Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
330–25K
1725–50K
1650–75K
675–100K
14100–150K
2150K+
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
What owners actually said
113 reports
7,853 miles · May 19, 2004
Power TrainCrashInjury
ON MAY 13, 2004, MY 33-WEEK PREGNANT WIFE PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY WITH OUR DAUGHTER SLEEPING IN BACK OF OUR 2003 MAZDA MPV. MY WIFE PUT THE CAR IN PARK, ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND LEFT THE CAR RUNNING. PSE&G WORKERS REQUESTED THAT MY WIFE TALK WITH THEM. WHILE SHE DID SO, THE CAR REMAINED STATIONARY FOR 5-10 MINUTES. …
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ON MAY 13, 2004, MY 33-WEEK PREGNANT WIFE PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY WITH OUR DAUGHTER SLEEPING IN BACK OF OUR 2003 MAZDA MPV. MY WIFE PUT THE CAR IN PARK, ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND LEFT THE CAR RUNNING. PSE&G WORKERS REQUESTED THAT MY WIFE TALK WITH THEM. WHILE SHE DID SO, THE CAR REMAINED STATIONARY FOR 5-10 MINUTES. MY WIFE THEN ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR AUTOMATIC DOOR. IT BEEPED INSTEAD. MY WIFE OPENED THE FRONT DOOR AND PUSHED THE BUTTON THERE TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR. IT BEEPED AGAIN. MY WIFE CHECKED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN PARK. IT WAS. THE CAR THEN STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. WITNESSES SAY THEY HEARD A RATCHETING NOISE WHEN THE CAR STARTED ROLLING. MY WIFE PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS FULLY ENGAGED. THIS DID NOT STOP THE CAR. MY WIFE WAS KNOCKED TO THE GROUND AND THE DOOR CAUGHT MY WIFES ABDOMEN AND CONTINUED TO ROLL OVER HER, SCRAPING HER AS SHE TRIED TO PROTECT OUR BABY. THE CAR ROLLED INTO THE STREET WITH OUR DAUGHTER IN IT. THE CAR HIT THE CURB AND JUST MISSED BEING HIT BY A CAR. THE REAR DOOR THEN POPPED OPEN. A PSE&G WORKER TURNED OFF THE CAR AND STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD INDICATED THAT THE MPV WAS STILL IN PARK WHEN HE DID SO. ON MAY 14, OUR MAZDA DEALER RAN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND ADVISED US THAT IT WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ACCIDENT. MAZDA TOOK THE POSITION THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. MAZDA SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE MY WIFE FAILED TO PUT THE CAR FULLY IN PARK. I ADVISED MAZDA THAT THIS MADE NO SENSE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY IN OUR DRIVEWAY FOR 5-10 MINUTES AND IT WAS STILL IN PARK WHEN IT STOPPED. THE NOTION THAT THE MPV SLIPPED INTO REVERSE AND THEN BACK INTO PARK MAKES NO SENSE. MAZDA HAS GIVEN US NO ADEQUATE EXPLANATION FOR WHY THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2003 MAZDA MPVS ON THE NHTSA'S WEBSITE ABOUT THEIR TRANSMISSIONS, INCLUDING DOWN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS AND GEAR SLIPPAGE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10072900
50,000 miles · May 5, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
CARBON MONOXIDE WAS RELEASED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DUE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONING. THIS PART WAS REPLACED SEVEN TIMES. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10072172
119,945 miles · Apr 29, 2004
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER STATED THE PART WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10058045
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
NOT A COMPLAINT-MERELY A QUESTIONABLE VEHICLE SAFETY/DESIGN INQUIRY: I BOUGHT A 2003 MAZDA MPV IN DECEMBER. RECENTLY, WHILE UNDER THE VEHICLE DOING AN OIL CHANGE, I NOTICED A TROUBLING DESIGN IN THE GAS TANK LOCATION. IT IS RIGHT UP AGAINST THE DOOR SILL/ROCKER PANEL AREA ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS LOCATION LOOKS VERY VULNERABL…
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NOT A COMPLAINT-MERELY A QUESTIONABLE VEHICLE SAFETY/DESIGN INQUIRY: I BOUGHT A 2003 MAZDA MPV IN DECEMBER. RECENTLY, WHILE UNDER THE VEHICLE DOING AN OIL CHANGE, I NOTICED A TROUBLING DESIGN IN THE GAS TANK LOCATION. IT IS RIGHT UP AGAINST THE DOOR SILL/ROCKER PANEL AREA ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS LOCATION LOOKS VERY VULNERABLE TO RUPTURE AND FIRE IN CASE OF A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. HAS THIS DESIGN BEEN TESTED AS SAFE? IT REMINDS ME OF THE OLD PINTO DESIGN WITH THE TANK RIGHT AHEAD OF THE REAR BUMPER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10066476
8,500 miles · Apr 19, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
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
NHTSA ODI #10066459
427 miles · Apr 13, 2004
Steering
THIS CAR HAS NOT DRIVEN IN A SAFE MANNER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES (WHICH BY THE WAY WAS A TOTAL PAIN). AFTER FIVE MONTHS OF 'RESEARCH' INTO THE PROBLEM MAZDA CLAIMS THAT IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO THE BRAKES MAKE A VERY UNSAFE NOISE AND DON'T SEEM TO STOP THE CAR VERY GOOD. THE CAR…
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THIS CAR HAS NOT DRIVEN IN A SAFE MANNER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES (WHICH BY THE WAY WAS A TOTAL PAIN). AFTER FIVE MONTHS OF 'RESEARCH' INTO THE PROBLEM MAZDA CLAIMS THAT IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO THE BRAKES MAKE A VERY UNSAFE NOISE AND DON'T SEEM TO STOP THE CAR VERY GOOD. THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR MONTHS, AS I DO NOT TRUST DRIVING IT ANYMORE. MAZDA HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL AND HAS NO CARE FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY OR ME.
