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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

What owners actually said

113 reports
110,000 miles · Jul 17, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

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 FO…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10525428

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

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.

NHTSA ODI #10506103

135,928 miles · Jan 6, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineEquipment Adaptive/mobility

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

NHTSA ODI #10491576

121,958 miles · Jul 3, 2012
Steering

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.…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10464074

72,000 miles · Oct 11, 2011
StructureInjury

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 AP…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10429426

120,000 miles · Oct 4, 2011
Tires

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10428726

52,500 miles · Aug 5, 2011
Electrical System

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10417654

112,500 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 N…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10411921

110,000 miles · Jul 5, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10410479

47,000 miles · Jun 6, 2011
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure

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

NHTSA ODI #10405362

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.