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1. Driver's side power window(approx. 80, 000 mi.) - It started raising slower & slower over a period of several weeks and finally, one day it wouldn't raise again. Took it to dealer and was told entire assembly including motor had to be replaced. Cost: Approx $800
2. Coil issue(approx. 100, 000 mi.) - Van had a "hard code" (flashing check engine light) and was idling rough (shuddering). Took to my mechanic and he diagnosed cylinder misfire. Replaced plugs/wires, did not solve problem. Replaced coil pack - solved problem. Cost : I believe $300-$400 Note: I don't have my maint. records anymore, so I'm trying to recall from memory.
3. Front Axil Bearing (approx. 140,000 mi.) - Van developed a "wobble" in the front end. Mechanic originally thought right side front wheel bearings were bad, but on inspection found that the front axil bearing was shot. It apparently has rubber "bushings" that deteriorate over time and allow the bearing to slide. Cost: I believe $400 -$500.
4. Catalytic Converter(approx. 90,000 mi.) - This was a "biggie" Van developed flashing check engine light. Took to dealer who diagnosed blown intake manifold gasket. After replacing gasket - $800 - $900, Dealer told me that the converters were fouled and needed replacing. In addition I was informed that the van had "California Emissions" and the converters had to be ordered from Mazda (took a week & a half). Cost: $2200.
5. Gas Gauge - Never had this problem, but would have gladly traded it for one of the above, LOL.
I noticed recently our fuel guage needle was very slow (2-3 minutes) in going from a quarter tank of gas to full... when filling up. Hope this isn't an indication something is going wrong. I've never noticed it to be that slow before... usually turn the key and the needle climbs slowly and steadily to the full mark???
Funny, as much as I wanted to get rid of the MPV, I still felt a bit sad watching the Hyundai folks take it away. We do get attached to our cars, especially if we keep them for long periods of time.
The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
Thanks!
-Brian
The knuckle heads at a quick lube place messed up the epoxy fix a different quick lube place applied when they stripped or cross threaded the Oil Drain bolt on the oil pan. Now I have a drippy oil drain bolt that is leaving a mess every where I go!
What you might want to look at are one of the Doorman solutions to stripped drain plugs. Piggyback drain plug
Of course, I'm surprised you didn't go after the first quick lube place for a new pan.
The Mazda Club Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
I have an MPV 2003 , it is out of company warranty. i would like to know whether it is a good idea to have an extended warranty for 60 months/100000 miles and where i could find good , econimical - complete coverage for my mpv
today I have spend quite a huge amt for codes: P2404,P0706
please let me know.
thanks
Sun
Never-ever-ever-ever buy a Mazda.
So, now I have a rusting van with a useless rust-through warranty. Other than the rust, the van looks brand new. When we bought it new, I thought the savings over an Odyssey was worth it - now I'm not so sure. So, my plan is to keep the van, turn it into a commuter car, park my Tundra and buy an Odyssey for my wife within the year. I've lived in NH, PA, and now OH, and I've never had such a pervasive rust problem until now. No more Mazda's (or Fords for that matter) for me...
So, is anyone else having similar rust issues, and are there any 'secret' warranties? Any suggestions? Any deep lake where I can send it...
My niece bought a Hyundai Tucson recently and I saw your post saying you had tried to sell your MPV. Sorry to hear of your warranty company going belly up. Our MPV just ran out of manufacturers warranty about a month ago. So, there is always that concern of something big going wrong(knock on wood). I did a trans. flush at around 25k miles and will probably do another at 50k.
There really isn't many posts on transmission failures over at the MPV Club. The problem with the 02's and up are more with the ignition coils and PCV hose. We're hoping to keep our van another 4-6 years.
I'd actually rather keep the MPV as I really like it and it's impossible to find anything new that's quite like it today. The wife really liked the Sportage though (well, I did too but it only seats 5). I was hoping to get a decent price when I sell the MPV in about 3 years, but now with the rusting that may not come to pass.
