Mazda

B-Series (5th)

2000-2009 · Compact Truck · 5 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.4)
248 NHTSA Complaints
0 Recalls
7 Fire Reports
23 Crash Reports
📋 Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
3/5 (26.7% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
3/5 (26.7% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
2/5 (30.6% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
2/5 (30.6% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
2/5 (30.6% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
2/5 (30.6% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
2/5 (30.6% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
2/5 (30.6% risk)
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
2/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
2/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
2/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
2/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
2/5
ESC: No FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

4.0-V6-Gas

4.0L 6-cyl / 160 hp
⚠️ Caution (3.4)
47 complaints 5.9 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
18
transmission
6
body
4
other
4
interior
3

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (18 complaints)
Transmission Issues (6 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (4 complaints)

2.3-I4-Gas

2.3L 4-cyl
⚠️ Caution (2.6)
73 complaints 8.1 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems
58
transmission
3
body
3
engine
2
wheels tires
2

Known Issues

Safety Systems Issues (58 complaints)
Transmission Issues (3 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (3 complaints)

Mazda B-Series Unidentified Engine

⚠️ Caution (2.1)
36 complaints 5.1 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires
6
safety systems
6
transmission
5
engine
5
cooling
5

Known Issues

Wheels & Tires Issues (6 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (6 complaints)
Transmission Issues (5 complaints)

2.5-I4-Gas

2.5L 4-cyl / 119 hp
Avoid (1.7)
17 complaints 8.5 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires
7
interior
3
suspension
2
body
2
other
2

Known Issues

Wheels & Tires Issues (7 complaints)
Interior Issues (3 complaints)
Suspension Issues (2 complaints)
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

3.8-V6-Gas

3.8L 6-cyl / 200 hp
Recommended (4.3)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Mazda B-Series regardless of engine variant.

Safety Systems Issues (106 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Transmission Issues (26 complaints)
transmission critical
Wheels & Tires Issues (13 complaints)
wheels_tires critical
Brakes Issues (8 complaints)
brakes critical
Body/Trim Issues (8 complaints)
body moderate

Alternatives in Compact Truck

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2009 Mazda B-Series problems?

The 2000-2009 Mazda B-Series has accumulated 248 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Safety Systems, Transmission, Wheels & Tires. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Mazda B-Series engine is most reliable?

The 2000-2009 Mazda B-Series was offered with 7 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 4.0L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2000-2009 Mazda B-Series a good used car?

The 2000-2009 Mazda B-Series can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 248 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2009 Mazda B-Series have?

The 2000-2009 Mazda B-Series has 248 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2000-2009 Mazda B-Series?

There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2000-2009 Mazda B-Series vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Mazda B-Series?

Before buying a used Mazda B-Series, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Safety Systems, Transmission, Wheels & Tires, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the B-Series?

The 2009 Mazda B-Series received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 3 stars (26.7% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: No. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 248 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-07-24.

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