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Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions

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  • toyrotatoyrota Member Posts: 66
    I know that this has been posted on "another" MPV forum, and it appears that some owners of 2000 and 2001 MPVs have the same problem: If you re-start your MPV after it has been running for awhile, with the vent blower on, a nasty fuel odor comes flowing out of the air vents. It lasts for a minute or so, then appears to go away.

    I appeal to other MPV owners, please check your van to see if you have this problem (actually, it's so bad in mine that you would know it if you have the problem). I think that the presence of raw fuel smell cannot be a good thing, and it is nauseating.
  • stone20stone20 Member Posts: 22
    Thanks for your inquiry of my problems.

    1. THE NOISE IS MORE OF A CLUNKING NOISE I GUESS. THE DEALER CHANGED THE CALIPER BOLT AND NOW IS WAITING ON MAZDA FOR A NEW FIX. THE NOISE IS JUST IRRITATING.

    2. THE COLOR IS RED WITH WHITE CHPS. THE CHIPPING PROBLEM IS NOTHING WITH ABUSE, THEY ARE FROM A POOR PAINT JOB. THE CHIPS ARE AT THE BOTTOM ( WHERE THE ROUGH PART OF THE DOOR). THESE CHIPS ARE ON THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER DOORS AND THE CHIPS ARE IDENTICAL ON BOTH SIDES. THE DEALER HAD MY DOORS PAINTED AND MADE ME BUY MUD FLAPS, SO THE PROBLEM WONT HAPPEN AGAIN. I DIDN'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR MUD FLAPS BECAUSE OF A BAD PAINT JOB.?
    THE ONLY THING THE DEALER HASNT FIXED YET IS THE PAINT CHIPS ON THE BUMPER AND HOOD ( WHICH ARE EXCESSIVE)( YES, I HAVE A BUG DEFLECTOR).

    3. THE DEALER REPLACED ALL VINYL ON EXTERIOR OF THE VAN: BOTH MIRRORS, THE PIECE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE WINDSHIELD, WINDSHIELD WIPERS FRONT AND REAR, VINYL STRIPS ON THE ROOF. THE BLACK VINYL WAS FADING WHITE.

    4. I AM STARTING THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING MAZDA, WHICH BECOMING A JOY IN ITSELF. ANY RESPONSE THANKS
  • toyrotatoyrota Member Posts: 66
    I tried calling their corporate 800 customer service number twice yesterday (12-04-01) and got the message "we are closed for Thanksgiving, will re-open on November 23rd". That was 2 weeks ago!!! Is Mazda in trouble financially? Are they no longer staffing the customer service center??
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    800-222-5500? option 4 gets you in to the customer assistance line. Worked for me.
  • scarter7719scarter7719 Member Posts: 89
    Just picked up the MPV from the dealer; had a fuel door opening problem. When I showed them the TSB from the NHTSA web page, and some of Alex's threads that I printed out, they said "no problem". The parts are on order....
  • stone20stone20 Member Posts: 22
    I CONTACTED MAZDA AT 1800-222-5500. THE HELP ON THE LINE IS FRUSTRATING TO DEAL WITH AND WONT HELP MUCH. THEY SAY TO CONTACT THE DEALER, WHICH IS NOT THE PROBLEM. I FINALLY TALKED TO A SUPERVISOR FROM THE CENTER AND HE IS HAVING A REP. FROM MAZDA CONTACT ME. WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS FROM THAT DISCUSSION. THEY LIKE TO TRY AND GIVE YOU THE RUN AROUND. DON'T GIVE UP UNTIL YOUR SATISFIED.
  • billmckinleybillmckinley Member Posts: 167
    It's frustrating trying to talk to somebody who doesn't want to hear what you have to say. I know; I've had similar difficulties getting through to the cementhead service rep at my local dealer. Good luck with your battle.
    BTW, if you'll use regular capitals rather than all caps, your postings will be a lot easier to read. All caps is the Internet equivalent of runing down the street screaming your head off.
    Not that I haven't felt like doing precisely that when dealing with Mr. Cementhead. ;)

