1998-2006 Mazda Bravo

Great ute – 2006 single cab diesel we purchased in 2008 with 28,000 km. It's been used for moving house, firewood collection, garden refuse removal, amongst other things. It's been incredibly reliable. We just make sure it's regularly maintained both mechanically and aesthetically. 4wd system is great for our needs; only Tyre choice slows it down. We would highly recommend. Bulletproof. Show details

One, well built, tough 4x2 ute. B4000 – Bought it second hand at about 170,000 K . Clocks on 223,000 now . Of course I have had to replace worn out parts here & there, but really, come on, stuff wears out. - Radiator, alternator, thermostat housing, front shocks. The only complaint I have about this car is that it has NO auto transmission dipstick or drain plug. What's next ? No engine oil dipstick or drain plug? Guess I'm just an old fashioned, grumpy old man. Show details

Bucket of bolts – 2005 2x4 B2600 with G6 engine. i Never stop working on this vehicle Overheating. Vibrations.exhaust flange gaskets. Never seem to able to get it sorted out. It never stops breaking. Got to get the tailshsft balanced next. After that probably new injectors then who knows. Show details

Reliable workhorse – Bought for 7k from a car yard with nearly 300k on the clock. Ex department of ag vehicle from kattaning so spent most of its years doing country miles and was fully serviced. Had to replace a radiator, front wheel bearings and the harmonic balancer in the years i had it. Other than that i just did the regular services. Never let me down and i… Read more

crossed the continent twice and stayed off the highway as much as possible. Gibb river road, mitchell plateau, boorooloola to normanton road, and cairns back to perth through the guts via the central desert highway. Returned about 10/100 when driven sensibly. Sold it because it was the extra cab and we had a child. I'm seriously considering getting the dual cab if i can find one in good condition with good service history. If i was to level one complaint it would be that the gears are a little short for highway driving. High revs above 100kph. But it will climb anything in low range.

Perfect on or off road – The best 4x4 I have owned and at 60 years old I have had a few. Use this for everyday driving, touring distances on bitumen, and it see's some off road action regularly.I read a number of reviews before I bought it and recognised a number of comments by people ignorant of basic mechanical facts, such as people who don't know you need to glow plug… Read more

a diesel (or the glow plugs need replacing) before kicking over, and complain that it goes through starter motors. When started properly it kicks into life in an instant (as diesels do). I notice people never read the manuals, and not only for vehicles! I also get it serviced on time. Had 70 000 odo and now 130 000 and aside from filters and oil have only had to replace the glow plugs once. Make sure to replace the air filter after any dusty travel even if only do 50km, which is more a reflection of how good that system works then a perciveable fault.

Troublesome and expensive – I have a dual fuel 2003 Mazda 2wd cab chassis that I bought with 180,000 kms up. It had just had the head reconditioned and new radiator and hoses because of overheating. The mechanic had lost the paul spring out of the timing chain tensioner into the engine . (Lousy design so easy to do). I got it cheap because of the timing chain noise. I… Read more

replaced the tensioner but eventually had to replace the timing and balance shaft chains anyway. I have had enormous problems getting it to idle smoothly and to start readily when hot and this was exacerbated by the cost of parts. For example a BAC valve (IAC) costs over $500. If aftermarket parts are not available the only alternative is the wreckers. I had to replace the clutch and found when doing so that both side engine mounts were broken clean through. I found that if two of the identical electrical connectors at the front of the engine are transposed, the engine will not drop below 1500 rpm. The poor idle and hard hot starting were caused by a faulty fuel pressure regulator which I replaced with a Chinese adjustable one for $20. All in all this has been the most troublesome vehicle I have ever owned and at 81 years old I had quite a few. If I had not been able to do all the work myself, the ute would have had to be ditched, but now that I've got it sorted I may as well keep it.

A GREAT UTE, WORTH EVERY CENT – Bought this babe from a car yard 2 yrs ago, 190k on the clock . . . (Already I can hear jeers & laughs, "sucked in, you deserve to get ripped off etc . . . ") but honestly, she looked & ran great. Immediately suspicious of the 215.60.16 mags, probably been hooned, thinks I and blamed them for the slight vibration over 80 - "What vibration?" says… Read more

the salesman and my missus who was in for the test drive says,

"I'm a girl, trust me, I know a vibration when I feel one !"

He didn't argue & threw in a wheel align, wobble still there so knocked off couple hunge from the price, $3800 dual cab immaculate inside & out. Turned out to be front shocks.

Since then, new battery & starter motor, she's now 240k and running so sweet, a little thirsty but to be expected at over 2000 kg.

Overall, really impressed, a peep under the oil filler cap shows rocker gear still looking like new !

