2003 Mazda MPV: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 113 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (29% of complaints); the 2001 and 2005 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 113 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2018
“Both sunvisors mirror housings drops hanging from the cables every time you lower the sunvisors. It happens stationary and in motion. Can't virtually use sunvisors. *js”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Sep 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda mpv. The contact stated that 48 hours after purchasing the vehicle from honda of winter haven in winter haven, florida, the passenger side air bag deployed when the key was inserted into the ignition. The front passenger's right arm and lung were bruised and was taken to the hospital by the driver. The passenger was treated and released. The police was contacted, but a report was not filed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Car was stationary and in park. Upon turning key in ignition, the passenger side air bag deployed. Mazda service agent could find no mechanical cause. It is not normal wear and tear. Resulting airbags cannot be turned on, leaving us with a vehicle with no airbag protection. Mazda declined our request to replace the faulty airbag system, and only offered us a 500 credit toward the purchase of another vehicle. This offer does not equal the book value of the car, and certainly the real value of a paid for reliable vehicle in great condition.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda mpv. While driving 60 mph on a highway, the front passenger side air bag exploded and made a loud sound without warning. The contact sustained injuries and received medical attention due to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 129,850.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2014
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2013
“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”Owner report · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility · Jan 2013
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2012
“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.”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2011
“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”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 2003 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 2003 Mazda MPV reliable?
NHTSA has 113 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Mazda MPV. The most complained-about area is power train (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Mazda MPV problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 47,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Mazda MPV have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. 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.