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Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions
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since we've had it.
I would call your service manager and arrange to meet him. Have him drive the car with you. Stop and put in him in the passenger seat, and see what he thinks. If in doubt, ask to do the same thing in a MPV on the lot, so you can compare between the two. As for the other trim work needing to be done, let him see it and I would ask why it wasn't done the first time. I don't consider any of the above to be unreasonable request.
You may have the option to go to another dealer (I don't) if things don't work out. We only have one Mazda dealer in town, next closest is 1 1/2 hour drive.
Do your windshield wipers stutter or skip?
We do seem to be having a problem with things loosening up. Two of the three screws that hold the latch in the passenger side sliding door fell out. The loose latch has produced a dent from inside the door that is visible outside. Not completely sure what to do about this. Last thing we want is mismatched paint. I called the dealer we bought it from and was told that they couldn't get me in to look at it, but that if I brought it in they could probably order some new screws. Being concerned that this is a safety issue (4 kids back there) I wanted to try to do something about securing the latch. There was not enough time to get to that dealer before closing so I headed for another Mazda dealer that is closer. They didn't have any screws that fit, but could order some. I went home and combed the garage and driveway and found one of the screws. This is enough to hold the latch until I can get in for an appointment, I hope. Neither of the dealers I talked to seemed very concerned. That bothers me some.
There seems to be an increasing loose feel in the front end. The van "wanders" more than it should these days and there's a bit of a clunk when the wheels are turned all one way. The left front tire appears to be wearing unevenly (even with rotations, which means the left rear is probably worn funny, too).
Other than these issues (and being wayyyyy underpowered), we really love the car.
If I were to make one suggestion for improvement - Automatic climate control! Maybe even separate controls for driver/passenger.
Most significant disappointment with the car? The fact that prices have dropped so radically since we bought. We can buy the same van for significantly less than what we owe on ours.
Benn1bob - you have twice the miles that we do, so your comments are appreciated.
Take care.
Tks!
As for the rear A/C (I have a DX), you'll have to freeze up the front area before getting any cold air way back there for approx. 2 minutes but after that, it's OK and I put A/C on the DEFROST position. It feels very nice this way since cold air tends to go down. Don't know if you could install an after-market one...
Silver (Eastern) Driver
Never even got out of the parking lot, and immediately asked to see the service manager. They fixed it on the spot. Evidently, they replaced one of the rear speakers instead of the bad one. Go figure.
My wipers are ok, I mean they work. Just make an annoying sound. I put some Rain-x on the glass, and it seems to have disappeared.
Seems like they'd fix the vehicles BEFORE they sold them!
so, so far no problems yet.
When the service manager asked what the nature of the warranty work to be performed, I may have given them too much information:
I told him that I had rotated the front tires from left to right to see how that affected the pulling. Before rotating, the van pulled to the left with a noticeable vibration coming from the steering wheels (this has been the case since day one). Then, after rotating the two front tires, the van now pulls to the right, and the vibration is even worse. I told him that I suspected the front tires to be bad and wanted them to take a look at the van, confirm my findings and take appropriate action.
The service manager then said that he would be happy to look at the van, but suspected that the problem was with the tires, and not with the van. That's fine, I said, suspecting the same thing.
Then, the service manager said something that really floored me. He said that if the problem is with the tires, that I would have to bring the van to a tire dealership that sells Dunlops and see if I could get the tires replaced under the separate tire warranty. The dealer said because the tires are under a separate warranty, they do not handle anything with the tires. He said that they can help me determine the problem, but not resolve tire issues. I have to use a tire dealer.
I already know the scenario I'm going to face. With 5,000 miles on the van, any tire dealer like NTW, etc. is going to say that the tire damage was caused by my driving, even though the van has had the problem since day one.
I can't believe that the dealer cannot warrant the tires. This is ridiculous!!! I've heard other posters say that their dealers have replaced the tires for them. This is the only dealer near me and I'm stuck with their service.
Has anyone heard their dealer tell them this before?? I guess I'm going to have to buy two new front tires for the van out of my own pocket, because no tire dealership is ever going to warrant the factory tires!!!
I'm am fed up with Mazda service. They are the worst!!!
MO
I suspect a phone call to Mazda itsel may help your plight.
