1996 Mazda Millenia problems
The Mazda Millenia is an automobile which was manufactured by Mazda in Japan from 1993 to 2002.
The Millenia was originally planned as the second of three models for Mazda's proposed luxury brand Amati. As the company's dwindling finances caused by the onslaught of the "bubble economy" prevented the launch of the Amati brand, the Millenia was released in the autumn of 1993 in Europe as the Mazda Xedos 9 and in Japan and Australia as the Eunos 800. The car was launched in North America in 1995 as the Mazda Millenia and in July 1997 the Japanese market Eunos 800 was also renamed to Mazda Millenia as Mazda discontinued the Eunos brand. There was no model link to the other Mazda marque, Ẽfini.
Having been developed for a separate market from typical Mazda customers, the Millenia boasted myriad finer details. It was engineered to far greater levels of perceived quality than existing Mazda cars, such as interior plastic quality, panel gap and thicker paint coating. The Millenia/Eunos 800/Xedos 9 was assembled along with the smaller Eunos 500/Mazda Xedos 6 in a new production line, presumably set up for Amati cars.
The Millenia does not have a direct predecessor or replacement in the Mazda product line, and production ceased with the introduction of the Mazda6 in 2002, itself a replacement for the 626. It appears to have received a brand-new platform, although the multi-link suspension at both ends strongly resembled that of the 1991 Mazda Sentia, with minor changes such as replacing the lower I-arm with an A-arm for front wheel drive. It was the only production car in the world to employ a Miller cycle engine (The current Demio/Mazda2 features Miller Cycle on one of its engines). Yaw-sensitive four-wheel steering was available as an option in Japan; Mazda claimed that with this feature, the Millenia was capable of passing the elk test at speeds comparable to the BMW 850i and Nissan 300ZX.
The 1997 Japanese market name change from Eunos 800 to Mazda Millenia was accompanied by a significant facelift that included some cost-saving measures. For instance, the hood was downgraded from aluminum to steel. The Millenia was again facelifted for the 2001 model year.
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Common 1996 Mazda Millenia problems
The Mazda Millenia, produced from 1995 to 2002, is known for several common problems across different model years. Here are the issues based on complaints from owners:
- Ignition system failures (1995-1999): Owners of the base model Mazda Millenia reported issues with the ignition system, including spark plug and ignition coil failures. These failures resulted in misfires and a loss of power.
- Air conditioning system failures (1997-1999): The A/C compressor was known to fail during this period, leading to a loss of cooling and potentially expensive repairs.
- Supercharger failures (2000-2002): The Millenia S featured a Miller-cycle engine with a supercharger, which was prone to bearing failures. This issue caused a loss of power and eventual engine damage.
- Poor fuel economy (2000-2002): The Millenia was known to have poor gas mileage, with many owners reporting frequent refueling.
- Suspension and brake issues: Across all model years, the Mazda Millenia suffered from issues related to its suspension and brakes. Many owners reported problems with the front suspension, including ball joint failure, which can cause a loss of control and lead to accidents. The brakes were also known to wear out quickly, causing a loss of stopping power and potential safety concerns.
- Misfires under load (57 reports): This issue was reported by 57 owners, indicating a significant problem with the engine's performance under load.
- Engine making metallic tapping noise: Some engines from the 1995 model year made a metallic tapping noise, requiring a new friction-gear spring on the camshaft.
- Headlight drain hoses getting kinked: In the 1995-1996 models, headlight drain hoses could get kinked by the aiming screws, causing fogging.
- Steering wheel being off-center: In the 1995 model year, the steering wheel may be off-center, requiring adjustment of tie rods.
These issues are common among Mazda Millenia owners, and regular maintenance and repairs are crucial to keep the vehicle running smoothly.
What happened to the Mazda Millenia?
Unfortunately, the Mazda Millenia wasn't particularly popular and faded into obscurity after being discontinued in 2002. Mazda never used the KJ-ZEM in any of its other models, as it was relatively complex and expensive to produce. This makes it among the rarest of Mazda's engines today.
How much does a Mazda Millenia cost?
