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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
70,276 miles · Mar 17, 2011
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

2003 MAZDA MPV. 70,276 MILES. 3/8/11 - STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. TWO REAR COILS BAD; DEALER REPAIRED ALL THREE REAR COILS BECAUSE (ACCORDING TO DEALER) ONCE ONE GOES, THEY ALL GO. ($855.01) ONE WEEK LATER - 3/16/11, ROUGH IDLE AND ODOR OF GASOLINE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. 70,339 MILES. DEALER REPLACED ALL 3 FRONT COILS. (…

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2003 MAZDA MPV. 70,276 MILES. 3/8/11 - STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. TWO REAR COILS BAD; DEALER REPAIRED ALL THREE REAR COILS BECAUSE (ACCORDING TO DEALER) ONCE ONE GOES, THEY ALL GO. ($855.01) ONE WEEK LATER - 3/16/11, ROUGH IDLE AND ODOR OF GASOLINE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. 70,339 MILES. DEALER REPLACED ALL 3 FRONT COILS. ($463.76) I AM TOLD THIS IS A *COMMON PROBLEM* WITH MPVS. DEALER TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN MANY OF THEM COMING IN, AND IT WAS A GOOD THING I WAS HAVING IT TAKEN CARE OF PROMPTLY. IF I DID NOT, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GOES BAD AS A RESULT...COST OF REPLACEMENT OF THE CC: $1,000. NOTE: I OVERHEARD THE SERVICE MANAGER ON THE PHONE TELLING A CUSTOMER THE SPARK PLUG BOOT GOES BAD FIRST, AND CAUSES SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT DAMAGES THE COILS.

NHTSA ODI #10392028

26,000 miles · Feb 28, 2011
EquipmentStructure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE AND WHEN THE TOWING COMPANY ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE THE TECHNICIANS HAD A DIFFICULT TIME REMOVING THE TIRE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE LIFT FOR THE SPARE TI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE AND WHEN THE TOWING COMPANY ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE THE TECHNICIANS HAD A DIFFICULT TIME REMOVING THE TIRE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE LIFT FOR THE SPARE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 03/16/11 *BF UPDATED 05/23/11

NHTSA ODI #10384738

60,000 miles · Dec 20, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ENGINE COIL ON 2004 MAZDA MPV BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND ANOTHER OCCASION ON A 2003 MAZDA MPV I ALSO OWN AN ENGINE COIL BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN WET WEATHER. EACH TIME IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED TO PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE COILS BUT…

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ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ENGINE COIL ON 2004 MAZDA MPV BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND ANOTHER OCCASION ON A 2003 MAZDA MPV I ALSO OWN AN ENGINE COIL BROKE WHILE DRIVING IN WET WEATHER. EACH TIME IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP ADMITTED TO PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE COILS BUT REPORTS NO RECALL FOR THEM. THE IS A DESIGN FLOW THAT PREVENTS THE COILS FROM DISPERSING MOISTURE PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10371825

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

86,398 miles · Sep 16, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE D…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT A PART OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD BEEN TIGHTENED WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,298. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF UPDATED 02/28/11

NHTSA ODI #10355973

35,246 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2003 MAZDA MPV LX WITH 35,000 MILES IGNITION COIL FAILURE AFTER DRIVING THROUGH RAINSTORM IN EXTREMELY RURAL AREA. I WAS DRIVING ALONE AND HAD TO LIMP THE VEHICLE 30 MILES BACK TO TOWN AT 25 MPH. ONLY ONE PLACE IN TOWN COULD FIX IT AND IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA MPV AND IF …

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2003 MAZDA MPV LX WITH 35,000 MILES IGNITION COIL FAILURE AFTER DRIVING THROUGH RAINSTORM IN EXTREMELY RURAL AREA. I WAS DRIVING ALONE AND HAD TO LIMP THE VEHICLE 30 MILES BACK TO TOWN AT 25 MPH. ONLY ONE PLACE IN TOWN COULD FIX IT AND IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA MPV AND IF SO, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE POORLY DESIGNED COIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355181

70,000 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE ONE OF THE O2 SENSORS WAS REPLACED. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK WHEN SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE ONE OF THE O2 SENSORS WAS REPLACED. THROUGHOUT THE FOLLOWING YEAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD BEFORE INDEPENDENTLY TURNING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NO LONGER BE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO JERK WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AT ANY SPEED. AFTER CONDUCTING HIS OWN RESEARCH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE ALL OF THE ENGINE COILS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD RE-ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,566.

NHTSA ODI #10351432

50,000 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Service Brakes, Electric

I HAVE A 2003 MAZDA MPV ES. IT HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE BRAKES, I THINK! NO ONE CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG. KNOW HOW IT SOUND IF YOU RUN OVER AN UNLEVEL MANHOLE COVER AT A SLOW SPEED? EVERYTIME I BRAKE, THERE'S A CLANGY METAL TO METAL SOUND. LOUD! I HAVE HAD THE VAN PUT ON A RACK 4-5 TIMES, AND NO ONE C…

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I HAVE A 2003 MAZDA MPV ES. IT HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE BRAKES, I THINK! NO ONE CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG. KNOW HOW IT SOUND IF YOU RUN OVER AN UNLEVEL MANHOLE COVER AT A SLOW SPEED? EVERYTIME I BRAKE, THERE'S A CLANGY METAL TO METAL SOUND. LOUD! I HAVE HAD THE VAN PUT ON A RACK 4-5 TIMES, AND NO ONE CAN VISIBLY SEE ANYTHING WRONG. I HAVE LOOKED AT ALL THE RECALLS AND SEE NOTHING SIMILAR TO THIS. IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THE BOTTOM IS FALLING OUT EVERYTIME I BRAKE.. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10346010

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

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2003 HONDA MAZDA MVP. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH CYLINDER COILS AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TGW

NHTSA ODI #10321924

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.