Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
After paying to have it replaced, I talked to a friend that said what you wrote. It could have been cleaned. Or, that it was a simple job (30 minutes) and he could have done it for me. It wouldn't surprise me at all if it didn't need replacement...though the car was hesitating, rpm fluctuating reguardless of throttle input...and cutting out on occasion. Yep, I should have been more patient and posted here or sought out others opinions before going to the dealership, maybe would have saved me some money.
I should have asked for the part as well...would have helped me understand the problem, should it happen again in the future.
That's what I should have done - instead I took it to my Mazda dealer and sure enough the problem was a code PO302 "misfire #2 cylinder". They replaced the coil just for that cylinder.
They charged me $88 for the part and 127.50 for the diagnostic and labor to replace.
Just out of curiosity, I checked at Autozone for what they would charge me for one coil - only $45!! So the dealer is charging about double what your local autoparts store is selling it for.
Anyways, the van runs great now.
We have 2002 which has been pretty good to us, but recently it started shifting a little hard. My wife then called me this morning and said it was making a clunking noise and the O/D light was blinking.
I searched the site and found some info, but it was all scattered and was answers to questions in previous e-mails that I couldn't see.
Any info would be appreciated. :sick:
it could be that there is an issue with a vehicle speed sensor, or maybe one of the shift solenoids. some problem was detected probably by the TCM (Transmission Control Module). somewhere, I wager a diagnostic code or codes have been stored as to WHY it is flashing the light.
and it seems probable that when the system is trying to get your attention like this, it will shift hard, perhaps not using the entire shift gearing on purpose, or because it can't. either way, that can't be good, right?
i would think you'd want to seek out a dealership or an independant specializing in Mazdas. if it were me, i'd want to do this earlier rather than later as continuing to drive with the condition may increase the cost of repairing it.
The latest? Brakes are making a clunking sound when we use them. We were told the brake pads need to be replaced and they are not covered by warranty!
Enough already! We've taken the car in at least every two months since we've owned it, we NEVER get a loaner (we have to drive back to our house with the tech and he drives it back to service). Then I called Mazda North America's 800 number and THAT was the most frustrating phone call!
Service dept. had told me to get in touch with district manger via 800 number to discuss having the brakes fixed at Mazda's cost. Well, according to customer service line, the district manager (who they would not identify by name or give me contact info) is on vacation and apparently there's no one else who can help! They sent my message to a dealer rep but (and I quote) "I can't guarantee someone will return your call." I can't believe it!
Argh!!! What can I do?!? Thanks for reading.
MODERATOR
Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review
"No leak found. Oil build up on oil pan flange and portion of cross member frame aparently from a sloppy oil change. Suggest talking to the person who does oil changes."
While I do my own oil changes, and I'm usually pretty good about cleaning up after myself, I gave the mechanic the benefit of the doubt, and for a couple of days afterwards, the van was not dripping any oil. Then it started dripping again. I decided to pull the van up on my ramps and roll underneath on my creeper to take a look. I could clearly see a film of oil from the oil pan seal running down on the pan, and I could also see where the drops were forming before it dripped on the floor. I'm guessing the mechanic wiped as much of the oil off as he could, and it probably took a couple of days of leaking before it started dripping again. Why the mechanic tried to pass it off as nothing being wrong is anyone's guess. Maybe he thought I'd just decide to live with the leak. He thought wrong.
I called the stealership again and made another appointment to take it back in. When I dropped it off, I showed the person checking in my van the invoice from my previous visit, and I explained that I went under the vehicle myself and saw that the pan seal was leaking. He called me about an hour ago and said the mechanic agreed with me that the seal was bad, but they didn't have a replacement in stock. They won't have the new seal until Monday. What automotive service center doesn't have something as common as an oil pan seal in stock? That's ridiculous! He said I could come pick up the van and take it back on Monday, or I could just leave it. I told them to keep it as the stealership is like 25 miles away. The good thing is the leak should finally be fixed properly. The bad thing is having to be without the van over the entire weekend. I'm sure everyone knows how much of pain in the wazoo it is to be without a vehicle for even a day. In the end, I will be happy if they fix the leak.
indicator light came on tonight.
thought it was a sensor or vacuum.
mechanic has not looked at it for a yr now.
fluid was flushed then.was better, now much worse.
in O/D, for a long time, when trying to speed up ( at hwy speed) it seemed to jump too far down like 3rd ( not 4th)
now on the way home from 90 miles away, we barely made it.
rogerrabbit, has your issue been resolved??? what was it???
Anyone else, please??????
We did drain and replace the fluid today along with a new filter. The fluid is either still bad ( the 1/3rd thing) or it's being burned incredibly fast.
it drove the same and the fluid is toasted.
Thanks,
Lee
Gotta keep the DW happy, she doesn't like dash lights coming on. '02 MPV LX.
John
So i got an email back yesterday. They claim many of the problems we experienced initally were due to an aftermarket alarm system we had installed after purchase (however, note that it the MPV did not have an alarm system for us to purchase, and we had to disconnect it within two weeks at our cost to enable us to keep our warranty.
She also wrote "Additional repairs that were completed on your vehicle did not impair the use, value, or safety of your vehicle." HOWEVER, when we took it in to mazda service the last time to get the CD player replaced, the mechanics gave us our car back with a SPEAKER out! I called on the way home and the repair shop told me they couldn't look at it and to make another appointment to bring it back in. That's when I lost it with Mazda!
So Mazda writes: "As it is our understanding that your vehicle is currently operating to manufacturer’s standards, Mazda does not believe you are entitled to a replacement or repurchase as you requested in your letter to MNAO. However, as I can understand any repairs are frustrating, I would like to offer you an extended warranty contract due to the inconvenience of you having to bring your vehicle in for prior repairs."
I'm ready to fight this some more -- I still can go through the Connecticut Lemon Law arbitration -- but is it worth it? Am I wasting my time? Any advice appreciated, thanks for reading if you got this far!
Whether it is worth it or not would be up to you after collecting all your information. Some say it is a major pain and wouldn't do it again... others say it was worth it.
You state they offered you an extended warranty... how long and for how much money? Or, was it offered for free? If you haven't required repairs recently I would be inclined to keep it. If it's been problem after problem, I would want to get rid of it. Good luck.
You've probably noticed new discussions appearing all over the forums. What's happening is that we are closing generic, everything-in-one pile discussions like this and creating smaller discussions that deal with specific areas of interest. You'll find a number of discussions listed at the top level of this group: Mazda MPV
When you're ready to post, please check the discussion list there for the appropriate discussion to post in. If you don't see a discussion that fits your question or problem, feel free to create one. We can deal with accidental duplication of topics as things progress.
While you're at the top-level, don't forget to click on "Track This Group". That way, you'll be able to track all of the discussions that are already here, as well as any new ones as they are created.
Using the "Read New Posts" link will mean you won't miss anything on the MPV board. If you see a discussion that doesn't interest you, all you have to do is click on the "Remove Track" link within the discussion.
Thanks for your understaning and help in making this group a great resource of information for MPV owners!
MODERATOR
Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review