Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions

kolt1 · June 2004

That is simply ridiculous. You've had the vehicle less than 3 months and it's rusting??? And the dealer says that "... it happens". This is what I suggest. First, insist on speaking face to face with the Mazda rep for your area. Second, have you completed the survey from RDA Group? If you haven't, when you receive it, take it to the dealership and complete it there. Third, call Mazda's North American office and explain the situation to them. Fourth, go to the dealership when there are a lot of people in the showroom or in the new car lot and get a hold of a sales person. Then in a very loud voice (don't yell or seem angry), express your concerns and dismay about Mazda not standing behind your vehicle. Go up to one or more of the customers (in a very nice way) and ask them to follow you to your vehicle and show them the rust. Ask them if they think this is something that is acceptable on a brand new vehicle. Fifth, you may have some recourse under your state's lemon laws, but I'm not sure about that.

The fact that you have to revert to such measures says one of three things: 1. The dealership is terrible. 2. Mazda is terrible. 3. Both the dealership and Mazda suck.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I also just bought a new MPV in March and "feel your pain". Keep us posted. May the force be with you.

bigdadi118 · June 2004

How can you tell the difference of 'tranny hardshift' and 'hard brake'

Tranny hardshift starts happening after the car was driven about 25 mins in city. Then DURING ACCELERATION FROM STOP you feel a sudden jerk or feel like a little bump from behind when the tranny upshift from 2 to 3rd gear (25-30MPH, 2000-2500RPM).

Your hard brake problem seems to me is during your foot taps the brake, right?

bigdadi118 · July 2004

2003 LX
After 9 months and 7000 miles, found rattling noise from the passenger side front door when go over manholes, patch-up or rough pavements.

Do any other MPV owners experience same, or know the remedy? I think it is something with the weather-stripping inside the door.

PF_Flyer · July 2004

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mrpas · July 2004

I have just been told by my mechanic (not the dealer) that my just out of warranty 2000 Mazda MPV ES (with rear heater) has two corroded coolant lines at the rear of the vehicle. This seems extremely odd given the age and mileage (only 61k or about 40, 000 miles). Has anybody experienced anything similar? PS repair cost is $500!!!

jipster · July 2004

Hello all. Just purchased 2004 Mazda MPV LX on July 1st. The owners manual says the second row captains chairs slide fore and aft(as well as to the side to make a bench)The seats have a lever handle in the bottom front which I thought would slide seat up and back while doing test drive.Mine do not do this...the handle in front seems to have no purpose at all. Unless it was to make consumer think these seats moved in ways they would not.Called dealership(salesperson)who said the seats do not move forward and backward...only side to side. Can some of you let me know if these seats are suppose to slide up and back or not? Thanks.

big_guy · July 2004

I have an '02 MPV and the 2nd row seats do slide forward and backwards. There isn't a huge amount of travel but they do move.

daddioof4 · July 2004

Hello group, long time since I last posted. I have a 2000 MPV LX with 95,675 miles on it. So far totally trouble free. The only thing I have done is the normal oil/filter, air filter, tranny oil/filter, radiator flush, tires and front brake pad replacement. All done by me! As we zoom zoom up to the 100,000 mile mark, I figure it is time for new plugs. Has anyone does there own plugs yet? How difficult is it? Looks like a lot more than just pulling the wires and ratcheting the plugs out. For those who pay for this, what is the going rate? Also, should I replace the wires or are they good for another 100,000 miles? Looking for recommendation on tires. We have eaten Yokie's avid and aegis up, continental contact A/S and a set of coopers. I am tired of only getting less than 20k for a pair on the front. Finally, Has anyone had to have their front stabilizer bar brackets replaced? Ours is clunking. What is a reasonable price to pay?

rocdom · July 2004

Lucky you, I have a brand new 04 MPV with 450 miles, that's 450 not 4500 miles and service told me that I need a new transmission. Noting but greif so far!

kinko · July 2004

If I were you, I'll ask for the money back, or pick up a new one from the car lot. Good luck.

jipster · July 2004

I took my one week old MPV LX into the dealer today to look at a whistling/wind noise(from the back of the van) as well as a problem with the middle row captain chairs. They gave me a demo car through Enterprise( a lime green Ford Escort).They adjusted the rear hatch which took care of the wind noise. When I brought it in I asked their top salesperson as well as the service consultant if that middle row was suppose to move up and back. They both said no despite my saying it indicated it should in the owners manual and it had a lever in front.Well,while looking at it they discovered that it did move up and back...it had become stuck.If I hadn't read the owners manual I probably never would have doubted their word. Lesson learned.Much happier with adjustments made...much quieter.

rocdom · July 2004

Have been trying not as easy as it sounds. Dealer says it's a Mazda problem, Mazda says it's up to the dealer. Just getting the run around.

mwikle · July 2004

"two corroded coolant lines at the rear of the vehicle"

There is a TSB on this issue. So you can argue it is a "defect" even if not a warranted repair.

