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2003 Mazda Mpv

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mpv years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Mazda Mpv are substantially higher than the model-year median of 36.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

88 reports with mileage · 25 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 35 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 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports2 fire reports15 injury reports

Power Train complaints

35 reports
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115,000 miles · Jan 31, 2019
Power Train

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.

NHTSA ODI #11173211

25,427 miles · Oct 1, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PCV VALVE ON 10/5/2004. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE IGNITION COILS WERE ALSO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN ON 9/28/2010; …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PCV VALVE ON 10/5/2004. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE IGNITION COILS WERE ALSO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN ON 9/28/2010; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,427. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106478. THE WATER PUMP WAS CRACKED, AND THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION COIL THAT WAS REPLACED IN SEPT 2010 HAD GONE BAD AND THE IGNITION COIL THAT WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2008 HAD ALSO GONE BAD. UPDATED EVOQ 03/25/11 UPATED 04/15/11

NHTSA ODI #10358743

46,000 miles · Jun 4, 2010
Power Train

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10334667

42,395 miles · Jun 29, 2009
Power Train

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 A…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10275237

Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2008
Power Train

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 H…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10242275

36,000 miles · Mar 28, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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 NE…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10222605

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2006
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND THEN SLAMS INTO GEAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10153839

14,743 miles · Dec 26, 2005
Power Train

MY 2003 MAZDA MPV, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. YOU CAN FEEL THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND THEN IT HITS HARD INTO THIRD GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE THREE TIMES TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. FIRST TIME THEY UPDATED COMPUTER INFO, SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE TCM, AND THIRD TIME THEY REPLACED THE TRANNY …

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MY 2003 MAZDA MPV, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. YOU CAN FEEL THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND THEN IT HITS HARD INTO THIRD GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE THREE TIMES TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. FIRST TIME THEY UPDATED COMPUTER INFO, SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE TCM, AND THIRD TIME THEY REPLACED THE TRANNY FLUID WHICH I PAID FOR AND THE PROBLEM STILL HASN'T BEEN SOLVED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146091

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2005
Power Train

2003 MAZDA MPV. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD FROM 2ND TO 3RD. YOU CAN ACTUALLY FEEL THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND THEN IT WILL SLAM INTO 3RD GEAR. IT FEELS AS IF YOU ARE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. VERY DANGEROUS! THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10135515

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2005
Power Train

2003 MAZDA MPV DEVELOPING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VAN WOULD SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, THEN THERE WAS A HARD JERK/SHIFT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SHIFT SHOCK RECALL AT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO BE SERVICED. ALTHOUGH THE REFLASH WA…

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2003 MAZDA MPV DEVELOPING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VAN WOULD SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR, THEN THERE WAS A HARD JERK/SHIFT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A SHIFT SHOCK RECALL AT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO BE SERVICED. ALTHOUGH THE REFLASH WAS UPDATED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT ALLIEVIATED. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO PINPOINT AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10125840

Official recalls

4

04V282000 · Equipment:other:labels

Jun 10, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TIRE IS OPERATED IN AN UNDER-INFLATED CONDITION, THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE COMPROMISED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

04V109000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 9, 2004

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: 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.

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.

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.