2002 Mazda MPV

Routine

Owners filed 124 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the transmission. It has been recalled 4 times.

Not among the Mazda MPV years to avoid. Which Mazda MPV years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
61,900 milesMedian miles at failure

92 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 2002 Mazda MPV problems

64 of the 124 complaints (52%) are about the transmission.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission52
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System · engine7
000
Power Train · transmission6
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor · engine5
000
Electrical System › Ignition4
000
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration3
101
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine3
100
Unknown or Other2
010
Tires2
000
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Hinge and Attachments · body and frame2
001

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables04V234000
Filed May 19, 200410,200 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR CABLE MAY BE BROKEN DUE TO INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH (GROUP 1). ALSO INCLUDED ARE CERTAIN 2000-2001 MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 31, 1999 AND MARCH 31, 2001, THAT HAVE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL REPAIRED AND POSSIBLY HAD A DEFECTIVE CABLE INSTALLED DURING THAT REPAIR (GROUP 2).

Risk. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BROKEN ACTUATOR CABLE MAY BE OUT OF POSITION AND COULD INTERFERE WITH THE OPERATION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, PREVENTING A DECREASE IN ENGINE SPEED WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACTUATOR CABLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR VEHICLES INVOLVED IN GROUP 1 BEGAN ON JULY 7, 2004. OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR VEHICLES INVOLVED IN GROUP 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Exterior Lighting › Fog Lights03V206000
Filed Jun 5, 200364,000 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Exterior Lighting › Fog Lights03V053000
Filed Feb 13, 20035,400 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT FOG LIGHTS,THE FOG LIGHT BULB SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.

Risk. 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.

Equipment › Other › Labels02V078000
Filed Mar 20, 200214,000 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." AN INCORRECT GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) WAS INDICATED ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE MAILED ACCURATE CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSERTS FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 12, 2002. 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.

All 4 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Apr 28, 201570,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY AND SHOOK WHILE IDLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE COIL PACK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Seat Belts
Filed May 20, 2014140,000 milesMN

THE DRIVERS SEATBELT CLASP OR BUCKLE REFUSES TO ACCEPT THE STEEL TAB, AND WILL NOT LOCK. *TR

Engine
Filed Apr 18, 2014122,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 16, 2014150,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ACTUATOR CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V234000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Power Train
Filed Jan 16, 201449,079 milesAZ

TRANSMISSION FAILED, COMPLETELY DISENGAGED. NO WARNING. HAD TO BE TOWED. REQUIRED A $2500.00 COMPLETE OVERHAUL. VERY LOW MILES ON THIS VEHICLE, ALWAYS PROPERLY MAINTAINED. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Aug 19, 2013AL

2002 MAZDA MPV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ON. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

Power Train
Filed Aug 23, 201287,600 milesNH

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY WHEN MY MPV WOULDN'T SHIFT SO I COULD PASS A TRUCK. THEN IT STARTED TO LOSE SPEED. WOULD DEPRESS GAS PEDAL AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT NO SPEED. HAD TO PULL OVER TO BREAKDOWN LANE WHICH BECAME A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WE ARE LUCKY WE DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MPV WOULD NOT WORK IN DRIVE, REVERSE, 3 OR 2 GEARS. WE WERE STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK HOME. DIAGNOSIS: TRANSMISSION GONE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MPV AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. HAVE HAD SHIFT PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WHERE DEALER JUST RESETS THE CODES. I WON'T HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THIS MANUFACTURER. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed May 24, 2012172,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 172,000. UPDATED 07/06/12 *BF

Power Train
Filed Mar 16, 2012120,000 milesNC

TRANSMISSION FAILED IN 2008, HAD IT REPLACED AND IT FAILED AGAIN IN TWO WEEKS. VAN DROVE FINE UNTIL SUMMER 2011, WHEN I NOTICED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN. TOOK THE VAN TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN, BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. FINALLY, ON 14 MARCH 2012, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED PULLING AND WILL NOT ENGAGE PAST 2ND GEAR. THIS IS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $2700 EACH, PUTS A BIG STRAIN ON A FAMILY. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND MAZDA NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 13, 2012169,000 milesMI

