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Last month we had the back 3 ignition coils and fan control module replaced for about $650. One ignition coil had already been replaced under warranty 3 years ago. We still have the original brake rotors and are on the third set of tires. The OEMs didn't last that long, but Yokohama AVID tires have worked well for us in terms of cost, road noise, durability, and traction here in So' Cal'. We flushed the transmission fluid around 60,000 miles, and the tech said it needed it again. Hmmm-- I'll check into that. I flushed the coolant around 45,000 miles, so it's probably due again soon. We change the oil about every 5,000 miles.
We preferred the Mazda over the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna because we didn't want a big minivan. Now that I have leased a Subaru Outback we'll probably be taking my car on more vacations and giving the MPV a rest.
That's not true. The MPV had a great track record up until late 2004 or 2005. It was one of Consumer Reports top recommended minivans, and reliability was listed as one of the best. The transmission "shift shock" issue hurt it's reliability rating, but that was a minor problem that was corrected with having the TCM reflashed.
I've only heard one or two issues with the catalytic converter at the MPV Club, about 3 or 4 trans. failures, no paint issues, and maybe one or two issues with oil pan leaks. The main problems have been with the ignition coils and the PCV hose.
Which is a cheap fix if you are a DIY'er.
There's a reason they quit making it in 2006.
Mazda quit selling the MPV in the U.S.A because sales weren't high enough. People were more interested in the bigger Honda and Toyota minivans. The MPV is still being made and sold in Japan and parts of Asia... doing very well I might add.
The posts here back in 2003-2006 were all pretty negative
Actually if you go back and look most of the posts are positive.
All the best!
TCC
Whem my first coil went out maybe 2 years after we bought our 04 MPV, the car felt really clunky in reverse. I thought it was a tranny problem and took it to the dealer. The tech couldn't find anything, and since the coil problem was intermittent the code reader didn't find the problem. It took two visits until they identified the problem properly.
Last month we found the MPV surging and feeling choppy at times, so we correctly surmised it was another coil issue. This time two of them weren't firing off and on, so sometimes it felt like a transmission problem.
I am very happy with the entire car, other than the engine. I has been a major disappointment. I also have a 2003 Protoge5 with 75,000 miles and that 2.0L engine is an absolute gem. My 93 Miata has 180,000 miles, another gem. My conclusion is the Ford Duratech 2.5L V6 is major disappointment.
Really? Are you sure about that? I've had a 2001 Honda Odyssey needing a new transmission twice already. Turns out that Honda installed defective transmissions on the Odyssey from 1999-2004. The Acura CL, TL, MDX and Honda Accord suffered similar problems. The Third Generation Odyssey hasn't reported major transmission issues in case you're wondering. I've heard a rumor that it shares it's transmission with the Ridgeline. As for the Second Generation Sienna, it's had quite a few problems too. From electrical problems, to door spot welds constantly breaking. So if you think buying a Toyota or Honda is anymore troube free, think again. I personally would trade my $4500 transmission troubles for all of your minor problems any day.
We have the 3.0 v6.
Here is a list of things that have been repaired the last 7 years.
1. IAC valve - replaced part of TSB recall 2005
2. IAC valve - replaced again in 12/2008 after CEL came on.
3. Mass Air Flow sensor - cleaned in 5/2008 after CEL came on
4. Mass Air Flow sensor - replaced in 10/2008 after CEL came on
Other than that - there's been no problems.
BTW - the hardest part is diagnosing these things ---- some mechanics just make guesses ... others are more knowledgeable than others. I used an independent mechanic for items 2 -4. I had to 'help' them understand the problem by giving a detailed history and telling them what I have heard from this board. True enough ---- I was right!
He initially wanted to replace either the O2 sensors or the coils.
Right now - my MPV is in the shop ---- the fan is not working causing the engine to overheat. But after 124K miles --- and a cross country trip thru 100+ degree weather and wintry blizzards - it is difficult to complain.
I do change my oil every 6-8K and use synthetic or semi-synthetic.
My past engine codes have been PO171 and PO173.