If you are original owner & polite you may get some policy adjustment from Mazda by constructing and presenting the argument you would use in arbitration.

If they say no, then ask to arbitrate.

You will NOT get 100% so try and get say... parts free + labor at Mazda warranty hours quantity (dealer sets this amount on non-warranty work). You might pay for this labor. Perhaps get cost down to 1/2 or less...

Good luck

kacey · July 2004

Three days ago I found my 2001 MPV at the bottom of a hill smashed into a tree. The driveway which it rolled from barely had a slope to it. I had the keys with me yet when I got into the car, it was in drive. I know for a fact that this car would never let me pull the key out unless it was in the park position. Does anyone have a clue as to why this might have happened?
Thanks.

kacey · July 2004

Thanks mwikle ....
At least I know I'm not totally nuts now! No one could tell me why this might have happened!!!

rocdom · July 2004

It depends where you live. I live in New York and the rear a/c line in my Chevy Express corroided during the winter because of the salt they throw down when it snows. See the line ran right over the rear tires, I don't know if its in the same area in the MPV.

typesix · July 2004

Auto transmissions have been known to slip out of the Park position which is why the parking brake should be used as the primary and the transmission as the backup. All owner manuals say to use the parking brake.

my2kidsdriver · July 2004

We just bought a 2004 MPV as a replacement for our 2000 one that was in a crash... The new one has:
moonroof
4-seasons
LX plus
and little options that would not affect performance.
  I test-drove a different car and then looked for one with the options we wanted. Drove THAT car about 10 miles, unfortunately to see my son in a performance at church. The AC SEEMED to be getting a little warmer toward the end of drive and I made a mental note to remember to look at controls more carefully when I returned to car. When I came back, car would not start. Called Mazda dealer and they had it towed (after we waited about 90 minutes). They've tested battery and ignition switch and those check out. More extensive diagnostic tests are set for Monday. Meanwhile, we're driving a Dodge Grand Caravan with 360 miles on it. Enterprise tried to tell us they were "extremely nitpicky" and it was probably worth the $13-$15 for damage coverage since we'd be hit hard for any scratches or dings. I think we'll just park far away if we take it shopping and pray there are no hailstorms (the other tale of woe they gave us about a misguided soul who declined additional coverage).
  Please tell me that there could be some reasonably easy fix for this. We were completely shocked. Our 2000 MPV never stranded us through 91K and four years (and side airbags kept injuries down to cracked ribs -- it could've been much, much worse).
  Any ideas of what this could be? Dealer is being very nice (as well they should be!)
Stranded in Atlanta

rocdom · July 2004

you have a tranny problem, not a brake problem. I know because I just went through the same thing with my car. after 300 miles I noticed a problem and they told me that they had to flash the computer(reset it) so they did, and it didn't help and they told me it takes a while to learn to drive itself again. to make a long story short they had to put in a brand new tranny after only putting 450 miles on my brand new MPV. the only differense is mine starting happening after only driving about 8-10 miles. make sure you keep all your service reciepts because after 4 times or 30 days the car is in the shop you fall into the lemon law(in NY anyway). so make them put a new tranny in that car, and good luck.

PF_Flyer · July 2004

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rocdom · July 2004

I'm fairly new to these boards and I've only owned my MPV LX for 1 month and they had to replace the tranny. Reading all these posts about hard shift going back more than a year, isn't it possible that Mazda knows there is a problem with there transmissions and just keep reprogramming the computers until they do find a fix so that don't have to deal with a total recall and replace everyone's transmission? I mean come on if you know what the problem is why not just fix it while the car is being assembled.

sentrafan · July 2004

I've read about several other MPV 2000 owners with this problem (I believe it was corrected in 2001). As mwikle said, there's a related TSB. Some dealers will cover it under good will, others won't. Fortunately my rear-heat lines haven't corroded, even though I live in Columbus Ohio and we get out fair share of salt put down in the winter. I cleaned the lines about a month ago, hoping I wouldn't find them corroded. Here's what they look like (located under the rear-passenger wheel well:)

http://home.columbus.rr.com/bikinibottom/auto1/

For all you 2000 MPV owners, make sure each Spring you clean them as part of routine maintenance. Let us know how it works out kacey.

nwng · July 2004

spray some wd40 on a rag and wipe down the line, does wonders for keeping it from rusting

Karen_S · August 2004

Mazda MPV on the Recall List

betsy · August 2004

In response to the person that questioned the 19.8 gallon gas tank, we hava a 2002 LX and the most we have ever gotten in the tank at fill up is 16.8 gallons and that is when the light has been on forever and the needle is well below the bottom line. We have always found it strange as well that supposedly we have 3 gallons of gas left in the tank at that point. Just thought I would let you know you aren't crazy or imagining things!

