Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions

oldmedic

After its reflashed you'll need to take Xanax for about a week. The anxiety of anticipating another hard shift will make you crazy. After the first week you'll be glad you had it fixed.

PF_Flyer

Mazda Mania



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bottgers

...and not a single hard shift. So far, it looks like Mazda's got a handle on the problem.

bigdadi118

The dealer service dept provides me a car from Enterprise rent-a-car. Enterprise has its own booth in the svc dept. Enterprise said that car's rental is paid by the svc. but the rental's miscl insurance are not. It's my responsibility. It ended up I pay 9.99/day.

subearu

your own auto insurance will cover you in a rental and even some credit cards provide coverage if you use them to pay for the rental.

-Brian

oldmedic

See there your MPV loves you. It was just testing you to see if you would prove to be a faithful owner. Now start taking your Xanax or the anticipation anxiety of a hard shift will drive you crazy. Life will be good and maybe someone will respond to your posts as well.

bigdadi118

Just drove back from dealer. The trip was 30 mins and the hardshift supposed to happen didn't happen. Seems to me it's a good FIX.
Will report again after another 500 - 600 miles. Below is the description on svc slip. Svc rep didn't say a word of 'cannot duplicate'.

CONCERN : Customer reports transmission sometimes has hard upshifts.
CAUSE : Internal Fault.
CORRECTION 1: Reprogram TCM (Hour 0.7)
CORRECTION 2: Reprogram PCM per Mazda Cust Assist. (Hour 0.7)

gman

Just got a '04 MPV. Hard 2-3 upshift started around 300 miles on odometer. Usually starts after 15-20 mins of city driving. Taking it in next week for the TCM reflash.. Hope it fixes it..

rumor24

I just got my extended warrantee. 1 extra year of bumper to bumper, actually it is 5 year or 100,000 miles. I will hit the 5 year first but that is ok, it gives me hope that Mazda really does care. Happy driving to you all!!!

danog

Would you mind emailing me some details about your discussions with Mazda concerning the ext. warranty? I have called three times only to be told they were reviewing the request and would call back the next day.

rumor24

I would but your email is private. If you are having trouble directly with mazda then have your head mechanic or the dealer back you up with the regional service rep. Mine contacted the midwest service rep and it took a while, but he got it done for me. You might have to be patient a little while longer. It took me from the reflash in Jan to this week to get it. My dealership has gone above and beyond for me, I can't even begin to thank them. It's dealerships like that, I will be a repeat customer to. They even call me from time to time to see if everything is still going well. When I walk in they all know me by name and come over and talk to me. That is how you do business. Everyone from sales to mechanical has been so nice.

danog

It has been 1350 miles since we had the correct reflash performed on the trans and no problems since. We do have vibrations while driving which I think is a tire balance issue and not related to the trans.

rumor24, I updated my profile to include my email address. Thanks for the information and I will discuss the matter with the Dealer. Sounds like you found a good one and I imagine they are respected in your area.

bigdadi118

It is the tire/wheel balance if the vibration surfaces in higher speed, say starting 45 mph. The higher the speed, the more serious the vibration.

tccmn1

Ok, here's my latest problem. Shifting has been smooth as silk since last reflash in early January!!
Now, my gas peddle sticks when I first press down on it...causing harsh take off to get past the sticky point. Called dealer and they will clean the linkage to the throttle body. I had a similar situation with my old DC. Is this common with anyone else here? Mine has 22K on it and the dealer said it's NORMAL.

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Mazda Mania



Liven up your evening and join your fellow enthusiasts every Tuesday from 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET for our Mazda Mania Chat!

We'll be testing your knowledge with some Mazda-related trivia questions this week, so be prepared! Hope to see YOU there on Tuesday!

Mazda Mania Chat Room

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bigdadi118

Everyone know name brand gas is more expensive. The additives / detergent help to avoid this sticky problem, I think.

stever

I use Chevron (with Techron) often in my Quest and still have to clean the throttle body to fix a sticky pedal every, oh, 20 or 30,000 miles.

