1993 Mazda MPV

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

72/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Mazda MPV, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Power train	12	22%
Engine and engine cooling	9	16%
Air bags	8	15%
Electrical system	6	11%
Service brakes	5	9%
Tires	2	4%
Engine and engine cooling	2	4%
Fuel system	2	4%
Electrical system	1	2%
Unknown or other	1	2%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

1993 MAZDA MVP. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE RELATED TO A SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER DID NOT PROPERLY COMPLETE SAFETY RECALL 15V-674. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REBUILT T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

I RECEIVED A LETTER OF RECALL 8715J IGNITION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT. I CALLED THE NUMBER GIVEN (800-222-5500 OPTION #6) AND SPOKE WITH BRIANNA ON JAN. 6, 2016 AT 11:30 A.M. I EXPLAINED THAT MY CAR IS OLD (1993) AND HAS SOME
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR N
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

I COULD NOT RECOGNIZE ANY PRIOR SYMPTOMS OTHER THAN POSSIBLY RELATING TO AN ENGINE KNOCK WHEN THE WIRE GETS VERY HOT BEFORE IGNITION SWITCH SOCKET HAS REPEATEDLY MELTED SINCE THAN. I HAVE TORN OPEN AND INSPECTED EACH IND
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S SIDE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT A GUARDRAIL, ROLLOVER AND CAME TO REST IN THE RIGHT LANE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MR *NM
NHTSA complaint: Tires

THE HEADLIGHT TURNED ON ALTHOUGH THE SWITCH WAS TURNED OFF AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. *JB *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

I HAVE GONE THROUGH TWO TRANSMISSIONS WITH MY MAZDA MPV. THE SECOND FAILURE I WAS TOLD THERE IS A SOFT DEFECT WITH THE MAZDA TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE A 1993 MAZDA MPV.
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A DEER. THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER ALSO ADVISED THAT THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED VERY SUDDENLY AND THERE WAS NOT TIME TO
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1993 Mazda MPV. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.

Electrical system:ignition:switch 15V674000

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 co

Risk: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.

Fix: 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,

The seven scores

Reliability raw	80	excellent
Longevity est.	81	excellent
Maintenance	85	excellent
Depreciation	62	average
Performance	56	average
Efficiency	35	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 28% of other
Longevity: better than 61% of other
Running costs: better than 94% of other
Value retention: better than 53% of other

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 80: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 81: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1993 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 85: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1993 Mazda MPV?

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 12 of them (22%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1993 Mazda MPV reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 1993 Mazda MPV last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1993 Mazda MPV?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.