2002 Mazda MPV: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 124 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (51% of complaints); the 2001 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda mpv. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle would also not accelerate properly and shook while idling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine coil pack failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda mpv. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the vehicle shook violently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who could not diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda mpv. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was found that the actuator cable needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 04v234000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2014
Show 7 more owner reports
“Transmission failed, completely disengaged. No warning. Had to be towed. Required a $2500.00 complete overhaul. Very low miles on this vehicle, always properly maintained. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2014
“2002 mazda mpv. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle air bag light being on. *smd the consumer was informed his vehicle identification number, was not included in the recall.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2013
“Driving on highway with my family when my mpv wouldn't shift so I could pass a truck. Then it started to lose speed. Would depress gas pedal and the engine would rev but no speed. Had to pull over to breakdown lane which became a very dangerous situation. We are lucky we didn't cause an accident. Mpv would not work in drive, reverse, 3 or 2 gears. We were stranded on the highway and had to be towed back home. Diagnosis: transmission gone. This is a common problem with the mpv and should be addressed. Have had shift problems in the past where dealer just resets the codes. I won't have it fixed. I have lost confidence in this manufacturer. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda mpv. While traveling 45 mph the vehicle crashed into the side of another vehicle. None of the airbags deployed. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not inspected for the air bag failure or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 172,000. Updated 07/06/12 *bf”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda mpb. The contact stated that he was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the gear selector lever needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 96,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2011
“I was driving my 2002 mazda mpv minivan with 91,000 miles on it on the freeway and when I tried to accelerate, it would not shift into higher gear. It seemed to go into neutral and I began loosing speed. I have done all maintenance as was suggested in the handbook by mazda. In fact, mazda has done all of the maintenance. This was incredibly dangerous as there were no warning signs. I was told by mazda that it needed a new transmission and mazda refused to accept any responsibility for this even though it is a known issue with this model and year. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2010
“We have a 2002 mazda mpv (first owners) with 104k; followed all manufacturers recommendations for maintenance. Died on the way to work this morning, had to be towed to shop. They want 6000$ to replace transmission (with a rebuilt one). I'm shopping around. The car isn't worth 1/2 that for trade-in. We have had the trans module replaced about 3 years ago. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT FOG LIGHTS,THE FOG LIGHT BULB SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact MPV by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Mazda MPV reliable?
NHTSA has 124 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Mazda MPV. The most complained-about area is power train (51% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Mazda MPV problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Mazda MPV have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control:cables. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.