1989 Mazda Mpv problems
The Mazda MPV (Multi-Purpose Passenger Vehicle) is a minivan manufactured by Mazda. Introduced in 1988 as a rear-wheel-drive model with optional selectable four-wheel drive, this was replaced in 1999 with a front-wheel-drive version with optional all-wheel-drive in some markets. Over one million MPV models have been produced since its introduction.
First generation (LV; 1988)
The MPV was designed from the ground-up as a minivan specifically for the American market, and was introduced in 1988 for the 1989 model year. It was based on the large rear-wheel-drive Mazda Luce's platform. The platform allowed such options as a V6 engine, and optional four-wheel drive. However this large platform created some liabilities in other markets. When it was introduced in Japan in January 1990, its engine displacement and exterior dimensions exceeded Japanese government regulations for vehicles classified as "compact", and as a result, Japanese buyers were liable for additional annual taxes. It was available at Mazda's Japanese luxury dealership network Ɛ̃fini starting in 1991.
Its selectable 4WD system is not to be confused with all road conditions "all-wheel-drive" systems; the MPV can be switched into locked 4WD with a switch mounted on the column gear selector. A dash mounted switch controlled the center differential, creating a locked power distributions on the front and rear axles. The 4WD is not for use on dry roads, but can be engaged and disengaged while moving. Its efficient use of interior space while offering a relatively small exterior drew from Mazda's experience with space efficient one-box minivans, like the Mazda Bongo.
Unlike other minivans, the MPV's parking brake was directly on the floor beside the driver's seat and operated by the hand, when most other minivans had the parking brake in the driver footwell area and operated by the left foot. Like the later Honda Odyssey introduced in North America in early 1995, it featured traditional hinged doors instead of sliding rear doors, though the original MPV only had a single rear door. This was also the only Mazda MPV generation sold in North America with a manual transmission, offered in the '89 through '91 model years. The middle row was available as a 3-person bench, allowing seating for eight, when most minivans only seated seven. Because of the MPV's optional 4WD, the Mazda Navajo version of the Ford Explorer (sold from 1990 to 1994) was only offered as a two-door, so as to minimize internal competition.
The van was named to Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1990 and 1991 and featured as one of their "vehicles for the coming (fuel) crisis". Initial sales were strong as well, but rapidly fell off once other makers introduced all-wheel drive and V6 engines. In the years to come, Toyota's 1991 Previa, Nissan's 1993 Quest, and Honda's 1995 Odyssey had entered the market and began diluting Mazda's market share. Sales weren't helped when the MPV received one star out of four in the Australian Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) crash tests and a "Marginal" rating in the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests for damage to the occupant compartment, tire intrusion into the driver footwell area, poor dummy kinematics, and possibility of injuries to both legs.
In 1992 for the 1993 model year, a new Mazda emblem and a remote keyless entry system were introduced. A standard driver's airbag was later introduced in early 1993.
The van was facelifted in 1995 for the 1996 model year, adding driver's side rear door, passenger side airbag, and extending the nose for improved crash protection. While the four-cylinder engine was retired for the American and Canadian markets, it was replaced with a similar but somewhat smaller 2.5 L unit for the rest of the world. A mild refresh was introduced in 1997 for the 1998 model year with "all-sport" body cladding and wheel arches, and polished alloy wheels. Mazda discontinued the original MPV after the 1998 model year for North America, and after the 1999 model year for the rest of the world.
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Common 1989 Mazda Mpv problems
The 1989 Mazda MPV, also known as the Multi-Purpose Vehicle, was a popular choice for those seeking a spacious and versatile vehicle. However, like any vehicle, it had its fair share of common problems based on complaints from owners.
One of the most common issues reported by owners of the 1989 Mazda MPV was related to the fuel pump and fuel injectors. Some models experienced problems with these components, leading to poor fuel economy and rough idling. The solution was to replace the fuel pump and injectors. This issue was specific to the 1989 model year, and not all models of that year were affected.
Another common problem reported by owners of the 1989 Mazda MPV was related to the power steering system. Some 1990 models had issues with the power steering pump and hoses, which were known to leak. This caused a loss of power steering fluid and difficulty in steering. The solution was to replace the power steering pump and hoses.
In 1991, some Mazda MPV models experienced issues with the engine oil pump. The oil pump would wear out prematurely, leading to low oil pressure and engine damage. The solution was to replace the oil pump.
In 1992, some Mazda MPV models had issues with the transmission. The transmission was known to slip, causing erratic shifting and loss of power. The solution was to rebuild or replace the transmission.
In 1993, some Mazda MPV models experienced issues with the brake system. The brake master cylinder was known to leak, causing a loss of brake fluid and reduced braking performance. The solution was to replace the brake master cylinder.
In 1994, some Mazda MPV models had issues with the cooling system. The radiator was known to leak, causing overheating and potential engine damage. The solution was to replace the radiator.
In 1995, some Mazda MPV models experienced problems with the ignition system. The ignition coil was known to fail, causing misfires and a rough running engine. The solution was to replace the ignition coil.
In 1996, some Mazda MPV models had issues with the suspension system. The strut mounts were known to wear out prematurely, causing a clunking noise and poor handling. The solution was to replace the strut mounts.
In addition to these specific issues, the first generation Mazda MPV (1989-1996) had several common problems related to the suspension and steering, electrical system, body and interior. Many owners reported excessive noise, vibrations, or a bumpy ride while driving, often caused by worn or damaged suspension components or a faulty power steering system. The first generation MPV also had several issues related to its electrical system, such as problems with the power windows, locks, and mirrors, often caused by faulty switches, motors, or wiring. Some models also experienced issues with the audio system, such as a malfunctioning radio or CD player. Finally, the first generation Mazda MPV had several issues related to its body and interior, such as rust or corrosion on the body, particularly around the wheel wells or door frames, and issues with the upholstery, such as wear or tearing of the seats or carpets.