Prices for a used Mazda Millenia range from a high of $17,700 to a low of $5,999. Remember that mileage and condition can affect price.
What was the last year for the Mazda Millenia?
| Mazda Millenia | |
|---|---|
| Also called | Eunos 800 Mazda Xedos 9 Mazda Eunos 800 (Australia) |
| Production | 1993–2002 |
| Assembly | Japan: Hiroshima (Hiroshima Plant) |
| Designer | Yujiro Daikoku (1990) |
How much horsepower does a Mazda Millenia supercharged have?
A 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter V-6 engine goes into the base model, while the S sedan carries a supercharged, 210-hp, 2.3-liter V-6.
1996 Mazda Millenia car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mazda Millenia problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Air bags problems
- Electrical system problems
- Wheels problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1996 Mazda Millenia vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1996 Mazda Millenia complaints
The NHTSA has received 18 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1996 Mazda Millenia.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-07-31
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: JM1TA2223T1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I WAS STOPPED AT STOPLIGHT AND BOTH AIRBAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. I HAVE A 1996 MAZDA MILLENNIA S AND NO OTHER PASSENGERS WERE IN THE CAR. THE FORCE OF THE AIRBAG TORE SOME SKIN OFF MY LEFT ARM AND THE INSIDE OF MY LEFT ARM IS VERY BRUISED FROM THE ELBOW TO THE WRIST. THE FORCE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SHATTERED MY WINDSHIELD. *TR
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-03-27
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I HAVE A 1996 MAZDA THAT HAS HAD TWO TRANSMISSIONS IN IT. AFTER RESEARCHING I HAVE FOUND THAT BETWEEN 1994-2002 THESE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE FAILED GREATLY. MY TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AT A SPEED OF 55MPH AND MY FAMILY AND I ALMOST WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE BY MAZDA TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AND COMPENSATE THE VICTIMS OF THIS POORLY DESIGNED MACHINE. *TR
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-03-20
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JM1TA2227T1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: SOMETHING POPED LOUD IN THE REAR OF THE CAR AND THEN SKIDDED SIDEWAYS DOWN THE ROAD, HIT THE DITCH WITH THE NOSE OF THE CAR, THEN PROCEEDED TO FLIP 5 TIMES, AND HIT A HOUSE. BUT THE PROBLEM IS THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WHY DID THE AIR BAGS FAIL?*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-08-09
- Fire: 1
- VIN: JM1TA2217T1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CAR WAS TURNING OFF WHEN STOPPED, TOOK TO A MAZDA DEALER CABLES WERE REPLACED, PROBLEM CONTINUED. MAZDA BURNED, FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, FIREFIGHTERS COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-05-05
- VIN: JM1TA2223T1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED FUEL OIL PRESSURE WAS LEAKING. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-05-20
- VIN: JM1TA2216T1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: DEAR SIRS -I AM AN ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1996 MAZDA MILLENIA PURCHASED NEW IN SEPT 1996 ON MAY 20TH 2002 WHILE TRAVELLING ON I-17 20 MILES SOUTH OF FLGASTAFF ,AZ , THE MOTOR SUDDELY SEIZED WITH NO IDIOT LIGHTS GOING OFF ,WATER TEMP GAUGE WAS READING NORMAL ..LUCKILY , I WAS IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND 250YDS FROM AN EXIT WHICH I COASTED TO ..MAZDA USA HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY CITING THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY (36/50,000). MAZDA HAS REVIEWED THE SERVICE RECORDS AND FOUND THEM TO BE AT INTERVELS FAR EARLIER THAN SCHEDULED MAINTENACE ...THE REFUSAL BY MAZDA TO STAND BEHIND THEIR MOTORS WITH 34,372 MILES DOES NOT SPEAK WELL OF MAZDA..TO THIS DATE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE "MELTDOWN"*AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-10-23
- VIN: JM1TA2219T1
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-07-10
- VIN: JM1TA2213T1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY ALONG WITH THE HOLD AND TCS LIGHTS, TWICE WHEN THE HOLD AND TCS LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, THE CAR REFUSED TO GO INTO OVERDRIVE, DEALER STATES THE ECM COMPUTER NEEDS REPLACED BUT MEPP CLAIMS OFFICE REJECTED THIS. *SLC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-11-20