Not sure how that relates to a sticky throttle linkage on the MPV but it's probably similar. I suspect it's easy enough to fix d-i-y and save the dealer expense. Try a Discussion Search in here.

Steve, Host

typesix

It's a common problem and not just with the MPV. Toyota engines that do not use PCV valves have the same problem. Carbon builds up on the throttle valve and pivots, needing cleaning as previously noted.

bottgers

The new TCM to fix the 2-3 shift problem is now 2 weeks old and all is well.

I picked up a new air filter today. With about 10K miles now and living in a very dry climate (it's very dusty here), I figured it was time to change the filter. It's obvious these vehicles aren't designed for ease of maintenance for DIY's. Just changing an air filter shouldn't be a 30 minute job, but it is.

Considering my air filter needed replacing, I figured it might also be time to replace (or at least check) my cabin air filter. First I decided to find a replacement. Apparently, these filters can only be obtained from the dealer because I haven't been able to find any of the filter companies (such as Fram or Puralator) that make them. This is nuts! I wonder why none of these companies make these filters?

stever

Are you sure Purolator doesn't make one? I found one for my '99 Quest last night searching around. It still cost too much (~$65), but non-OEM ones are available.

I'll see if I can find that link....

Edit: Looks like one is in the pipeline but not available yet for '00 to '04 models: (link)

Steve, Host

kyleemma

i have a 2004 mpv lx with only 400 miles on it and i noticed a rotten egg smell coming from the tail pipe.i know this was a problem with earlier models of the mpv.any suggestions on what to do?by the way i love this van! this is the only thing so far.

bigdadi118

Try to change the gas station, brand name, or use a couple of super grade and see if it's same.

bigdadi118

Are you in N-East region? That is the region got sulfur smell most. Also I saw one old post ...
>>>
A Mazda rep called to say that Mazda has come up with modified catalytic converters that they will install in smelly MPV's - free. Then my dealer called to say that they are waiting on the parts and they'll do the work. Yea! Good-bye smell!
>>>

kyleemma

thanks for the response.i live in virginia (shenandoah valley)i just filled the tank for the first time using reg 87 octane per owners manual.if problem persists i will give the dealer a call and see if they know of a fix.
                      b

pootpuddles

Hi,
Recently the check engine light (CEL) came on for the first time in our 2000 mpv. Seems to be driving fine in every way. Tried the usual fixes (gas cap, oil cap) to no avail. We live far from the dealer and I was wondering if there is a way to retrieve the codes from the computer to tell use what is wrong? I have done this before in my other car, a Honda, and it was simply a matter of shorting the two prongs on the service ports with a wire, and then counting how many times the CEL blinks and looking up the code... Anybody done this for the MPV? I would like to check this out without the long drive unless it proves major.

stever

Lots of auto parts stores will pull the CEL codes for free. At least the big chain ones around here do. Try an Auto Zone or similar.

Steve, Host

subearu

disconnect the battery to 'reset' the codes, but you'll also lose radio presets and any learned behavior in the PCM and ECM.

OBDII does not allow for a reset like you use to do by shorting a couple of wires. You either reset it via the battery or via an interface into the OBDII computer, something like http://OBD-2.com or what AutoZone (or similar) has.

Also, typically the CE light doesn't just go away quickly. It usually takes 3 or 4 driving cycles or even a couple of days before the CE light *may* go off, only if the condition that triggered it is ok. So, even a gas cap not being tight may keep the CE light on for a few days.

Lastly, if the CE light is blinking, that indicates a misfire in the engine. Do not drive it if this is the case. If it's just on steady, then it's an emission issue (gas cap, vacuum, etc.) and can be driven usually if driveability isn't noticeably affected.

