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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

Air Bags complaints

10 reports
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81,000 miles · Aug 16, 2017
Air BagsInjury

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 DRIV…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11015654

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2017
Air BagsUnknown Or OtherInjury

TAKATA RECALL IT SAY SR ON THE SEAT.... THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS, MY WIFE AND I WORK FOR A SATELLITE COMPANY AS INSTALLERS. SAT AT 4:30PM WE ARRIVE AT CUSTOMER HOUSE TO PERFORM THE INSTALLATION. .. TURN THE CAR OFF I TAKE THE KEYS AS NORMAL.GREET THE CUSTOMER AND DID A SITE SURVER 5 MIN.. PASS AND WE DECIDED TO GO BACK TO …

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TAKATA RECALL IT SAY SR ON THE SEAT.... THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS, MY WIFE AND I WORK FOR A SATELLITE COMPANY AS INSTALLERS. SAT AT 4:30PM WE ARRIVE AT CUSTOMER HOUSE TO PERFORM THE INSTALLATION. .. TURN THE CAR OFF I TAKE THE KEYS AS NORMAL.GREET THE CUSTOMER AND DID A SITE SURVER 5 MIN.. PASS AND WE DECIDED TO GO BACK TO THE CAR TO DO PAPER WORK AND TURN AC ON.... WELL MY WIFE GOT ON TH PASSENGER SIDE AND I IN THE DRIVER SIDE WE CLOSE THE DOOR AND I PRESENT THE KEY TO TURN ON CAR.. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ON THE SEAT DEPLOYE AND INJURE MY WIFE ON HER ARMS AND BACK RIB CAGE NECK BONES BREATHING SHARP PAIN ON THE LUNG AREA MAKING HER SHORT OF BREATH. WHILE SHE RECEIVED THE IMPACT WITH OUT EXPECTING THE HIT SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS SHOT SHE LOST CONTINENCE AND FALL INTO TRAUMA AND STRESS LEVELS TILL I REALIZE IT WAS THE AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED WHILE CAR WAS IN PARK. THIS HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND OFF NO IGNITION KEYS AND HAPPEN WHEN I PRESENTED THE KEY TO TURN IT ON. NOW SHE LEAVES IN FEAR WHAT IF THE NEXT CAR DO THE SAME AND IT HAS AFFECTED HER LIFE PUTTING HER IN PAINFUL MISERY MENTAL AND SUFFERING THE IGNORANCE AND UNPROFESSIONAL HAS AFFECTED MY FAMILY. .. MAZDA IT'S RESPONSIBLE... THANK GOD SHE IT'S ALIVE AND WE WASN'T DRIVING. I DECLARE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE A RE CALL NOW PLEASE. LET'S SAFE LIFE'S. THANK YOU! SOME IT'S LIABLE FOR WHAT HAPPEN TO HER THIS VEHICLE I GOT IT FROM THE HONDA DEALER OF WINTER HAVEN FL THEY HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL AND KIND TRYING TO HELP US THE BEST WAY. I NEED HELP I AM LOOSING TIME AT WORK AND ALL THE DIFFICULTIES WE GOING THROUGH. WHAT CAN YOU DO?

NHTSA ODI #11015277

147,950 miles · Sep 30, 2016
Air BagsUnknown Or OtherInjury

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 AIR…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10910749

129,850 miles · Jul 14, 2014
Air BagsInjury

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.

NHTSA ODI #10610275

68,800 miles · Jan 28, 2010
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING CONTINUOUSLY ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT THE PRESSURE IN THE SEAT BELT CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO FLASH. A RECALL WAS ISSUE BY MAZDA REGARDING THE AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING CONTINUOUSLY ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THAT THE PRESSURE IN THE SEAT BELT CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO FLASH. A RECALL WAS ISSUE BY MAZDA REGARDING THE AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,800. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10302985

60,000 miles · Aug 29, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury

RESTRAINED DRIVER WAS TRAVELING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH WHEN SHE WAS T-BONED BY A STICKING VEHICLE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SERIOUS INJURIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240175

56,000 miles · Oct 17, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

WE WERE GOING THRU AN INTERSECTION WHEN ANOTHER PERSON DECIDED TO TURN LEFT TOO EARLY. WE WERE ALREADY 1/2 WAY THROUGH, COULD NOT STOP, TRAVELING AROUND 20 MPH. WE HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE AREA OF HIS VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT END OF OUR VAN. OUR VAN TOTALLY LOST THE FRONT BUMPER, THE FRONT IS TOTALLY SMASHED, MY HUSBA…

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WE WERE GOING THRU AN INTERSECTION WHEN ANOTHER PERSON DECIDED TO TURN LEFT TOO EARLY. WE WERE ALREADY 1/2 WAY THROUGH, COULD NOT STOP, TRAVELING AROUND 20 MPH. WE HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE AREA OF HIS VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT END OF OUR VAN. OUR VAN TOTALLY LOST THE FRONT BUMPER, THE FRONT IS TOTALLY SMASHED, MY HUSBANDS KNEES HIT THE DASH SO HARD HE DENTED THE DASH. MY GLASSES FLEW OFF. MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE HAD SCRAPES AND BRUISES FROM THE SEATBELT CONSTRAINT KICKING IN. ALL THIS AND NEITHER AIR BAG WENT OFF. INSURANCE IS WORKING ON ESTIMATES TO REPAIR OR TOTAL THE VAN? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205970

75,000 miles · Jan 18, 2007
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* - THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING A MAZDA MPV WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 75000 MILES, IN FOGGY CONDITIONS ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, HER VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND CAUSING HER TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAFFIC HAD STOPPED, AND SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN. AT THE TIME OF THE IMPACT, THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL* - THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING A MAZDA MPV WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 75000 MILES, IN FOGGY CONDITIONS ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, HER VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND CAUSING HER TO HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAFFIC HAD STOPPED, AND SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN. AT THE TIME OF THE IMPACT, THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE SECOND VEHICLE BEHIND HER DID NOT STOP AND STRUCK HER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ACCORDING TO THE POLICE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT FAILED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS INJURED. THERE WERE A TOTAL OF THREE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE, ALL OF THE PASSENGERS WERE BELTED AND ALL SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED BOTH FRONT & REAR END DAMAGE AND HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY. THE CONTACT HAS A POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10179020

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 · Jun 1, 2004
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO DRIVE. VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH BRICK BUILDING . AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED, ALSO HAS PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCKING AND UNLOCKING FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10075467

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.