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Comments
US BULLETIN No: 05-003/04
DATE: 05/2004
CAN BULLETIN No: N/A
MODEL: Mazda MPV
YEAR: 2003-2004
AFFECTED VINs: JM3 LW28** 30 367822 - JM3 LW28** 40 518096
SUBJECT: Mazda Special Program (MSP03) - Shift Shock - Transmission Control Module (TCM) Reflash
DETAILS:
APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
2003 - 2004 MPV vehicles built from April 1, 2003 through January 26, 2004
2003 VIN Range: JM3LW28**30367822 - 378984
2004 VIN Range: JM3LW28**40500013 - 518096
DESCRIPTION
The vehicle's automatic transaxle (ATX) may exhibit shift shock while the engine warms from cold to normal operating temperature. The symptom is intermittent, it does not occur all the time. The shift shock usually occurs during 1-2 or 2-3 upshifts, or 3-2 part throttle downshifts.
In most cases, the cause of the shift shock is from the TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) software calibration. A new software calibration is available on ESI to correct the shifting concerns.
NOTE:
UNDER THE MAZDA SPECIAL PROGRAM (MSP03), ALL CURRENT DEALER INVENTORY AND RETAILED VEHICLES FOUND TO BE WITHIN THE ABOVE VIN RANGES, AND PRODUCED BETWEEN APR. 1, 2003 THROUGH JAN. 26, 2004, MUST BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SERVICE BULLETIN.
BEFORE PERFORMING ANY REPAIR, VALIDATE THAT THE VEHICLE IS APPLICABLE TO THIS PROGRAM BY PERFORMING AN "eMDCS WARRANTY VEHICLE INQUIRY" AND VERIFYING THE VEHICLE DISPLAYS CAMPAIGN "MSP03". SEE "VEHICLE INSPECTION PROCEDURE" BELOW.
DEALER INVENTORY:
Inspect and repair all current dealer inventory according to the procedures contained in this service bulletin.
RETAIL VEHICLES:
When a retail vehicle is brought into the dealer for any type of repair or scheduled maintenance, inspect and repair the vehicle according to the procedures contained in this service bulletin.
TALK ABOUT THE MOTHER LOAD OF INFORMATION!!THANK YOU SO MUCH, I WILL MAKE A COPY AND TAKE IT WITH ME ON FRIDAY.
-Brian
By the way, does anyone know what the deal is with rectangular hole in the carpet on the right side of the driver's footwell? My dealer claims all their MPVs have this, but you'll excuse me if I don't take his word for it...
-Jason
BTW subearu, the info is from MPVClub
-Jason
In my Subaru, it is located behind the glove box. Anyone know where to look on the MPV?
John
John
I had two recall notices yesterday, the PCV hose and ECM unit. I guess I will need to make my way into the dealer, I will send in my "free" cabin air filter coupon and check on installation cost.
John
-Brian
Oh my.
The Freestar absolutely blows. No comparison at all to the MPV. I rented a Windstar with the gasket blower 3.8 V6 years back and it was actually an OK van. Gobs of torque and reasonably well put together. So I was surprised how much I disliked the new model.
This Freestar had the 3.9 V6 and was a slug. It sucked gas like the dickens, too. Everything in that van felt like it was a good yank away from breaking off. My wife mentioned that it felt like a "Fisher-Price" car. While the 3 Zone A/C was nice, it was so weak that the 3 zones were hot, hotter, and sweltering. Interior panels were coming loose left and right. The handling was awful. On an onramp I take at close to 80 in the MPV I could barely do 60. And once when I had to slow down quickly to make a turn the ABS kicked in almost immediately on a dry road. Incredible. And there was an intermittent, high pitched whining / moaning coming from the back of the van. No, it wasn't my kids ;-) It sounded for all the world like the fuel pump crapping out. All this on a van with 4k miles.
I read a review of the MPV - I think it was in Autoweek - where they mentioned that Ford should stop selling the Freestar and just rebadge the MPV. Now I can see why.
-Jason
Steve, Host
My instinct tells me 1) more likely than not there is more to the dealer's story based on the fact that,in situations like this, there is almost -always- more to the dealer's story; 2) that isn't necessarily a reason not to get the vehicle if it appears to be in mint condition; and 3) you are completely in the driver's seat on a such a vehicle with regard to price, and, if you are satisfied it's OK, should make a lowball offer (18.5K?) to see the reaction. If 21K is the dealer's first number, I would not pay that under these circumstances.