    RJ
  • stone20stone20 Member Posts: 22
    Sorry, New to the room and got a little excited. This is a good communicater about our MPV's. I get alot compliments on BIG RED, just wish Mazda would take care of the problems we all are having on our MPV's. I will keep on them and let the room know anything that transpires. JL
  • mainsail2mainsail2 Member Posts: 77
    Well, believe it or not, but my local Mazda dealer took the rear toe-in problem seriously. First, the service manager called the factory for direction. He called me about a week later to schedule an appointment to put my MPV on the dealership's alignment machine. When Mazda checked the toe-in, it was even further off than when I had it checked prior (it was now 4.0 degrees off instead of 3.6). After getting direction from the factory, Mazda removed the wheel and hub, cleaned the hub and spindle, and retorqued the hub. The service manager said that the torque setting was probably at the root of the problem. Anyway, when they put the MPV back on the alignment machine, the left rear toe-in now reads 2.6 (which is within the specs. of 0.5 to 3.2 degrees. The MPV feels steady and tracks straight when braking with no hands on the wheel. I think it's OK, but would like to know whether all of you out there think Mazda's fix makes any sense. When I signed the warranty documents, they showed me the print out of the new toe-in readings and I noticed the warranty charges were $230.00.
  • sweet_subiesweet_subie Member Posts: 1,394
    I have a 00 MPV LX. I just realized that vents from 2nd & 3rd row seats have been not been throwing hot air.

    Question - Does not MPV have heating in the back, or is mine malfunctioning ? The heater in the front just works fine but not the rear.

    I know this has rear a/c, I would assume it would come with rear heater as well.....it worries me becos i will be moving to the boston area soon.

    Any help would be appreciated.
  • javadocjavadoc Member Posts: 1,167
    Well sweet_subie, your MPV will only have rear heat if it has the Four-Seasons package (for U.S. models anyway, Canadian models differ ever so slightly). If you have this feature, then there is a heat control console just aft of the rear right-hand door. This console will have fan speed, heat control and direction control dials (three dials total). Otherwise, your van will just have the rear a/c. Hopefully this helps you out.

    happy motoring,

    /javadoc
  • j2kbarlowj2kbarlow Member Posts: 89
    Since it appears that your rear alignment worsened, and Mazda offered a solution that reversed the problem, I'd say keep an eye on it and if it doesn't come back they fixed it. If the hub wasn't torqued properly, it can loosen over time. Looks like a good catch to me.
  • chomerjchomerj Member Posts: 10
    Could you give me more info on this? I couldn't find anything on NHTSA web page, or searching these posts. I have 2001 and the fuel door doesn't always open. Thanks.
  • tango_28tango_28 Member Posts: 35
    Has any had there water pump replace? I just found out today the water pump on our 2000 MPV has to be repalce.
  • sweet_subiesweet_subie Member Posts: 1,394
    Thanks for clarifying.........unfortunately I am moving to Boston area where it is going to be terribly cold........

    the heater will never reach the 3rd row seat.
    I guess I will have to get rid of the MPV.
  • msgjvhmsgjvh Member Posts: 196
    Don't underestimate that heater in the MPV. It cranks. You may have to let it warm up for 3-5 mins but the van will be hot enough that the kids will be begging you to turn it down. Ours are always asking us to turn ours down. We don't have the rear heat either and the kids never have complained.

    MSGJVH

    P.S. The rear air is an absolute essential though.
  • javadocjavadoc Member Posts: 1,167
    Sweet: Before you offload your MPV, I'd suggest you querie owners in the MPV forum, or the MPV Cruisers forum to see if folks from northern climates need the rear heat that much. We use our's only when the temps get really cold (minus 10 or lower) like the past couple of weeks, or to warm up the van really quickly. Today at 15F, we wouldn't need rear heat really, imho.

