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Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions
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I took my ES in yesterday with a slight leak of antifreeze, a rattle in the passenger slider, a cracked visor cover and the hard shifting tranny.
At first the writer was not willing to give me a rental car in place of my ES. Once I reminded him that the cost of towing the ES from my home to the dealer should it overheat would quickly exceed the cost of the RC, he relented.
Apparently, a hose clamp had backed off and was allowing some antifreeze to drip out. Not a big deal but it was important to fix it now.
As for the tranny, I had them keep it overnight so they could do the pressure test of the lines. The only thing they could tell me was that it was within "SPECS". I'll be sure to let them know should it fail that I have given them the chance. I still believe the shifting is abrupt.
They adjusted the passenger slider and ordered the visor cover without incident.
Over all they are doing a great job of servicing our ES. I am still rather leary about the tranny.
If anyone finds a solution let us know. I would like to take the neck brace off soon.
--java
1.On cold start-up,(about 12 hours after shutdown)even at 80 degrees, my engine goes to 2000 RPM, and incrementally steps down to about 1400 RPM after about 30 seconds. Normal idle speed after about 5 minutes is 750 RPM.
The owners's manual says to wait ten seconds before shifting, which I've always made a practice of doing anyway, but 1400 RPM after 30 seconds seems way too high.
2.My sliding door windows rattle a little also sometimes if they are partially open. No problems full up or down.
3.The transmission gives a good jolt each morning after startup when going from 1st to 2nd and sometimes even after warm up.
4. The second row passenger seat rattles when no one is sitting in it.
Have any of you been told by your dealer that there is a TSB (technical service bulletin) out on these issues?
Have you been able to get the problems resolved by your dealer anyway even if they claim that Mazda has not notified them of a fix?
On the positive side, the van handles and rides better than anything I've had before, including some well-reviewed sedans.
I had some mild vibration at 65-95mph that was cured by rebalancing my tires at a local tire shop at my own expense, so I wouldn't have to hear the dealer tell me that they couldn't find a problem.
I have not experienced any pulling to either side.
The brakes were great when I had to make a panic stop.
I'm a little disapointed in the mileage. I get between 18.5-23mpg, 19mpg being the norm at extended 60mph plus speeds, lightly loaded.
Engine power is adequate and smooth, pleasant growl on acceleration.
Seats are very comfortable on long trips.
Kids love the factory video entertainment system
which also allows any kind of external audio/video signal to play through the system via the aux. input.
Thanks for the info on the tire balacing. I purchased my LX in August and have been waiting until I take the van in for its first oil change to have the dealer check the balance or alignment. The slight vibration at speeds above 65 mph has been my only main problem thus far. Glad to hear that rebalancing cured your problem.
I occassionally get the slight rattle in the windows when they are partially rolled down. No seat rattles. I've learned to feather the throttle on cold start-ups to smooth out the shifting. My mileage has been fairly consistent at about 21 mpg in mixed City/Hwy driving.
rg:
Sorry to hear about your mishap. I believe that one other poster indicated a similar problem a few months back. Hopefully this will be your only incident. Let us know how everything goes.
Regards,
JB
one is sitting in it.
They did not find the problem and the rattle is still there, even if they added some kind of foam under the plastic part covering the sliding bar. Think they did this just to keep ME quiet...
Just a trick: Try AC/DC's Stiff Upper Lip album and I can assure you it won't bother you anymore... 3:oS
Silver (Safe In Quebec City) Driver
If it is too small, you will probably trigger the Check Engine Light, but I opened the hole up a bit more and we've had no problems since.
I think ours runs between 1100 and 1700 RPMS depending on the A/C before it starts stepping down.
Not a big reduction, but I think it will help the longevity of the transaxle on those mornings when Mrs. TBoner is running late.
TB
Just wonder if anybody has a similar experience.
1)Changing oil and oil filter.
2)Changing air filter.
3)Changing spark plugs.
Thanks for any input
3 is not impossible, but looks like it will be more difficult
TB
Keep us posted on what you find out at the dealer. I'll post my findings also. I'm curious if there are any other posters with the Dunlops who are experiencing this problem?
