1997 Mazda mpv base
JM3LV5222V0825742
Vehicle history report for the 1997 Mazda mpv base (VIN JM3LV5222V0825742). Green, minivan, 3.0L 6-cyl 137 hp, gasoline. 111,414 mi reported. Registered in Ca. 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
MPG & running costs
U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 1997 Mazda mpv with this engine.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. Actual mileage varies with trim and driving conditions.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1997 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.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN JM3LV5222V0825742
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recall campaigns 1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Campaign #15V674000 · 19/10/2015These are NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year. They don't show whether this particular car has had the repair done — check this VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.
We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Mazda mpv. The breakdown below is from a sample of the 15 most recent, so the counts are not totals.
💥 4 involved a crash 🔥 2 involved a fire 🚑 6 reported injuries
🔍 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.
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 25
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1997 Mazda mpv.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA MPV. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT A CAR WASH, SMOKE FUMES APPEARED FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE.…
Fire · NHTSA ODI #10824291TIRES
I HAVE A SET OF AMERICAN PROSPECTOR SUV RADIAL TIRES ON MY 1997 MAZDA MPV THAT HAVE HAD SUDDEN BLOWOUTS. SO FAR 2 TIRES HAVE BLOWN IN THE PAST MONTH, AND AT THE TIME I WAS JUST DRIVING DOWN A PAVED STREET. THESE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN OFF ROAD, I CHECK THE INFLATION ONCE A MONTH, SO I CAN SEE NO REASON WHY THE TIRE BEAD AND SIDE WALL WOULD SUDDENLY GIVE AWAY. …
NHTSA ODI #10364262AIR BAGS,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I AM FILING A COMPLAINT IN REGARD TO MY VEHICLE'S EQUIPMENT THAT FAILED AND WAS FAULTY IN A RECENT AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH IN A STRAIGHT LANE WHEN A VEHICLE QUICKLY ENTERED ACROSS MY PATH TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. I HAD NO TIME TO BRAKE, SO THE OTHER CAR IS WHAT STOPPED MY MOTION. IT WAS A HARD HIT! MY MAZDA MPV CRASHED…
Crash · 3 injured · NHTSA ODI #10165569ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DRIVING UPHILL ON I-70 AT THE SPEED LIMIT (55) THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, THE DRIVER STEERED TO THE SHOULDER. THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BEGAN SMOKING. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THE MAZDA MPV ('97) WAS CONSUMED IN FIRE. *NM
Fire · NHTSA ODI #10164666FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
AFTER REFILLING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER SMELLED FUMES INSIDE THE CAR. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10103350FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE CONSUMER STATED THE FILLER NECK TUBE HAS RUSTED. AS A RESULT FUEL VAPORS SEEPED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. A RECALL FOR THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK HAS BEEN ISSUED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10097038POWER TRAIN
MY 1997 626 IS HAVING A SEVERE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THERE IS ONLY 60000 MILES ON IT. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FILES ON THIS ISSUE, I SINCERELY HOPE THAT MAZDA DOES SOMETHING ABOUT (RECALL OR BETTER GO OUT OF BUSINESS). *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10023421LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
IT WILL BE HARD TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS FROM THE INSIDE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10022352+ 17 more complaints on record.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who owns this vehicle from the VIN?
No — and no legitimate service can. Linking a VIN or plate to a named owner is restricted by the U.S. Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the EU GDPR and equivalent laws. CarLogs shows the vehicle only — specs, recalls, problems and value — never the person.
Is the VIN JM3LV5222V0825742 valid?
JM3LV5222V0825742 is a structurally valid 17-character VIN with a correct ISO 3779 check digit, assigned to a manufacturer in Japan. It decodes to the 1997 Mazda mpv.
Are there safety recalls on the 1997 Mazda mpv?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1997 Mazda mpv model year. That covers the model year, not this individual car: to see whether a specific vehicle still needs a recall repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.
What fuel economy does the 1997 Mazda mpv get?
The 1997 Mazda mpv has a U.S. EPA estimate of 17 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway).
Sources: NHTSA (recalls & complaints), U.S. EPA (fuel economy), NHTSA vPIC (specifications). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.