- VIN: JM1TA2212T1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON SPORADICALLY EVERY TIME WE CHECK IT OUT IT GOES BACK OUT THEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON WE HAD THE OIL REPLACED THEN THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF WE THEN TOOK THE CAR TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THE HEADER BROKE COMPLETELY OFF THE CAMSHAFT AND IT WOULD BE $5,000 TO FIX OUR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED BY 42 DAYS AND THEY REFUSED TO HONOR AN EXTENSION AND TOLD US TO PAY OR TAKE THE CAR OFF THE PREMISES. I CONTACTED THE MAZDA WARRANTY DEPT WHO REFUSED TO EXTEND IT AND I ALSO SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO ABOUT IT. EVEN THE ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE HANDLING MY FINANCE ACCOUNT COULD DO NOTHING TO HELP. THIS CAR IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD AND WE ONLY HAD IT FOR 13 MONTHS WITH ONLY ONE PRIOR OWNER DAMAGE OF THIS CALIBER WITHOUT HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IS A BIT EXTREME. OTHER MAZDA OWNER HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM SEEMS LIKE AN ENGINE DEFECT.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-04-01
- VIN: 1YVGE22C3T5
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT WITH NO SIGNS OR PROBLEMS, JUST STOP AND COULD NOT DRIVE VEHICLE.
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-02-01
- VIN: JMITA222XT1
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: WHEEL RIMS CORRODED REQUIRING REPLACEMENT.
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-05-01
- VIN: JM1TA2229T1
- Components: SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: SUSPENSION DOES NOT ISOLATE FEEDBACK FROM ROUGH ROADS. DASHBOARD GETTING LOOSE. INTERIOR TRIM GETTING LOOSE. SOMETIMES (ON THE BUMPY ROADS), TRACKTION CONTROL SYSTEM DISABLES WHILE DRIVING. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-11-01
- VIN: JMITA2225T1
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-07-01
- VIN: 4F4CR16UOTT
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VACUUM HOSE FAILED CAUSING TRUCK TO HESITATE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JM1TA2226T1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEMS: INITIALLY, WHEN KEY IS TURNED THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND AND ENGINE FAILS TO TURN OVER. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED AGAIN THERE IS A LOUD POPPING NOISE BUT THE ENGINE TURNS OVER. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-02-11
- VIN: JM1TA2210T1
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: THE LOW BEAM ILLUMINATION IS VERY DEFICIENT. LIGHTING GOES OUT A SHORT DISTANS THEN STOPS ABRUPTLY, LIGHT CARRIES ONLY ABOUT TWO TO THREE CAR LENGHTS AHEAD OF VEHICLE.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-06-15
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JM1TA2216T1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A INTER-SECTIONAL CRASH; GOING ABOUT 10-15 MPH; WHERE THE WHOLE FRONT END OF VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED. *AK
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-03-15
- VIN: 4F4CR1ZA8TT
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: HEADRESTS DO NOT EXTEND HIGH ENOUGH TO PROTECT DRIVER FROM INJURY. *DSH
Negative 1996 Mazda Millenia car reviews
Positive 1996 Mazda Millenia car reviews
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When I was shopping, I had to choose between a Nissan Maxima and this car. The car looks great and has a much better appearance than the Maxima. The exterior is very nice and sharp, and the leather interior is also nice. It handles nicely and has enough power from the start. Even with a stick shift, the Maxima up to 2000 doesn't come close. It also performs very well on the highway. The highest speed I ever reached was 130mph, and it felt like the car was glued to the road. I'm very happy with my decision, although it does consume a lot of fuel when pushed from a standstill.
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Fun to drive, great sound system, handles well.
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You've got yourself an excellent car for the price! I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying it. Mazda has a great reputation for producing quality vehicles, so I'm sure they'll continue to impress in the future.
