1998 Mazda Mpv recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
What could happen: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
The fix: 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. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 MPV.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mazda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V674000 (manufacturer code 8715J).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-222-5500.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Summary: 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. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Consequence: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
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. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 1998 Mazda Mpv owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (7), Electrical system (3), Engine (2), Steering (2), Unknown Or Other (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
04/28/2016 · Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORST. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS AND THE CONTACT WAS UNAB…
01/28/2016 · Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED TO EMIT SMOKE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AW…
01/14/2016 · Engine · fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 MAZDA MVP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 55 MPH, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.
01/08/2016 · Electrical system · fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA MVP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE IGNITION BEGAN TO SMOKE. NO FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE FLAMES. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LATER…
11/12/2010 · Seat belts
BOLT HOLDING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH SNAPPED IN TWO AND LEFT THE LATCH HANGING FREE. *TR
01/21/2009 · Steering · fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA MPV WAGON. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE A REMEDY. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS…
09/08/2007 · Wheels / tires
TRAVELING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 275 NORTH OF TAMPA, FLORIDA AT 10:30 P.M. ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2006 WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED ON A NEARLY NEW (6 WEEK OLD) FIRESTONE TIRE. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SKIDDING SIDEWAYS TO THE LEFT AND THEN TO THE RIGHT, ALMOST OVER TURNING BEFORE BEING ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I ALSO ALMOST COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE…
07/11/2005 · Steering
(1) IT WAS RAINING. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AT AS THE HIGHWAY TURNED SLIGHTLY. (2) WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL THERE WAS A DELAY FOR THE WHEELS TO RESPOND. CONSEQUENTLY, I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE WHEEL TURNED, THEN I TURNED THE WHEEL IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED ABO…