The dealer also said the tires are a separate warranty. I still don't know if the tires are going to be replaced. Since they are ruined because of the alignment, it is not the tire manufacturers fault. If Mazda won't replace them, I'm not sure what we'll do. I should find out this week if they'll be replaced.
but they are minor. i just wanted it to be perfect.
Here it is...
Happy reading
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/engaged/edmund.cgi?c=Vans&f=0&t=1179&q=151-160
(If the link doesn't post look at messages 151-160 of the original MPV Cruisers Club. Now frozen, but still readable!)
Cheers,
TB
do you have trouble with grit/grime/sand falling into the side-by-slide tracks? and if so, how do you keep those clean? there is too much sand/dust where we live!
While sand is not a problem here, the plastic covers are easily removed and as long as the sand is not wet, you should be able to vaccum it out rather easily.
If that doesn't make you feel better, try getting some innertube rubber (probably for a car, truck or tractor tire) and trim pieces to fit the plastic trim pieces for the tracks. Place the rubber in the trim on the underside, perhaps attaching it with contact cement. This way, you won't see the glue or any uneven edges in the rubber guard. Slit the rubber along the center of the trim opening. This slit is how the seat will still slide, but should generally stay closed. I think this would reduce the size of the opening limiting the amount of sand and dirt that gets in there. The rubber guard would generally be closed except where the seat attaches to the tracks.
I'm not looking at mine right now, but there may also be a way to attach a plastic guard to the seat so that covers the "open" portion of the rubber guard you just added. If you feel you need additional protection.
Might take a couple of hours, but would reduce the amount of sand and soda that finds it's way in there.
I'm doing this from imagination, so I'm sure there are other refinements, perhaps two pieces of overlapping rubber in the trim to make the opening even smaller.
Go crazy with this folks, go crazy
Cheers,
TB
Could someone please respond with detailed instructions on how this should work before I take this to the dealership service department? Many thanks from a frustrated soul!
TB, I am so impressed with your imaginative solution to sand and soda! How do you we come up this stuff? I also appreciate your thoughtful comments. Here is one for you: Do you have a way that we can keep our MPVs perpetually clean?
Take care.
1. Start with REALLY big innertube, large enough to contain entire vehicle, and factory fresh vehicle.
2. Obtain REALLY big vaccum pump...
I credit my creativity to stimulating showers and in my case, the lack of mind altering substances. I really do have some of my best solutions to all sorts of problems (programming, car repair, where to go on vacation, what to do with unexepected lottery winnings) in the shower or while sleeping. However, I do understand that others attribute some credit to chemical assistance
Actually, I've yet to look at our MPV since MrsTboner has it out right now, so I don't even know if my solution would work, but I'm sure some adaptation of it will suffice.
Cheers,
TB
Superbondo, he's referring to the fact that many of our vans do not rest evenly. The left side is around 1/2 inch (in my case) closer to the ground than the right side when the van is parked on a flat surface. Several have taken it to their dealer who said it's normal. I also called customer service about it. I don't think those with the lean necessarily have the pull. It is interesting that everything is towards the left though.
I had this on my Chevy Beretta GTZ. There is some sort of ultra high temp lube that can be applied to that joint and the noise will go away. BTW, this was done in Germany at an Opel dealer as there were not too many Chevy dealers in the little town I lived in
As I've said before, the springs probably came out when the struts were replaced as most FWD vehicles have the struts "inside" the springs. Of course it could be a bad strut mount.
However, the temp sensitivty leads me towards the exhaust system as being the primary suspect.
However, I am biased by my prior experience
Cheers,
TB
- Gary
I wish I had some of the special design features on my MPV that I saw in the Oddy boards recently. Honda apparently designed in the following features into the Oddity at NO additional cost to the consumer:
1. Pulls to right, in case you fall asleep
2. Power doors open when you're at the mall, so your van is pre-cooled!
3. Van comes "pre-dinged," so you don't have to break it in.
4. Van shakes at 70mph to let you know you're speeding. (my favorite!)
I mean, with features like these on the Honda Oddity, why did I not wait six months and spend $3k over msrp for one?
Cheers!
