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2002 Mazda Mpv

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Mpv years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Mazda Mpv are substantially higher than the model-year median of 36.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

92 reports with mileage · 32 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 66 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 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports5 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

66 reports
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49,079 miles · Jan 16, 2014
Power Train

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

NHTSA ODI #10560288

87,600 miles · Aug 23, 2012
Power Train

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,…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10472070

120,000 miles · Mar 16, 2012
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED IN 2008, HAD IT REPLACED AND IT FAILED AGAIN IN TWO WEEKS. VAN DROVE FINE UNTIL SUMMER 2011, WHEN I NOTICED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN. TOOK THE VAN TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN, BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. FINALLY, ON 14 MARCH 2012, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED PULLING AND WILL NO…

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TRANSMISSION FAILED IN 2008, HAD IT REPLACED AND IT FAILED AGAIN IN TWO WEEKS. VAN DROVE FINE UNTIL SUMMER 2011, WHEN I NOTICED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN. TOOK THE VAN TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN, BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. FINALLY, ON 14 MARCH 2012, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED PULLING AND WILL NOT ENGAGE PAST 2ND GEAR. THIS IS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $2700 EACH, PUTS A BIG STRAIN ON A FAMILY. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND MAZDA NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451908

96,000 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Power Train

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 WARRA…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10407597

100,000 miles · Apr 4, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SLIPPING ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SLIPPING ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ODI #10394121

91,650 miles · Oct 22, 2010
Power Train

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 WA…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10361825

94,000 miles · Aug 19, 2010
Power Train

I OWN A 2002 MAZDA MPV. IT HAS ABOUT 94,000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, I WAS TRYING TO INCREASE SPEED BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER, INSTEAD THE CAR BEGAN TO REDLINE AND DECREASE IN SPEED. WHEN I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WAS RUNNING BUT DID NOT MOVE. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER OF TH…

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I OWN A 2002 MAZDA MPV. IT HAS ABOUT 94,000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, I WAS TRYING TO INCREASE SPEED BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER, INSTEAD THE CAR BEGAN TO REDLINE AND DECREASE IN SPEED. WHEN I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WAS RUNNING BUT DID NOT MOVE. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY, LUCKILY I WAS IN THE SLOW LANE OTHERWISE I MAY HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THE CAR HAD ANY PROBLEMS, NO WARNING LIGHT OR SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT AT ALL. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. COST TO REPAIR $2,600. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I FOUND THAT THERE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A RECALL MAZDA OF JAPAN FOR 81,000 VEHICLES. ALSO IT IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM CITED FOR MAZDA MPV VANS SOME WITH FAR LESS MILEAGE THAN MINE. I AM VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AS I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME AND WAS FEARFUL FOR THEIR SAFETY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350641

91,000 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Power Train

2002 MAZDA MPV TRANSMISSION KEPT SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10348928

104,000 miles · Jun 3, 2010
Power Train

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 MODU…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10334424

67,000 miles · May 15, 2010
Power Train

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 67,000 MILES IN OUR 2002 MAZDA MPV2. ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (THANKFULLY CLOSE TO HOME) AT THE START OF RUSH HOUR AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN 40MPH - THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN, THE REVS INCREASED, BUT I HAD NO ACCELERATION. I WAS ABLE TO GET MOST…

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COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 67,000 MILES IN OUR 2002 MAZDA MPV2. ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (THANKFULLY CLOSE TO HOME) AT THE START OF RUSH HOUR AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN 40MPH - THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN, THE REVS INCREASED, BUT I HAD NO ACCELERATION. I WAS ABLE TO GET MOST OF THE WAY HOME BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED AUDIBLY WHINING AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MY 10 YEAR OLD AND I PUSHED IT INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO SAID WE WOULD NEED THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. MAZDA WOULD NOT CONSIDER ANY OUT-OF-WARRANTY HELP UNLESS WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP (AT A COST OF $100 FOR US) AND DIAGNOSED THERE (ANOTHER $100). HAVING DONE THIS, THEY SAID NO HELP WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE. THEY SAID THIS WAS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE AREA SERVICE MANAGER, BUT REFUSED TO GIVE HIS CONTACT DETAILS SO WE COULD NOT DISCUSS THIS WITH HIM. WE HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THIS WEBSITE, LOOKING AT PROBLEMS LISTED UNDER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE NUMBERS OF COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURES NEEDING REPLACEMENT ARE AS FOLLOWS FOR THE SPECIFIC YEARS: 2000 = 1 PROBABLE FAILURE; 2001 = 1 PROBABLE FAILURE; 2002 = 40 COMPLETE FAILURES; 2003 = 1 FAILURE; 2004 = 2 FAILURES; 2005 = 0 FAILURES; 2006 = 0 FAILURES. IT SEEMS CLEAR TO US THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 MAZDA MPV TRANSMISSION. PEOPLE SHOULD REALIZE THAT MAZDA ARE NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT WHEN THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM LIKE THIS. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET MAZDA TO ACCEPT SOME RESPONSIBILITY? IT LOOKS LIKE THIS WILL COST NEARLY $4000 TO FIX. I DON'T THINK WE'LL BE BUYING ANOTHER MAZDA ..EVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330581

Official recalls

4

04V234000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

May 19, 2004

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).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BROKEN ACTUATOR CABLE MAY BE OUT OF POSITION AND COULD INTERFERE WITH THE OPERATION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, PREVENTING A DECREASE IN ENGINE SPEED WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

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.

02V078000 · Equipment:other:labels

Mar 20, 2002

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

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.

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.