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AND SET. COMING UP TO RED LIGHT. HIT CANCEL ON CRUISE LEVER AND IT DID NOT DISENGAGE. THE TURNED IT OFF WITH THE BUTTON. LIGHT WENT OFF BUT WAS STILL ENGAGED. I ALSO WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES IN A PANIC.....STILL NOT DISENGAGING. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL.....ENGINE RPMS WENT TO REDLINE...I THEN TURNED IGNITION OFF BEFORE CRASHING INTO THE CARS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT......VERY VERY SCARY. SAW RECALL AND OTHER PEOPLE WITH EXACT SAME PROBLEM. CALLED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATES ON THE RECALL....THEREFORE NOT THEIR PROBLEM. HOW CAN THEY SAY VEHICLES MADE 3 MONTHS BEFORE ARE UNSAFE BUT OTHER ONES ARE NOT.....ISN'T IS POSSIBLE THEY GOT THE DATES OF MANUFACTURE WRONG? I A PERSONS LIFE NOT WORTH FIXING THIS KNOW ISSUE??? *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 20, 201196,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 4, 2011100,000 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN SLIPPING ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

Exterior LightingFire
Filed Feb 16, 201136,000 milesNJ

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 MAZDA MPV WITH APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES . ON THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 16, 2011 WHILE DRIVING HOME WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR THE RIGHT FOG LIGHT STARTED A FIRE IN THE BUMPER. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS MANY YEARS AGO FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL, I DID BRING MY CAR IN AND SUPPOSEDLY THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. HOWEVER, GIVEN WHAT HAS OCCURRED LAST NIGHT I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED, DESPITE WHAT THE RECORDS WITH MAZDA SAY. I FEEL THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT NEGLIGENCE IN THE ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THIS UNDER THE RECALL AS THE EXACT PROBLEM THE RECALL WAS SAID TO FIX HAS ACTUALLY OCCURRED. I HAVE CONTACTED FRANK AT MAZDA 800-222-5500 EXTENSION 1154 AND HE IS REFUSING TO HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY ALSO REFUSE TO HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT WAS NOT CORRECTED PROPERLY AND HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THERE IS STILL POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL HARM AS THE OTHER FOG LIGHT MAY STILL BE AT RISK. I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU FOR HELP IN CORRECTING THIS MATTER BY HAVING MAZDA TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND ANOTHER SUCH OCCURRENCE THAT HAPPENED TO DRIVER ON 9/16/2010. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 22, 201091,650 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 MAZDA MPV MINIVAN WITH 91,000 MILES ON IT ON THE FREEWAY AND WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEAR. IT SEEMED TO GO INTO NEUTRAL AND I BEGAN LOOSING SPEED. I HAVE DONE ALL MAINTENANCE AS WAS SUGGESTED IN THE HANDBOOK BY MAZDA. IN FACT, MAZDA HAS DONE ALL OF THE MAINTENANCE. THIS WAS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AS THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS. I WAS TOLD BY MAZDA THAT IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND MAZDA REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS EVEN THOUGH IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR. *TR

Exterior Lighting › Fog LightsFire
Filed Sep 23, 2010110,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH A PEDESTRIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND THEN TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY ALREADY PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING RECALL ON THE VEHICLE ; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V206000 COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS . THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110000. UPDATED 12/29/10 *BF UPDATED 01/03/11

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 19, 201094,000 milesNJ

I OWN A 2002 MAZDA MPV. IT HAS ABOUT 94,000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, I WAS TRYING TO INCREASE SPEED BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER, INSTEAD THE CAR BEGAN TO REDLINE AND DECREASE IN SPEED. WHEN I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WAS RUNNING BUT DID NOT MOVE. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY, LUCKILY I WAS IN THE SLOW LANE OTHERWISE I MAY HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THE CAR HAD ANY PROBLEMS, NO WARNING LIGHT OR SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT AT ALL. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. COST TO REPAIR $2,600. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I FOUND THAT THERE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A RECALL MAZDA OF JAPAN FOR 81,000 VEHICLES. ALSO IT IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM CITED FOR MAZDA MPV VANS SOME WITH FAR LESS MILEAGE THAN MINE. I AM VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AS I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME AND WAS FEARFUL FOR THEIR SAFETY. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 12, 201091,000 milesNC

2002 MAZDA MPV TRANSMISSION KEPT SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR . *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 3, 2010104,000 milesMD

WE HAVE A 2002 MAZDA MPV (FIRST OWNERS) WITH 104K; FOLLOWED ALL MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTENANCE. DIED ON THE WAY TO WORK THIS MORNING, HAD TO BE TOWED TO SHOP. THEY WANT 6000$ TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION (WITH A REBUILT ONE). I'M SHOPPING AROUND. THE CAR ISN'T WORTH 1/2 THAT FOR TRADE-IN. WE HAVE HAD THE TRANS MODULE REPLACED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 15, 201067,000 milesCO

