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Research · Compact Cars

1998 Mazda MilleniaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints for the 1998 Mazda Millenia. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (5) and power train (5). 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
29
Top: engine and engine cooling
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 1998 Mazda Millenia as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

29 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 1998 – May 2019
  1. Engine and engine cooling5
  2. Power train5
  3. Fuel system, gasoline4
  4. Vehicle speed control4
  5. Wheels2
  6. Electrical system2
  7. Air bags2
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  9. Structure2

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
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
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

Engine and engine cooling

5 reports
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA MILLENIA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED TO 40 MPH. APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES LATER, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 40 MPH ACCOMPANIED BY A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT QUICKLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE DECELERATION FAILURE, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO HEAR THE NOISE. SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2008, THE CONTACT HAS SPENT $7,000 AT TWO DEALERS. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO BEEN SERVICED AT PEP BOYS. IN ADDITION, THE CYLINDERS MISFIRE. ONE OF THE DEALERS PERFORMED A COMPRESSION TEST ON THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING VARIOUS ISSUES SINCE 2006. THE FUEL PUMP, SPARK PLUG WIRES, AND ALL OF THE GASKETS, INCLUDING THE HEAD GASKET, HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHAKES SIGNIFICANTLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AT THE TIME OF THE DECELERATIONS. OCCASIONALLY, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 200,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2009Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasolineODI 10267670

Power train

5 reports
“THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY 98 MAZDA MILLENNIUM. WAS 1 MONTH AFTER WE BROUGHT IT "MAY 2001". THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THE CAR, THEY PUT AN NEW TRANSMISSION IN. NOW FOR THE SECOND TIME "MARCH 2003" THE TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP AGAIN, AFTER SHIFTING INTO SECOND GEAR IT WILL NOT GO INTO THIRD GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK AND REDLINE. SINCE I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR I HAVE COME INTO CONTACT WITH ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS OUT OF THIS CAR. IF MAZDA KNOWS THAT THESE CARS ARE HAVING THESE KINDS OF PROBLEM WHY ARE THEY STILL SELLING THEM. I'M AFRAID TO PUT MY DAUGHTER IN THIS CAR BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. AND I AM GETTING NO HELP FROM THE PLACE WHERE I BROUGHT THE CAR EXCEPT WE'LL PUT A NEW ONE IN. WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? WHEN SOMEONE GETS HURT AR KILLED? PEOPLE PLEASE DO RESEARCH ON ALL THE CARS THAT YOU PURCHASE. *NLM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2003Power trainODI 10010161

Fuel system, gasoline

4 reports
“OWNER COMPLAINED ABOUT A FUEL TANK PROBLEM. OWNER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK REPLACED BECAUSE THE GAS TANK COLLAPSED. *AK THE PROBLEM WAS WITH, THE FUEL TANK, 2 SENDING UNITS AND THE FUEL CANISTER. *SC *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 24, 2005Fuel system, gasolineODI 10111214
All 1998 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
172520$3,850444
Millenia
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,850444
  • Millenia
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.3 L, Sup Charg
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Millenia
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L
    17 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

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Mazda Millenia as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026
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

1998 Millenia questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Mazda Millenia have?

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

What are the most common 1998 Mazda Millenia problems?

Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (5), power train (5), fuel system, gasoline (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Mazda Millenia get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Mazda Millenia at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026