Selling a junk Mazda B-Series pickup

The rest of the story is in the recall list: air bag inflators on the last trucks, and cruise control switches on the middle years. If your B-Series is done, we buy whole non-running and junk cars and trucks, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

The trucks behind the badge

The EPA lists B-Series pickups from 1984 to 2009 under names from the B2000 and B2200 to the B2300, B2500, B3000 and B4000, including a diesel and a B3000 that runs on ethanol.

Wikipedia gives a few anchors. The fourth generation (1985-1998) used a 2.0 four, a 2.2 four and a Mitsubishi 2.6 four, and a 2.2 diesel B2200 was offered from 1985 to 1989. The B2200 replaced the B2000 in 1987. Later North American trucks were built by Ford at its Twin Cities plant in Minnesota and its Edison plant in New Jersey, which Wikipedia says was done to save costs tied to the Chicken tax. The Ford-built B-Series ended after the 2009 model year.

1984-1993: few complaints

The first ten model years hold just 82 complaints. Fuel system, brakes and seat belts come up most. One recall stands out: campaign 92V139 covers 1991-1992 trucks whose steel spoked wheels were badly welded and can crack. Dealers replace all four wheels (15,822 vehicles).

1994-2001: tires, cruise control, brakes

These eight years have 511 complaints, more than two-thirds of the total. The 1994 alone has 122, with fuel system (19), brakes (15) and tires (13) on top. Tires lead on the 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000.

Vehicle speed control is the thread to watch. It's named in 54 complaints overall, and three recalls deal with it:

• 99V062: 1998-1999 trucks with cruise control, where a cable can interfere with the speed control (22,000 vehicles).
• 07V347: 1998-2002 trucks, where the speed control deactivation switch may leak, then overheat, smoke or burn. Dealers install a fused harness (76,000).
• 09V414: 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 trucks with a Texas Instruments deactivation switch; dealers add a fused jumper harness (39,600).

The 1994 also has a parking brake recall, 94V169 (48,609 vehicles), and a throttle that could ice open in extreme cold, 95V231 (2,000). Seat belt buckle campaign 01V227 on 2001 trucks lists 27,533 vehicles but includes Ford models too.

2002-2009: air bags

Complaints fall to 152 across these eight years, and air bags take over. For each year from 2002 to 2009 they are at or tied for the top: 19 of 24 complaints on the 2004, 15 of 16 on the 2005 and 36 of 37 on the 2007.

At least nine of the 22 recall campaigns are air bag inflator recalls. On 2004-2006 trucks, 17V806 (passenger) and 17V807 (driver) cover inflators that can rupture from too much internal pressure, 17,576 vehicles each; 23V837 re-checks replacement passenger inflators (12,741). On the 2006, 18V038 and 18V039 replace the driver and passenger inflators (2,205 each). On 2007-2009 trucks, 16V499 (5,038), 17V013 (725) and 18V016 (84) replace the passenger inflator, and 21V162 replaces the driver inflator (5,847). All but 21V162 and 23V837 say DO NOT DRIVE.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Counted from complaints owners filed with NHTSA, October 10, 2026. NHTSA holds no complaints under a 1985 B-Series. Later B-Series trucks have had fewer years in service, so their numbers are smaller, and one recall can cover several model years.

Is it worth fixing?

An old compact pickup can still be worth something running, so compare the quote with what the same truck sells for in working order.

1. Start with recalls. Put the VIN into NHTSA's recall lookup. On a 2004-2009, the air bag inflator work is free at a Mazda dealer. Our open recall guide covers selling before it's done.
2. Cruise control on a 1995-2003? Check whether the deactivation switch recall was ever done.
3. Rusted frame or worn out? See junk truck or SUV and rotted frame.

Selling the truck whole

1. Note the VIN, mileage, engine size and whether it's 2WD or 4WD.
2. Get an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Tell us where it sits: field, driveway or shop lot, and whether it rolls. Free pickup anywhere in the US.
4. Leave it complete, bed, tailgate and wheels included. Say what's already gone.
5. Have the title and ID at pickup, then read after you sell.

More Mazdas: the Tribute, MPV and CX-7, or all Mazda models.