Mazda · MPV · 2003
4
Recalls
113
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2003 Mazda MPV has 4 recalls and 113 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: power train (31 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2003 Mazda MPV page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 31 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
THE TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE INDICATED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS NOT CORRECT. THE LABELS SHOW THE MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE AS 240 KPA/32 PSI WHEN IT SHOULD BE SHOWN AS 240 KPA/35 PSI. AS A RESULT OF THIS ERROR, THE LOAD RATIOS FOR THE 205/65R15 94H AND THE 215/60R16 95H TIRES EXCEED THE LEVELS PERMITTED BY FMVSS 120.
Remedy Status
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECTED LABEL THAT THEY CAN APPLY TO THEIR VEHICLE, OR THEY CAN HAVE A DEALER INSTALL THE LABEL, IF DESIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION #4.
CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AIR BAG WARNING LABELS INTENDED FOR THE CANADIAN MARKET. THUS, THE LABELS CONTAIN WARNINGS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND FRENCH. AS A RESULT, THE AREA OF THE ENGLISH WARNING IS ONLY 16 SQUARE CENTIMETERS, AS OPPOSED TO THE 30 SQUARE CENTIMETERS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
Remedy Status
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AIR BAG CAUTION LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WHICH WERE MAILED ON JULY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOCKET HOLDER IN THE FOG LIGHTS IS INSTALLED IN THE LAMP CASING USING PRESSURE. DURING OPERATION OF THE FOG LIGHT, THE HEAT FROM THE BULB CAN EXPAND THE SOCKET HOLDER. THE EXPANSION CAN FORCE THE SOCKET HOLDER REARWARD. AFTER REPEATEDLY BEING SUBJECT TO THIS EXPANSION, IF THE FOG LIGHT IS ALSO SUBJECTED TO VIBRATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE SOCKET HOLDER WITH THE BULB HOLDER AND THE WIRING HARNESS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FOG LIGHT CASING.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING TO PREVENT THE SOCKET HOLDER FROM SEPARATING FROM THE LAMP CASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT FOG LIGHTS,THE FOG LIGHT BULB SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INSTALLATION CONDITION OF THE FOG LIGHT BULB ASSEMBLY, AND REPAIR IT WHEN NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
MY 2003 MAZDA MPV HAS A HORRIBLE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEM. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT'S THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THEY CHARGED ME 1,500 DOLLARS TO INSTALL NEW AND AND REFLASH IT AND THE TRANSMISSION STILL DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY.
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THE VANCE WHO IS THE AUTO MANAGER AT SEARS AUTO IN SALEM, OREGON AT 955 LANCASTER DRIVE NE SALEM, OREGON 97301. I BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES IN JUNE 2018 AND PURCHASED A ROAD HAZARD PLUS WARRANTY. IN BETWEEN THIS INCIDENT I AM REPORTING TO YOU; I REPORTED VANCE F...
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IT STALLS WITH NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS
BOTH SUNVISORS MIRROR HOUSINGS DROPS HANGING FROM THE CABLES EVERY TIME YOU LOWER THE SUNVISORS. IT HAPPENS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. CAN'T VIRTUALLY USE SUNVISORS. *JS
TAKATA RECALL IT SAY SR ON THE SEAT.... THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS, MY WIFE AND I WORK FOR A SATELLITE COMPANY AS INSTALLERS. SAT AT 4:30PM WE ARRIVE AT CUSTOMER HOUSE TO PERFORM THE INSTALLATION. .. TURN THE CAR OFF I TAKE THE KEYS AS NORMAL.GREET THE CUSTOMER AND DID A SITE...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT 48 HOURS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE FROM HONDA OF WINTER HAVEN IN WINTER HAVEN, FLORIDA, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THE KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. THE FRONT PASSENGER'S RIGHT ARM AND LUNG WERE...
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CAR WAS STATIONARY AND IN PARK. UPON TURNING KEY IN IGNITION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MAZDA SERVICE AGENT COULD FIND NO MECHANICAL CAUSE. IT IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. RESULTING AIRBAGS CANNOT BE TURNED ON, LEAVING US WITH A VEHICLE WITH NO AIRBAG PROTECTION. MA...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS MISFIRING DUE TO A COIL SPRING FRACTURE THAT RANDOMLY OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TO REPLACE FOUR COIL SPRINGS THAT PREMATURELY FRACTURED. THE CONTACT LATER OW...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED AND MADE A LOUD SOUND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED....
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EVERY TIME THIS MAZDA MPV GETS A LITTLE WET IT WILL NOT GO OVER 40 MPH. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO RETURN PHONE CALL OR EMAIL. THE COILS ALLOW MOISTURE TO GET IN WHICH WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO THINK IT IS OVERHEATING AND WILL NOT GO NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO. I WAS ON T...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 113 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2003 Mazda models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2003 Mazda MPV has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 113 owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Mazda MPV.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2003 Mazda MPV.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2003 Mazda MPV are power train (31 reports), engine and engine cooling (17 reports), electrical system (9 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2003 Mazda MPV. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.