--javadoc
Cheers,
TB
Actually, my ES is pristine at the moment. I keep expecting someone to bless it when I'm at a store.
I've been pretty lucky over the years with people not tapping me with doors or shopping carts. On the other hand, I have had two different kids shoot two different vehicles with BB guns. First was on a '90 Plymouth Laser (windshield shot from highway overpass), the other my 97 Rodeo (This was a pop on driver side rear - left a dent and removed paint about as big around as my little finger). I almost caught that little [non-permissible content removed]. Luckily for me, I didn't. Figure I'd be serving 2-5 for battery.
The wife won't park in those parking spots that some of us do, you know the ones. The ones waaaay out there away from the door-ding zone. She parks up close at the mall/supermarket, ready to let the MPV duke it out with all comers. We've only just gotten our first ding (at 9,234 miles, but who's counting), on the left rear corner. It's hardly noticable, though properly broken in now. I have to give Mazda kudos on the placement of the side molding on the MPV. They've been hit many times already on our van, and leave no trace of battle scars on the body panels from other's thoughtless acts. Seems to be at just the right height to catch all of those doors. Sorry, this probably belongs in the "Cruisers" forum...
...Javadoc
By the way - junk in the sliding seat tracks - YES! We've got that. What a pain.
bob
--Happy trails!
Javadoc - I had to trade in my '96 Legacy to get the MPV. My wife drives the MPV. I am relagated to the 95 Ford Taurus (yuk!).
Miles - We have 9,700 miles.
Take care.
If I could just get rid of wind noise on front passenger side. (Anybody else have this and get it FIXED?)
The MPV is really good once you get up to speed. We took three adults and two children including a bunch of stuff for a 20 month old baby and the cruise control kept out speed within an MPH of the 75 or 80 that we set. The van did downshift on occassion to maintain that speed, but the DOHC Duratec has those Ford of Europe roots and such engines are designed for higher RPM operation than the standard American pushrod V6 as you might find in the current DC vans or a Buick.
As a DOHC engine, it actually makes more power at higher RPM's and that power "stays" as the RPM's continue to climb. The typical pushrod V6 makes a lot more torque at low end making for better take off, but gets "winded" at higher RPM's.
So bottom line, I think the MPV does fine in the hilly terrain we've experienced. Much better than the 3.3L Plymouth van we previously had. The MPV "ain't no" drag racer. It is slower than the other vans 0-60, but does cruise quite nicely.
One owners opinion.
Cheers,
TB
If K&N ever makes an airfilter for it, I'm getting one, but mostly because I use them in my other vehicles. If it gives me a couple more horses, that would be the gravy.
Actually, we drive our MPV in very hilly country and it does great, much better than a Windstar we borrowed last year. Gas mileage is between 17.6 and 24.5 for our MPV.
If you are concerned about numbers, try this on for size. What I don't see in the reviews is that the HonToyDC vans are heavier than the Mazda. If you break the vans down by power-to-weight (ptw) ratios (that's pounds that per horsepower, lower numbers are better), the Honda has a ptw of 20.42, the Toyota has a ptw of 20.34, the DC vans have ptw ratios between 23.49 and 22.72 and the Mazda van has a ptw of 21.63.
So, when you factor all this jibberish in, the Toyota should edge all comers out, but it should be only 6% faster than the MPV and just a tick faster than the Honda. Forget about those sluggish DC vans if you want to drag race.
happy trails!
--Javadoc
I'll let you know how car is when we get it back. All in all, I think our problems have been small. The trim was a tiny issue and I was shocked that they fixed all of it after deal was done... The wind noise is a little annoying, but I do probably 80 percent of my driving in traffic, where I can't go fast enough to hear it. It was just irritating when I did hear it. Besides, husband's '94 corolla does not have wind noise!! It's a good little van, though. If I had purchase to do over, I'd get one without wind noise. ANd it looks like I've made enough trouble so that I'll get one!
--Javadoc
as i recall, i was down to choosing between a sienna and mpv and picked mpv for better visibility. and i would still choose mpv again.
i do appreciate their efforts. So far as survey goes, they want you to walk it in and you get free oil change and tank of gas for your trouble. so far, it's been time-consuming to deal with svc. dept. i'll probably go with dealer closer to home for service (the other had the better price on van).