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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
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

37,500 miles · Dec 8, 2005
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THIS RESULTED IN A CRASH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT PROPERLY. THE LAP PORTION OF THE BELT SEEMED TO WORK FINE, BUT THE SHOULDER STRAP DID NOT WORK P…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THIS RESULTED IN A CRASH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT PROPERLY. THE LAP PORTION OF THE BELT SEEMED TO WORK FINE, BUT THE SHOULDER STRAP DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.*AK UPDATED 01/19/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10144774

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

32,779 miles · Aug 12, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

AT SPEEDS OF 25 - 35 MILES PER HOUR, OUR 2003 MAZDA MPV LX STALLED FOR NO APPARENT REASON IN TRAFFIC. ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST WHEN IT STALLED, LUCKILY, WE WERE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS AND IN A LANE THAT NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, HOWEVER, IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT A DEALER LOCAL TO WHERE W…

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AT SPEEDS OF 25 - 35 MILES PER HOUR, OUR 2003 MAZDA MPV LX STALLED FOR NO APPARENT REASON IN TRAFFIC. ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST WHEN IT STALLED, LUCKILY, WE WERE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS AND IN A LANE THAT NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, HOWEVER, IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WE HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT A DEALER LOCAL TO WHERE WE WERE VACATIONING. THE DEALERSHIP, HOLMAN MAZDA IN EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ, REPLACED AN AIR BYPASS VALVE, WHICH THEY STATED WAS THE REASON FOR STALLING AT APPROXIMATELY 2500 RPM. WHEN ASKED IF THIS WAS A NORMAL FAILURE, THE DEALER DID NOT BELIEVE SO. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10132573

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

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

DT: THE CONTACT STATES ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS HIS WIFE WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BOTH TIMES. THE LAST TIME CAR WAS IN DRIVE WHILE SHE WAS PUTTING FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PUT IT IN DRIVE SHE NEVER TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR. THE SAME THING HAD BOTH TIMES. THE FIRST TIME SHE HI…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATES ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS HIS WIFE WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BOTH TIMES. THE LAST TIME CAR WAS IN DRIVE WHILE SHE WAS PUTTING FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PUT IT IN DRIVE SHE NEVER TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR. THE SAME THING HAD BOTH TIMES. THE FIRST TIME SHE HIT A CAR AND A TREE AND THE SECOND TIME SHE HIT A TREE IN THE SAME PARKING LOT. THE SECOND ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON APRIL 30, 2005. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10120481

20,400 miles · Apr 27, 2005
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT INTO GEARS WELL. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT MAZDA CLAIMS THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE OR FIX. HOWEVER, ALL THE VANS APPEAR TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I OWNED MINE SINCE JULY 2003, AND ONLY TOOK IT IN ONCE, SINCE THEY SAY THEY STILL CAN'T FIX IT. VEHICLE DOES THIS EVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS . IT FEELS A…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR DOES NOT SHIFT INTO GEARS WELL. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT MAZDA CLAIMS THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE OR FIX. HOWEVER, ALL THE VANS APPEAR TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I OWNED MINE SINCE JULY 2003, AND ONLY TOOK IT IN ONCE, SINCE THEY SAY THEY STILL CAN'T FIX IT. VEHICLE DOES THIS EVEN AT SLOW SPEEDS . IT FEELS AS IF I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND, AND PUT PEOPLE AT RISK OF AN ACCIDENT WHEN SURGING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC! PLEASE GET THIS FIXED, I"M NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10118540

36,000 miles · Apr 17, 2005
Structure

IN MARCH 2005, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR BUMPER HAD CRACKS IN IT APPROXIMATELY 6 - 8 INCHES IN LENGTH ON BOTH SIDES, DIRECTLY IN LINE WITH THE TIRES. THE CRACKS WERE NOT PUSHED IN AS WOULD BE INDICATIVE OF AN IMPACT BUT THE TOP OF THEM CAME OUT OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE CRACK. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MAINLINE MAZDA IN SASKATOON, THEY TOL…

