NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Mazda MPV. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
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 FOR BEING VERY UNPROFESSIONAL TO ME IN THE STORE, MAKING DEMEANING COMMENTS TO ME, AND DENYING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY ALL SEASON TIRES THAT WERE AVAILABLE ONLINE. I FILED A COMPLAINT IN JULY AFTER GOING IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND VANCE DOING SOMETHING TO MY HEADLIGHTS WHEN HE WAS NOT ASKED TO. I AM REPORTING THAT EVERY PART THAT I REPLACE NEW ON MY CAR; VANCE WENT TO THAT AREA (NEW HEADLIGHTS, NEW ROTORS) AND CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO GO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL WORK (WHICH I DID ON MY ROTORS, I HAD TO HAVE THEM MACHINED EVEN THOUGH I HAD NEW ONES PUT ON IN 2016. NEW ROTORS LAST MORE THAN 1 BRAKE PAD CHANGE). I RECEIVED THAT WORK ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 AT ANOTHER AUTOMOTIVE SHOP. I WENT TO SEARS ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 BECAUSE MY TIRE WAS LOW. MY TIRES ARE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. VANCE FROM SEARS AUTO IN SALEM, OREGON STATED HE WOULD NOT SERVICE MY CAR BECAUSE I FILED A REPORT WITH SEARS CUSTOMER SERVICE. HE STATED I CAN DRIVE TO SEARS IN BEAVERTON, OREGON WHEN VANCE KNEW I HAD A NAIL IN MY TIRE. HE WAS PUTTING MY SAFETY AT RISK. I HAD TO GO BUY ANOTHER TIRE, CALL THE DISTRICT MANAGER (LEO), AND HAVE HIM APPROVE FOR MY TIRE TO BE CHANGED IN SALEM AND TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE TIRE THAT I PAID FOR. LEO WAS VERY PROFESSIONAL AND FIXED THE SITUATION BUT I AM REPORTING VANCE ATTEMPTING TO COMPROMISE MY SAFETY, WORKING ON AREAS OF MY CAR I DID NOT ASK OR APPROVE, UNPROFESSIONAL ABUSE, AND FOR DISCRIMINATION. THERE ARE OTHER CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE FILED CUSTOMER SERVICE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS SALEM AUTO SHOP IN SALEM, OREGON BUT THEY WERE STILL ABLE TO UTILIZE THEIR WARRANTY. I APPRECIATE YOUR INVESTIGATI
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 SURVER 5 MIN.. PASS AND WE DECIDED TO GO BACK TO THE CAR TO DO PAPER WORK AND TURN AC ON.... WELL MY WIFE GOT ON TH PASSENGER SIDE AND I IN THE DRIVER SIDE WE CLOSE THE DOOR AND I PRESENT THE KEY TO TURN ON CAR.. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ON THE SEAT DEPLOYE AND INJURE MY WIFE ON HER ARMS AND BACK RIB CAGE NECK BONES BREATHING SHARP PAIN ON THE LUNG AREA MAKING HER SHORT OF BREATH. WHILE SHE RECEIVED THE IMPACT WITH OUT EXPECTING THE HIT SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS SHOT SHE LOST CONTINENCE AND FALL INTO TRAUMA AND STRESS LEVELS TILL I REALIZE IT WAS THE AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED WHILE CAR WAS IN PARK. THIS HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND OFF NO IGNITION KEYS AND HAPPEN WHEN I PRESENTED THE KEY TO TURN IT ON. NOW SHE LEAVES IN FEAR WHAT IF THE NEXT CAR DO THE SAME AND IT HAS AFFECTED HER LIFE PUTTING HER IN PAINFUL MISERY MENTAL AND SUFFERING THE IGNORANCE AND UNPROFESSIONAL HAS AFFECTED MY FAMILY. .. MAZDA IT'S RESPONSIBLE... THANK GOD SHE IT'S ALIVE AND WE WASN'T DRIVING. I DECLARE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE A RE CALL NOW PLEASE. LET'S SAFE LIFE'S. THANK YOU! SOME IT'S LIABLE FOR WHAT HAPPEN TO HER THIS VEHICLE I GOT IT FROM THE HONDA DEALER OF WINTER HAVEN FL THEY HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND KIND TRYING TO HELP US THE BEST WAY. I NEED HELP I AM LOOSING TIME AT WORK AND ALL THE DIFFICULTIES WE GOING THROUGH. WHAT CAN YOU DO?
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 BRUISED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY THE DRIVER. THE PASSENGER WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. THE POLICE WAS CONTACTED, BUT A REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
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. MAZDA DECLINED OUR REQUEST TO REPLACE THE FAULTY AIRBAG SYSTEM, AND ONLY OFFERED US A 500 CREDIT TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS OFFER DOES NOT EQUAL THE BOOK VALUE OF THE CAR, AND CERTAINLY THE REAL VALUE OF A PAID FOR RELIABLE VEHICLE IN GREAT CONDITION.
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 OWNED THE VEHICLE IN MID APRIL 2015 AND ALSO HAD TO REPLACE TWO COIL SPRINGS THAT FRACTURED PREMATURELY. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED A GASKET COVER. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO PERMANENT SOLUTION. THA MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS ON BACK ORDER SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,850.
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 THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED IN JACKSONVILLE DURING RUSH HOUR AND BEING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE BECAUSE OF A FAULTY COIL THAT THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR, IS BEYOND FRUSTRATING. I HAVE KIDS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE VEHICLE OTHER TIMES WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED AND WE HAD TO SIT IN THE VAN OR GO TO GAS STATIONS AND WAIT UNTIL IT WAS SOMEWHAT DERIVABLE AGAIN. I HAVE READ FORUM AFTER FORUM AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR MPV, RANGING FROM 1993-2006 MODELS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
WE DRIVE TO LAKE TAHOE IN MY MPV VAN WITH 5 PEOPLE IN IT. THE VAN JERKED WHEN DRIVING ACCELERATING FROM 40 TO 50 MPH. WE CHANGED DRIVER ON THE WAY, AND BOTH DRIVER FELLED THE SAME THING. IT SEEMS A TRANSMISSION SHIFT SHOCK OR SHIFT FLARE. THEN WHEN "GOOGLE" THE PROBLEM ON INTERNET, I FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR MAZDA MPV 5-SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION. MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN FAILURE AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF THE "SHIFT FLARES". THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. MAZDA SHOULD OFFER FREE REPAIR FOR THIS COMMON FAILURE OF THEIR PRODUCT. I'M ENGINEER AND I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY CARS AND CHANGE ALL OIL AND ATF ON SCHEDULE. MY FORD MINIVAN 96 AREOSTAR HAVE RUN MORE THAN 260 K MILE WITH ORIGINAL ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. IT IS STILL RUNNING STRONG. *TR
2003 MAZDA MPV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM DEALERSHIP AND VEHICLE COMPANY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE DID NOT PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION, DUE TO A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER, DESPITE SPENDING OVER $3,000 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY AT 60MPH IN TRAFFIC VEHICLE SHUT OFF. MAZDA MECHANIC TOLD ME COIL ON NUMBER ONE CYLINDER WAS BAD. THIS HAD BEEN REPLACED JUST A YEAR OR SO AGO BUT APPARENTLY WAS BAD AGAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD WAS FRACTURED. THE WHEEL WAS ALSO POINTED OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE TIE ROD WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,958.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRUNK LATCH FRACTURED, CAUSING THE HOOD TO STRIKE HER ON THE HEAD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A MINOR CONCUSSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 72,000.