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It's great value for the money and it's enjoyable to drive.
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The car I inherited from my granddaughter has been well-maintained and has clocked 200,000 miles without any major issues. Although the temperature gauge has started to show some irregularities, I have been able to manage it by adding coolant slowly. I suspect that the radiator may not be completely full, so I plan to drain and refill it to see if that resolves the issue. Overall, I am confident in the car's performance and look forward to many more miles on the road.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1996 Mazda Millenia problems:
2002 Mazda Millenia Problems and Complaints - 5 Issues
... known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2002 Mazda Millenia ... common issues based on car owner complaints ... 1996 Mazda Millenia problems. (5).
Millenia S missing under Acceleration Only.. idling freely - Mazda ...
Jan 6, 2006 ... Hellow fellow Mazda enthusiasts, I have a 1996 Mazda Millenia S, with 165,000 KM on it. I also recently had the engine rebuilt (a spark plug ...
2001 Mazda Millenia Problems and Complaints - 5 Issues
... known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2001 Mazda Millenia ... common issues based on car owner complaints ... 1996 Mazda Millenia problems. (5).
2001 Millenia S problem child - Mazda Forum - Mazda Enthusiast ...
Jun 30, 2011 ... This is a good site to check out. The service manual on this site below says 1996 but the Miller Cycle supercharged is the same from 96-2001 so ...
Common 2004 Mazda B2300 Problems: Expert Q&A
Jan 17, 2021 ... The transmission issue is only if there are no engine ... 1996 mazda b2300 will idle but can't rev up the engine, ... I have a 1998 mazda millenia ...
Other years of Mazda Millenia
Are you having problems with your 1996 Mazda Millenia?
Orion Kuhlman 2025-01-03
This car has a bit of a reputation for its phantom check engine light problems, but unfortunately, that's not the only issue. I've had to replace the thermostat, O2 sensors, and pre-catalytic converters, and there's also an unhealthy coolant burning problem. However, I have to say that the typical stuff like brakes, hoses, and exhaust have remained well-preserved, which is a relief. It's a bit of a strange dichotomy - expensive to repair, yet relatively low maintenance. Oh, and just a heads up, the car does tend to rust quite a bit in northern climates.
Lazaro Bergstrom 2024-11-10
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to share my experience with my car. I bought it used with 40,000 miles and overall it's been pretty good. However, I did have to replace the head gasket at 52,000 miles which cost $1300 to repair. More recently, at 112,000 miles, the transmission went out and it will cost $2500 to fix. I also had to replace 2 CV joints. Despite these issues, there are many good aspects to the car. Just wanted to give a heads up to any potential buyers. Take care!
Lewis Robel 2024-08-28
At only 4,000 miles into my car (87,000 on the odometer), it unfortunately broke down. Despite the initial setback of needing to replace the O2 sensors for $900, I made the confident decision to invest in a used engine for $2,400. After the repair, I sold the car for $5,000, which allowed me to purchase a reliable Corolla for $7,500. Overall, I made a confident and financially sound decision to prioritize my transportation needs.
Guiseppe Hahn 2024-08-22
Although this car has had some issues, I have taken care of them by replacing the transmission, head gaskets, CV axles, O2 sensor, and EKG boot, spending over $2,500.00 in repairs in less than a year. I would recommend avoiding the 95 model unless you are prepared for potential repairs. However, with proper maintenance, this car can still provide a reliable ride.
Lenny Kohler 2024-07-29
I've had two extended warranties on my Mazda Millenia, which lasted until around 85K miles. I definitely got my money's worth out of them, as I had to replace an engine mount, valve, and other parts that added up to around $12,000 in parts and labor during the two warranties. Unfortunately, I missed out on the rear wheel fender rust recall by just one day, and the service adviser said I was too late. At 110K miles, my engine light came on and the transmission started acting up, with the 'P' lighted up on the gear section in the speedometer cluster. I went around town to all the transmission shops and the local Mazda dealership, spending around $400 for advice on the cheapest way to fix my Millenia. Eventually, I got a Japanese Domestic Engine and Transmission.