    Happy motoring,

    /java
  • sweet_subiesweet_subie Member Posts: 1,394
    by msgjvh
    Thanks For clarifying..........which part of the country are you at.

    I am trying to get a feel for do I really need rear heater for Boston weather ?

    by javadoc
    Which part of the counrty are you refering to ?

    so, you both don't think I abosolutely need rear heater for Boston weather.

    please help.
  • sweet_subiesweet_subie Member Posts: 1,394
    Hi all:

    My 00 MPV does not have rear heater( which only comes up with 4 seasons package ), we are moving to the masschussets area.

    I would like to hear from those living in the Northeast about the need for the rear heater...

    Any advice would be helpful !
  • javadocjavadoc Member Posts: 1,167
    I live in Alaska, with winter temps from postive 20F down to negative 50F. We absolutely had to have the Four-Seasons on our van for those really cold days, but we don't use the rear heat until the temp drops below zero. I dunno what NE winters are like, sorry. ;-)

    /Java
  • tboner1965tboner1965 Member Posts: 647
    Can you get pictures of the old waterpump?

    I'll bet you are over 40K miles and the impeller in the pump is broken into numerous pieces.

    That is probably the weakest point in these engines. Autozone stocks a aftermarket waterpump that doesn't use the plastic impeller Ford/Mazda (and even BMW if that makes you feel any better) uses in their pumps.

    Fortunately it is a pretty simple job to do. There is a how-to somewhere over at www.contour.org which is a rather valuable site to research 2000-2001 MPV engine issues since the engine is shared with that car.

    HTH

    TB
  • msgjvhmsgjvh Member Posts: 196
    We live in Northern (not southern) Nevada near Tahoe. It can get darn cold here, of course nothing compares to Java. But judging from what I have read for the past two years I do not think it would be wise to get rid of the van because you do not have rear heat.

    A very viable solution if you do feel you need it, is to purchase an auxillary heater from JC Whtney. They are about $50 bucks at the very most and will do fine for the rear of the van. I once used one of these in an old Ford truck that needed some serious work on the heating unit. It worked just fine. Too bad the truck wasnt worth more than the repairs.
  • nngimnngim Member Posts: 6
    There are ducts under the front seat that are supposed to send warm air to the rear. But I guess the switch needs to be set to Floor or Dash / Floor (very little air comes through on this setting).
  • evaddaveevaddave Member Posts: 156
    I just came back from a long weekend near Boston. I drove my Solara, so I can't give you any first-hand experience without the 4 seasons package. I used to live near there, too, so here's my take on New England Winters.
    First, they're nowhere near as cold as Java's winters. A few days will get below 0 F (depending on whether you're on the coast or inland)
    Second, what makes New England winters so special are the infamous Nor'Easters. The cold wind blowing from the Northeast pushes the windchill below 0 F frequently
    So how does that apply to the rear heat? Well, I'd take Java's numbers on the temperature, so for maybe a couple days a year, you'd want to have some blankets handy in the MPV (it's a good idea anyway). As far as the windchill, you shouldn't have to worry. Once you're in the MPV, the windchill isn't a factor.

    It all depends on where you're moving to Boston from. If you're moving from SoCal (*G*), then no amount of rear heat will make you feel warm. You're gonna freeze your tootsies off until you get accustomed to the climate.
  • stone20stone20 Member Posts: 22
    I have rear heat and air. I love it for my kids specially my 18 month old girl. Does not take as long to warm up( In the morning when rushing to get to work). I live in Ohio. It does get cold and hot through out the year. I highly recommend both for the extra money. Double check your van make sure you don't have rear heat, I thought if you have one than you have the other. JL
  • sweet_subiesweet_subie Member Posts: 1,394
    Good Point........

