Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1990 Mazda MPV: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1990 Mazda MPV, most recently filed October 2015. Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1990 Mazda MPV. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1990 Mazda MPV. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V674000 Filed Oct 19, 2015

Ignition Switch may Overheat

Electrical system · ignition · switch
Official NHTSA text
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.
0.6% repairedof 1,368,500 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V674000
Listed for 1990 Mazda MPV. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 95V103005 Filed May 24, 1995

INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT BUCKLES

Seat belts · front · buckle assembly
Official NHTSA text
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.
Repair progress not yet reported360,433 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 95V103005
Listed for 1990 Mazda MPV. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 92V027000 Filed Feb 27, 1992

BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:SHOE AND DRUM SYSTEM:LININGS

Service brakes, hydraulic · foundation components · drum · shoes/linings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
THE REAR BRAKE LININGS CAN CHANGE OVER TIME. AS THE BRAKES WEAR, THE COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION CAN INCREASE, PRODUCING INCONSISTENT REAR BRAKE PERFORMANCE AND PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF THE ABS SYSTEM.
Consequence
INCONSISTENT BRAKING AND PREMATURE ACTIVATION OF THE ABSSYSTEM CAN CAUSE SUDDEN STOPS OR INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCES, AND RESULT ININCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES WITH ASSEMBLIES WHOSE FRICTION CHARACTERISTICS DO NOT CHANGE. THIS WILL REDUCE THE RISK OF PREMATURE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATION.
Repair progress not yet reported95,074 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 92V027000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (47)

47 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.

10involved a crash
3involved a fire
5injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1990 Mazda MPV, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 47.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1990 compares with other MPV years

Best and worst MPV years →
1989199019911992199319941995199619971998
This year (1990)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 19 mpg combined

19
mpg combined
17
city
22
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,550
CO₂ tailpipe
468 g/mi
EPA class
Special Purpose Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$3,437per year
$286per month
789gallons a year

Miles ÷ 19 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1990 Mazda MPV configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive17 / 22 / 19$3,550468
2.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive18 / 22 / 19$3,550468
3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive16 / 20 / 18$3,700494
3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17$3,950523
3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 16$4,200555
3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 18 / 16$4,200555

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1990 MPV for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All MPV years

Where to next

1990 Mazda MPV FAQ

How many recalls does the 1990 Mazda MPV have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 15V674000 (electrical), 95V103005 (seat belt), 92V027000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1990 Mazda MPV problems?

Owners filed 47 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (13), Seat belts (7), Service brakes (7) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1990 Mazda MPV get?

EPA rates the 2.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 17 city, 22 highway and 19 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1990 MPV compare with other years?

Among the 1989–1998 Mazda MPV model years at least five years old, the 1996 drew the fewest complaints (18) and the 1991 the most (66). The 1990 drew 47. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Was this report useful?Report a data error
My Garage
Save this car and we'll flag new recall campaigns next time you visit.