20 years old and still going – Personally, I have driven my 1996 b2600 crew cab for all the years of its life it has not been in the shop since 1999 apart from one injector service 2/2.5 years back. All oil changes and filters I have done on time, it blew a radiator some years ago and the lower ball joints on both side twice, been through a few sets of belts and AC gas. Spark… Read more

plugs last a very long time on the electronic system, and fuel injectors were checked and cleaned, not replaced, a few years back . It tows a tandem trailer all over the country has done 450,000 Ks, about 80,000Ks of that off road in 4WD,about half of that still towing the tandem trailer. And today the 5th gear started to make a strange noise. the first real problem in over 20 years.

When you consider that modern engine owners are told to expect injector problems about 120000K on most if not all brands, that some injectors can cost around $1200 each, and that's not all that is expected to fail about that time. Have I had a good run?? NO, I've had a GREAT run!! would I buy another Mazda? Yes above any other brand, it's not as nice as the new Ford Territory, nor as powerful but its proved its reliability.

Starter Motors – 2005 DX 4x4 4ltr manual Mazda Bravo Dual Cab have done 3 starter motors in last 3 years No. 4 on the way out. Only done 180,000 Klm duel fuel petrol/lpg . Can any one offer suggestion as to why I am doing these starter motors at a frustrating expensive rate  Show details

Awesome ute-feels like driving a bigger truck but smooth ride.I love IT!!!!! – I bought the 2000 B2600 Mazda single cab 4wd and it has drop sides tray and handles loads really well. I have gone over some rough terrain and for a 4 cylinder it handles it well. I also have mine dual fuel-gas/petrol which helps save money on fuel, however it is far more economical than my holden rodeo which cost an arm and a leg to use. All in… Read more

all the B2600 is a safe and reliable drive, awesome for the farm and the town life. I would buy another in an instanyt should this one ever stop going.

Going strong at 250,000 – Purchased my 2003 petrol bravo used and all things considered for the age of it and what I paid for it this has been a great ute. Before I owned it it had probably had a pretty hard life as the tray shows signs of a work ute. I've put in a new radiator and thermostat and had a few other repairs along the way as you would expect for a ute with… Read more

that many Km on it, but no major issues.

It isn't built for speed or acceleration but cruises along on the highway very nicely and quite good out of first and second around town.

What I really like about this ute in comparison to the Toyotas and others is the comfort and style of the interior is far superior on the Mazda than hilux etc.

Shocking for mechanicle issues – I live in perth western australia and i have bought an ex telstra 2003 mazda bravo with 190thousand km on the clock back in early 2012 for when first startes my business. I use this ute for work. Im about ready now to get ready of this bucket on crap on wheals. I dont know who would say Mazda makes good vehicles considering the kinds on troubles i… Read more

got with mine is started with the exhaust gasket blowing 2 months after i bought the vehicle so i got that fixed, then the starter motor went i thought ok this is just normal wear and tear, then I had the engine overheat on several occasions my mechanic could not find what caused this problem so i kept driving it and let the engine overheat driving up hills so that blew the head gasket so i got that fixed then the AC on a hot day, then the leaf sping went the other way eventually they snapped I know vehicle overloading the list just keeps on going. I found this ute is slugging to be sluggish especially up hills, overheats sometime while climing hills, makes funny noises sometimes, can only carry a tonne my new nissan navara can do 2.5 tonnes on the back with no issues and my 2013 70 series landcruiser even better. The b2500 bravo is over all a bad design rittled with issues and who on earth make cars that over heat while climbing hills. I know quite a few people that hav owned this vehicle and they totaly agree with me

Mazda Bravo Cracked Head – Brought a brand new 2006 Mazda Bravo. We have had nothing but troubles with it over heating and now we are told it has a cracked head. Only done 120000. We have been told very common. Anyone else had the same?

freestyle – have 06 petrol 5 spd manual,terrific truck,go any where in it no probs,got it off a mate with 80000kms,the only issue we have is the rfw light flashes for no reason,why is this? the only way I can get the light off is if I take off road and use it in fwd then push the rfw button an it goes off ,how strange

Mazda Bravo B2500 twin cab 4WD IS great – I Have owned my Mazda for app 5 years now after purchasing it from local council at 110,000 kms.I have been all over Australia in it now and it has done 240,000 kms .It has never let me down and is the best car ive owned.All I have done to it is changed the oil and filters when due.I have changed the belts which were still good.A couple of years… Read more ·  1

ago I was going down the canning so I had the gearbox reconditioned and a heavy duty clutch fitted.The old ones were ok but I wanted to be sure .The motor still uses no oil and runs well.When I go travelling every ones car breaks down but the Mazda keeps going.The two front wheel bearings were replaced also at 200,000.Left hand one was greaseless and noisy.RH one was perfect.Whatever vehicle you own needs preventive maintenance and it will not let you down.Diffs are still perfect which is amazing as the canning is all corrogations.Bloody rough.I use this in 4WD all the time and it handles everything well. Reliable,Powerfull,Strong Build.