    I'll be moving from Houston.....we will feel frozen anyway.......
  • bob57bob57 Member Posts: 302
    Didn't we just have our winter in Houston last week - I mean, after all, it did get down to 40 one day.....for a few minutes I think.
    Betcha you're gonna miss all this humidity.
    And them there Northerners talk reeeel funny.
    :))
  • sweet_subiesweet_subie Member Posts: 1,394
    What's up with my 00 MPV Fuel door not opening.......it takes few attempts.....it almost feels like the lever would break......

    I remember amagazine quoted having the same problem in theirs as well.

    any issues with yours ?
  • crissmancrissman Member Posts: 145
    My balky fuel door was immediately fixed by a good spraying with WD40 on its hinges.
  • cmunizcmuniz Member Posts: 604
    WD40 will do the trick. It should be done every few months since there are the hinges, a latch and the safety switch to make sure you don't open the side door while fueling the vehicle. All need to be squirted with lubricant. I have more problems with mine in cold weather, but WD40 takes care of it.
  • tboner1965tboner1965 Member Posts: 647
    ...a lock on the LHS door that prevents its opening when the fuel door is open.

    Our DC minivan had this feature, and I believe the MPV does as well.

    TB
  • scarter7719scarter7719 Member Posts: 89
    Ok, this will be my fourth response about this problem! Either there's something wrong with me being able to post to this thread, or I'm being computer challenged [rhetorical statement only;)]

    I've been to the dealer three times now for my door. They did the WD40 trick twice, then replaced the door the third time, though the replacement was for cosmetic reasons. I understand WD40 has it's place, but I shouldn't have to use it every WEEK! Perhaps my fuel door is being cable challenged.....
  • scarter7719scarter7719 Member Posts: 89
    Very weird problem. Sorry to those who may have read my fuel door messages over and over again, like I was some raving lunatic in the corner babbling something about gas problems 8*). I still can't see those posts, though, but I can read everbody else's.

    Anyway, DOES the LH door have a safety latch to prevent it opening while fueling? I don't think I've seen it...I've seen the kid latch. Also, I was told by the dealer that if the LH door is open, then the fuel door will not open (makes sense), but if the fuel door is open, the LH door WILL open. BTW, if you pry the fuel door open, the LH door will open, so be careful - I know.

    Does anyone know if there's a manual release in the back for the fuel door? Nice [non-permissible content removed]-saving feature that I've had on other cars....

    SC
  • marcbmarcb Member Posts: 152
    because it wouldn't open several times, and it was in the middle of last summer.

    turned out i was flicking the fuel door opener too quickly to have an effect (which worked fine for the 1st year of the van). i've learned to hold the opener at the top a second or two longer and its been opening with no problem ever since... never used WD40 either.

    btw, 40k problem free kilometres and counting!
  • alexv1nalexv1n Member Posts: 248
    I never experienced the problem so far in 16 months and 40,000 km... I hope it will stay that way.

    Also there is a lock of LH door when the fuel door is open. At least it works on my MPV. When I open the fuel door, the left hand sliding door cannot be opened.

    HTH

    ----
    Alex
  • bob57bob57 Member Posts: 302
    Yes, there is a "stop" for the LH door when the fuel door is open but not one for the clown who leans a folding chair up against the left rear panel then opens the LH sliding door.
    "Ok, which one of you kids scratched my van"?
    "We saw YOU do it at the soccer game, Daddy...".

    Didn't think they could see me that far away....
  • javadocjavadoc Member Posts: 1,167
    Need a blanket for your stay in the doghouse?

    lol

    /java
  • scarter7719scarter7719 Member Posts: 89
    was open last night. I was making observations of the LH door opening while fueling thing. Alex was right...the door has a stop if the fuel door is open...it opens and starts to go back, but catches. No switch required. However, if you open the fuel door, then the LH door, push in the front pin just to the left of the gas nozzle, you'll be able to push the LH door back and mangle your fuel door.

    I then realized how my daughter almost caused a calamity while I was fueling that day. I remembered that the front pin WAS pushed in and stuck, so prying the door open had nothing to do with it. If the front pin is stuck down, the LH door will go past the catch, and you will need a new fuel door #:-o

    ROFL bob57!