I've had a few more ... but previous experience has been the following:
1. IAC or EGR valve
2. Mass Air Flow sensor
The EGR valve leak produces very rough idling - if not jerky driving.
The Mass Air Flow Sensor problem (usually either very dirty or worn out) - results in poor acceleration and low HP especially from 3rd gear to 4th and 5th and poor mileage.
Most mechanics will blame the O2 sensor or any of the coils. They can charge a lot for the labor for these ... so be aware. Read the codes... read the codes ... and research them carefully ... some mechanics are just as naive about these codes as any layperson --- yes, even the newbie mechanics at the dealerships!
My two fans are not working ... something due to the wiring.
If the two fans are connected directly - they run perfectly fine.
The fuses are OK.
I will bring the van to an electrical shop.
I had them check the brakes ... after 124K, the brakes are still at 50% !!!
I have 124K miles on my 2003 - I am the original owner and have gone thru all the fixes thru the years. I do change oil every 3K miles too.
Take Care
Thanks,
Michael
Other issue for me - I keep having the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT come on and have had it cleared about 10 times - no kidding. The message comes up that my 2nd Bank has a Catalytic problem?? Replace converter? Ugh! Runs fine and no change on mileage for gas. I'm just leaving it for now. They said it would just keep running fine but I would not pass emissions testing if we did that again. Anyone ever have THAT issue with these lovely beasts?!?
:mad:
I haven't read much about the MAS and I'm not sure it's related.
First coil of mine went out in a torrential downpour, the second... not sure... may not have been raining.
I brought it to two different mechanics.
The problem with OBDII codes is --- they don't really describe the root cause. They describe the problem / general area... which is a good starting point.
But it is up to the mechanic to further do investigations.
Anyway - the first mechanic replaced all the plugs, did a change oil etc ... and cleared the codes. The codes did disappear ... only to reappear after 9K miles.
The second mechanic CLEANED the MAF sensor --- the codes disappeared.
After 5K, the codes came back - I CLEANED the MAF sensor on my own (with instructions from the mechanic), the codes disappeared. He did tell me that if it appeared one more time, it was time to REPLACE the MAF sensor ... which I did 6 months later.
The CEL came back again ... but it was for the leak in the PCV valve.
The CEL come back ON/OFF when I drove at high altitude during a snow storm. It has disappeared and has never come back on again.
Cheers, BK
I too went to a local garage and the replacement would be around $200 plus or minus a few with labor. It is the one in front that has the issue on mine. Sounds like you dug right in and got them all fixed with a better method too. It is just nuts that they had this design on all these MPV's! Common sense was not in their vocabulary among some other things on this vehicle!
Like trying to change the rear license plate lights, or the headlight on the drivers side or other marker lights in front. Why can you not override the auto dimmer of the inside lights to keep them on?? They turn off after 3 minutes and then you have to shut all the doors and open again to start the time cycle over again - bizarre!
And a kicker one - up thru 2003 - no auto door lock/unlock button on the passenger door! I've had power locks for 25 years and have always had a button on the passenger door as well as the drivers door in my Chrylser, Chevy, Dodge cars! Ugh!
The rust protection company was the provider, and they didn't provide the rust protection? They owe you a refund on whatever their take was from the dealership. Sue them in small claims if they do not reimburse you. Permaplate is the party you should go after. Might try calling the BBB as well.
Did any one have similar experience and an idea how to have the dealer to compensate my loss?
The following is the communication between (in a reverse order); and all email addresses and phone numbers are removed according to the policies here.
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Subject: RE: General Inquiries [INTR:076385]
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:28:00 -0700
Hello Mr. Jiang,
Upon reviewing your correspondence, it is regrettable to be informed of your negative experiences with Manpreet Moti. We appreciate any feedback our customers have about Mazda dealerships and we do review each concern carefully with the dealership's Management, however, matters between yourself and the dealership must be resolved with the dealership. We can review your feedback internally, but to have a matter addressed, you will need to address it with the dealership. Further, if your concerns are regarding a dealership which no longer exists, then we are unable to review further, as there is no one to review with, nor can there be any improvements made since the dealership is no longer in existance.
