NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
124 reportsMileage unknown · Jun 1, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE HAD THREE ISSUES WITH MY MINIVAN. I HAVE HAD A ROTTEN EGG SMELL FOR THE LONGEST TIME AND WAS TOLD TO CHANGE THE TYPE OF GAS I USED. AFTER FURTHER PERSISTENCE WITH THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND THEY ARE NOW FINALLY REPLACING THEM AFTER 5 TRIPS TO THE DEALER COMPLAI…
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I HAVE HAD THREE ISSUES WITH MY MINIVAN. I HAVE HAD A ROTTEN EGG SMELL FOR THE LONGEST TIME AND WAS TOLD TO CHANGE THE TYPE OF GAS I USED. AFTER FURTHER PERSISTENCE WITH THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND THEY ARE NOW FINALLY REPLACING THEM AFTER 5 TRIPS TO THE DEALER COMPLAINING. SECOND, THERE WAS A COMPUTER SENSOR FAILURE WHICH CAUSED THE VAN TO OVERHEAT...I HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER AND GET A NEW SENSOR AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE. THIRD, I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT HESITATION IN THE TRANSMISSION ON TURNS AND WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND THEN ACCELERATING. THIS IS STILL UNRESOLVED. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO STATE THAT THE STEARING COLUMN GEAR SHIFT IS EXTREMELY ANNOYING AND I HAVE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION HIT THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10074568
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…
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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…
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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
24,000 miles · Mar 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, AND VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECK UP. DEALER DETERMINED THAT PCV HOSE SPLIT. CONSUMER REPLACED PCV HOSE TWO TIMES IN THE LAST 9 MONTHS. *AK *PH
NHTSA ODI #10063176
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…
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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
14,273 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Unknown Or OtherFire
MPV FOG LIGHT CAUGHT FIRE AFTER WE HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE ON IT THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED IT FROM. THE FIRE OCCURRED ON 8/25/03 AND THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE BACK IN JUNE. MY FAMILY WAS IN THE VAN AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE AND LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED.
NHTSA ODI #10070770
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR 6 MONTHS, THE ENGINE LIGHT ON TWICE, DIDN'T FIX IT FIRST TIME, THE ADVISOR SAID THE GAS TANK CAP IS NOT CLOSE TIGHT ENOUGHT. COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ONE AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY FOUND CONTROL SYSTEM INCORRECT FLOW, SMALL LEAK, HOSE OFF OF PURGE VALVE AT AIR CLEANER HOUSING. CAR PULLS TO L…
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I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR 6 MONTHS, THE ENGINE LIGHT ON TWICE, DIDN'T FIX IT FIRST TIME, THE ADVISOR SAID THE GAS TANK CAP IS NOT CLOSE TIGHT ENOUGHT. COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ONE AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY FOUND CONTROL SYSTEM INCORRECT FLOW, SMALL LEAK, HOSE OFF OF PURGE VALVE AT AIR CLEANER HOUSING. CAR PULLS TO LEFT ON HIGHWAY AND RIGHT ON LOCAL STREET. BROUGHT IN 4 TIME, ADMIT ALIGNMENT ON THE 3RD TIME AND FIX IT, BUT STILL PULL. BROUGHT IN AGAIN THE FOURTH TIME, SAID FOUND NO PULLING PROBLEM. WE COMPLAINT THAT THE CAR OCCASIONALLY JERK WHEN PRESS GAS PADDLE, THE JERK FEELING SIMLIAR TO THE WAY THE CAR GOT HIT IN BEHIND. THEY FOUND NO CODE FOR IT. THE CAR BEEP, THEY CAN'T FIND ANY CODE FOR IT. THERE ARE MANY PROBLEM WE FOUND IN THE CAR, BUT THEY SAID THEY CAN'T FIND THE CODE. ONE ADVISOR THINK THAT THE CAR'S PULLING BECAUSE THE CAR IS TOO HIGH. ALSO, IT HAPPEN 3 TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR THAT AFTER I PLACED THE GEAR TO REVERSE, THEN PLACE IT BACK TO DRIVE, THE CAR WON'T GO BUT THE ENGINE RUN. TO FIX IT, THEN I PLACE THE GEAR BACK TO PARK AND TO DRIVE, THEN THE CAR BACK TO NORMAL RUN. I'M VERY REGRETFUL TO HAVE BOUGHT THIS CAR. IT HAS SO MANY PROBLEM AND THE DEALEAR DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM EITHER. I'M, THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAID FINANCIALLY, AND MENTALLY FOR THIS CAR. IT IS A DISASTER.
NHTSA ODI #10069630
11,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
EquipmentUnknown Or Other
04/02 DRIVING VAN . ENGINE LIGHT/ TRANSMISSION STALL CAR WOULD NOT PULL COMPLETE LOST OF DRIVING A;SO CAME TO A SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN. 002/03 DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT / ODRIVE SYSTEM LIGHT / DOOR WONT OPEN OFF TRACK
NHTSA ODI #10069156
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2004
Power Train
VEHICLE SHIFTED VERY HARD WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. CURRENTLY, THE PROBLEM MOVED TO SECOND AND THIRD GEARS. MECHANIC INDICATED THERE WAS A COMMUNICATION ERROR WITH THE CHIP AND THE VEHICLE. DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10054020
Official recalls
4May 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