JB
Anyway, my van has a May sticker on it so I am bargaining that it came off the line late enough to have problems of earlier production. I will certainly submit posts of any problems I notice if they occur. I thank you all for the feedback which was quite helpful in my decision making. For the writer from Oregon...I purchased in McMinnville, all over the phone. Salesman was very direct, and didn't try to fast talk me. Was off work the day I took delivery...so I actually never saw the man. Just liked his style of business. My mom was also impressed with their organization when we arrived. I bought at 500 over invoice, then 1000 rebate. Brought my own financing at 8.35 so did ok for the deal. Others meeting same price but I have a problem with the schmoozing so I made a trip down on Sunday. Had rented an MPV a couple weeks ago for a trip to the coast, sealed the deal. Though of buying used through rental company but there are none available. 2001's are not changing except configuration of packages, and a slight (net) price bump of about $400. Edmunds info. Good luck to you and thanks again to others.
Oh yeah, mine is sapphire blue, gray cloth. Everyone says it is a nice color, pretty in the sunshine....yes the sun actually shines in Oregon. Been quite a lovely "Indian Summer"
Shelby's Mom.
Did you ever put the Amsoil in your transmission? I've been thinking about doing the very same thing when the time is right (only have 450 miles on the van), and am wondering if you've noticed a difference.
I'll have the tranny fluid switched prolly after things are less insane at Casa de Java (never?) and at work, and promise to post the results. Been so very busy this fall. But, you know what they say, "idle hands don't get the chores done." Oh, that's what the wife says! haha.
-Javadoc (Now powered by Starbucks)
Drew/aling
Townhall Community Leader/Vans Conference
Bring your vibrating 2000 MPV to your dealer and tell them that Mazda knows about this problem. We were told by our dealer that their Mazda rep. called the national Mazda engineers to help solve the vibration problem with our MPV.
We started to look into the Lemon Law but ended the effort when the new tires made our MPV tolerable on the highway.
So, the last set of tires was the 5th set that had been mounted over the two weeks the dealer had the MPV. This gives insight into the lousy tires that are being manufactured and put on new autos.
Also, we returned to the dealer at least four times, over the two week period, to test drive the MPV. We refused to accept the MPV until the vibration was gone.
Good luck with your dealer. Our dealer treated us respectfully and worked hard to solve the problem. (I think they got tired of dealing with us because we were so persistent. I wrote a small volume about the whole episode in order to document the events in case the Lemon Law would apply.)
There is a Mazda customer service center that you can call and talk with a real person. This service is supposed to coordinate communication with you, your dealer and Mazda in order to start the problem solving process. Your dealer can give you this toll-free number.
Anyone cares to reply to my post #599 in this forum? Just wanted to freshen you up on this :-) Thanks.
I have had my DX since Feb now have 15,000mi. My van has used no coolant at all,I would definetly
get it checked by dealer.I have noticed the idle speed fluctuation but it seems to coincide with accessory usage ie;cooling fan or blower. I have not experienced the tranny problem. I hope this helps.
Tried to locate the source and I think it comes from the seat belt.
Silver ("clink", "clank", "clunk") Driver
As for the doors, my 5 YO can't open ours either, and the drivers side usually takes two tries to get it closed.
I'm mentioning all of the above when I take it for the bumper work.
1 year and 21,000k later we're still loving that van. Some early veterans may recall my wife got dinged in rear bumper 3 days after picking it up. That was repaired but we have had some paint peel which we should be getting redone one of these days soon.
None of the problems that I've just scanned through have bothered us.
Only annoyance is the sunglass holder keeps flipping down. Any real quick solutions for that?
Should be taking in for service one of these days but we never seem to have time.
1 year down 2 to go.
Will appreciate any response.
Of more concern to me is that the same door often does not close properly and leaves the "door ajar" light and courtesy lights on. This happens whenever my 6-year old shuts the door and frequently when I do. I am always worried that I will forget to check and my battery will be run down.
Soon, I will be calling the dealer about these items.
Has anyone else experienced the problem with the "door ajar" light.
i also drive my dads 93 plymouth voyager one out of 4 times, ride once a month as passenger in my friends 96 dodge caravan to our company hq meetings, and up until 4 months ago had a nissan axxess which had the lightest sliding doors in any van. still, even in the nissan axxesss i feel the doors should not be left to children below 8 to close by themselves.
as a safety practice, i ALWAYS seat my 5 year old and other young passengers FIRST, check if they are properly belted, then check to make sure no arms or legs are in the way.
I also WATCH carefully that no body members are sticking when sliding the doors, and being the one closing the door means i can stop midway (and have done so several times) if something suddenly sticks out. i guess id also be one of those who would NOT feel safe about power sliding doors either.
thanks