Good luck! TCC :mad:
I really liked my MPV. I thought it was the ideal combination of space and size, and handled well for a minivan. But when the company that backed the bumper-to-bumper warranty on it went belly up and the repair bills started mounting (over $800 just since the warranty went MIA), plus a diagnosis for about $400 to replace the oil pan gasket (slow leak, but will need replacement sometime soon), the rusting front doors, an AM radio with terrible reception, and the risk of more repairs down the road, I decided to cut my losses. Plus the larger T&C with its Stow-n-Go seating will be more versatile, and more comfortable for the family on our occasional cross-country trips (the kids aren't getting any younger/smaller!).
BTW, on the PCV hose problem I reported earlier... it did turn out to be the PCV hose, and it cost about $150 to replace. I complained to Mazda Customer Service about this PCV hose that needed replacement so soon after it was already replaced once on a recall, and they were cordial about it and after checking with the dealer offered a $75 gift card for Mazda parts and service, which I accepted. I can always use it on my 626.
I have done some shopping lately on other minivans. I found that now is such a good time buying a minivan like Honda and Nissan due to the big discount they are handing out.
My 04 might have the coil issue all along and I kept thinking that the tranny is acting up. But I felt that I would keep mine for 4-5 more years because the other minivans aren't that much better than my MPV. The only thing I want to have from the new minivan is the airbags for the passangers in the back.
The parts and labor costs to fix the discontinued MPV in the future is a big concern though.
Our MPV is 6 yrs old now. We had the coil problem and a trans switch go bad- out of warranty- Mazda paid for the parts but not labor (after the fact). No signs of rust yet
Thanks
lg2207
How far out of warranty when Mazda paid for parts on the trans switch and coils? How did you ask them to cover the cost?
There really are great deals on vans now, e.g. a new 2008 Dodge van can be had for around $17k. But I only paid $11k for a one-year-old van that looks/drives like new; the only difference is mine has 50k miles! As I only plan on keeping it for about 3 years, that is no biggie for me.
This may be a common problem on MPV. Any suggestions on how to get around this problem?
Thanks, Sri.
I currently am fighting the dealer about needing to replace the catalytic converter for 1000 dollars. They say it's a normal maintenance issue and I say NO. My check engine light comes on about once every couple months and the code is for the converter.
I am returning to the States after working in Saudi Arabia, and wondering whether I should take my MPV (2006) along. My employer will pay for the shipping cost. But they will not pay for the changes needed to bring the car into compliance with US and California standards.
I have no idea what these changes will be, and how much they will cost. Can someone please enlighten me on this? If the cost of conversion is too big, I will drop the idea of shipping, and just sell the car.
Thanks,
Nadeem
You might try negotiating with your employer, i.e. "I'll sell it before I move and you will avoid the shipping costs, but can you contribute towards the sale if I have trouble getting a fair price?"
Is this running gear on any Ford vehicles?
Thanks,
Tom
-Brian
POWER STEERING WENT
NEW ALTERNATOR NEEDED
VALVE COVER SEALS CRACKED
IN THE WINTER THERE IS AN ANNOYING CLICKING SOUND
THE ABS LIGHT WON'T SHUT OFF
FRONT AXELS CRACKED
DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR REPLACED TWICE
IT FEELS AS IF IT'S LOSING POWER IT TAKES A WHILE TO ACCERLERATE WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 60.
I ONCE LOVED THIS CAR BUT I FIND MYSELF DREADING THE DAY I PURCHASED IT. I HAVE HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE CAN ANYONE RELATE?
CAN ANYONE GIVE ME IDEAS ON HOW TO GET A COUPLE OF MORE YEARS OUT OF THIS CAR.
Was it running after the major tuneup?
Is it trying to start, is the starter turning over, is it getting spark, is it getting gas?
Trade it or keep it? Thanks
That's a rip off. If a dealership is only offering $3k trade-in, I'd either keep it or sell it private party for double that. But, as long as you have confidence in your engine and transmission (Duratec engine is one of Fords' best and most reliable) I think it will last well over 120k miles.
You're right though in not wanting to be nickeled and dimed to death over those minor repairs. If covered under warranty not too bad. So, considering how much you paid for the van only 6 years ago, how much a new or used would cost, it would be better finacially to keep it... at least a couple more years.
I have no money so I am limping along with it. TCC