2003 Mazda Mpv problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (30) · Engine And Engine Cooling (6) · Vehicle Speed Control (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mazda Mpv model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
88 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (125)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-20 · SA-055-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
product quality information (pqi) description service information mt-041/12 is no longer valid. it has been unpublished and superseded by the field quality information report (fqir) reporting system.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-07-29 · 09-022-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 description some vehicles may exhibit inoperative electric rear window defroster grid lines, integral antenna concerns causing radio reception issues or terminal tabs pulled
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-21 · SA-029-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service alert supersedes the previously issued sa listed below: the changes are noted in red. sa-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 description mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. mazda recommends dealers follow the sch
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-10 · 07-004-25a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
a musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (a/c) system is operating. it is most noticeable when the a/c is first turned on. this odor is the result of mold growth in the a/c evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling
Unknown Or Other 2025-04-25 · 07-004-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
a musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (a/c) system is operating. it is most noticeable when the a/c is first turned on. this odor is the result of mold growth in the a/c evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling
Unknown Or Other 2024-08-08 · 09-038-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
in accordance with federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. note: tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by federal, and state laws. it is the dealer’s responsibility to comply with federal, state, and local laws concerning odometer
Showing the 6 most recent of 125 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-01-31 · Power Train · 115,000 mi“my 2003 mazda mpv has a horrible transmission shifting problem. took it to dealer and they said it's the transmission control module. they charged me 1,500 dollars to install new and and reflash it and the transmission still doesn't shift properly. …”
2018-09-14 · Wheels · 168,183 mi“i would like to report the vance who is the auto manager at sears auto in salem, oregon at 955 lancaster drive ne salem, oregon 97301. i bought 4 new tires in june 2018 and purchased a road hazard plus warranty. in between this incident i am reporting to you; i reported vance for being very unprofessional to me in the store, making demeaning comm…”
2018-07-10 · Engine · 146,930 mi“it stalls with no apparent reason while driving on city streets…”
2018-01-31 · Visibility/Wiper · 17,500 mi“both sunvisors mirror housings drops hanging from the cables every time you lower the sunvisors. it happens stationary and in motion. can't virtually use sunvisors. *js…”
2017-08-16 · Air Bags · 81,000 mi“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 wa…”
2017-08-14 · Unknown Or Other“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 pape…”
2016-09-30 · Unknown Or Other · 147,950 mi“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…”
2016-03-29 · Suspension“tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda mpv. the contact stated that the engine was misfiring due to a coil spring fracture that randomly occurred several times. the contact stated that the previous owner had to replace four coil springs that prematurely fractured. the contact later owned the vehicle in mid april 2015 and also had to replace two coil spr…”
2014-07-14 · Air Bags · 129,850 mi“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. …”
2014-05-04 · Engine · 146,000 mi“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 bei…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.