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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

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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

What owners actually said

124 reports
57,900 miles · Apr 19, 2007
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO NOT TRANSFER POWER WHEN AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTING OUT OF OVERDRIVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED. AFTER GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY AND COMING THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY (ZERO POWER TRANSFER) NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IN THE INTERSECTION A…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO NOT TRANSFER POWER WHEN AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTING OUT OF OVERDRIVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED. AFTER GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY AND COMING THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY (ZERO POWER TRANSFER) NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IN THE INTERSECTION AS THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" DID NOT ILLUMINATE UNTIL AFTER THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 57K MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND ALL SERVICE HAD BEEN DONE BY THE DEALER UP TO THAT POINT. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE MAZDA DEALER AND DIAGNOSED AS TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FAULT CODE WAS P0752, SHIFT SOLENOID CIRCUIT STUCK ON. DESPITE THE VEHICLE BEING PAST THE 3 YEAR/50K MILE WARRANTY PERIOD, MAZDA OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A FACTORY REBUILT UNIT. WE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR COSTS AND SPLIT THOSE COSTS WITH THE LOCAL DEALER. JUDGING BY THE ALREADY LARGE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGISTERED ON THE NHTSA SITE, THIS IS A KNOWN, COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS TRANSMISSION DEFECT SHOULD BE STARTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10188335

74,000 miles · Apr 15, 2007
Power Train

2002 MPV AT ABOUT 7000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO DROP OUT SUDDENLY. WE DRIVE A LOTON COUNTRY ROADS AND THERE IS NO SHOULDER TO PULL OVER ON. WE WERE VERY LUCKY NOT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPEND TWICE, THEN WE TOOK THE VAN INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT CHANGED THE FLUID. DRIVING HO…

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2002 MPV AT ABOUT 7000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO DROP OUT SUDDENLY. WE DRIVE A LOTON COUNTRY ROADS AND THERE IS NO SHOULDER TO PULL OVER ON. WE WERE VERY LUCKY NOT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPEND TWICE, THEN WE TOOK THE VAN INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT CHANGED THE FLUID. DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALER, WITHIN 10 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP AGAIN. AT A STOP LIGHT IT FAILED COMPLETELY, AND WE WERE UNABLE TO MOVE. MY WIFE WAS IN THE CAR WITH OUR TWO KIDS, STRANDED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABOUT A MILE AHEAD OF HER, AND CAME BACK FOR HER AND THE KIDS. THE VECHILE ENDED UP BEING TOWED BACK TO THE DELERSHIP, AND THEY ARE NOW REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10187881

64,000 miles · Apr 12, 2007
Power Train

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE RPMS RACED TO 5000, BUT THE VAN WOULDN'T MOVE FORWARD AT AN ACCELERATED SPEED. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED, AND THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AND DOWN SHIFTED. HE WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE A LITTL…

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TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE RPMS RACED TO 5000, BUT THE VAN WOULDN'T MOVE FORWARD AT AN ACCELERATED SPEED. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED, AND THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AND DOWN SHIFTED. HE WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE A LITTLE AFTER THAT FOR ABOUT A HALF MILE, TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER AGAIN. AAMCO INFORMED HIM THAT IT WOULD COST $2,000 TO HAVE A DIAGNOSIS OF THE TRANSMISSION. HE THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO ROSENTHAL MAZDA, WHO HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE 04/02/07. WHILE THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE HE ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HE HAD THE TCM MODULE REPROGRAMMED ON THREE OTHER OCCASIONS. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT, AND WAS GIVEN CASE# 112644580. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 64,000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10187654

89,000 miles · Apr 11, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

HAD TO REPLACE TWO IGNITION COILS WITHIN 100 MILES OF EACH OTHER, AND AT LEAST ONE OF THE COILS HAS BEEN CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR A YEAR. ALSO, IT LED TO A CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10187564

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2007
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10187152