Should you have any feedback with regards to your current dealings with Yorkdale Dufferin Mazda, we would be pleased to have you share this with us. Our reviews are internal with the dealership and as such, your matters will still need to be addressed directly with the dealership, but we appreciate your feedback.
Regards,
Mazda Canada Inc.
Subject : RE: General Inquiries [INTR:076385]
Date : Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:08:23 GMT
Dear Mr. Mazda,
I can understand your dealerships are not your subsidiary companies. But are there any regulations to regulate their behaviors especially when come to your consumers?
I doubt the change of ownership of Dufferin Mazda dealership is just a game to evade its responsibility.
Why does it continuously check my car every year without notice of this change?
They promised they would contact the PermaPlate (provider of antirust coating material) and let PermaPlate send a person to my garage to fix the rust when they found the rust. Later, manager Manpreet Moti always said she would contact their person inside PermaPlate to resolve my case. Every time when I finally reached her, she always said 'busy busy' and promised would call me back very soon, even once said within 15 mins, but she never did even once. She asked me all documents and personal info every time but never gave me any words in written.. Moreover she used to suddenly hang up the line claiming I was recording the talk.
She never responded to my messages and emails. She never picked up my call before my several attempt and hours' waiting on line.
Do you accept this kind of dealers as your terminal sensors to your customers? Do you acknowledge these fraud and rascal behaviors? Will you still just await there and see how this evolves on?
Wish you do somethings to protect your image.
James Jiang
Subject: RE: General Inquiries [INTR:076385]
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:19:29 -0700
Hello Mr. Jiang,
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide information regarding Dufferin Mazda due to privacy regulations and we are unable to forward your concerns to Dufferin Mazda, as we no longer have any ties with them. Further, please note that Mazda dealerships are independently owned and operated.
Regards,
Mazda Canada Inc.
---- Original Message ----
Subject : RE: General Inquiries [INTR:076385]
Date : Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:53:30 GMT
Thank you, Sir.
Please provide me some info about your dealer Dufferin Mazda, like owner name, phone number or email, so I can contact him or her. Or forward my message to him or her, let him or her contact me.
We like this car. We brought life time rust program and life time oil change and maintenance program for the car as well. Please help to solve the case so we could still consider Mazda next choice and recommend to friends.
James
Subject: RE: General Inquiries [INTR:076385]
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:53:49 -0700
Hello Mr. Jiang,
It is regrettable to be informed of your situation with the rust protection. Unfortunately, Mazda Canada does not offer any form of additional rust protection or coverage and would not have any information on this. You would have to review with the rust protection company and the Management at Yorkdale Dufferin Mazda. We recommend your direct contact with the General Manager, Mr. Subhojit Das (people call him Das) at XXX-XXX-XXXX, as he would be in the best position to determine if Yorkdale Dufferin Mazda is able to assist you. We can confirm that Yorkdale Dufferin Mazda is under different ownership and Management than Dufferin Mazda and as such, records belonging to Dufferin Mazda are likely unavailable to Yorkdale Dufferin Mazda.
Regards,
Mazda Canada Inc.
---- Original Message ----
Subject : RE: General Inquiries [INTR:076385]
Date : Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:26:28 GMT
Thank you, sir.
I will contact them for the book.
Here is another issue. To simplify it is:
I brought a brand new 2001 MPV at your dealer Dufferin Mazda. At the same time, the dealer also sold me at $600 a life time rust protection program. During annual check of last year, the dealer found rust on my car and then point me to the provider of the coating product. Eventually, I got a written letter from the provider after their own check, saying no their product had been applied onto my car.
Now the dealer says that the owner changed and cannot find any records about the application of the product, and refuses to issue any paper as required by the provider, neither do anything to fix the rust.
Right now, the dealer has a new name Yorkdale Dufferin Mazda. The others are same.
Can you tell me what should I do and what can you do?
