What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2003 Mazda MPV

Typical pattern

10% of complaints about the 2003 Mazda MPV came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2003 vehicle — around the middle of the 228 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.7 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (34 complaints), typically at 1.4 yr or about 7,853 miles.

Complaints
140
Median age at failure
3.7 yr
Median mileage
37,500 n=112
Crash / fire / tow
18.6% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
34 reports · 7,853 mi
1.4 yr
8.8%
Engine cooling
25 reports · 36,000 mi
4.4 yr
4%
Electrical system
16 reports · 52,500 mi
5.4 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

04V282000 2004-06-10
Equipment:other:labels

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.

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.

04V109000 2004-03-09
Equipment:other:labels

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.

03V206000 2003-06-05
Exterior lighting:fog lights

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.

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.

03V053000 2003-02-13
Exterior lighting:fog lights

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT FOG LIGHTS,THE FOG LIGHT BULB SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.

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.

In owners’ own words

Engine cooling mileage not reported 7 mo in service
THERE IS A SULFUR SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE EXHAUST, DEALER SAID TO TRY DIFFERENT GAS, AND IT SHOULD GO AWAY, I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL BRANDS OF GAS AND THE SMELL IS STILL THERE. *JB
Engine cooling 3,980 mi 1.2 yr in service
THERE IS A SULFUR SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, DEALER SAID ITS THE ETHANOL GAS THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS SEASONAL; DEALER SAID TO TRY OTHER GAS; DEALER HAS SAID THEY HAVE RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME SMELL AND THAT AT LEAST ONE (PREGNANT) OWNER CANNOT DRIVE HER CAR WITHOUT BECOMING SICK. *LA
Engine cooling 8,500 mi 1.5 yr in service
ENGINE/SPARK KNOCKING. TAKEN TO DEALER IN CHARLOTTE. THEY COULD NOT DETECT NOISE. TAKEN BACK A SECOND TIME. DEALER CALLED HQ IN CALIFORNIA FOR INSTRUCTIONS. VAN IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP. THIS IS THE SECOND ATTEMPTED FIX ON THIS PROBLEM. 2003 MAZDA MPV OWNER.*AK
Power train 10,800 mi 1.0 yr in service crash / fire / tow
2003 MAZDA MPV - TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY ROUGH FROM 2ND TO 3RD. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE. DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED AND FIXED UNLESS IT CAN BE DUPLICATED IN THE REPAIR SHOP. *LA

Other MPV model years

2004200320022000

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