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 67,000 MILES IN OUR 2002 MAZDA MPV2. ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (THANKFULLY CLOSE TO HOME) AT THE START OF RUSH HOUR AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN 40MPH - THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN, THE REVS INCREASED, BUT I HAD NO ACCELERATION. I WAS ABLE TO GET MOST OF THE WAY HOME BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED AUDIBLY WHINING AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MY 10 YEAR OLD AND I PUSHED IT INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO SAID WE WOULD NEED THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. MAZDA WOULD NOT CONSIDER ANY OUT-OF-WARRANTY HELP UNLESS WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP (AT A COST OF $100 FOR US) AND DIAGNOSED THERE (ANOTHER $100). HAVING DONE THIS, THEY SAID NO HELP WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE. THEY SAID THIS WAS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE AREA SERVICE MANAGER, BUT REFUSED TO GIVE HIS CONTACT DETAILS SO WE COULD NOT DISCUSS THIS WITH HIM. WE HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THIS WEBSITE, LOOKING AT PROBLEMS LISTED UNDER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE NUMBERS OF COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURES NEEDING REPLACEMENT ARE AS FOLLOWS FOR THE SPECIFIC YEARS: 2000 = 1 PROBABLE FAILURE; 2001 = 1 PROBABLE FAILURE; 2002 = 40 COMPLETE FAILURES; 2003 = 1 FAILURE; 2004 = 2 FAILURES; 2005 = 0 FAILURES; 2006 = 0 FAILURES. IT SEEMS CLEAR TO US THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 MAZDA MPV TRANSMISSION. PEOPLE SHOULD REALIZE THAT MAZDA ARE NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT WHEN THERE IS AN OBV

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 10, 2010117,694 milesWA

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH NO WARNING, ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE COMPLETED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 5, 201039,000 milesIL

2002 MAZDA MPV WITH 39,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION TOTALLY FAILED ON US55 HALFWAY BETWEEN BLOOMINGTON, IL AND CHICAGO. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED BACK TO CHICAGO. TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS MY SECOND ONE. WHEN I BOUGHT CAR IN 2002 TRANSMISSION FAILED IN 1ST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 9, 201072,000 milesCA

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MAZDA MPV VAN WHICH IS 2002 MODEL. SHE WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20-25 MPH AND TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKES WHEN SHE SAW ANOTHER CAR APPROACHING THE ROAD; THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE AND SHE STARTED HEARING SOME HEAVY SOUND COMING FROM ENGINE. THE VAN CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND SHE HAD TO TAKE WIDE TURN TO GO RIGHT ON ANOTHER ROAD. MY WIFE TRIED TO APPLY BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES BUT VAN WAS STILL ACCELERATING AND REACHED ABOUT 35-40 MPH OR HIGHER. SHE HAD TO CRASH THE VAN IN THE TREES WHICH WERE THERE IN THE MIDDLE DIVIDER SECTION OF THE ROAD. TWO TO THREE TREES GOT BROKEN BEFORE THE VAN GOT STUCK IN ONE OF THE TREES AND THEN STOPPED. DURING THIS CRASH, FRONT TIRES GOT BURST, FRONT OF THE VAN GOT TOTAL DAMAGE, MIDDLE SECTION OF THE VAN ALSO GOT DAMAGED AND MY WIFE GOT NECK AND BACK INJURIES. THE VAN IS CURRENTLY LOCATED IN THE LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY WAREHOUSE IN SACRAMENTO. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 8, 2010111,000 milesTN

TRANSMISSION FAILED IN MY 2002 MAZDA MPV AT 111K MILES. AFTER READING SEVERAL STORIES ONLINE THAT SOUND IDENTICAL TO MINE, I FELT COMPELLED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I WAS TRAVELLING ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE WITH 5 CUBSCOUTS AND THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED, LEAVING US STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TRANSMISSION GAVE NO WARNING THAT IT WAS ABOUT TO FAIL, OTHER THAN A FEW ROUGH SHIFTS FROM TIME TO TIME. MECHANIC CHECKED FLUID LEVELS AND PRESSURE OF TRANSMISSION AND ALL CHECKED OUT OKAY AFTER INCIDENT. THIS WAS NOT DRIVER OR MAINTENANCE ERROR. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE AT ALL IN DRIVE, LOW GEARS OR REVERSE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 6, 201042,000 milesCA

ON THE FREEWAY, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR ONLY HAS 42,000 MILES. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 2, 200953,583 milesWA

