Problems · NHTSA complaints
2002 Mazda Millenia problems
Owners filed 22 complaints about the 2002 Mazda Millenia with NHTSA between May 2002 and Oct 2014. The most-cited component is engine and engine cooling (5).
Complaints
22
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Air bags4
- Suspension3
- Structure2
- Engine1
- Latches/locks/linkages1
- Wheels1
- Electrical system1
- Power train1
- Exterior lighting1
- Tires1
- Seat belts1
- Other / unknown1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
6
2
3
1
1
2
3
1
0
0
2
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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…”
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”
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…”
Structure
2 reports1 crash
“2002 MAZDA MILLENIA PAINT PEELING OFF OF SIDE VIEW MIRRORS & BACK SIDE WHEEL WELLS PAINT BLISTERING AND RUSTING. CALLED MAZDA THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE SINCE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. *TR”
Engine
1 report
“DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 65 MPH FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES WHEN CAR SUDDENLY OVER-HEATED, IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO BERM. SMOKE IN THE ENGINE AREA AND ALL COOLANT LOST. TOTAL DRIVING TIME BEFORE INCIDENT WAS LESS THAN 20 MINUTES. CAR WAS TOWED TO MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP WHICH DIAGNOSED SAME ISSUE, ENGINE FAILURE. CAR REMAINS AT PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP. *TR”
Latches/locks/linkages
1 report
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MILLENIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS BEGAN LOCKING AND UNLOCKING BY THEMSELVES REPEATEDLY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A CODE THAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE DISTRIBUTOR; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WILL CURRENTLY NOT START. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/23/08.*JB”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.