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Mazda MPV: Problems & Solutions
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Comments
I think a small civil war might help the PR people, Maltb.
--java (deeply-breathing-clean-mountain-air)doc
Suggestion (I guess to KarenS): Create an MPV roadside cafe in the MPV Owner's Club where all of us, bored with lack of problems MPV owners, could hang out and discuss pollution issues in CA.
P.S. I don't know why but I started to read other vans' problem forums (like Sienna, Ody, Windstar). And I must say the Windstar Problems II is really, well, "entertaining". Not that I like reading about other people's problems. Just feel this overwhelming sympathy to those people (sincerely). I though I read all posts of "iwasscammed", a mother of 4 who keeps struggling with her Ford dealership and her car. Going everywhere from dealership to Ford to lawyer and local radio, tv, etc. Read her posts starting from post #337 in "Ford Windstar Problems II" forum. She even set up a website where she describes all her "adventures" with the car and servicing (Time To Tell The Truth...).
I was astonished about how many people are gathering information against Ford to start class action lawsuits related to Windstar... And you people are talking about smog as seen through MPV's windshield :-)
Great suggestion too about the Cafe!
I went to college not far from Los Alamitos (in Claremont) and it was the same deal; especially in the summer you couldn't see Mt. Baldy (in reality, Mt. San Antonio) less than 5 miles away. In the winter or when it was windy or right after rain, clear as a bell.
Now I live near Atlanta, where it's the same deal.
Back to thinking about how much I love our MPV....
Just to make this legit. I am experiencing a problem with my MPV. The self cleaning function has not worked since we got it. Can anyone tell me how to activate it?
Oh yeah! You're in CA, where it never rains, right?
--java
The have ordered replacment coil springs to be put on later. So I am pretty happy with my MPV now, with the dealer, and more so as the van is paid off month by month.
RJ
--javadoc
Anyway, I remember, waaaaay back, someone actually got down there with a ruler, and came up with about 1 1/4 inch difference. I've never looked at mine too close, so I don't know. The same person determined that the actual components under the hood seemed to be the culprit. I guess the stuff on that side of the van is heavier.
If you wanted to look, it's back over a thousand posts in one of our topics. Good luck!
Just put the summer tires on Mochavan tonight. So satisfying being able to change four tires by only jacking twice with my gargatuan floor jack. Now we can see what the fuel mileage is again. Better than the winter 14.5-16.5 I'd guess.
--j
X: where medium spots were found
_________________
/····x···|··········|··········|
/·········|·········x|··········|
______/··········|·········X|··········|
Same places on both sides.
Silver (and don't laugh !) Driver
I'll look at mine closely and let you know if I can find anything on mine. MPV has a rust warranty for 5 years, or does it? I don't remember clearly. According to Mazda Canada web site: "body sheet metal perforation for 5 years". Does this mean perforation due to rust? Also does "sheet metal" term include window frames, areas around door handles, locks, etc which tend to start rusting faster? Any insight on that, anyone?
I'm starting to worry now. I was offered a rust protection treatment when I was buying mine but I didn't want it. Maybe I should have treated the van with it then? I guess it is not too late (it's only 8 month old now)...
I don't recall ever seeing the service bulletin number (or getting to read the actual service bulletin) regarding the coil springs and their relationship to pulling and/or leaning. Would you please repost it so I will be adequately armed the next time I bring the '00 ES in for service. Thanks, I appreciate it.
02-003/01 LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE APPEARS LOW
APPLICABLE MODEL(S)
All 2000 MPVs with ABS.
DESCRIPTION
Some vehicles when viewed from the rear, may appear to lean and/or sit lower on the left side, even without passengers or cargo. This may be caused by a variance in spring height. Replacement springs are available to address this concern.
----------------
Hope that helps.
BTW, measured the side-to-side difference last night on the van...3.0 cm (1-3/16"). How very interesting.
Also noted that the shocks are made by none other than Tokico, not bad at all. Who was it that was noticing some seepage on their rear shocks, because I noticed a tad of oil seepage on them, but not much at all.
--java
They said the leaning may have something to do with the pulling and will do the alignment later. I'll see since some of yours lean but don't pull.
Anyway rotarykid first gave the leaning info at post #839. I printed it out to show to the dealer so no sweat.
Great, that will be $125.00. Please come again.
--j
Bulletin No: 02-001/01
2000 MPV - Knocking Noise At Front Of Vehicle
APPLICABLE MODELS
2000 MPV with VIN lower than JM3 LW28** Y0 137197.
DESCRIPTION
While traveling long distances during high ambient temperatures a knocking noise is heard from the front of the
vehicle with a slight floor vibration. This condition usually occurs at less than 15 MPH. This concern may be caused
by internal binding of the ball joint on the inner tie-rod ends of the steering rack during hot power steering fluid temperature
conditions.
--------------------
RJ
--java
Any opinions on that?
Find a empty parking lot, industrial court or somewhere that you can get going 10-20 MPH in reverse and stop the van completely. Do that a half dozen times, and your rear drum brakes should be adjusted. This will also save wear and tear on the front pads since the rears will do more work when properly adjusted.
Cheers,
TB
Haven't noticed anything coming back, but get it looked at now.
Rear springs and Tie Rods. I don't have the rear spring problem but might have the tie rod problem. Are either of these complicated repairs? My firm policy is to try to leave anything original as is unless it very definitely needs to be fixed or I am sure the dealer can't muck it up. No matter how good your repair person is, it's very hard to match factory quality in anything. