← New search

2002 Mazda Mpv

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mpv years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Mazda Mpv are substantially higher than the model-year median of 36.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Mpv years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

92 reports with mileage · 32 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports5 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

66 reports
Clear category filter
49,000 miles · Feb 21, 2006
Power Train

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 2002 MAZDA MPV (ONLY 49,000 MILES! ON IT) ON A BUSY CALIFORNIA FREE AND I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T INJURED. I HAD NO WARNING, JUST COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE ON A BUSY INCLINE. WAS 250 MILES AWAY FROM HOME TOO, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO NEAREST MAZDA DEALER. FOUND OUT THE WARRANTY IS ONLY FOR 3 YEARS ON TRANS,…

Read full complaint

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 2002 MAZDA MPV (ONLY 49,000 MILES! ON IT) ON A BUSY CALIFORNIA FREE AND I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T INJURED. I HAD NO WARNING, JUST COMPLETE FAILURE WHILE ON A BUSY INCLINE. WAS 250 MILES AWAY FROM HOME TOO, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO NEAREST MAZDA DEALER. FOUND OUT THE WARRANTY IS ONLY FOR 3 YEARS ON TRANS, BUT IF I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2003, THE WARRANTY WOULD HAVE BEEN 4 YEARS AND I WOULDN'T BE STUCK WITH A $3500 BILL. ALSO RECEIVED SHODDY SERVICE BY SALESMAN AT DEALERSHIP BECAUSE SERVICE WASN'T OPEN AND I HAD TO FIND MY OWN WAY TO GET RENTAL CAR AND ENDED UP SPENDING 3 DAYS IN THIS TOWN. WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER MAZDA EVER! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10150712

83,950 miles · Jan 20, 2006
Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH ON NEIGHBORHOOD ROADS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LURCH AS IF BRAKING VERY HARD, AND NEARLY CAUSING A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO 3 DIFFERENT SERVICE DEALER MECHANICS, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10148202

68,490 miles · Jan 3, 2006
Power Train

(1) 2002 MAZDA MPV REQUIRED TWO TRANSMISSION REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY: ONE MODULE, THEN A SECOND MODULE INSTALLED AS PART OF RECALL, THEN THIRD MODULE MISTAKENLY INSTALLED WHEN A BURNED-OUT COIL WAS THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. (2) AT 68,490 MILES AND AGE OF 41 MONTHS, WITH WARRANTY EXPIRED, TRANSMISSION FAILED DEC. 13, 2005. DIAGNOSIS W…

Read full complaint

(1) 2002 MAZDA MPV REQUIRED TWO TRANSMISSION REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY: ONE MODULE, THEN A SECOND MODULE INSTALLED AS PART OF RECALL, THEN THIRD MODULE MISTAKENLY INSTALLED WHEN A BURNED-OUT COIL WAS THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. (2) AT 68,490 MILES AND AGE OF 41 MONTHS, WITH WARRANTY EXPIRED, TRANSMISSION FAILED DEC. 13, 2005. DIAGNOSIS WAS FAILED SEALS. (3) LEE MYLES TRANSMISSIONS INSTALLED REBUILT TRANSMISSION WITH UPDATED PARTS DESIGNED TO FIX WEAKNESSES IN ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION AT COST OF $4632.10. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146840

51,000 miles · Aug 10, 2005
Power Train

THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE A HARD TIME SHIFTING GEARS. THE ROUGH SHIFTING BEGAN VERY INTERMITTENTLY AT ABOUT 45,000 MILES. AT 51,000 THE SHIFTING WAS SO HARD THAT THE TIRES ACTUALLY SCREECHED WHEN THE VAN SHIFTED GEARS. PROBLEM CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE SOLENOIDS. 2 OF THE 8 SOLENOIDS PLUS THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED TO…

Read full complaint

THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE A HARD TIME SHIFTING GEARS. THE ROUGH SHIFTING BEGAN VERY INTERMITTENTLY AT ABOUT 45,000 MILES. AT 51,000 THE SHIFTING WAS SO HARD THAT THE TIRES ACTUALLY SCREECHED WHEN THE VAN SHIFTED GEARS. PROBLEM CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE SOLENOIDS. 2 OF THE 8 SOLENOIDS PLUS THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR SINCE WE DID NOT GET THE VAN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT PRIOR THE 50,000 MILE MARK. THE TORQUE WAS AVAILABLE AS 'REBUILT". *NM

NHTSA ODI #10132180

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2004
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHILE WAITING AT AN INTERSECTION VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE STOPPED COMPLETELY. MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE UPGRADED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10103516