It's important to note that not all Mazda MPV models of a certain year experienced these issues, and some issues may have been present in models outside of the specified year. Proper maintenance and timely repairs can help mitigate these issues and ensure the longevity of your Mazda MPV.
1989 Mazda Mpv car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mazda Mpv problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Seat belts problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1989 Mazda Mpv vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1989 Mazda Mpv
The NHTSA has received 26 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1989 Mazda Mpv. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1989 Mazda Mpv vehicles.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-09-16
- VIN: JM3LV5227K0
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE FUEL TANK HAD CRACK CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT AND CONSUMER CAN STRONGLY SMELL GAS FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE DEALER NOTIFIED. NLM
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-03-21
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JM3LV5212K0
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON WET ROADS AND ON A TURN VEHICLE SLID AND FILPPED OVER AND RAN INTO A TREE. BUT, SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD IN PLACE. HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALERSHIP.*AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-06-01
- VIN: JM3LV5221K0
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: DEALERSHIPS HAVE PROVIDED NO SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION. NO SAFETY DEFECT (S) LISTED IN SUMMARY.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JM3LV5221K0
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: 2 POINT SEAT BELT FOR MIDDLE SEAT FAILED AFTER FACTORY REPLACEMENT. YH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: ENGINE STUMBLES ON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON LEAN PART OF RICH LEAN CYCLE AND MAY CUT OFF UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED AND PRESSED AGAIN.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-10-09
- VIN: JM3LV5225KO
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING SLIPPAGE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-10-09
- VIN: JM3LV5225KO
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: RADIATOR FAILED DUE TO BEING CLOGGED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-10-09
- VIN: JM3LV5225KO
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: TIMING BELT FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-06-23
- VIN: JM3LV5220K0
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-01
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: RECALL 95V103005 REGARDING SEAT ELT BUCKLES, CONSUMER STATED THAT HE SET AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER ONE YEAR AGO AND AS OF YET THEY HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE PARTS TO FIX VEHICLE. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-07
- VIN: JM3LV5227K0
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL INJECTOR STICKS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-07
- VIN: JM3LV5227K0
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: TIMING BELT FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-07-30
- VIN: JM3LV5239K0
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCES EXCESSIVE WEAR TO PADS AND WARPING OF ROTORS, CAUSING PEDAL PULSATION WHEN MAKE ATTEMPT TO SLOW/STOP.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-03-27
- VIN: JMBLV5228K0
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: CYLINDER HEAD CRACKED. *DSH
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-03-01
- VIN: JM3LV5215K0
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DEALER DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO REPAIR RECALL NO 95V03005. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-01-25
- VIN: JM3LV5226K0
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, RESULTING IN NO BRAKING ABILITY, PEDAL GETS HARD, REPLACED/REPAIRED SEVERAL PARTS OF THE SYSTEM, TO NO AVAIL. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-03-14
- VIN: JM3LV5224K0
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: THE FUEL INJECTOR IS LEAKING GAS THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL CONECTOR. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT WORK. PLEASE GIVE MORE DETAILS. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Crash: 1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKES DO NOT WORK-CONSUMER'S WIFE HAD ACCIDENT HITTING ANOTHER AUTO FROM REAR BECAUSE AUTO WOULD NOT STOP. TT
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-01-26
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JM3LV5214K0
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: WHILE IN AN ACCIDENT THE FRONT SEATS FELL BACKWARDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: PLANETARY GEARS FAILED BECAUSE OF LACK OF LUBRICATION. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-01-01
- VIN: JM3LV5223K0
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: CENTER SEATBELT WHEN POSITION IN ITS SMALLEST LENGTH, DOES NOT FIT A CHILD SAFETY SEAT, IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-07-30
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JM3LV5229K0
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, BROKEN BELT BUCKLE. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-11-28
- VIN: JM3LV5229K0
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DRIVERS SEAT BELT NO LONGER WORKS, SEEMS TO BUCKLE BUT IS NOT ACTUALLY LOCKED. TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-11-28
- VIN: JM3LV5229K0
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: AIR CONDITION FUSE BLOWS WHEN IN USE. TT
1989 Mazda Mpv recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the 1989 Mazda Mpv.
- Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- Summary: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
- Consequence: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
- Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
- Manufacturer: MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
- Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
- Manufacturer: MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
- Summary: WHEN APPLYING THE FOOT (SERVICE) BRAKE IN THE LOW VEHICLE SPEED CONDITION, THE BRAKING POWER PRODUCED MAY BE MORE THAN EXPECTED.
- Consequence: THE UNEXPECTED BRAKING POWER COULD RESULT IN REAR BRAKELOCKUP AND THE VEHICLE BECOMING DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.
- Remedy: REPLACE BRAKE SHOE ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED ASSEMBLY.
- Manufacturer: MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO TEMPERATURES BELOW 5 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT (-15 DEGREES C), THE NEUTRAL DETERGENT USED AS AN ASSEMBLY LUBRICANT MAY STICK TO THE CHECK VALVE, PREVENTING VALVE FROM FUNCTIONING.
- Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE POWER ASSIST WHICHDESCREASES BRAKING ABILITY, AND PRESENTS A POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: REPLACE VACUUM HOSE ASSEMBLY.
- Manufacturer: MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
- Summary: THE CENTER SAFETY BELT ATTACHMENT HARDWARE BRACKETS FOR THE THIRD SEAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE SPECIFIED TENSILE LOAD.
- Consequence: VANS WOULD NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 210
- Remedy: REPLACE SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES WITH BRACKETS.
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