UNIROYAL 2256016 AWP II ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. VAN STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE UNTIL I TOOK IT IN FOR ALIGNMENT. ALIGNMENT WAS FINE. KEPT DRIVING. PULLING GOT SO BAD THAT VAN WOULD START CAREENING OFF ROAD IF STEERING WHEEL WAS LET GO (EVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS). REMOVED FRONT RIGHT TIRE AND PUT ON FRONT LEFT WHEEL - VAN STARTED PULLING LEFT. TOOK VAN IN TO TIRE STORE - TECHNICIAN INDICATED TREAD HAD APPROX 15,000 MILES LEFT, BUT TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM REST OF TIRE. *TR
VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 112, 500 MILES WHEN IT HAD A CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE. COST TO REPAIR $1800. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THIS REPAIR IS TIED TO DRIVING WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DUE TO ENGINE COIL FAILURES. ALL ENGINE COILS HAD BEEN REPLACED BEFORE 89000 MILES. SINCE THE COILS WERE REPLACED EARLIER, NO WAY TO IDENTIFY THE NEXUS TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS "CHECK ENGINE" WARNINGS AND RELATED REPAIRS: O2 SENSOR, PCV HOSE, AND O2 CANNISTER HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN ADDITION TO ALL 6 ENGINE COILS. THERE WAS NO RECALL NOTICE ON ANY OF THESE FAILURES AND THERE WERE OTHER "CHECK ENGINE" WARNINGS WHERE NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. I HAVE DRIVEN SEVERAL CARS OVER 112000 MILES AND I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BASED ON THIS EXPERIENCE, AND THE TREATMENT AT THE MAZDA DEALER, I WOULD NOT BUY ANOTHER MAZDA PRODUCT. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV WAGON. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 90 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY INSPECTED IT AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
ONE TAILGATE STRUT BOLT ON MY MAZDA MPV FAILED WHILE I WAS OPENING THE TAILGATE CAUSING THE TAILGATE TO FALL UNEXPECTEDLY. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WASN'T HURT. *TR
2003 MAZDA MPV. 70,276 MILES. 3/8/11 - STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. TWO REAR COILS BAD; DEALER REPAIRED ALL THREE REAR COILS BECAUSE (ACCORDING TO DEALER) ONCE ONE GOES, THEY ALL GO. ($855.01) ONE WEEK LATER - 3/16/11, ROUGH IDLE AND ODOR OF GASOLINE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. 70,339 MILES. DEALER REPLACED ALL 3 FRONT COILS. ($463.76) I AM TOLD THIS IS A *COMMON PROBLEM* WITH MPVS. DEALER TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN MANY OF THEM COMING IN, AND IT WAS A GOOD THING I WAS HAVING IT TAKEN CARE OF PROMPTLY. IF I DID NOT, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GOES BAD AS A RESULT...COST OF REPLACEMENT OF THE CC: $1,000. NOTE: I OVERHEARD THE SERVICE MANAGER ON THE PHONE TELLING A CUSTOMER THE SPARK PLUG BOOT GOES BAD FIRST, AND CAUSES SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT DAMAGES THE COILS.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE AND WHEN THE TOWING COMPANY ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE THE TECHNICIANS HAD A DIFFICULT TIME REMOVING THE TIRE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE LIFT FOR THE SPARE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 03/16/11 *BF UPDATED 05/23/11
ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ENGINE COIL ON 2004 MAZDA MPV BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND ANOTHER OCCASION ON A 2003 MAZDA MPV I ALSO OWN AN ENGINE COIL BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN WET WEATHER. EACH TIME IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED TO PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE COILS BUT REPORTS NO RECALL FOR THEM. THE IS A DESIGN FLOW THAT PREVENTS THE COILS FROM DISPERSING MOISTURE PROPERLY. *TR
2003 MAZDA MPV LX WITH 35,000 MILES IGNITION COIL FAILURE AFTER DRIVING THROUGH RAINSTORM IN EXTREMELY RURAL AREA. I WAS DRIVING ALONE AND HAD TO LIMP THE VEHICLE 30 MILES BACK TO TOWN AT 25 MPH. ONLY ONE PLACE IN TOWN COULD FIX IT AND IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA MPV AND IF SO, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE POORLY DESIGNED COIL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT A PART OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD BEEN TIGHTENED WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,298. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF UPDATED 02/28/11