38,500 miles · Nov 13, 2004
Power Train

SHIFTING WAS "CLUNKY" SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2002. HAD DEALER LOOK AT PROBLEM IN OCT 2004 AND THEY "REFLASHED" (REWROTE THE COMPUTER CODE) ON THE TCM: TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THIS SEEMED TO HELP FOR A DAY, THEN THE ABRUPT SHIFTING RETURNED. ON NOV 10, 2004, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY, UNABLE TO GO INTO …

Read full complaint

SHIFTING WAS "CLUNKY" SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2002. HAD DEALER LOOK AT PROBLEM IN OCT 2004 AND THEY "REFLASHED" (REWROTE THE COMPUTER CODE) ON THE TCM: TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THIS SEEMED TO HELP FOR A DAY, THEN THE ABRUPT SHIFTING RETURNED. ON NOV 10, 2004, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY, UNABLE TO GO INTO GEAR AT ALL. I WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, IT SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR, AND WOULD NOT GO BACK IN. I WAS LEFT WITHOUT POWER TO THE WHEELS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP REPLACING TRANSMISSION UNDER WAARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10098796

36,874 miles · Apr 28, 2004
Power Train

I HAVE A LEMON 2002 MAZDA MPV. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VAN IN FOR SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING BAD. I ALSO EXPERIENCED THE NASTY ROTTON EGG SMELL IN MY VAN ONLY TO ASSUME IT WAS THE AREA I WAS IN (SEWER). ON APRIL 1, 2004 I WAS DRIVING ON…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A LEMON 2002 MAZDA MPV. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VAN IN FOR SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING BAD. I ALSO EXPERIENCED THE NASTY ROTTON EGG SMELL IN MY VAN ONLY TO ASSUME IT WAS THE AREA I WAS IN (SEWER). ON APRIL 1, 2004 I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WITH MY THREE CHILDREN IN THE VAN WHEN MY VAN STOPPED WORKING. I PULLED OVER ONTO THE SNOWY HIGHWAY TO TRY TO RESTART THE CAR BUT FAILED. AFTER SITTING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR 2 HOURS, WAITING FOR A TOW, I CAME TO FIND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD IN MY VAN. THEY REPLACED MY TRANSMISSION OVER A PERIOD OF 8 DAYS. THE VERY NEXT DAY AFTER RECEIVING MY VAN BACK, IT WOULD NOT START IN THE MORNINGS AND BEGAN TO BACKFIRE AND STALL. I TOOK THE VAN IN THE NIGHT BEFORE THE SERVICE DAY ONLY TO BE WITH OUT IT FOR ANOTHER WEEK. I JUST GOT MY VAN BACK ON APRIL 23. IT STILL DOES NOT START IN THE MORNINGS OR AFTER IT SITS FOR SEVERAL HOURS!!!! SO IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING THE BUCKING, KICKING, HESITATION SHIFTING GEARS.....YOUR TRANSMISSION MAY FAIL!!!!! I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT MY CAR IS A LEMON UNDER OHIO'S STATE LAWS. I AM GETTING MY MONEY BACK!!! WE PICKED MAZDA FOR THEIR KNOWN RELIABILITY AND SATISFACTION. I SURE HOPE MAZDA WILL MAKE THIS RIGHT WITH US. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU

NHTSA ODI #10067964

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2004
Power Train

I BOUGHT A MAZDA 2002 MPV LX USED WITH 9K MILES ON IT. IT HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM SIMILAR TO THOSE I HAVE REVIEWED ON YOUR SITE, INTERMITTENT HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND A CODE REFERENCE AN ELECTRICAL ADJUSTMENT. SUPOSSEDLY FIXED, NOT! TOOK IT BACK…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT A MAZDA 2002 MPV LX USED WITH 9K MILES ON IT. IT HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM SIMILAR TO THOSE I HAVE REVIEWED ON YOUR SITE, INTERMITTENT HARD SHIFTING BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND A CODE REFERENCE AN ELECTRICAL ADJUSTMENT. SUPOSSEDLY FIXED, NOT! TOOK IT BACK AND WAS TOLD THE 2002 MPV HAS HARD SHIFTING. SO DOES MY OLD POLICE BATON! I AM TAKING IT BACK AND TALKING TO THE OWNER TO GET THE TRANS FIXED OR REPLACED. IF THEY WILL NOT DO THAT THEN I WILL GO TO 3 REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION REPAIR STORES AND GET IT IN WRITING AND FILE A CONSUMER FRAUD COMPLAINT WITH THE STATE OF FL. CAN YOU LOOK INTO THIS BEING THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN ONE TRANSMISSION COMPLAINT LISTED AND ALL ARE SIMILAR AND WE GET BRUSHED OFF?