James Jiang
Subject: RE: General Inquiries [INTR:076385]
Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:05:35 -0700
Hello Mr. Jiang,
To locate your nearest Mazda dealership, please visit: http://mazda.ca/eng/dealers/dealerlocator.asp. Based on the provided postal code, your nearest dealership is Scarboro Mazda. Speak to the Parts Department.
Regards,
Mazda Canada Inc.
---- Original Message ----
Subject : RE: General Inquiries [INTR:076385]
Date : Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:56:43 GMT
Hello Sir,
I have attempted several places but nothing found. I am living at M2J (postal code). Can you tell me where (Address and phone number) I can purchase it for my 2001 MPV LX ?
Thank you.
James Jiang
Subject: RE: General Inquiries [INTR:076385
BTW so far the shift problem was fixed adequately by a software flash done for free by the dealer [after we found out abt it from a private owner - Mazda NEVER notified us!!!!] & the throttle position sensor cut out the engine but didn't give a code on either of my code readers [check engine light stayed OFF] had to use old fashioned reasoning & experimenting to get the hint it was the problem. The truely idiotic spark coil seals, that allow water in the plug well & short out the spark, were replaced by reasonable priced coils I got from ebay that have a [heaven forbid!] normal, rational, effective seal that prevents water entry.. the factory system is so utterly idiotic it beggars the mind.. they actually designed in a VENT!! which, of course allows water & particularly atomized water or steam from hot engine in rainstorm to enter & trash the spark [see my other posts] I'd advise NEVER use OEM coils unless they've improved the design. In any case, good luck!
Cheers, BK
Our 2004 MPV appears to have litle if any rust - the chanel in the bottom of the sliding door opening has a rather silly plastic drain plug w/a tiny flap that is easily stopped up to the point of uselessness - easy to remove, once you find it, [front of the chanel] to stop water accumulating & sloshing there... & we have NO aftermarket so-called "corrosion prevention" system..
Cheers, BK
Suggestions?
That's a lot of miles for any car. The burned out light in the back area... not really needed. Agree coils were poorly designed... mechanically does have a few problem areas (mostly minor). Overall quality of materials, fit and finish, ride, handling are far above the Dodge Caravan.. and at least equal to that of the Sienna and Ody.
Other than having 2 coils replaced under warranty, our MPV has been problem free (knock on wood). Still on original set of brakes. The good thing about future generations of any car or van is they have a chance to correct those problem areas.
So, bringing the current generation of MPV to the U.S would be a good idea, provided they can increase mpg as noted in previous post.
The problems I had are not minor - and have been due to 'wear'.
1. Mass Airflow Sensor
- This was frequenty misdiagnosed by many technicians as O2 sensor, coils, tranny etc. My friend's Sienna has his MAF frequently cleaned ... but after two cleanings, I finally replaced mine ... and the car runs like new again.
2. Control Fan PCU assembly
- There was a recall on this which I did avail of. So the lifespan of my control fan PCU is really only 70K ... which is on the low side but still attributable to the regular lifespan of an electronic pcu.
- Now the car runs very quietly ... no more of the engine fan turning on/off which was quite noisy.
BTW - 1 and 2 were replaced at 115K and 126K miles.
Other than that - the rest were the regular maintenance issues.
- Brakes - will have them replaced this week
- Shocks and struts - will probably need one soon
- Car battery
- Spark plugs - replaced at
I do use Mobil1 and do follow a 6,000-7,5000 mile interval.
Oh yes - one more item I've had - the rear heating coolant tubes that rusted totally away!! Mazda did cover their replacement but what the heck! When we pulled the liner out of the rear well we did not see ANYTHING there - the tubing was all gone! What are they thinking? I was losing coolant out the back for a while before I saw this item as a recall!
But that sounds like an actuator issue or could be mechanical.
Do u hear a sound when u press the up/down button?
Are the gears engaging at all?
If there is no activity at all, then the issue is not mechanical.
I checked an 06 they had on the lot and it was a bit slow too...so it's the way they're made I guess.
The Auto Zone guy (who read the codes for me) told me it is probably the O2 sensors but another forum said it might be a vacuum leak. Thoughts?