19990217SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
RECALLS 95V103005/92V027000; MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS AND BRAKE LININGS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED AND THERE ARE TWO RECALLS LISTED. BUT THE DEALER SAID THAT THE RECALLS HAD BEEN DONE, AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THAT THE RECALLS HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF. THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE RECALL PROBLEMS. *AK
19990217SEAT BELTS
RECALLS 95V103005/92V027000; MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS AND BRAKE LININGS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED AND THERE ARE TWO RECALLS LISTED. BUT THE DEALER SAID THAT THE RECALLS HAD BEEN DONE, AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER SAID THAT THE RECALLS HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OFF. THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE RECALL PROBLEMS. *AK
19990217CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE WITH IGNITION OFF, GEAR INDICATING THE PARK POSITION, TEN YEAR OLD SON WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE GEAR FROM PARK DOWN TO LOW AND INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE ROLLED ABOUT ABOUT 3 FEET, CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO MANUFACTURER. *AK *JB
19990120VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
HEATER FAN RELAY CONSTANTLY FAILS. *AK
19981127TIRES
TIRES FAILED.DUNLOP SP SPORT D31J P215/65R15.
19981127SUSPENSION
DURING VEHICLE COLLISION VEHICLE ROLLED OVER, ROOF CRUSHED IN AND DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT SPOOLED.
Compare 1990MAZDAMPV 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 1990 MAZDA MPV have?▼
The 1990 MAZDA MPV has 55 NHTSA complaints, 10 crashes, 3 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 MAZDA MPV?▼
The most-complained component for the 1990 MAZDA MPV is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 10 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and SUSPENSION.
Is the 1990 MAZDA MPV 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.