We are actually thinking of trading in our MPV for an Isuzu Ascender 7 passenger. The amount of room is unbelievable in that vehicle for a really good price.

alenabubs · August 2004

Hi everyone -- we are the owners of a 2003 MPV purchased three months ago. Two days ago, my husband had a gasoline container in the second row that wasn't secured tightly. He hit the brakes and -- you can guess what happened. About a gallon of gas spilled out, a lot of it seeping into the tracks under the second-row seats. The car reeks of gasoline right now. Any ideas on how to get rid of it? My husband says it will dry out eventually, but I have a 5-year-old and a two-month old and I really don't want them breathing those fumes, and the thought of driving around with gasoline fumes in the car scares me. Thanks.

stever · August 2004

Here's some suggestions:

The Frugal Life

Lundermac

I use fresh ground coffee for odors, but gas may be a bit much to overcome.

Steve, Host

Karen_S · August 2004

Nature's Miracle is a really good product for removing just about any odor/stain, however, I'm not sure it would work with gasoline. It's worth a shot and much better than the milk suggestion on that one site. IMO, that would be replacing one odor with another. You can find Nature's Miracle at most large pet stores.

Good luck!

nngim · August 2004

Hello,

I have a 2000 MPV with about 37K miles. I believe MPVs of this vintage had a bad lot of 16" Dunlop SP 4000's installed. (I've seen this model of tire on new Siennas) At about 35K, shimmying started, presumably due to one or more of the tires becoming out-of-round. Rebalancing helped partially. I am now starting to hear a faint, speed-dependent high-pitched whine.

Could driving around on shimmying tires have damaged a wheel bearing or something? Or could the whine be coming from the bad tire?

The van has been very dependable otherwise. FYI, we took it on a 800 mile drive to and from Disneyland. My brother-in-law took the same trip in his 2002 Honda Odyssey. He broke down.

Thanks for any advice you can give,
Norm

once_for_all · August 2004

how do I find out if there is one installed on my '02 LX with 4 seasons and rear AC?

Owners manual seems to indicate that there might be one, but I can't find it listed on any of the equipment lists that came with the vehicle.

Thanks, John

tmossa · August 2004

I have a 2003 Mazda MPV ES. The check engine light is on and I hear a major vaccum leak on the backside of the motor. I have looked with a mirror but am unable to locate any loose lines or cracks. Anybody else have a problem like this in the past that could tell me what to look for?

once_for_all · August 2004

the PCV valve. I understand it is towards the back underneath.

In any case, take it to the dealer, they will have to reset the check engine light.

John

tmossa · August 2004

Update: After a long search I found a large crack in the main vaccum line of the back top air plenum. This line is approx 1/2" I.D. and runs around the back of the block and plugs into another line. I removed the line and replaced it. Still had the Check Engine light so I unhooked negative battery cable and hit the brake lights 5 times. Reconnected battery and light has reset. Everything is back to normal! Hope this helps anybody else that encounters this problem.

once_for_all · August 2004

I would have done the same (abhorrance to dealer visits :-) shhh...)

John

zoomzoomfan · September 2004

First of all, I am a die-hard Mazda fan. I purchased a brand-new Mazda MPV in Dec 2003, which brings my Mazda ownership count to 3.

However, this last Mazda, unlike the previous two, has given me nothing but problems.

1. Transmission hard shift. This was later on "fixed" by the dealer

2. Transmission clunks when put into reverse from park or drive. Not fixed, because the dealer can't ever reproduce it. I've taken it in several times now to have this resolved. For me the clunk can happen at any time, whether engine's warm or cold. On occasion it dissappears. 8/10 times its there.

3. Sliding doors hard to close. Doors spring back out on first closure attempt. Took to dealer. Dealer said, "oh its the door seals... they swell up making the door hard to close". Dealer replaced the seals. Got the car back and guess what... doors were still hard to close. Whatever dealer did make no diff at all.