    SC
  • toyrotatoyrota Member Posts: 66
    scarter7719,

    I too did the test, but I did mine this morning (2001 LX). I concur; the LH sliding door will NOT open and slide back if the fuel filler door is open enough to allow the black pin to the left of the fuel filler to protrude fully.

    Also, if the LH door is ajar, the fuel filler door will not pop open.

    However, my wife claims that this first feature did not work for her several weeks ago. Could it be that the black pin gets "stuck", occasionally?
  • zoomzoombuszoomzoombus Member Posts: 1
    We just purchased our new 2001 mpv. So far so good. I am anticipating a typical New England mud season coming up - does anyone know where I can get rubber floormats that will completely cover the floor?
    I think in the old days, a car came standard with rubber floors, and you got carpet if you paid extra.
  • alexv1nalexv1n Member Posts: 248
    Well, that was in the old days and it was with cars, now you have a carpeted living room on wheels :-)
  • stone20stone20 Member Posts: 22
    I put carpet samples down on the mats. The samples were throw a ways from the carpet store. Most Carpet stores have them for free. They are disposable at no cost versus buying new Mats. They work great during the Winter and rain season. Also, I had No problems with my fuel door. 39k and counting. I am waiting on the 2002 MPV. Hoping for better luck myself.
  • toyrotatoyrota Member Posts: 66
    I went to Home Depot and got some clear carpet runner, and then cut to fit. It has a "prickly" backing to it, which should keep the plastic in place, but with kids, they still move around.

    I think I am going to try some velcro, and see if the velcro will stick the plastic to the carpets.
  • jstrauss88jstrauss88 Member Posts: 7
    What is the deal with the fuel filter? Our van (2000 ES) has passed the 30K mark so I was looking to replace the air filter and the fuel filter. The air filter nobody carried, said I had to order it, and the book showed the fuel filter is integral with the pump. Looked in the manual and there is no replacement schedule for the fuel filter. Do I just keep driving it until it dies and then I have to eat a pump? Anybody replaced theirs or had problems by NOT replacing it?
  • alexv1nalexv1n Member Posts: 248
    Who said you should replace fuel filter? I'm a little under 30K miles now and nobody said anything about fuel filter. Neither does the manual nor the dealer maintainance schedule... Interesting...

    I did replace the engine air filter and cabin micro filter at 15,000 miles as per manual instructions...
  • christopher15christopher15 Member Posts: 6
    I'm new here so I don't know if this has been posted before, but I have noticed everytime I am on a bumpy road there is something like rattling in my MPV, does anyone have the same problem and if so how did you fix it if you did?By the way it is a 2001 with about 2700 miles on it.I am not sure if it is the tailgate or something but it is coming from the rear.
  • alexv1nalexv1n Member Posts: 248
    No, I don't have any rattles. But you might want to check the toolbox in the back (the place where the jack and tools are stored - in the left wall behind 3rd row seatbench). There might be something loose in there.

    Or have someone ride with you in the back and listen to all suspicious noises in attempt to locate the source of your problem.
  • evaddaveevaddave Member Posts: 156
    We had a rattle that happened every time we closed the tailgate. It ended up being the license plate frame. That was an easy fix, much to the dealer's chagrin. :)
  • javadocjavadoc Member Posts: 1,167
    License plate frame, spare tire (mounted mid-ships, but sounds like it rattles from the back), possibly the storage compartment lid (rear left-hand side), and tools in the tool box. Those are the things I've noticed that can rattle in the van.

    Try those!

    /java
  • tboner1965tboner1965 Member Posts: 647
    We padded our rear License Plate with the foam insulation one might put in windows for weatherstripping. We cut the lenghts to fit both the plate and frame and applied them at contact points.

    I couldn't stand the rattle when I shut the rear tailgate. I imagined all sorts of scratches and scuffs as the plate vibrated on the back of the van.

    I've been happy with my solution.

    TB
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