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2002 MAZDA MPV FAILED WITH JUST 53,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD NOTICED SOME PROBLEMS SHIFTING ON HILLS AND FREEWAYS. THE REPAIR MAN CALLED IT "FLASH SHIFTING" WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO BE CHECKED OUT. DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND PERFORMED A "REFLASH" OF THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. 3 DAYS LATER, THE CAR LOST THE UPPER GEARS. LOST THE OTHERS THE NEXT DAY. I HAD IT TOWED TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AS EVERY TIME I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER, I'M BACK 2 MONTHS LATER WITH A MORE EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOW BEEN PULLED OUT 4 TIMES IN 6 WEEKS TO BE REBUILT, REPLACE SOLENOIDS, ETC. I HAVE HEARD THAT MANY OTHER MAZDA MPV OWNERS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSIONS ON VEHICLES WITH EVEN LOWER MILEAGE THAN MINE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT WITH MY 3 YOUNG SONS. I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AT A SOCCER GAME AND NOT ON THE FREEWAY ON THE WAY TO THAT SOCCER GAME. THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. MAZDA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING CARS WITH FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. WE ARE STILL WAITING TO GET OUR CAR BACK FROM THE THIRD REPAIR. MAYBE IT'S FINALLY FIXED, MAYBE NOT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 10, 200940,800 milesPA

MY HUSBAND AND I OWN A 2002 MAZDA MPV LX. LAST WEEK ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2009, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON THE WALT WHITMAN BRIDGE COMING TO PHILADELPHIA. ALTHOUGH OUR VAN IS 7 YEARS OLD, IT ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 40,000 MILES ON IT AND WE KEEP IT IN GREAT CONDITION. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS, IT IS NOW COSTING US BETWEEN $2400-$2600 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THE MAZDA DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VAN TOLD US IT WOULD COST $4,189.00 TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. WE ARE NOT IN A FINANCIAL POSITION TO PURCHASE A NEW OR USED VEHICLE, SO WE ARE BORROWING THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THIS COSTLY PROBLEM. AFTER READING HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING TRANSMISSION FAILURE (I'M SURE THERE ARE A LOT MORE) WITHOUT WARNING ON THE 2002 MAZDA MPV, ESPECIALLY AT LOW MILEAGE, I BELIEVE A RECALL OF THIS VEHICLE IS IN ORDER. I ALSO BELIEVE THE 2002 MODEL OF THE MAZDA MPV HAS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THANK GOD THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND THAT OUR CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 11, 200958,000 milesKY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MVP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON AN INCLINE, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO PREVENT HIMSELF FROM BEING REAR-ENDED, HE HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PUMP WAS DESIGN DEFECTIVELY; HOWEVER, UPON NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER HE WAS NOT PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000. UPDATED 12/07/09 *BF UPDATED 12/09/09.*JB

Power Train
Filed Mar 24, 2009CA

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT PART DESIGN DEFECTS FOR 2002 MAZDA MPV. OVER YEARS, I WAS STRUGGLING TO SOLVE ENGINE LIGHT-ON WHICH TOOK PLACE EVERY ONCE WHILE. RECENTLY, THE THING GOT WORSE - ENGINE IDLE ROUGH, ENGINE LACK OF POWER, JERKING AT LOW RPM. AFTER LONG TIME STRUGGLE, I'VE FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A PCV HOSE FAILURE. I'VE NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS A PCV HOSE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL PCV HOSE (PART # AJ51-13-89) HAS BEEN RECALLED BY MAZDA AND REPLACED BY NEW ONE (PART # AJ51-13-89YA, IT LOOKS LIKE REVISION A) BACK TO YEARS AGO. I'VE THOUGHT MAZDA HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY, IT?S NOT YET. THIS TIME THE PCV HOSE HAS FAILED AGAIN, AND IT'S SO WEAK THAT THE HOSE COLLAPSED AGAIN UNDER VACUUM PRESSURE. TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I ORDERED A NEW HOSE, PART # AJ51-13-89YB. IF YOU LOOK AT THE PART # CAREFULLY, YOU CAN INFER THAT MAZDA HAS REALIZED THAT THEIR REVISION A HOSE DIDN'T?T WORK, WHICH WAS USED TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL UNDER RECALL # 2204H, BECAUSE THEY HAVE RE--DESIGNED REVISION B HOSE. IT?S CLEARLY THAT THE ORIGINAL HOSE AND REVISION A HAD DESIGN DEFECTS. HOWEVER, THEY HAVEN?T ISSUE A RECALL TO REPLACE REVISION A YET THIS TIME. MAZDA SHOULD REALLY RECALL THIS PCV HOSE AGAIN. THE THING IS EVEN BAD TO CUSTOMERS. BECAUSE THE DESIGN DEFECTS AND UNCERTAINTY OF THE PART MAKE THE HOSE REALLY SPECIAL, NO RETAIL STORES CARRY THIS HOSE. THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN FIND IT IS AT MAZDA DEALERSHIP, AND IT COSTS $67, MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE. IT?S JUST A RUBBER HOSE, USUALLY

