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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

16 reports
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146,000 miles · May 4, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

EVERY TIME THIS MAZDA MPV GETS A LITTLE WET IT WILL NOT GO OVER 40 MPH. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO RETURN PHONE CALL OR EMAIL. THE COILS ALLOW MOISTURE TO GET IN WHICH WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO THINK IT IS OVERHEATING AND WILL NOT GO NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED IN JACKSONVILLE DURI…

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EVERY TIME THIS MAZDA MPV GETS A LITTLE WET IT WILL NOT GO OVER 40 MPH. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO RETURN PHONE CALL OR EMAIL. THE COILS ALLOW MOISTURE TO GET IN WHICH WILL CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO THINK IT IS OVERHEATING AND WILL NOT GO NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED IN JACKSONVILLE DURING RUSH HOUR AND BEING STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE BECAUSE OF A FAULTY COIL THAT THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR, IS BEYOND FRUSTRATING. I HAVE KIDS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE VEHICLE OTHER TIMES WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED AND WE HAD TO SIT IN THE VAN OR GO TO GAS STATIONS AND WAIT UNTIL IT WAS SOMEWHAT DERIVABLE AGAIN. I HAVE READ FORUM AFTER FORUM AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH THEIR MPV, RANGING FROM 1993-2006 MODELS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586423

135,928 miles · Jan 6, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineEquipment Adaptive/mobility

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

NHTSA ODI #10491576

52,500 miles · Aug 5, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO JERK AND IT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN TO JERK AND IT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE IGNITION COIL FOR THE SIXTH CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION COIL FOR THE FIRST CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,500 UPDATED 08/24/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED IT COST $580 TO REPLACE EACH COIL. UPDATED 12/02/11

NHTSA ODI #10417654

70,276 miles · Mar 17, 2011
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

2003 MAZDA MPV. 70,276 MILES. 3/8/11 - STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. TWO REAR COILS BAD; DEALER REPAIRED ALL THREE REAR COILS BECAUSE (ACCORDING TO DEALER) ONCE ONE GOES, THEY ALL GO. ($855.01) ONE WEEK LATER - 3/16/11, ROUGH IDLE AND ODOR OF GASOLINE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. 70,339 MILES. DEALER REPLACED ALL 3 FRONT COILS. (…

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2003 MAZDA MPV. 70,276 MILES. 3/8/11 - STARTED RUNNING ROUGH. TWO REAR COILS BAD; DEALER REPAIRED ALL THREE REAR COILS BECAUSE (ACCORDING TO DEALER) ONCE ONE GOES, THEY ALL GO. ($855.01) ONE WEEK LATER - 3/16/11, ROUGH IDLE AND ODOR OF GASOLINE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. 70,339 MILES. DEALER REPLACED ALL 3 FRONT COILS. ($463.76) I AM TOLD THIS IS A *COMMON PROBLEM* WITH MPVS. DEALER TOLD ME HE HAS SEEN MANY OF THEM COMING IN, AND IT WAS A GOOD THING I WAS HAVING IT TAKEN CARE OF PROMPTLY. IF I DID NOT, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GOES BAD AS A RESULT...COST OF REPLACEMENT OF THE CC: $1,000. NOTE: I OVERHEARD THE SERVICE MANAGER ON THE PHONE TELLING A CUSTOMER THE SPARK PLUG BOOT GOES BAD FIRST, AND CAUSES SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT DAMAGES THE COILS.

NHTSA ODI #10392028

25,427 miles · Oct 1, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PCV VALVE ON 10/5/2004. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE IGNITION COILS WERE ALSO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN ON 9/28/2010; …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PCV VALVE ON 10/5/2004. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE IGNITION COILS WERE ALSO REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN ON 9/28/2010; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,427. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106478. THE WATER PUMP WAS CRACKED, AND THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR FAILED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION COIL THAT WAS REPLACED IN SEPT 2010 HAD GONE BAD AND THE IGNITION COIL THAT WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2008 HAD ALSO GONE BAD. UPDATED EVOQ 03/25/11 UPATED 04/15/11

NHTSA ODI #10358743

35,246 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2003 MAZDA MPV LX WITH 35,000 MILES IGNITION COIL FAILURE AFTER DRIVING THROUGH RAINSTORM IN EXTREMELY RURAL AREA. I WAS DRIVING ALONE AND HAD TO LIMP THE VEHICLE 30 MILES BACK TO TOWN AT 25 MPH. ONLY ONE PLACE IN TOWN COULD FIX IT AND IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA MPV AND IF …

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2003 MAZDA MPV LX WITH 35,000 MILES IGNITION COIL FAILURE AFTER DRIVING THROUGH RAINSTORM IN EXTREMELY RURAL AREA. I WAS DRIVING ALONE AND HAD TO LIMP THE VEHICLE 30 MILES BACK TO TOWN AT 25 MPH. ONLY ONE PLACE IN TOWN COULD FIX IT AND IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA MPV AND IF SO, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE POORLY DESIGNED COIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10355181

77,000 miles · Jul 27, 2009
Electrical System

2003 MAZDAMPV STARTED TO STALL AND LOSE POWER. DIAGNOSIS REVEALED FAILURE OF IGNITION COIL 1 AND 3. I HAD THEM REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278399

20,000 miles · Jul 17, 2009
Electrical System

I HAVE HAD FOUR DIFFERENT COILS REPLACED ON A 2003 MAZDA MPV VAN, EACH COSTING OVER $1,000 IN TOTAL AND FOUR DIFFERENT VISITS AND RENTALS. I SEEM TO NOTICE THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT. THIS HAS HAPPENED FROM ABOUT 2 YEARS UNTIL 4 YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10277210

74,801 miles · May 20, 2009
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

COIL FAILURES ON 2003 MAZDA MPV. THE FAILURES ARE WIDELY REPORTED. CAUSES VEHICLE STALLING AND LOSS OF POWER IN TRAFFIC. GENERATES CEL (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269494

51,000 miles · May 8, 2009
Electrical System

SIGNIFICANT ENGINE MISSING ON ACCELERATION CAUSED VEHICLE TO HESITATE WHILE CLEARING INTERSECTION. NEAR MISS ON MAJOR ACCIDENT. MECHANIC STATES THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE 2003 MPV DUE TO DEFECTIVE IGNITION COILS. REPAIR IS TO REPLACE ALL 6 COILS AS IT IS UNKNOWN WHICH IS CAUSING THE MISFIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268231

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.