-Brian

bottgers

Last weekend when I was under my PeeVee installing the trailer hitch, I noticed the tailpipe was so badly rusted it looks like it's about ready to rust through already. This is a bit strange considering the van isn't even a year old yet, and the highway department uses no corrosives on the raods here. What the heck type of cheap material are they using for the exhaust systems on these things. I don't think I've ever seen any exhaust system deteriorate this quickly. Hopefully it goes while it's still under warranty so Mazda will have to replace it.

jtf

Has anyone had a problem with ,moiture in the rear area of their van? I encountered this once, and thought that is was due to windows being partially opened during a rainstorm. But the same problem has occurred again, and I am relatively certain that the windows were not open. Additionally, the moisture was on the sides of the 3rd row seat, which was stowed at the time. I thought that the problem could have potentially been condensation, but my wife is not buying that.

charles_d

Got all the necessary stuff to change the oil in both my '99 626 and '03 MPV this weekend. No problems with the 626, but I went to do the MPV and couldn't find the ^#&^#& drain plug. The diagram in the owner's manual appears to point to what looks like an O2 sensor.

Help! Can somebody please point me to the right spot? I've been doing my own maintenence for years and have never had this happen before (course this could be due to lack of sllep courtesy of a 5-week old baby).

subearu

the oil pan has a formed grid on it. the drain bolt is at the rear of the pan, facing the rear of the vehicle. It has a rubber gasket on it, takes something like a 15mm socket.

-Brian

charles_d

Thanks. I was looking right at it (the formed grid on the pan) -- just didn't check the back of the pan and let myself get confused by the manual. I'm definitely blaming this one on lack of sleep.

youdirtyrat

I want to thank everyone on here who fought for the fix and kept fighting. Thank you all. Just got mine put on at Showcase Mazda in Phoenix, Arizona. Just told them what I read about on here
and he said yes I have heard of the hard shift and that he had the download. So thanks again everyone. Youdirtyrat.

backy

Awhile back there was some conjecture about whether the hard shift problem would show up in Consumer Reports' reliability ratings. Apparently, it has. The '03 MPV is the only Mazda-made vehicle to have a reliability rating that is not better than average. It is only average. The only spot that doesn't have a red dot is "Transmission."

rotarykid

another place to get the codes retrieved would be ANY dealership. If you happen to know someone who works at any dealer, they all have the means to pull codes (generically) from any OBDII car.

evaddave

okay, so it's not *really* a swimming pool.

I seem to remember someone having this problem a long-long time ago, so you might want to search the archives. If I remember correctly it had something to do with the rear A/C unit. Is the moisture more on the passenger side than on the driver side? That's where the rear air equipment is.

pootpuddles

Hi,
I am looking for a shop or service manual for DIY stuff for my 00 MPV... does a haynes or chilton manual exist for this car? I cannot seem to find one. Anybody have any ideas on this, help appreciated.

bigdadi118

Many times the store is able to special order your book if it isn't in stock. If you choose to order directly from Haynes, you may go to its website haynes.com for toll free numbers

pootpuddles

Yeah, I checked the haynes and chilton sites, both do not have a listing for anything newer than 94 mpv. I was kind of surprised, but i guess not enough demand?

ghijp

I had all these problems with the trans and the dealer kept saying that it was usual for the MPV to hard shift. I told them that the only hard shift I ever felt in 40 years of driving was from a bad driver of a race car. My trans failed at 49,800 miles in Feb of 2004. It was replaced with a Mazda Rebuilt, by the dealer. I objected to them not giving me a new trans. Today on RT 80 in Morris county NJ at the peak of rush hour it failed again. It was towed to Mazda they are going to replace it again!! OH lucky me!

sweet_subie

I must say i was over-excited & bought the 02 ES by trading-in my 2001 LX. I regret buying MPV.

Lately, 6 months or so, it is very harsh on bumps.....even on small ones. I checked air pressure & it is correct. I have no idea...why it is so harsh on bumps. On the other hand, my Outback feels so soft on ups & downs

Pls let me know if you experience the same thing.
Leather seats have no cushioning & it hurts....