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 28, 200975,000 milesMD

MY 2002 MPV SUFFERED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT ABOUT 75K MILES, STALLING OUT IN MORNING TRAFFIC AND NEEDING TO BE PUSHED FROM THE ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY KICKED WHEN SHIFTING SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. I CALLED MAZDA, WHICH REFUSED TO PAY ANYTHING TOWARD THE REPAIR, SAYING IT HAD RELINQUISHED LIABILITY FOR A VEHICLE SEVERAL YEARS PAST WARRANTY. DESPITE WHAT I SEE IN NHTSA'S COMPLAINT LOG AND ELSEWHERE ON THE NET, MAZDA TOLD ME THAT IT DOES NOT AGREE THAT THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 2002 MPV IS UNUSUALLY PRONE TO FAILURE. IN THE PAST SEVEN MONTHS, THIS MPV HAS NEEDED SEVERAL OTHER EXPENSIVE ENGINE REPAIRS, SOME OF WHICH ALSO REPEATEDLY SHOW UP ON THE NHTSA COMPLAINT LOG: 3 IGNITION COILS, A PCV HOSE, AN IDLE CONTROL VALVE, AND AN OXYGEN SENSOR. THIS IS QUITE A STRING OF EXPENSIVE FAILURES FOR A CAR LESS THAN 7 YEARS OLD. THE DEALER OFFERED TO DO THE TRANSMISSION WORK FOR $3600, ALTHOUGH IT LOOKS LIKE I WILL HAVE IT DONE ELSEWHERE FOR SOMEWHAT LESS. I STRONGLY URGE NHTSA TO REEVALUATE WHETHER A RECALL IS MERITED FOR THE 2002 MPV'S DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO HAVE 3 IGNITION COILS, A PCV HOSE, AND IDLE CONTROL VALVE NAS A RIGHT UPPER OXYGEN SENSOR. UPDATED 02/12/09. *JB

Engine and Engine CoolingCrash
Filed Jan 8, 200966,677 milesIL

2000-2003 MAZDA MPV MODELS HAVE A COOLANT SEEPAGE FROM REAR HEATER PIPE WHICH CAN CAUSE SEVERE ENGINE FAILURE AND TRAFFIC HAZARD DUE TO NON-DRIVABLE VEHICLE. MAZDA MPV 2002 WAS FOUND TO HAVE A COOLANT LEAK IN REAR HEATER PIPES AND WAS TAKEN TO MAZDA REPAIR CENTER. MAZDA ADVISED A VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE RUN WITHOUT COOLANT SINCE IT CAN DAMAGE THE ENGINE, AND REPLACED THE LINES FOR A COST OF $1000 (PARTS + LABOR). MPV WAS DRIVEN 18 MILES AFTER COMPLETED REPAIR, THEN THE ENGINE SUFFERED A COMPLETE FAILURE IN TRAFFIC AND VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, POSING A DANGER TO MPV PASSENGERS AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES. MAZDA REPAIR CENTER CLAIMS THE ENGINE FAILURE IS DUE TO DRIVING WITH LOW/NO COOLANT PRIOR TO REPAIR. REGARDLESS, IF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAILED REPAIR OR DUE TO THE REASON MAZDA STATES, THIS IS A KNOWN PRODUCT DEFECT BY MAZDA THAT SHOULD BE ISSUED AS A RECALL NOTICE TO ALL AFFECTED MPV OWNERS. MAZDA HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (US BULLETIN NO: 07-002/05) STATING THAT WARRANTY REPAIR IS APPROVED ONLY IF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS COOLANT LEAKAGE AND THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE EXTENDED 7-YEAR WARRANTY FROM VEHICLE IN-SERVICE DATE. TSB REFERENCE: HTTP://MAZDA5CLUB.COM/TSB.PHP?ID=168 THIS KNOWN PRODUCT DEFECT SHOULD BE ISSUED AS A RECALL NOTICE FOR ALL AFFECTED MAZDA MPV MODELS DUE TO THE HIGH RISK THAT COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE POSES WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 2, 200972,000 milesTX

AT 72K, TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT HWY SPEEDS. TRANSMISSION WENT INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. ALSO ALL 6 COILS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. 1 FAILED AT APPROX. 38K, 2ND AT 50K, THE REMAINING AT 72K. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 26, 2008104,000 milesVT