94,000 miles · Apr 5, 2007
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER 5 DOCUMENTED TRIPS TO DEALER ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS: - CAR BOUGHT 2/2002. - 8/6/02-10,816 - HESITATION FROM START. WIFE COMPLAINING OF POOR DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS. DEALER COULDN'T VERIFY ANYTHING, EVEN THAT THE CEL WAS ON. - 2/21/03 - 21,065 - ROUGH DOWNSHIFTING. WIFE THOUGHT TRANNY WAS SLIPP…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER 5 DOCUMENTED TRIPS TO DEALER ABOUT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS: - CAR BOUGHT 2/2002. - 8/6/02-10,816 - HESITATION FROM START. WIFE COMPLAINING OF POOR DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS. DEALER COULDN'T VERIFY ANYTHING, EVEN THAT THE CEL WAS ON. - 2/21/03 - 21,065 - ROUGH DOWNSHIFTING. WIFE THOUGHT TRANNY WAS SLIPPING AND KICKING IN. DEALER FLASHED TRANNY PER TSB ON THE 3-2 DOWNSHIFT KNOWN PROBLEM. - 8/27/03 - 26,235 - POOR SHIFTING. DEALER SAID SHIFT SOLENOID STICKING. FLASHED TCM AGAIN. (NOT SURE WHAT THEY DID TO CORRECT SOLENOID) - 11/19/04 - 41,979 - TRANNY & TORQUE CONVERTER FLUSHED AFTER COMPLAINING OF POOR DRIVING AGAIN. NOTE: - CONTACTED MAZDA CORPORATE ABOUT THE LACK OF TRANSMISSION MAINTENANCE IN OWNERS MANUAL. MAZDA SAID THERE'S NO MAINTENANCE REQUIRED! - 4/4/07 - 94,XXX - WITHOUT WARNING, NO ACCELERATING, CAR SIMPLY STOPPED MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY. TRANNY WAS SLIPPING BAD AND MY WIFE WAS NEARLY KILLED PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY! FLUID LEVEL WAS OK, COLOR WAS OK, BUT IT SMELLED BURNT. CAR REQUIRED TOWING. IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I CALLED MAZDA USA, WHO SAID THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NO ASSISTANCE WILL BE OFFERED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS ALWAYS SERVICED, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY'VE NEVER SEEN MAZDA SUPPORT A CAR OUT OF WARRANTY LIKE THIS. I COMPLAINED TO BOTH ABOUT HOW THIS WAS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM FROM NEW. IF I WAS SMART, I WOULD HAVE FILED A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT AND GOTTEN A FULL REFUND BACK THEN, BUT THEY JUST KEPT INSISTING IT WAS A TCM PROGRAM. I NEVER IMAGINED THAT THE TCM WOULD BE ABLE TO CAUSE THE TRANNY TO PHYSICALLY FAIL. ALSO, THE FACT THAT THESE TRANNIES HAVE INTERNAL, NON-SERVICEABLE FILTERS IS JUST POOR DESIGN. LASTLY, HONDA HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR ODESSY, BUT THEY ARE COVERING THE REPAIRS IN FULL! MY FRIEND HAD HIS TRANNY REPLACED AT 88K MILES! I'M EXPLORING LEGAL AVENUES OF RECOURSE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10187146

83,000 miles · Feb 19, 2007
Power Train

AT JUST OVER 80,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION ON MY MPV STOPPED SHIFTING INTO HIGHER GEARS. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING EXCEPT FOR A FEW TIMES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING, CERTAINLY NO WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES SHOWING IT NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10182944

70,691 miles · Jan 24, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELBOW FITTING CONNECTED TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A TEAR WHICH CAUSED A VACUUM LEAK IN THE ENGINE AND MADE THE BRAKES LOSE VACUUM ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PART THAT WAS GO…

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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELBOW FITTING CONNECTED TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD DEVELOPED A TEAR WHICH CAUSED A VACUUM LEAK IN THE ENGINE AND MADE THE BRAKES LOSE VACUUM ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PART THAT WAS GOOD UP TO 70000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10180613

68,000 miles · Dec 18, 2006
Power Train

AT 68,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION ON MY MAZDA MPV TOTALLY FAILED ON A BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO. IT WAS TOWED IN AND NEEDED A TOTALLY NEW TRANSMISSION AT A SUBSTANTIALLY HIGH COST. THE VEHICLE WAS 18 MONTHS OUT OF ITS 3 YEAR WARRANTY. THIS IS APPARENTLY A "KNOWN ISSUE" FOR MAZDA MPV TRANSMISSIONS. I WILL NEV…

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AT 68,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION ON MY MAZDA MPV TOTALLY FAILED ON A BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO. IT WAS TOWED IN AND NEEDED A TOTALLY NEW TRANSMISSION AT A SUBSTANTIALLY HIGH COST. THE VEHICLE WAS 18 MONTHS OUT OF ITS 3 YEAR WARRANTY. THIS IS APPARENTLY A "KNOWN ISSUE" FOR MAZDA MPV TRANSMISSIONS. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE MAZDA AGAIN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10176492

82,000 miles · Oct 12, 2006
Power Train

LIKE SO MANY OTHERS. MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. APPROXIMATELY 80000 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10170682

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.