29th Oct 2010, 07:26
I have a 2001 Millenia with 142000 miles. This is the only auto that has kept running with this many miles.
The best advice I can give is to stay away from the dealers.
The main problem with this car is sensors going out. Just replace the front oxygen sensor, transmission sensor and rear cat.
Local mechanic in New Jersey replaced the trans sensor; parts and labor $180, oxygen sensor $220, and I bought an aftermarket rear cat, direct fit (not weld) on the Internet for under $200. Had it installed for $50. Total cost $650. Dealer wanted $2000..
14th Nov 2010, 19:21
We just purchased a 2002 Mazda Millenia (not the S) from a friend and was told he thought the drivers side CV joint was going bad.
Upon already purchasing and me test driving it after my husband purchasing it, it seems to me like it may be the transmission slipping from 1st to 2nd. The tach will go up but it will take a second to shift. I don't hear any "clunking" noises or anything and have done the whole put it in reverse and decelerate and accelerate thing to see if we hear noises, and didn't hear anything. I am almost thinking that I am ruling out a CV joint.
Does this sound like the transmission is slipping? Is this a common problem? Any advice would help.
Thanks!
19th Apr 2011, 09:18
I think everyone who has owned this car has seen a blinking check engine light. What I've found to be most helpful is to stop using premium gasoline. I was told by a mechanic at the local Mazda dealer that the car does not require such a high octane. I now have 128k on my car, and I have had no problems since using regular gas, over 60k miles ago. The car is overall good. It will keep a tight feel throughout its life, the interior will hold up as well, but you will have some nagging issues with it, ie check engine, coil issues etc. Cheaper to repair than buy another car.
8th May 2011, 14:41
I have had the same problems with the engine light coming on and magically turning off and then back on again. When I bring it to my mechanic they never find anything. Since I am not mechanically inclined I just live with the engine light on and off problem. Just must be the nature of the beast?
20th May 2011, 12:20
I have the engine light on 2 times, and I ignored it; after few days it went off automatically. But now, it's on again; what can I do, as I will have to renew the registration soon and need to smog check before that... Any idea? The mileage is now 138,000, the car is great, but I worry about the engine light now.
1st Jun 2011, 07:44
Read review and comments under 2002 Millenia "Great Florida car, horrible Ohio car".
Good luck to you.
13th Jun 2011, 20:46
This sounds like the exact same problems my daughter is having with her 02 Mazda Millenia S. We bought it with 50,000 -+ miles and paid cash. Hoped it would be a dependable car for her throughout college... 4 to 5 years.
Just had the car to the dealership, and they replaced the valves... but went on to say this may or may not fix the stalling and car dying on the road. She needed 2000.00 for the cat replacements... It didn't fix the problem, back to the dealership we went. They then recommended we see a muffler shop and perhaps we could save some money that way. Muffler shop says this car has 3 catalytic converters!... The easy one to get to was reasonable enough to change. It didn't fix the problem... she's going down the highway and the car runs out of power and dies... she puts it in neutral and turns off the ignition and restarts the engine, and can drive another 15-20 minutes and it repeats the process.
We are stuck with a very nice looking and sweet driving car, except for the otherwise expensive repairs. Which I have read enough to know now that it is a common PROBLEM with this model! Can anyone give us some advice on what to do?
24th Aug 2011, 21:42
I have the same rattle noise on mine, and the mechanic couldn't hear it as well.
7th Dec 2011, 01:44
Hi buddy, my Mazda Millenia got the same problem as you mentioned. My TCS on off lights glow and the car jerks.
Did you fix that problem? If yes, can you please share your experience.. It will be a great help for me.. Thank you.
18th Feb 2013, 08:00
Did you ever fix the car? My car shakes only under acceleration. If I push the gas, it shakes bad... It goes well and has plenty of power. If I take my foot off the gas, it doesn't shake at all. I just bought it and thought it would be easy fix... but I'm not so sure now. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
18th Feb 2013, 16:03
Here is another good place to look for help: http://www.mazdaforum.com/forum/
Good luck!
21st Mar 2013, 10:50
If your car is shaking when driving or starting acceleration, check the upper control arms and the center support arms. They hold the wheel spindle or knuckle on the front wheels. Each part is about 120 a piece at Autopartswarehouse.com.
14th Feb 2014, 23:32
I have a 2001 Mazda, and I have had it for about four months or so. I have found out oil is leaking into my spark plugs, and I also now have a strange knocking noise, and it seems to get worse.
Also I can't seem to get rid of my darn check engine light. I clear it and fix the problem, but it still won't go away. Is this common for them?
I bought the car with less than a hundred thousand miles, and the motor is basically good and runs great, except for the noise and shifting in between accelerating is weird to get used to.
13th Feb 2015, 23:20
Did you ever figure out what was causing the fumes inside the car, and what was the fix? We are having the same problem on a 2002 Mazda Millenia S with the turbo charged Miller engine.
23rd Feb 2016, 00:37
"On really cold days, the TCS OFF light will come on and stay on until the car warms up."
This is correct operation for the car. Read your manual.
8th Mar 2016, 16:51
Okay, I own a 2002 Millenia S with the SC. The reason your car is doing that is because it is getting ready to start going into "limp mode", meaning the car will do that or completely cut off. To make it home, just pull over, shut off the car and restart and that will fix it until you're home. Then it happens because oil has broken the seal of your valve cover gaskets and is now slowly filling oil into your spark plug chamber and soaking it. The way to resolve... Snap photos and unplug the top. Take off the throttle body and intake. Pull manifold... Then pull valve covers. Drain... New gasket... Also I'd recommend some rev around the spark plug holes to extra seal. Then put back together...
Questions? Just ask - I just did this over the weekend... It's my birthday and I'm sharing this knowledge... like if it helps you out.
28th Oct 2010, 23:19
I have an 02 Millenia that I bought new, and now has 300,000 miles on it. I have not had any major problems with this car, and wish they still made them. I have had that blinking air bag light since it was new though, would kinda miss it if I had it cut off now. Would love to find me a couple of cheap parts cars though, just to have.