Pls help me if you have faced the same issue.
I must say it was a bad buy & will never look at Mazda again.

catlady245

I'm in the market for a van and took a test drive in a MPV a couple of weeks ago. The dealer is located in an urban area where there are some uneven brick streets.

Even though the car felt peppy and light, it didn't ride smoothly over the bricks. I also own a Subaru Outback and the rode over the same road and it was much smoother.

It's also a shame the MPV isn't just a bit wider and longer. My husband and I felt cramped in the front set and we are average in height and weight.

sweet_subie

stay away from MPV esp if you are buying ES, it is a good value at LX & waste of money for ES.

Oddy/Sienna is a much better Van.

Or wait for the Subaru 7-seater coming up soon

bigdadi118

"It's also a shame the MPV isn't just a bit wider and longer. "
You basically test drove a wrong car. You should try out the Sienna, Odessey or the new Quest for wider and longer. They are long enough barely can fit into garage. MPV is the shortest minivan in market.

Bumpy Ride
As for the bumpy ride, Mazda names the MPV as SPORT-WAGON. The sport suspension is firm for better handling performance. The ride is personal taste. Some like the soft ride of Town car while some like the firm ride of BMW (for stick to the corner, min. body lean).
I'd switch to a different tire guage to double check the pressure if the pressure is right and the ride is not right. There may be other factors to affect the ride like shock leaking.

rickc5

When we test drove the 2004 MPV ES, we drove a Honda Odyssey EX a few minutes later from the Honda dealer across the street.

Our conclusion? While the Honda was bigger, it was much more difficult to manuever in the parking lot, and it was not equipped as nicely, for several thousand more dollars. The ride? The Honda was not softer over bumps, but handled terribly. Lots of leaning and swaying in turns. Basically, we felt the Honda handled more like some sort of sloppy, soft-suspended truck, while the MPV handles and rides much more like a car.

One thing you MUST do before you purchase a vehicle is to take it for a VERY LONG test drive to make sure you are going to be happy with it. Drive on as many bumpy and curvy roads as you can find.

Ride and seat comfort are very personal items on any vehicle. I personally find lots of Toyota seats to be uncomfortable.

Sorry you don't like your MPV. We absolutely love ours. It is the perfect size for us, and we don't feel cramped at all. Both of us are six feet tall. I totally disagree that the Ody/Sienna are better vans. Different, but not better. You made a mistake. That's too bad. Your mistake does not make the MPV a bad vehicle, just one that you are not happy with.

bigdadi118

I do abosolutely love the MPV after the tranny hardshift fix (software problem, reflash TCM & reprogram PCM).

sweet_subie

It was fine the 1st year. It has become bumpier latelly. That's my porblem.

I'll do the air pressure or go to the dealer

catlady245

I must admit when I have to purchase a high ticket item, get paralysis in analysis.

In the car buying, this means I test drive vehicles several times and not just short rides. Back in 1988 before I purchased my Chevy Nova, I rented one from a car rental agency several times before I made my decision.

In my opinion, of the Honda, Nissan, Dodge, Mazda and Toyota vans, the best handling and driving was the Nissan Quest. It was a smooth ride and did everything with ease. The only thing that I thing would be difficult would be parallel parking since it's the longest van out there.

I live in Western PA where we pay high taxes and have the worst roads in the country and I can say driving a MPV you feel the bumps and wonder if something is going to fall off the van.

superbondo

Recently the check engine light came on, the van has 19500 miles, I checked the ROOM fuse which is OK and the gas cap is tight, so I am suprised the van has the light come on in this early stage. Otherwise it drives fine so far. I took the negative battery cable off and reconnected, the light came back on after one mile of driving. I bought it in 02/2000, is this problem still covered by the longer emission warranty or powertrain warranty? thanks

stever

You could take the MPV to some auto parts stores and have the CEL code read for free. That'll give you a clue about what the problem is without having to pay a dealer diagnostic fee.

Steve, Host