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IN MARCH 2005, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR BUMPER HAD CRACKS IN IT APPROXIMATELY 6 - 8 INCHES IN LENGTH ON BOTH SIDES, DIRECTLY IN LINE WITH THE TIRES. THE CRACKS WERE NOT PUSHED IN AS WOULD BE INDICATIVE OF AN IMPACT BUT THE TOP OF THEM CAME OUT OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE CRACK. WHEN I TOOK IT TO MAINLINE MAZDA IN SASKATOON, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAUSE WAS ROCKS ON GRAVEL ROADS POUNDING THE INSIDE OF THE BUMPER. THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN AREA ON INSIDE OF BUMPER WHICH ALLOWED THE ROCKS TO GET IN. THEY SAID THAT SOME VEHICLES THEY HAD PUT A PIECE OF FOAM INSIDE TO PROTECT THE BUMPER. THEY WOULD NOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY AS THEY SAID WHEN YOU GET ROCK CHIPS ON YOUR WINDSHIELD, THAT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I TOLD THE SERVICE MAN THAT THE MPV SHOULD COME WITH A WARNING - VAN NOT SUITABLE FOR GRAVEL ROAD DRIVING. WE LIVE ON A FARM AND CAN NOT GET AWAY FROM DRIVING ON GRAVEL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10117999

65,360 miles · Apr 3, 2005
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED. THIS LED TO THE VEHICLE BEING UNDRIVABLE. TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 65,000 MILES AT A COST OF $3500 AT HAMILTON MAZDA IN NJ. MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OP REFUSED TO COVER REPLACE/REPAIR. SERVICE MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR MPV THIS YEAR. THIS WAS THE FIFTH TIME VEHICLE HAD TO BE R…

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TRANSMISSION FAILED. THIS LED TO THE VEHICLE BEING UNDRIVABLE. TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 65,000 MILES AT A COST OF $3500 AT HAMILTON MAZDA IN NJ. MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OP REFUSED TO COVER REPLACE/REPAIR. SERVICE MENTIONED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR MPV THIS YEAR. THIS WAS THE FIFTH TIME VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. TRANSMISSION COMPUTER MODULE FAILED ON JAN 19, 2005. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10116302

185,000 miles · Jan 26, 2005
WheelsCrash

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY MINI VAN. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WHEN THE RIM ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED. THE RIM COMPLETELY CAME APART, AND THE TWISTED METAL CUT MY TIRE. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE RIM COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED THE VAN LIFTED OFF THE GROUND. I…

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COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY MINI VAN. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WHEN THE RIM ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FAILED. THE RIM COMPLETELY CAME APART, AND THE TWISTED METAL CUT MY TIRE. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE RIM COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED THE VAN LIFTED OFF THE GROUND. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND SKIDDED ACROSS TWO LANES OF THE INTERSTATE. LUCKILY, THE INCIDENT DID NOT OCCUR DURING A BUSY TIME. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT, AND THE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE RIM, TIRE, AND HUBCAP. WE DID NOT HIT A POT HOLE OR ANY OTHER OBJECT IN THE ROAD. I DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH FAULTY RIMS. I HAD MY 16 MONTH OLD CHILD IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. THE FAULTY RIM COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT, IF IT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED DURING A BUSY TIME OF DAY. THE VEHICLE HAS 18,500 MILES, AND HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. THE TIRES WERE CHECKED AND ROTATED TWO MONTHS AGO. ALSO, I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO HAVE TWO SEPARATE RECALLS REPAIRED IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS. NEITHER OF RECALL NOTICES WERE RELATED TO THE WHEELS NOR THE AXLES. THE MAN WITH THE TOWING SERVICE SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN A RIM DAMAGED LIKE THIS ONE WITHOUT BEING INVOLVED IN SOME TYPE OF ACCIDENT. I WOULD APPRECIATE SOMEONE LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER.*AK *TC

NHTSA ODI #10105305

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.