1998 Mazda Millenia: common problems and reliability

The 1998 Mazda Millenia has 29 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and power train. Owners most often flag transmission failures: including complete replacement under 37,000 miles, delayed shifting, metal shavings in fluid, and general unreliability. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 1998 model year

29
Owner complaints
0
Recalls
3
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1998 Mazda Millenia vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

engine and engine cooling
5
power train
5
fuel system
4
gasoline
4
vehicle speed control
4

What owners say across generations

The sentiment among long-term owners is predominantly negative, with a strong consensus on poor reliability, high maintenance costs, and significant mechanical failures, particularly as the vehicle ages.

  • Transmission failures: including complete replacement under 37,000 miles, delayed shifting, metal shavings in fluid, and general unreliability. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Ignition system failures: faulty ignition coils (noted as expensive, with reports of $500 per coil), spark plugs, wires, rotors, and caps causing rough idle, shaking on startup, and misfires. Frequency: very frequent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Millenia. See the full Millenia owner picture and every model year.

Other Millenia model years

Compare every Millenia year side by side to see how 1998 ranks against the rest.