2003 HONDA MAZDA MVP. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH CYLINDER COILS AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TGW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING CONTINUOUSLY ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT THE PRESSURE IN THE SEAT BELT CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO FLASH. A RECALL WAS ISSUE BY MAZDA REGARDING THE AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,800. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE LIGHT ON THE SUN VISOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE REMAINS IN THE ON POSITION. THERE WERE TWO BURN HOLES IN THE VISOR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HIM. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST HIM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
THE CAR WAS OPERATING NORMALLY, THAN THE WATER PUMP BROKE. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE WATERPUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE ENGINE REQUIRED A VALVE JOB. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. IN 2004, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE PCV HOSE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE HOSE, EVEN THOUGH NO FAILURES WERE PRESENT. THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE FOR FIVE YEARS. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IDLES VERY ROUGHLY, SHAKES, AND SURGES WHENEVER IT IS IDLING AT A STOP SIGN. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON AND OTHER INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE HOSE ONCE AGAIN; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL MODEL NOR THE RECALLED MODEL. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN OPERATING NORMALLY SINCE THE MOST RECENT REPAIR. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE PLACED THE CURRENT HOSE ON THE VEHICLE BACK IN 2004 AT 30,000 MILES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,000. UPDATED 08/14/09. *LJ UPDATED 08/14/09.*JB
2003 MAZDAMPV STARTED TO STALL AND LOSE POWER. DIAGNOSIS REVEALED FAILURE OF IGNITION COIL 1 AND 3. I HAD THEM REPLACED. *TR
A FEW WEEKS AGO I HAD NOTICED THAT MY 2003 MAZDA MPV WAS JERKING OR HESITATING. I ONLY HAVE 42,395 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT TO ONE PLACE AND WAS TOLD IT SOUNDS LIKE TRANSMISSION TROUBLE TO THEM. I BROUGHT IN TO AAMCO AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THEY SHOWED ME WHERE THE METAL WAS ETCHED OUT>MY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN APRIL 2007 I WAS TOLD I WAS LUCKY TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM NOW BEFORE THE ENTIRE ENGINE SEIZED. I HAVE BEEN A MAZDA OWNER SINCE 1993 FIRST I HAD A PROTEGE THEN THE 626 NOW I OWN THE MPV I AM SHOCKED THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN SO SOON WITH SO LITTLE MILEAGE/ TO REPLACE EVERYTHING IT WILL COST ME $3480 WHAT A SHAME!!!! *TR
THE PROBLEM IS WITH A FAULTY 2003 MAZDA MPV PCV HOSE. ORIGINAL MAZDA RECALL NUMBER 2204H WAS CONDUCTED TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL FAULTY PCV HOSE. (NOTE: WHEN PCV HOSE COLLAPSED, IT CAUSED A VACUUM LEAK THAT AFFECTED MY BRAKE SYSTEM AND CAUSED PROBLEMS WHILE IN TRAFFIC, PROBLEM INTENSITY WAS BETWEEN MINOR AND MAJOR) I HAD MY PCV HOSE REPLACED IN 2004 UNDER THE RECALL, BUT THE REPLACEMENT HOSE ALSO COLLAPSED. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF A PCV HOSE COLLAPSING. I'VE HEARD OF THEM BECOMING DRY/BRITTLE SINCE IT'S A RUBBER HOSE, BUT I'VE NEVER HEARD OF A PCV HOSE COLLAPSING UNTIL THE MAZDA RECALL. THERE IS SOME VACUUM ON THE HOSE, BUT IT'S NOT VERY STRONG, I DON'T THINK IT'S STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE A COLLAPSE. IN MY OPINION, THERE NEEDS TO BE A SECOND RECALL TO REPLACE THE NOW COLLAPSING REPLACEMENT HOSES. I CONTACTED MAZDA CORPORATION AT 11:30 A.M. ON 7 MAY 09, THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY DID NOT KEEP RECORDS ON EXPECTED LIFE SPAN OR REPETITIVE PROBLEMS WITH PARTS AND THAT SINCE I HAD PUT A LOT OF MILES ON THE VAN AND IT WAS 5 YEARS OLD, AND SINCE THEY DID THE RECALL WORK, IT WAS NOW MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE FAULTY REPLACEMENT HOSE. IT'S DIFFICULT FOR ME TO BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT KEEP RECORDS ON FAULTY, RECALLED PARTS, ESPECIALLY FOR UNUSUAL PROBLEMS. MAZDA'S CASE FILE FOR MY COMPLAINT TO THEM IS 123531180. *TR