If the dealer holds fast on price, and you still want it, I would absolutely express "reservations" about the vehicle's history and require them to throw in an extended warranty at no cost to you.
I compared against the Odyssey and Sienna and found the Honda to feel bulky and bus-like while the Toyota seemed cushy but mushy. I think they are both high-content vehicles that the majority of American families will appreciate more than I but neither gave as much driving pleasure as the MPV tall wagon that fits my needs and garage so well.
In my quest for a family car, I'm leaning toward the MPV or the Passat Wagon. I really like the option of having the third row, but so far the MPV is the only vehicle with a third row that I've liked. The reviews all over have been lackluster, but I don't know if that matters.
Has anyone gotten a sneak peak at the new Odyssey? Now that rear windows go down, I'm going to try it. I've never been a fan of Honda, but I've read the handing is pretty good. Y'all seem to feel it does not measure up to the MPV’s handling?
Joy Elyse
My wife likes the MPV so much she hasn't even complained about the lack of heated seats - yet. Reviewers tend to worship at the altar of Honda and Toyota. What they like isn't nearly as important as what you like. I guess my point is that if you like the MPV, with the deals out there on leftover '04s why not pull the trigger? You can probably get a nicely equipped LX for well under $20k. Can't beat that.
Oh, and if you decide on the Passat wagon give my regards to Dieter in service ;-)
-Jason
PF Flyer
Host
Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
Chat is on TONIGHT. Check out the schedule
-Brian
Okay, skee-dattlin'
java-boy-it's-gettin-cold-outside-doc
Steve, Host
I've been busy this summer! Check out my site to see what I've been up to. But, I've been around, I'm not allowed to mention where, lest I receive more wallpaper for the soho. Hahahahaha
SWMBO is looking forward to the winter, in her awd Sienna though.
There is a Mazda chat tonight if you feel so inclined, even if you did trade the MPV ....
Steve, Host
gh
So far, the prices we've received are $23,900 "out the door" for the Oddy. And $20,500 "out the door" for a dealer demo model of the MPV with 6000 miles on it.
I liked the MPV better - the size, the way it drives, the look of it. But we've owned Hondas before and had a great experience. It just seems like the safer bet.
Also, the Mazda salesman was really leading us to the 2 Dealer Demos, but those make me nervous. One had 3K and one had 6K. Did anyone buy one of those? Or am I better off with a brand new one?
Thanks!
-K
Check out the Mazda MPV vs. Honda Odyssey discussion too.
Steve, Host
The link is on the left or you can click on the graphic at the top of the page.
Steve, Host
PF Flyer
Host
Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
MAZDA and HYBRID VEHICLE chats are on TONIGHT. Check out the schedule
But, when we had our 6cd changer out on warranty, somehow the dealer managed to get things so that we had HOT air coming out of the vents for 3 to 4 minutes after start up. I will look for the valve, that sounds like a good summer time fix for this problem.
John
I bought a new 2002 Mazda MPV LX with 4 season package in June 2002
3.0L V6 DOHC 24V FI Engine, 200 hp, 200 ft-lbs (Ford's Duratec with Mazda cylinder heads),
Automatic 5-Speed Transmission
15 Inch Wheels
- "check engine" light on at 35,000 miles: PCV crack, replaced under warranty (Mazda later issued a recall on this item for other MPV)
- "check engine" light on again at 36,000 miles: dealer replace "coil" on cylinder # 3, a warranty service, no charge
-"check engine" light again the same day after coil replacement. Dealer called Mazda engineers, not sure why same coil failed again. Replaced all 6 coils and test
drive. Same coil # 3 burned again. After 1 week in shop for testing, technician or engineers said valve on cylinder #3 needed rebuild. One week later meaning today
the vehicle is still in shop. Service manager says he has not seen such early failure like this. I have not found similar problem via Google search.
Questions on my mind: should I keep this vehicle after it's fixed?
Pro: this vehicle has served me well, it's the least expensive option in the immediate term, great shape
Con: performance of the newly rebuilt engine, which part will fail next, declining value after warranty period (50,000 miles)
Any wisdom?