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Research · Compact Cars

1997 Mazda MilleniaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 18 owner complaints for the 1997 Mazda Millenia. Most complaints involve power train (5) and service brakes, hydraulic (3). The EPA rates it 20 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
20mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
18
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1997 Mazda Millenia as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

18 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 1998 – Feb 2006
  1. Power train5
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  3. Air bags3
  4. Fuel system, gasoline3
  5. Seat belts1
  6. Engine and engine cooling1
  7. Wheels1
  8. Seats1
  9. Fuel system, other1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Millenia model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199618
199718
199829
199927
200019
200130
200222
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

5 reports
“THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND OFF FOR TWO YEARS. I'VE TOOK IT TO 5 DIFFERENT MAZDA SPECIALIST INCLUDING THE DEALER AND EVERYONE OF THEM TELLS ME SOMETHING DIFFERENT... THINGS THAT WERE ALREADY DONE. KNOW ONE CAN SEEM TO PIN POINT WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAR. OH BY THE WAY... THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE GEAR SWITCHING FROM THE FIRST TO SECOND AND IT'S NOT THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAR HAS COST ME A LOT OF MONEY AND IT'S UP THERE WITH THE 626. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MAZDA AGAIN. *LA”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 7, 2003Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 10049379

Service brakes, hydraulic

3 reports1 crash
“WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN SEVERE COLD WEATHER BRAKE PEDAL COMMENCED TO MAKE A POPPING NOISE WHILE BRAKING. VEHICLE LOST BRAKING AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 12/12/07”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 4, 2005Service brakes, hydraulic, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10110890

Air bags

3 reports2 crashes
“CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE GOING 30MPH. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 31, 2002Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10001712
All 1997 Millenia problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.3L 6-cyl supercharged · 2.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Millenia
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.3 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive
182620$3,850444
Millenia
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182420$3,850444
  • Millenia
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.3 L, Sup Charg
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Millenia
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Mazda Millenia as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 3735
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1997 Millenia questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Mazda Millenia have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 8, 2026.

What are the most common 1997 Mazda Millenia problems?

Owners filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (5), service brakes, hydraulic (3), air bags (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1997 Mazda Millenia get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Mazda Millenia at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026