4. Engine power. I think this is a transmission problem though. Every car on the road out-accelerates me without fail from a red light. I'm no Schumacher or Villeneuve, but I find it troublesome that a Hyundai Excel can get off the mark quicker. The MPV feels like its straining to get up to speed. Don't think its the engine. I don't recall having this problem before the TCM fix mentioned in step 1 above. Personally, I think the transmission's logic is choosing the wrong gear at the wrong time, or spending too long or not long enough in a particular gear.

5. The cruise control on this car is down right annoying. Where I live, we have a lot of rolling hills. I sometimes set the cruise control on long hauls. If the highway is making a long climb up a hill, the cruise control will go nuts somewhere near the top of the hill... transmission will continuously downshift to keep the speed constant, up to the point where the RPMs are almost at 5000.

6. To drive this car normally, i.e. keep up with traffic, I have to push the pedal down hard and have to force the car to shift around 3000 rpm. This seems unnaturally high to me. Anything less, and I end up at the back of the pack.

Just wondering if anyone else has had these problems.

Oh, and my Mazda dealer's service staff are the most arrogant and condescending people I've ever met. They think they're smarter than their clients. They scoff at me when I explain my problems to them. One guy even said, "so... drive the car harder...", then looks over at his co-worker, and then they both kinda giggle/laugh. I'm so sick of dealing with them.

However, I just love the look of my van. Its an LX and came with uuuughleeeee 15" steel wheels. I recently upgraded the wheels to 17" original Mazda wheels. The car looks really sweet now. Its a head-turner too. One guy commented "Wow... that's a minivan?"

Regardless, I remain a loyal fan of the product.

I would love to hear from owners who are having/have had similar problems with their MPVs.

Regards.

tccmn1 · September 2004

Been a while since I visited here, but more recent stuff coming thru at 33K miles now.
Just received the recall notices in the mail;
1. Relating to the fan sensor which could cause over heating - fans may not turn on to cool down engine causing over heating.
2. Related to vacuum system. Causing rough running. I had this fixed once already and it happened AGAIN yesterday on a 300 mile trip. Things went fine until I drove into a heavy rain storm for one hour straight and the unit lost power and the CHECK ENGINE light started blinking! Stopped at a gas station and filled and restarted again, but engine was still running rough. We limped home and this morning I started it and it was fine. May be due to the extreme rain I was driving through, but sounds like the recall notice in action!

Anyone else have these things happen or get the recall notices??

One more thing; I'm hearing a clink sound when I back up and go forward. Sounds like something in the chassis that is slipping or loose...anyone else have that too?

scott31 · September 2004

I received both notices.

zoomzoomfan · September 2004

Ok... seems like I'm the only one in two whole countries with these problems. Out of curiosity, how many readers of this board own the 2003 MPV LX or ES? I suspect most people are DX owners, which has the same engine, but a different transmission. Could be why everything is smooth sailing for you guys. Just a hunch. Still eager to hear from someone.

Regards.

tccmn1 · September 2004

Sorry, if I missed it; what is the problem with YOUR MPV?? Seems like there is a variety on any and or all of them....!!

subearu · September 2004

At least for the U.S., the '00-'01 MPV (all models) had a 4speed AT and 2.5L V6. In '02, the engine went to 3.0L V6 and the tranny went to a 5speed AT. Didn't matter what model, all were the same. In fact, they dropped the DX from the U.S. lineup in '03 as well.

-Brian

kinko · September 2004

Here is my experience of my 04 MPV:
1) hard shift, it's been "fixed" by dealer. But 1 to 2 shift, and 2 to 3 gear shift is kinda jerky.
2) No clunking reverse from park or drive.
3) passenger-side sliding door, and all front doors are hard to close, I have to slam it to fully close them. No fix I think.
4) I agree with what you stated on the transmission logic, and problem 1 is the result of the wrong timing.
5) I'd never used the cruise control. Try turning the OD off when you decide to to downshift and passing other car.
6) You get all the HP and torque at @3000 rpm by the design since the 02 model. I wonder if it's the main cause of hard shift due to the trans. control module changes on the 03-04 models.
7) The ride is kinda rough and I can always see and feel the shaking on newly paved freeway. It causes the interior rattlings that make me feel uncomfortable.
The service station I use told me my MPV's drive and ride are normal. I am not good at arguing with them.

lazyfox · September 2004

1) It seems to be largely quiet now on the MPVClub about the hard shift, so it might be that the latest fix worked. Are you sure you got reflashed with the latest one?

2) Haven't heard of the problem much, thought there was one or two posts on this.

3) Sliders work OK for us (we have the powered ones). You can hear in posts now and than about quirks with sliders, but sure not more or leven a bit less than on other vehicle brands.