NHTSA ODI #10063906

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2004
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION "BUCKS" OR OTHERWISE SHIFTS VIOLENTLY INTO THE NEXT GEAR (ANY GEAR, PICK ONE). MY MPV CURRENTLY HAS 26,000 ON IT. WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR, BUT HAVEN'T HAD THE TIME TO TAKE IT IN. FINALLY TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER STATED (WITH A STRAIGHT FACE) TO ME THAT TH…

Read full complaint

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION "BUCKS" OR OTHERWISE SHIFTS VIOLENTLY INTO THE NEXT GEAR (ANY GEAR, PICK ONE). MY MPV CURRENTLY HAS 26,000 ON IT. WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR, BUT HAVEN'T HAD THE TIME TO TAKE IT IN. FINALLY TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER. SERVICE MANAGER STATED (WITH A STRAIGHT FACE) TO ME THAT THE BRAKES (CALIPERS) WERE CREATING "DRAG" AND THE VIOLENT SHIFT WOULD OCCUR WHEN REACHING THE THRESHOLD OF POWER TO GO INTO THE NEXT GEAR. HE RECOMMENDED THAT WE HAVE THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED AND THE ROTORS "TURNED" (FOR $250). WE DID NOT HAVE THE WORK DONE, BUT PICKED UP THE CAR. THE SHIFTING WAS A LOT BETTER WHEN WE PICKED UP THE CAR. THAT LASTED ABOUT A WEEK. NOW IT IS STARTING THAT JOLTING AGAIN. WE TOOK THE CAR TO BIG O FOR OIL CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION AND SPECIFICALLY ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE BRAKES. ROTORS AND CALIPERS ARE FINE AND THE BRAKE PADS ONLY HAVE 25% WEAR ON THEM. NOW, I AM BLONDE, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF THE BRAKES WERE CREATING "DRAG" THERE WOULD BE A MUCH HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF WEAR ON THE PADS, OR THERE WOULD BE SOMETHING INDICATING THAT THE CALIPERS WERE MALFUNCTIONING, ESPECIALLY AFTER 26,000 MILES. IN FACT, THE BIG O MANAGER THOUGHT MY HUSBAND WAS A LITTLE DAFT IN ASKING ABOUT BRAKES HAVING ANY SUCH AFFECT ON GEAR SHIFTING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10058649

1,000 miles · Jan 23, 2004
Power Train

EXTREMELY ROUGH UPSHIFT AND DOWNSHIFT WHICH THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO FIX FOR. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN THREE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TO CORRECT THE TRANSMISSION AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10054728

Official recalls

4

04V234000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

May 19, 2004

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR CABLE MAY BE BROKEN DUE TO INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH (GROUP 1). ALSO INCLUDED ARE CERTAIN 2000-2001 MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 31, 1999 AND MARCH 31, 2001, THAT HAVE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL REPAIRED AND POSSIBLY HAD A DEFECTIVE CABLE INSTALLED DURING THAT REPAIR (GROUP 2).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BROKEN ACTUATOR CABLE MAY BE OUT OF POSITION AND COULD INTERFERE WITH THE OPERATION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, PREVENTING A DECREASE IN ENGINE SPEED WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACTUATOR CABLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR VEHICLES INVOLVED IN GROUP 1 BEGAN ON JULY 7, 2004. OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR VEHICLES INVOLVED IN GROUP 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

03V206000 · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights

Jun 5, 2003

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BULB SOCKET AND THE HARNESS CAN DROP INSIDE THE BUMPER AND POSSIBLY BUT RARELY, THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE BULB CAN CAUSE THE BUMPER TO BURN.

Remedy: 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.

03V053000 · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights

Feb 13, 2003

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT FOG LIGHTS,THE FOG LIGHT BULB SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE USED WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BULB SOCKET AND THE WIRING HARNESS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FOG LIGHT HOUSING IF EXPOSED TO SHOCK AND/OR VIBRATION AND DROP INSIDE THE BUMPER. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE OPERATION OF THE FOG LIGHT MAY THEN CAUSE THE BUMPER TO BURN.

Remedy: 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.

02V078000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 20, 2002

CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." AN INCORRECT GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) WAS INDICATED ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED ACCURATE CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSERTS FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 12, 2002. 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.