MY VAN STARTED JERKING INTO 2ND GEAR AND IT HAD NO PICKUP, I COULD FEEL IT NOT CATCHING GEARS SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THEY SAY IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. IT WILL COST BETWEEN $2000 AND $4000 TO FIX. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 29, 200859,000 milesNJ

I WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 MAZDA MPV, WITH ONLY 59000 MILES ON IT. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2002. IN THIS INCIDENT, I SUDDENLY FOUND THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 38 MPH, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE (TO 40 MPH), AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INSTEAD. I REPEATEDLY TRIED THIS, AND THE VEHICLE KEPT SLOWING INSTEAD OF ACCELERATING. WE TURNED THE CAR OFF, CHANGED DRIVERS IN THE SHOULDER, AND REPEATED THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, JUST WORSENING OF THE PROBLEM, WITH EXTREME SLOWING. WE MANAGED TO GET THE VAN TO A SERVICE STATION. WE WERE JUST INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SOMETHING APPARENTLY SNAPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION, WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR WILL GO IN REVERSE, BUT WILL NOT GO FORWARD. WE WERE HEADED FOR THE HIGHWAY THAT DAY, AND ARE FORTUNATE THIS HAPPENED WHERE IT DID, NOT ON A HIGHWAY, BUT ON A SMALLER ROAD RIGHT NEAR A SERVICE STATION. WE ARE VERY LUCKY AND EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED WITH MAZDA. THIS SEVERE AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM COULD HAPPEN WITH NO WARNING, ON A WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE. THE ENGINE IS BEING REBUILT FOR $2400, AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BORROW A CAR FOR THE DURATION OF THE REPAIR. AND BY THE LOOKS OF IT, MANY OWNERS OF THE 2002 MAZDA HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM! *TR

Tires
Filed Aug 4, 200812,500 milesWI

TIRE VALVE STEMS ALL FOUR ,CAUSED TWO FLAT TIRES AND TWO VALUE STEM CREAKING, 13 MONTHS OLD, SUMITOMO TIRES P21560H16 FROM SEARS. I WAS TOLD IT WAS DRY ROT, I TOLD THE MDG. HE WAS FULL OF B.S. . I HAD MIDAS REPLACE ALL FOUR VALUE STEMS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 14, 200885,000 milesNJ

SINCE NEW, HESITATES BETWEEN 40-50 MPH, CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, HIGH RPMS BUT NO ACCELERATION. REMOVING FOOT FROM GAS VAN SOMETIMES RECOVERS. HAS HAD TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE REPLACED AS A RESULT, THEN IGNITION COILS WERE BLAMED AND THOSE WERE REPLACED ONE BY ONE, SOMETIMES MORE THAN ONCE, THEN COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR WENT, NOW AT 85,000 TRANSMISSION WENT. EACH EVENT STRANDED MY FAMILY BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 9, 2008NJ

THIS COMPLAINT MAY NOT BE ABOUT A SAFETY ISSUE OF MY 2002 MAZDA MPV VAN. HOWEVER, IT'S DEFINITELY ABOUT PART DESIGN DEFECTS. OVER YEARS, I WAS STRUGGLING TO SOLVE ENGINE LIGHT-ON WHICH TOOK PLACE EVERY ONCE WHILE. RECENTLY, THE THING GOT WORSE - ENGINE IDLE ROUGH, ENGINE LACK OF POWER, JERKING AT SPEED HIGHER THAN 40 MPH OR AT UP-SLOPE. AFTER LONG TIME STRUGGLE, I'VE FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A PCV HOSE FAILURE. I'VE NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS A PCV HOSE PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL PCV HOSE (PART # AJ51-13-89) HAS BEEN RECALLED BY MAZDA AND REPLACED BY NEW ONE (PART # AJ51-13-89YA, IT LOOKS LIKE REVISION A) BACK TO YEARS AGO. I'VE THOUGHT MAZDA HAS SOLVED THE PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY, IT?S NOT YET. THIS TIME THE PCV HOSE HAS FAILED AGAIN, AND IT'S SO WEAK THAT THE HOSE COLLAPSED AGAIN UNDER VACUUM PRESSURE. TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I ORDERED A NEW HOSE, PART # AJ51-13-89YB. IF YOU LOOK AT THE PART # CAREFULLY, YOU CAN INFER THAT MAZDA HAS REALIZED THAT THEIR REVISION A HOSE DIDN?T WORK, WHICH WAS USED TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL UNDER RECALL # 2204H, BECAUSE THEY HAVE RE--DESIGNED REVISION B HOSE. IT?S CLEARLY THAT THE ORIGINAL HOSE AND REVISION A HAD DESIGN DEFECTS. HOWEVER, THEY HAVEN?T ISSUE A RECALL TO REPLACE REVISION A YET THIS TIME. MAZDA SHOULD REALLY RECALL THIS PCV HOSE AGAIN. THE THING IS EVEN BAD TO CUSTOMERS. BECAUSE THE DESIGN DEFECTS AND UNCERTAINTY OF THE PART MAKE THE HOSE REALLY SPECIAL, NO RETAIL STORES CARRY THIS HOSE. THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN FIND IT IS A

