2003 Mazda MPV problems
Owners have filed 141 complaints about the 2003 Mazda MPV with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 24.8% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 17.7%.
Complaints141
Crashes15
Fires2
Injuries24
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 24.8% · 35
Engine and engine cooling 17.7% · 25
Electrical system 11.3% · 16
Air bags 7.1% · 10
Vehicle speed control 6.4% · 9
Structure 5.7% · 8
Unknown or other 3.5% · 5
Service brakes, hydraulic 3.5% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 15 describe a crash, 2 describe a fire and 24 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 3 model years of the Mazda MPV in this data, 2003 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2000 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 9 in the last three years against 13 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 37,500 miles.
In owners' own words
My 2003 Mazda MPV, the transmission shifts hard between 2nd and 3rd gear. You can feel the transmission slipping and then it hits hard into third gear. I have taken this vehicle three times to the dealer for repair. First time they updated computer info, second time they replaced the tcm, and third time they replaced the tranny fluid which I paid for and the problem still hasn't been solved. Power train · reported at 14,743 miles
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. Power train · reported at 1,000 miles
I have a 2003 Mazda MPV with 8,000 miles on it. My transmission (2nd to 3rd shift) started shifting with a jolt from about 1,000 miles. It only happened occasionally at first but now it is every day. Have taken it to malloy Mazda. They called Mazda and told me to wait until Mazda gets a fix. They are suppose to call me. Power train
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…