SIGNIFICANT ENGINE MISSING ON ACCELERATION CAUSED VEHICLE TO HESITATE WHILE CLEARING INTERSECTION. NEAR MISS ON MAJOR ACCIDENT. MECHANIC STATES THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2003 MPV DUE TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS. REPAIR IS TO REPLACE ALL 6 COILS AS IT IS UNKNOWN WHICH IS CAUSING THE MISFIRE. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 MAZDA MPV AND THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS FROM 4TH TO 3RD; FROM 3RD TO 2ND; AND FROM 2ND TO 1ST. IT DOES THIS EVERY DAY. IT IS SO BAD SOME TIMES I THINK WE ARE GOING TO GET SOME KIND OF NECK/BACK INJURY. I DO NOT KNOW WHY MAZDA HAS BEEN SITTING ON THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND UP TO NOW HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I DO HAVE TO SAY THAT I BOUGHT THIS VAN FROM MAZDA WITH 11K MILES IN 2004 BUT NEVER NOTICED THE DATE UNDER THE ENGINE HOOD THAT SIGNIFIED THAT THE COMPUTER HAD BEEN RE-FLASHED. I AM GUESSING THAT THEY HAD ONCE TRIED TO CORRECT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT WE ARE NOW EXPERIENCING. SHAME ON MAZDA FOR NOT DISCLOSING THIS PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE RETURN AND DID RETURN. I AM HOPING THAT SOMEONE WITH AUTHORITY, READING THESE COMPLAINTS, WILL MAKE MAZDA FIX THEIR DEFECTIVE MPV VANS. THANK YOU. *TR
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FIVE OF THE SIX COILS ON MY 2003 MAZDA MPV OVER 3 YEARS. THEY FAIL FREQUENTLY AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO MISS OR STALL EVEN WHILE MOVING. VERY DANGEROUS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MAZDA MPV 2002 - 2006. VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE THE BACK COILS - SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE FRONT ONES ARE EASY TO REPLACE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE ONE OF THE O2 SENSORS WAS REPLACED. THROUGHOUT THE FOLLOWING YEAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD BEFORE INDEPENDENTLY TURNING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NO LONGER BE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO JERK WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AT ANY SPEED. AFTER CONDUCTING HIS OWN RESEARCH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE ALL OF THE ENGINE COILS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD RE-ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,566.
I HAVE A 2003 MAZDA MPV ES. IT HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE BRAKES, I THINK! NO ONE CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG. KNOW HOW IT SOUND IF YOU RUN OVER AN UNLEVEL MANHOLE COVER AT A SLOW SPEED? EVERYTIME I BRAKE, THERE'S A CLANGY METAL TO METAL SOUND. LOUD! I HAVE HAD THE VAN PUT ON A RACK 4-5 TIMES, AND NO ONE CAN VISIBLY SEE ANYTHING WRONG. I HAVE LOOKED AT ALL THE RECALLS AND SEE NOTHING SIMILAR TO THIS. IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THE BOTTOM IS FALLING OUT EVERYTIME I BRAKE.. *TR
RESTRAINED DRIVER WAS TRAVELING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH WHEN SHE WAS T-BONED BY A STICKING VEHICLE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SERIOUS INJURIES. *TR
TRANSMISSION SLIPS, USUALLY GOING FROM 2ND TO 3RD, AND SOMETIMES 1ST TO 2ND. USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE HARD. ENGINE REVS UP AND THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS, THEN WITH A BIG CLUNK THE GEAR ENGAGES. SEEMS TO ME LIKE A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU CANNOT ACCELERATE YOURSELF OUT OF A POTENTIAL SIDE IMPACT. AND THIS MUST BE HARD ON THE TRANSMISSION TOO. I'VE CHECKED THIS OUT WITH TWO SEPARATE DEALERS, ONCE RIGHT AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE IN 2003 AND ONCE IN 2005. BOTH DEALERS COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, BUT THIS HAPPENS TO ME QUITE OFTEN, AT LEAST A COUPLE OF TIMES A MONTH. I KNOW THAT THE SERVICE BULLETIN IS OUT ON THIS, BUT NOW MY WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. AT ANY RATE, I DON'T FEEL LIKE TAKING IT INTO THE DEALER AND WASTING MY TIME ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO JERK AND IT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE IGNITION COIL FOR THE SIXTH CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION COIL FOR THE FIRST CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,500 UPDATED 08/24/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED IT COST $580 TO REPLACE EACH COIL. UPDATED 12/02/11
THE IGNITION COILS ON MY 2003 MAZDA MPV FAILS WHILE I WAS DRIVING. MY VAN ONLY HAS 27,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I DID MORE RESEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR MPV. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! *TR
MULTIPLE IGNITION COIL FAILURES. CAR ONLY HAS 54,000. MILES. STARTED AT 31K LOTS OF OTHER DRIVER COMPLAIN OF PREMATURE FAILURE. VERY EXPENSIVE TO SERVICES. CAN CAUSE ACCIDENT IF FAILS IN TRAFFIC. MANUFACTURE HAS MADE CHANGE. NEED A RECALL. *TR
