Model year guide

1994 Mazda MPV

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1994 Mazda MPV is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1994 Mazda MPV — representative photo
Representative photo

1994 Mazda MPV at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints42
Combined17–19 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1994 Mazda MPV recalls 1

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #15V674000 · manufacturer #8715J · 19/10/2015

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.

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.

1994 Mazda MPV common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

1994 Mazda MPV MPG & running costs

Combined17–19 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,817
EPA size classSpecial Purpose Vehicles
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,083 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 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 1994 Mazda MPV costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,085
Fuel only$19,085
Per mile$0.25

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.

Dimensions & weight

Length
176.0 in
Width
72.0–72.4 in
Height
68.1–70.9 in
Wheelbase
110.6 in
Curb weight
3,519–4,010 lb
Front track
60.2–61.0 in
Rear track
60.6 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1994 Mazda MPV — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 8

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.

NON GENUINE ACCESSORIES AFFECT AIR BAG OPERATION. *KB

Bulletin 0800306 · Air Bags · Oct 2006

BATTERY TEST PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS. *TT

Bulletin 0102504 · Electrical System · Jul 2004

SPEEDOMETER REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. *TT

Bulletin 0902604 · Equipment · Jul 2004

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 2000

SUBJECT REGARDING 60,000 MILE SERVICE, INSPECTION AND / OR REPLACEMENT OF THE TENSIONER PULLEY. *TT

Bulletin 00200 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2000

INFORMATION REGARDING SEAT BELT EXTENDERS. *YC

Bulletin 00598 · Seat Belts · Apr 1998

CONDITIONS WITH STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY OFF CENTER. *YC

Bulletin 00198 · Steering · Apr 1998

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE HLA NOISE. *YC

Bulletin 00198 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 1998

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the MPV. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1994 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 2015

Source: 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.

1994 Mazda MPV vehicles on record

1994 Mazda MPV 1994 Mazda MPVJM3LV5221R0632133

Other Mazda MPV model years

2013 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1993 1992 1991 1989 1988

1994 Mazda MPV — frequently asked questions

Does the 1994 Mazda MPV have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1994 Mazda MPV. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1994 Mazda MPV?

Across all 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, engine and engine cooling, service brakes.

What gas mileage does the 1994 Mazda MPV get?

The 1994 Mazda MPV has U.S. EPA estimates of 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.