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 17, 200895,000 milesOR

WE HAVE SENT IN OUR MAZDA MPV 2002 VAN INTO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUES. EVERYONE EXCEPT ONE GAVE US A COULD NOT REPLICATE PROBLEM ANSWER. HOWEVER, THE ONE DEALERSHIP THAT COULD REPLICATE THE PROBLEM SAID IT WAS THE MECHANICS OF THE TRANSMISSION AND WE SHOULD NOT WORRY BUT LOGGED IN AN INCIDENT DURING OUR WARRANTY IN CASE WE HAD PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. THEY ALSO INDICATED THAT IT WOULD BE HANDLED AS A WARRANTY PROBLEM WHEN AND IF THE PROBLEM BECAME WORSE AND NEEDED REPAIRED. NOW, THE PROBLEM OCCURS ALL OF THE TIME WITH 3,4,5 GEARS SHIFTING HARD. MAZDA HAS NOT CORRECTED THIS ISSUE AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME MONEY FOR THE REPAIRS. AFTER CONSULTING TWO TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, THEY SAID IT NEEDED A REBUILT OR REPLACED TRANSMISSION. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed May 15, 200866,815 milesGA

LOUD TAPPING NOISE EXISTED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, SOUNDED LIKE A VALVE TAPPING. PROBLEM WAS A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD. DEALER FOUND CRACKED MANIFOLD AND A STRIPPED ATTACHING BOLT. BOTH WERE REPLACED. MANUFACTURER SUBSEQUENTLY REPAID ME FOR COST OF PARTS. I PAID LABOR. *TR

Air Bags › Side/Window1 injured
Filed Apr 28, 200870,800 milesOH

I WAS JUST SETTING IN MY 2002 MAZDA MPV ES AND WITH THE KEY TURNED TO ON SPOT NOT TO START THE VEHICLE SO THAT I COULD PUT DOWN MY WINDOW. AFTER A MINUTE OR SO MY SRS AIRBAGS IN MY DRIVER SEAT AND PASSENGER SEAT DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. INJURY TO MYSELF WAS MODERATE. MY BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT IS THAT MAZDA WOULD NOT HELP ME AT ALL AND SUGGESTED I TURN IT INTO MY INSURANCE UNDER COMP. INSURANCE IS ONLY TAKING CARE OF THE DAMAGE FROM THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE THE OTHER AIRBAGS CHECKED FOR SAFETY. I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE NEW AND NEVER HAD BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 6, 200876,776 milesVA

O/D LIGHT FLASHING AND HARSH SHIFT. MY FAMILY AND I WAS PLANNING TO TAKE A TRIP TO WILLIAMSBURG VA, AND WHEN I START THE VAN, I DISCOVERED THE O/D (OVER DRIVE) LIGHT IS FLASHING AND HARSH SHIFTS. I TOOK THE VAN TO AMOCO AND ASK TO CHECK MY TRANSMISSION. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME EVERYTHING IS NORMAL, HOWEVER WE NOTICED YOUR GEARS ARE NOT SHIFTING SMOOTHLY. THEY COULD GET ANY CODE OF WHAT CAUSING. I LEFT THEIR SHOP AND STOPPED BY COTTMAN TRANSMISSION. THEY ALSO SCANNED AND COULDN'T GET ANY CODE; THEY ALSO TEST DRIVE THE VAN AND ALSO NOTICED SAME THING THAT AMOCO HAS TOLD ME. THE TECH HAS ASKED ME TO TAKE TO THE DEALER AND GIVE THIS BULLETIN # 05-001/04 (HARSH SHIFTS - REFLASH PCM). I DROPPED THE CAR TO THE DEALER OVER NIGHT AND MENTION WHAT HAVE HAPPENED AND ALSO MENTIONED THE BULLETIN NUMBER. I HAVE RECEIVED A CALL THE FOLLOWING MORNING FROM THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SERVICE ADVISER HAS TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND WHEN I ASK HOW MUCH, HE SAID IT WILL COST TO YOU ABOUT $3200. THIS SHOCKED ME AND DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH. I FOUND OUT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSAND OF MPV 2002 OWNERS, WHICH ONE FORUM HAS SUGGESTED THAT I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAIN HERE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 22, 200883,000 milesVA

