1989 Mazda MPV
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1989 Mazda MPV is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1989 Mazda MPV at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1989 Mazda MPV recalls 5
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.
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, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
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.
Fix: 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 SU…
WHEN APPLYING THE FOOT (SERVICE) BRAKE IN THE LOW VEHICLE SPEED CONDITION, THE BRAKING POWER PRODUCED MAY BE MORE THAN EXPECTED.
Fix: REPLACE BRAKE SHOE ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED ASSEMBLY.
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.
Fix: REPLACE VACUUM HOSE ASSEMBLY.
THE CENTER SAFETY BELT ATTACHMENT HARDWARE BRACKETS FOR THE THIRD SEAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE SPECIFIED TENSILE LOAD.
Fix: REPLACE SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES WITH BRACKETS.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1989 Mazda MPV common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1989 Mazda MPV MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 6 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1989 Mazda MPV costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA95005 · Seat Belts · opened Mar 1995 · closed Aug 1995THROTTLE STICKING Closed
NHTSA #PE91088 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Jun 1991 · closed Oct 1991An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 17
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 17.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A NO START, ROUGH IDLE AND / OR LACK OF POWER AFTER A 60,000 MILE TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT INTERVAL. *TT
Bulletin 00100R · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2000SUBJECT REGARDING 60,000 MILE SERVICE, INSPECTION AND / OR REPLACEMENT OF THE TENSIONER PULLEY. *TT
Bulletin 00200 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2000INFORMATION REGARDING SEAT BELT EXTENDERS. *YC
Bulletin 00598 · Seat Belts · Apr 1998CONDITIONS WITH STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY OFF CENTER. *YC
Bulletin 00198 · Steering · Apr 1998CONCERNS WITH HLA NOISE HEARD AFTER A COLD START. *YC
Bulletin 00198 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 1998SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE HLA NOISE. *YC
Bulletin 00198 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 1998USE OF A/C TRACER DYE. *TW
Bulletin 008/97 · Equipment · May 19971989-90 MPV MICROFICHE CORRECTIONS - O-RING SET - CYLINDER HEAD AND COVER - SWITCHES AND RELAYS. *TW
Bulletin C81 · Apr 1997PARTS REPLACEMENT AFTER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TW
Bulletin 007/97T · Air Bags · Apr 1997MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY - DIAGNOSTIC AND CHARGING PROCEDURE. *TW
Bulletin 001/97G · Electrical System · Apr 1997Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the MPV. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 5
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1989 Mazda MPV. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Electrical
On certain vehicles, a defect in the ignition switch could cause an electrical short to develop over time. This could result in smoke and/or fire, increasing the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Transport Canada #2015489 · Oct 2015Seats And Restraints
THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN, A NO LATCH, FALSE LATCH OR FAILURE TO UNLATCH CONDITION COULD OCCUR CREATING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. CORRECTION: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AS N…
Transport Canada #1995085 · May 1995Brakes
OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THE REAR BRAKES ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BECOME MORE AGGRESSIVE ON BRAKE APPLICATION AT LOW SPEED. THIS COULD RESULT IN REAR WHEEL LOCK UP AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: BRAKE SHOE ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED WITH IMPROVED PARTS. NOTE: ONLY VEHICLES WITHOUT ABS AFFECTED.
Transport Canada #1991143 · Oct 1991Brakes
CONTAMINATION OF THE VACUUM BRAKE HOSE CHECK VALVE BY DETERGENT USED IN MANUFACTURE, COULD CAUSE THE VALVE TO STICK AT LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES THEREBY PREVENTING ITS OPERATION. RESIDUAL VACUUM IN THE POWER BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD PROVIDE POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKES ON INITIAL APPLICATION, BUT THE STICKING VALVE WOULD PREVENT VACUUM BUILD-UP TO PROVIDE CONTINUED POWER ASSIST. THIS CO…
Transport Canada #1991017 · Jan 1991Seats And Restraints
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S 209 - SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. THE CENTRE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT HARDWARE BRACKETS FOR THE THIRD SEAT MAY NOT WITHSTAND THE REQUIRED TENSILE LOAD OF 6000 LBS OR 26.7 KN. CORRECTION: CENTRE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WITH BRACKET WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Transport Canada #1989158 · Nov 1989Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Mazda MPV
The Mazda MPV 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.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.