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Research · Compact Cars

2002 Mazda MilleniaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints for the 2002 Mazda Millenia. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (5) and air bags (4). 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
22
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 2002 Mazda Millenia as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

22 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2002 – Oct 2014
  1. Engine and engine cooling5
  2. Air bags4
  3. Suspension3
  4. Structure2
  5. Engine1
  6. Latches/locks/linkages1
  7. Wheels1
  8. Electrical system1
  9. Power train1

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
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
“PROBLEMS WITH FUEL SYSTEM PRACTICALLY SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE. NOTIFIED MAZDA MOTORS BUT WAS BRUSHED ASIDE. 1/13/03-ENGINE DECARBON/FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER;12/17/03-REPLACE ALL SPARK PLUGS;02/06/04 - REPLACED SHORTED OUT KNOCK SENSOR; 07/23/04 - ENGINE DECARBON/FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER; 08/23/04 - REPLACED STICKING IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE & THROTTLE BODY GASKET; 01/14/05 - REPLACED FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER; 02/04/05 - REPLACED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR; 07/22/05 - REPLACED IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE & THROTTLE BODY GASKET; 05/24/06 - REPLACED PULSE GENERATOR; 09/15/06 - REPLACED STARTER WITH REMANUFACTURED STARTER; 10/18/06 - REPLACED THERMOSTAT /CAR OVERHEATING; 10/13/06 - REPLACED INTAKE AIR TUBE; 10/18/06 - REPLACED SPARK PLUGS & REPLACED BELTS / CAR OVERHEATING; 12/08/06 - REPLACED CAM SHAFT BELT, 2 SERPENTINE BELTS 11/25/08 - REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUGS, WIRES & CLEANED THROTTLE BODY THIS VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 159,000 MILES ON IT & HAS NOW BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACED, WHEEL BALANCE LINKS REPLACED, VALVE COVER GASKETS REPLACED. I WISH I'D KNOW ABOUT YOUR WEBSITE A LONG TIME AGO. I CAN'T AFFORD THE $3500 IT'LL TAKE TO REPAIR THIS CAR SO…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2008Engine and engine coolingODI 10250138

Air bags

4 reports1 crash
“AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON , SENT TO DEALER, AND DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. CAME ON AGAIN ,CHANGED PARTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE. CAME ON AGAIN CHANGED PARTS ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. NOW AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON AND OFF AGAIN. HAD BEEN LIKE THAT FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS NOW. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2007Air bagsODI 10191602

Suspension

3 reports
“FRONT END SUSPENSION! I HAVE FOR THE PAST YEAR BEEN TRYING TO GET THEM TO ADHERE TO MY FINDINGS. THERE ARE SOUNDS COMING FROM THE END, AS THOUGH THERE WAS A HELICOPTER COMING IN FROM THE DISTANT. THE FASTER YOU GO THE LOUDER IT GETS. ALSO, DRIVING REAL SLOW OR PULLING IN AND OUT OF PARKING SPACES THERE IS A RUBBING NOISE. EVEN THE SOUND OF A METAL TAP WHEN BRAKING AND BACKING UP AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS SHIFTING. I HAVE PUT UP WITH ARLINGTON ROSENTHAL MAZDA FOR TOO LONG WITH THIS. I REALLY NEED ASSISTANCE FROM SOMEONE AND THAT'S JUST THE MAJOR PROBLEM. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS WITH MY REAR DECK THAT HOLDS THE SPEAKERS. SOUNDS LIKE BUSTED SPEAKERS OR SOMETHING IS NOT PROPERLY PLACED SEALED TIGHTLY WITH THE DECK. THEY JIMMY-RIGGED THE BRAKE LIGHT COVER IN THE REAR WINDOW WITH A LITTLE PIEACE OF RUBBER TO APPLY PRESSURE A YEAR AGO. WHICH I HAVE BEEN BACK SEVERAL TIMES SINCE FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BECAUSE IT HAS COME LOOSE OR THE RUBBER WAS JUST WORN. I THINK IT'S REALLY A SPEAKER AND MAYBE THE DECK AS WELL. WHY DON'T THEY JUST REPLACE THE WHOLE THING ALONG WITH THE SPEAKERS. BUT OF COURSE THEY WILL PROBABLY CLAIM MY WARRANTY MAY HAVE EXPIRED ON THAT PART. THE FIRST DATE OF…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2004SuspensionODI 10075435
All 2002 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

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Mazda Millenia as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 4555
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

2002 Millenia questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Mazda Millenia have?

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

What are the most common 2002 Mazda Millenia problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (5), air bags (4), suspension (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Mazda Millenia get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Mazda Millenia at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026