NHTSA ODI #10066089
1,000 miles · Mar 29, 2004
Power Train
WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH OUR 2003 MAZDA MPV ES VAN THAT WAS REPORTED ON THIS SITE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING HARSHLY BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, OUR DEALERSHIP FINALLY TOLD US THE MAZDA HAS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM. THEY CALL IT SHIFT SHOCK AND IT REQUIRES A REPROGRAMMIN…
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WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH OUR 2003 MAZDA MPV ES VAN THAT WAS REPORTED ON THIS SITE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING HARSHLY BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, OUR DEALERSHIP FINALLY TOLD US THE MAZDA HAS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM. THEY CALL IT SHIFT SHOCK AND IT REQUIRES A REPROGRAMMING OF THE COMPUTER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10064072
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2004
Power Train
ABOUT 50% OF TIME, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY ABRUPTLY FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB, THIS MUST BE A DESIGN OR SOFTWARE DEFECT. I WORRY ABOUT LONG TERM DAMAGE TO THE DRIVETRAIN. OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM, VAN IS VERY RELIABLE. I HAVE 9200 MILES ON ODO. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10058896
5,600 miles · Feb 17, 2004
Power Train
TRANSMISSION BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR- IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO, WE HAVE NOTICED A HESITATION AND THEN HARD SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR DURING REGULAR CITY DRIVING. WE SPENT 2/16/2004 AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION, AND EXAMINATION OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY PERFORMED A REFLASH OF THE TCM/PTM AND LEFT THE DEALERSHIP SA…
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TRANSMISSION BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR- IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO, WE HAVE NOTICED A HESITATION AND THEN HARD SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR DURING REGULAR CITY DRIVING. WE SPENT 2/16/2004 AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE, TIRE ROTATION, AND EXAMINATION OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY PERFORMED A REFLASH OF THE TCM/PTM AND LEFT THE DEALERSHIP SATISFIED. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER, IT STARTED AGAIN. WE CALLED BACK AND AS OF THIS MORNING, WE HAVE SCHEDULED A DRIVE WITH THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC. I HAVE NOTICED A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS HERE AND ON EDMUNDS.COM. I REALLY HOPE THIS CAN BE SOLVED FOR AN OTHERWISE GREAT MINIVAN.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10058336
25 miles · Feb 15, 2004
Power Train
THE CAR HAS A HESITATION WHEN ITS ACCELERATING FROM 20 MPH TO 30 MPH, AFTER THE HESITATION IT HAS A SLIGHT SURGE IN SPEED AND A KNOCKING SOUND. IT HAPPENS IN AN INTERMITTENT MANNER. DEALER KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM FROM OTHERS WHO HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BUT SAID IT'S NORMAL. MECHANIC KNOWS THE CONDITIONS OF HOW IT OCCURS BUT C…
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THE CAR HAS A HESITATION WHEN ITS ACCELERATING FROM 20 MPH TO 30 MPH, AFTER THE HESITATION IT HAS A SLIGHT SURGE IN SPEED AND A KNOCKING SOUND. IT HAPPENS IN AN INTERMITTENT MANNER. DEALER KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM FROM OTHERS WHO HAD SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BUT SAID IT'S NORMAL. MECHANIC KNOWS THE CONDITIONS OF HOW IT OCCURS BUT CLAIM IN THE TEST DRIVE NOT TO BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS ONLY 2,500 MILES AND WAS HAVING THIS PROBLEM FROM 200 MILES ON.*AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
2003 Mazda Mpv Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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