V6 is great to drive – Would be great ute if the electrical system was better. Also no service or help ever from Mazda who argued over every warranty repair. They made buying a new ute a very unpleasant experience. Biggest problem has been starter motor, 1st replaced at 80,000kms, 2nd at 160,000, 3rd at 240,000, 4th at 320,000. This 8yo old ute has now done almost… Read more

400,00km's & is still only using 14L petrol for 100kms which I think is excellent. Last car was small 4WD wagon using 10L for 100kms. V6 engine is great as is cab size, really nice to drive, fuel economy Never ending starter motor problems

Bravo....to the Bravo – I have a 05 4x4 SDX dual cab ute and it has been faultless. I have added a few after market mods which has just enhanced its performance and ability off road. Handles well on road as I drive Orange to Sydney on a regular basis and the 2.5ltr motor is quite economical Looks great fuel comfortable  Show details ·  1

Not bad but could have been better – We had the 2003 single cab 4x4 turbo diesel. Handled very nicely, great on fuel, unbeatable when carrying a load (used for landscaping business so often carrying loads of sand, pavers etc), excellent off road (we did a lot of 4x4 driving in the snowy mountains in NSW). Needed a new radiator at around 20,000 due to a piece breaking off inside and… Read more

causing a blockage. Awful turbo lag. Began having problems with first gear (sometimes you couldn't get it at all and had to hope you could get going in second at lights!) - just as warranty was about to run out. Servicing from Mazda seemed dodgy, as if they were ticking off stuff they hadn't really done. Traded it in in 2006 with about 120,000km on the clock. Good ute overall. Excellent off road capabilities, good handling, carried one tonne easily. Some gearbox problems, turbo lag.

Mazda B2500 Bravo Lemon – handles well around corners. Breaks are good for a comercial vehicle. gear box when working is light and easy to select gears. The Turbo works well between 1900rpm-2700rpm when the turbo runs out of puff. Massive turbo lag. Bad heat soak issues. I have a great mechanic and even he is surprised with how many problems ive had. ive done 240,000km and… Read more

i wouldnt sell it any longer. most of the vehicle is toyota or a high quality replacement costing me over the last 5 years $40-45k

rear LSD has been re built twice due to the LSD wearing out.injection pump failing due to some small part breaking internaly. water pump siezing at 90,000km. massive electrical failure taking out the ability to start the vehicle. later found a large number of cables melted.front diff gets extremly hot when used and ejects oil from breather. transfer case ejects oil from breather when used in high range at 80/km/hr on dirty roads. poor fuel consumption for a ute with no load and 2 door DX model.13L/100km. Air con failed. glow plug modual which controls the taco and post/pre glow of the plugs failed. gear box blew at 170,000km Ive owned this vehicle since 50,000km and have had nothing but anoying problems with it. I have stuck with it thinking it will get better and stop causing me issue. i was wrong. i hope no one buys one of these vehicles ever conftable, enjoyable to drive. handles well on the road and on dirt trails. looks like a proper ute. rear LSD has been re built twice due to the LSD wearing out.

South African Lemon – I bought my bravo sdx dual cab purely based on price and now i'm wishing i had spent more on another brand.  On delivery the vehicle had overspray on various panels due to the need for mazda to respray half the car due to dodgy paint quality.  The tray was off centre by 80mm and twisted as was the front bumper making the whole car look… Read more

like a banana.  The 4x4 system has the habit of self engaging which mazda has been unable to recitfy.  The left headlight has fallen out and the windscreen seal blew away in the rain while driving. The car has covered nearly 8000k's now and in the 3 months ive had it its averaged a week per month in the dealership being fixed.....no apologies or recognition from mazda though.  This is my 4th mazda commercial and definately my last not mainly due to the vehicles shoddy quality but due to mazdas inability or unpreparedness to accept respnsibilty for this vehicle which had been repaired and resprayed prior to being sold to me as a new vehicle. Now i know why mazda has deleted the south african built, petrol v6 model from the new bt50 range. looks nice....um, thats all. shoddy build quality, no back up from maufacturer.

06 Bravoe Freestyle – I bought mine as a run out model top of the range and $10k off, I have only done 75k and the only issues have been a rear wheel brake cylinder replaced and a spot of rust on the cab roof which Mazda repaired without any problems since.I have also replaced the front shocks with Pedders. I had it put on gas just before the warranty ran out, I have… Read more

had no other problems.I do long runs and find the ute powerful and good to drive. Don't do much off road but no issues there. Comfotable, powerful and reasonably economical on gas.Mazda does the services and are good to deal with in my town. Love the rear doors which give good access behind the seats.The battery lasted over 5 years. It has been very reliable.

New starter motor – Recently replaced the starter motor and had old one pulled apart. It was found that the brushes in the starter where the problem. they are a four brush setup and two of them had got really hot and sort of melted the holders they sit in so only two brushes where working making the starter not perform well. Cost bit over $400.00 but is starting very… Read more

nicely now hot or cold. The reason ours was worse once it had been warmed up was the engine has higher compression when warm over a cold motor.Hopefully should be right for a while now