4) I notticed lately on our 02, that sometimes the engine would rev too much before it shifts while trying to accelerate on HGHWY. I still didn't get the reflash for the hard shift which seems to disapeared for most of the time. I still plan to get it reflashed and perhaps it will also take care of this.

5) It does downshifts, but I do not see it as a problem. Our Protege used to do it too. I see the "problem" in the engine being not as strong as one would wish, but it's adequate for most of the time I'd say.

6) I do not have problem with that except ocassionaly as described in the point 4)

vickieb · September 2004

1) hard shift hasn't been a problem since the "fix"

2)Haven't experienced the klunking while shifting will have to pay more attention.

3)I have a 2003ES and I open and close the doors with the remote. I do wish the side sliders would open wider as a lot of times I have to load the van from the back hatch becuase the sliders don't open far enough.

4&6)I find the weak acceleration to happen when I'm trying to pass on the freeway. I almost have to floor the gas pedal to get any kind of response acceleration is almost an after thought before it finally kicks in. Very annoying.

5)I've experienced the same thing while cruise is engaged and climbing hills. The van almost seems to be confused at what it is supposed to do and what gear to shift into.

oneill · September 2004

Greetings,
I have experienced the same problems with the 91 model. It may be a problem with the fuel pump getting old. The bearings get worn and it works when cool then shuts off as it gets weaker.
It is located in the fuel tank. I think it is good to replace the fuel filter also.
I spent a lot of time with a mechanic who replaced the computer in the van. In retrospect, it may have been the clogged filter/weak pump.

oneill · September 2004

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

2003 Mazda MPV
NHTSA 10005737
Service Bulletin (TSB) Number 0004180

(copy from a previous thread)

status · September 2004

Hi everyone--I'm new to the group and there are a lot of messages to go through--so I figured I'd ask for a friendly synopsis.

We just bought a new 2004 MPV ES and have 1500 miles on it so far. I did that the tires were inflated to 50 psi, when the driver side sticker calls fro 32 psi--and I've heard that the sticker should really say 35 psi? Nevertheless, I deflated the tires to 42 psi and it rides much better. I like the tires inflated a little high, but not 50 psi!

No complaints so far. Transmission doesn't shift roughly--something that I've been reading about.

My question: what are things about the MPV that I need to know about? E.g. specific things about maintaining the vehicle (we usually get dealer service), things that go wrong early, etc.

Thanks!!!

subearu · September 2004

Yet another missed tire pressure check in the PDI - happens almost all the time. 42psi is probably still a bit high. Try 36 or 37psi, the ride will be quite a bit smoother and you'll still promote a nice even wear on the tires. And yes, the sticker should read 35psi, there is a recall out there to replace the sticker with the correct one (I read about that at MPVClub).

Will you be changing the oil yourself? Who's the primary driver? What's your other vehicle (if you have one)? What kind of trips will the MPV be used for?

-Brian

status · September 2004

Right now the dealer's doing everything--oil changes are pretty inexpensive. I never bothered to invest in equipment to do it myself.

The MPV is the family vehicle, mostly suburban driving and the occasional long distance trip. It replaced a very beloved '97 Honda CR-V that just didn't work with carpooling and two young kids. My wife is the primary driver and one specific reason we chose the MPV is because she didn't want an enormous minivan, which seems to be the norm today.

My daily driver is a '99 Protege LX. We don't roll up many miles on our cars--maybe 7500 miles a year each.

mpvmom · September 2004

For the second year in a row I have a problem with my car passing the emission inspection in New York state(CO is 18.25 gpm instead of 10gpm - a very significant difference).

Last year, after failing an inspection at a local inspection station, the car was brought to NYC dealership and passed the tests. We were not told what was done - whether any adjustments/repairs were done in order for the car to pass the inspection.

This year we have the same problem, which leads me to believe that the last year inspection was "helped".

I visited a Mazda dealership in Nanuet, NY. After just contacting her technician and without even looking at the car, a service representative there told me that the car needs to have "fuel induction service done that cleans top part of engine" - $180 worth service. She further informed me that is is pretty common with MPVs. I have never heard that before. Why the car that is considerably new (4 years, 18K miles) would need this kind of service? The car is garaged and driven reasonably (it doesn't sit in the garage but is not driven excessively either) - highway miles mostly. Am I being taken for a ride here?

Additionally, the dealership in NYC is reluctant to provide the information was was done to the car last year for it to pass the inspection. We called there several times and were given a run around.

many thanks to whoever responds!
MPVmom

Kirstie_H · September 2004

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Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions

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