2003 MAZDA MPV STALLING IN TRAFFIC. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE WILL JUST STALL, TAKING POWER STEERING, ETC. WITH IT. RESTARTS FROM NEUTRAL JUST FINE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH VEHICLES BEHIND YOU. *TR
2003 MPV'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE. VAN HAD A "STUTTERING" FEEL. EVEN THOUGH THE VAN WAS 5 WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY BY TIME, NOT MILEAGE (39901 MILES) I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP HOPING FOR A GOODWILL FIX. THEY SAID IT WAS THE EGR VALVE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN AN EGR VALVE TO OUT SO EARLY. DEALERSHIP DID COVER THE PART AND CHARGED ME $180 IN LABOR TO REPLACE THE VALVE THAT WAS ONLY A TWO BOLT REMOVAL AND EXTREMELY EASY TO GET TO. MAZDA SHOULD HAVE COVERED THIS FULLY. I WAS EXPECTING THIS TO BE THE FAMOUS COIL PROBLEM. *TR
WE WERE GOING THRU AN INTERSECTION WHEN ANOTHER PERSON DECIDED TO TURN LEFT TOO EARLY. WE WERE ALREADY 1/2 WAY THROUGH, COULD NOT STOP, TRAVELING AROUND 20 MPH. WE HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE AREA OF HIS VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT END OF OUR VAN. OUR VAN TOTALLY LOST THE FRONT BUMPER, THE FRONT IS TOTALLY SMASHED, MY HUSBANDS KNEES HIT THE DASH SO HARD HE DENTED THE DASH. MY GLASSES FLEW OFF. MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE HAD SCRAPES AND BRUISES FROM THE SEATBELT CONSTRAINT KICKING IN. ALL THIS AND NEITHER AIR BAG WENT OFF. INSURANCE IS WORKING ON ESTIMATES TO REPAIR OR TOTAL THE VAN? *TR
VEHICLE STUTTERS AND DIES IN TRAFFIC. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION COIL #4. PAID $220 SINCE WAS WARRANTY WAS UP BY 4,000 MILES. ON 4-3-06, SAME PROBLEMS REPLACED COILS #1 AND #3. FILED COMPLAINT ODI#10204560. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT ON MAZDA MPV VANS MANUFACTURED FROM 2002-2006. SEE THE FOLLOWING ODI #'S 10187564,10127104,10200067,10196342,10196846,10200818,10172841, 10188280. NHTSA SHOULD FORCE MAZDA TO RECALL THESE COILS BEFORE SOMEONE STALLS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND GETS HURT. *TR
BROWSING THE COMPLAINTS 2002 - 2006 FOR THE MAZDA MPV, I THINK YOU WILL FIND MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE IGNITION COILS. I HAVE A 2003 MPV AND HAD 3 COILS AND ALL 6 PLUGS REPLACED IN THE SPRING AT A COST OF $700. I NOW HAVE ONE OR MORE COILS FAILING AGAIN AND AM FACED WITH A SIMILAR CHARGE. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL ISSUE AS IT IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERYTIME THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED IN 2004 AND THE REPAIR WAS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAD REOCCURED. HE WAS UNCERTAIN ABOUT THE EXACT MILEAGE ON HIS VEHICLE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED EACH TIME. THE DEALER INSTALLED ANOTHER ENGINE IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE COIL IGNITION HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. THE DEALER INSTALLED NEW SPARK PLUGS IN THE VEHICLE ON MARCH 13, 2007; HOWEVER, THEY FAILED A YEAR LATER AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO INSTALLED A WIRING HARNESS. THE BATTERY WAS DYING, THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK, AND THE RADIATOR CORE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, MANIFOLD STUDS, AND PCM ALL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
TL* - THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING A MAZDA MPV WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 75000 MILES, IN FOGGY CONDITIONS ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, HER VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND CAUSING HER TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAFFIC HAD STOPPED, AND SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN. AT THE TIME OF THE IMPACT, THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE SECOND VEHICLE BEHIND HER DID NOT STOP AND STRUCK HER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ACCORDING TO THE POLICE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT FAILED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS INJURED. THERE WERE A TOTAL OF THREE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE PASSENGERS WERE BELTED AND ALL SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED BOTH FRONT & REAR END DAMAGE AND HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. THE CONTACT HAS A POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. *JB