WE HAVE 83000 MILES ON OUR VEHICLE. WE HAVE TAKEN OUR VEHICLE IN FOR THE REQUIRED CHECK UPS AT 20K, 30K,,FOR ISSUES CONCERNING AIR SENSORS. WE HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY CAUTION BY THE DEALER THAT WE MAY HAVE ISSUES WITH ANY PART DEALING WITH THE POWERTRAIN EVEN AFTER THE DEALER "26 POINT INSPECTION" THEY ALWAYS TALK ABOUT. MY FAMILY WAS DRIVING FROM A DOCTOR APPOINTMENT, AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. WE CALLED THE DEALER, AND WERE INFORMED THAT THE CAR COULD HAVE A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND NOT TO DRIVE IT. NOBODY WAS INJURED THROUGH THE JERKING MOTIONS OF THE CAR, BUT LUCKILY, WE WERE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT WAS TOWED TO OUR DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS, AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Feb 19, 2008MN

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH WILL NOT READILY ENGAGE. REQUIRES MULTIPLE AND FORCEFUL ATTEMPTS TO GET THE SEAT BELT LOCKED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Feb 11, 20087,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. AS SOON AS THE WARRANTY EXPIRED, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE. SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2007, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN DRIVING 40-50 MPH AND STALLS WHEN APPROACHING A STOP. THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT CYLINDER THREE WAS MISFIRING AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NEWER MODELS HAVE BEEN UPGRADED. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, BUT THERE WAS NO BRAKE OR STEERING FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO SMELLED ROTTEN EGGS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED, IN ADDITION TO OTHER SMALL FAILURES. THE VEHICLE BEGAN RUSTING WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF BEING PURCHASED. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, TRANSMISSION TYPE, POWERTRAIN, AND FUEL SYSTEM WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 14, 200853,575 milesVT

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WHILE 200 MI AWAY FROM HOME, OVER $3,000.00 USD DAMAGE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 5, 200879,600 milesIN

VEHICLE HAS 79600 MILES ON IT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE MAINTAINED THE CAR WELL. THE TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REBUILT TO THE TUNE OF $3500. MAZDA SEEMS TO BE TAKING THIER TIME GETTING IN TOUCH WITH ME. THEY HAD DENIED THAT THIS IS A CRONIC PROBLEM. THIS WILL BE THE LAST MAZDA I WILL OWN IF THE MAZDA USA CANNOT LIVE UP TO THE FACT THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS ARE FAULTY. *CN

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 11, 200761,900 milesCA

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2002 MAZDA MPV WITH 62,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN THE CARPOOL LANE ON THE 405 FREEWAY IN ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER THROUGH 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING AND NO LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH. HAD THIS HAPPENED IN ANOTHER SITUATION IT COULD POSE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY THREAT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 9, 200797,000 milesNC

TRANSMISSION IN 2002 MAZDA MPV FAILED ON 19 IN SUMMERSVILLE WV. VAN SERVICED AT MAZDA DEALER AND TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSHED AT 88000. FAILED AT 97,000. HAD TO PUSH OFF OF HIGHWAY. EXTENDED WARRANTY IS ONLY COVERING PART OF COST. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 13, 200760,000 milesGA

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 MPV ES WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT SUDDENLY WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE(AUTO TRANS). I TRIED PUTTING IT IN 2 AND 3 WITH THE SAME RESULTS. I PAID $780 A WEEK AGO AT THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE COILS 1, 2 ,3 AND NOW THIS! *TR

Seats
Filed Aug 29, 200764,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE DRIVER SEAT FRAME BROKE DUE TO A FAULTY STRUCTURAL PIVOT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT WAS LOOSE. THE DEALER HAS NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter
Filed Aug 29, 200742,000 milesPA

MY 2002 MAZDA MPV HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 42,000 MILES. IT HAD CONTINUOUSLY SLIPPED TO NEUTRAL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS LEAVING THE CONSUMERS FAMILY IN A PERILOUS CONDITION. UPDATED 09/18/07.

Complaints 1-50 of 124, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2000
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200612200Do not drive
200536300Do not drive
200471510Do not drive
2003113420Routine
2002 — this page124450Routine
200170320Routine
2000149530Routine
19992000Routine
199819130Routine
199722130Routine
199618100Routine
199519100Routine
199436100Routine
199351130Routine
199261100Routine
199166310Routine
199047330Routine

Compare every MPV year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 19, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.