MYRModel Year Report

1990 Mazda MPV

● Typical for this model
1990 Mazda MPV
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:38:56.155Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
49
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

29% of complaints

Complaints per year

1989: 22 complaints 1990: 49 complaints 1990 49 1991: 67 complaints 1992: 62 complaints 1993: 51 complaints 1994: 39 complaints 1995: 19 complaints 1995 1996: 18 complaints 1997: 22 complaints 1998: 19 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 2000: 149 complaints 2001: 70 complaints 2001 2002: 124 complaints 2003: 113 complaints 2004: 71 complaints 2004 2005: 36 complaints 2006: 12 complaints
1989: 22 complaints 1990: 49 complaints 1990 49 1991: 67 complaints 1992: 62 complaints 1993: 51 complaints 1993 1994: 39 complaints 1995: 19 complaints 1995 1996: 18 complaints 1997: 22 complaints 1997 1998: 19 complaints 1999: 2 complaints 1999 2000: 149 complaints 2001: 70 complaints 2001 2002: 124 complaints 2003: 113 complaints 2003 2004: 71 complaints 2005: 36 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints
1989: 22 complaints 1989 1990: 49 complaints 1990 49 1991: 67 complaints 1991 1992: 62 complaints 1992 1993: 51 complaints 1993 1994: 39 complaints 1994 1995: 19 complaints 1995 1996: 18 complaints 1996 1997: 22 complaints 1997 1998: 19 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 1999 2000: 149 complaints 2000 2001: 70 complaints 2001 2002: 124 complaints 2002 2003: 113 complaints 2003 2004: 71 complaints 2004 2005: 36 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2006

1990: 49 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19870
19880
198922
199049
199167
199262
199351
199439
199519
199618
199722
199819
19992
2000149
200170
2002124
2003113
200471
200536
200612

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

29% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-11-27

Transmission failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-12-06

Service brakes

16% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH

Seat belts

14% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing buckle assembly and rear/other.

CRASHINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing emission control and engine.

Show complaint excerpts

Engine lifters fail, causing noise.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-10-31

Suspension

10% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing front and rear.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Unable to control vehicle on snow/ice, resulting in 3 accidents.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-02-16

The rear sway bar failed. Mr scc

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-03

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1991-06-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-10-21 Throttle sticking
  2. I
    1991-10-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-02-03 Inconsistent brake perform
  3. I
    1992-02-03Engineering analysisClosed 1992-03-16 Inconsist.brk performance
  4. R
    1992-05-22Service brakes, hydraulic92V027000 The rear brake linings can change over time. As the brakes wear, the coefficient of friction can increase, producing inconsistent rear brake performance and premature activation of the ABS system.

    Remedy: Replace the rear brake assemblies with assemblies whose friction characteristics do not change. This will reduce the risk of premature ABS system activation.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    1995-03-10Engineering analysisClosed 1995-08-01 Takata seat belt buckle failure
  6. R
    1995-12-15Seat belts95V103005 The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "Press." If a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to…

    Remedy: Owners should promptly check the condition and operation of both front safety belt buckles and carefully inspect the red release button for any breaks or cracks. They should ensure that both buckles…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2015-12-17Electrical system15V674000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Mazda MPV — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 14 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 7 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 92V027000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 95V103005 · Seat belts
  • Recall 15V674000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1990 Mazda MPV reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Mazda MPV is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Mazda MPV?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Mazda MPV have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.