2000 Mazda Millenia L from North America - Comments

Check Engine Light goes on and off.

Three of the four power door lock motors have stopped working. They are very expensive to replace!

Rear struts are making squeaking noise.

Car has no power from the start. On the highway the performance is good.

Interior is nice and car is comfortable to drive.

Rear leg room is almost non existent.

The rear seat do not fold down to access to trunk. However, it does have access through rear armrest, but is very small.

I own a 2000 Millenia, and have had it for nearly three years. It now has over 109K miles on it, and other than a "check engine" light issue, I've had no trouble at all with it. After investigating the cause of the light. I've found thus:

Trouble code says "P400"--EGR flow restriction. After conversing with a local mechanic employed by a local Mazda dealer, he advises that the EGR system takes the exhaust and re-routes it back through the intake, thus creating a high carbon density in the intake manifold. This density, among other things, blocks a small "pin hole" in the manifold itself, and the code pops up, and the light comes on.

I've had the manifold cleaned by this dealer after trying some heavy-duty intake cleaners (Run Rite), which improved performance immensely, and having changed the EGR valve, but didn't cure the trouble code. Approximately 45K miles later (today), I'm having the entire intake removed and cleaned out (not by the dealer this time, but by another certified mechanical shop) and re-set (approximately $300 which, in my opinion, is a small cost that reaps long-term rewards). This should solve the problem for a long time to come. I do a lot of driving in my work, and I love the car--the interior, comfort level, amenities, etc., and I'm 6'2" tall, and appreciate the extra space afforded. I typically own a car well into the 250K mile or more range, and appreciate the value of consistent maintenance--the life of any car. The car is a beauty--black with grey rocker panels, tinted windows, sunroof... when it's clean (most of the time!), it's a real eye-catcher!

I have a 2001 Mazda Milenia. The car was 3 years old before I ever replaced the tires, is going on it's 4th year, at 70k miles and just now needs brakes. Overall I would highly recommend this vehicle & plan to keep it a long time. While having general maintenance & a check up today, the mechanic at the dealer recommended changing the timing belt. I gave the okay. Is this normal mileage for a timing belt replacement? I do live in South Florida and understand the heat & running it on the highway 80 miles a day could shorten it's life span. I didn't want to take any chances! This is the first investment I have made on the car other than tires, so I think it has been quite reliable & low maintenance. I too have my check engine light come on & off. Is this always a problem with Mazdas'? So far, I have not noticed if it has affected the car's performance.

The millenia is a great car although underpowered without the blower on the "S" version. The down side of owning this car is the fact that new parts are becoming hard to find and the styling looks a bit dated. The reviewer above points out a problem with an EGR code. This problem is common on the L version and is caused by using cheap gasoline. To correct the problem, remove throttle body and look into the intake manifold. There are 2 holes in the base which are critical to EGR function. They should be totally clear of carbon. Cheap gasoline causes them to clog. Go ahead and clean them with carb cleaner and the EGR related check engine light will go away.

I have a 2000 Millenia S with 160k on it I have replaced one coil on it now another one the cataltic converter got pluged and split the exhaust manifold. Everything has to be ordered from the dealer the mainifold is $1200. Does anyone know where I can find a used one?

As an ex Mazda owner, I am so glad to see the back of it; knock sensors, door locks, heavy smoking on start up, the list is endless.

A great car if you love being round mechanics. I am now a happy Alfa Romeo 156 owner; great reliability and build quality, this year I only needed to replace the window wiper. Bliss.

I would expect and hope that a dealer recall is instituted based on all of the frequently noted premature, hence latent, defects in the 2001 Mazda Millenia power train. It's a crime to be constantly bothered by the numerous annoyances at only 73,000 miles, as of March 15, 2008, not to mention the associated costs and inconvenience. I am a monster due to the unduly stress and frustration caused by this luxury car. The valve covers also leak into the rear spark plug wells and saturates the wire connection, causing reduced performance, poor mileage, and misfires constantly and sets of a non-stop blinking engine light. The tranny for the 2.5 liter engine starts to buck and shimmy after 10 or 12 minutes of driving. Is temperature a primary factor in tranny performance? Could it be sensors or solenoids related to the tranny computer that may be serviceable and adjustable without incurring more exhorbitant parts and labor costs? I need an inspection sticker real soon.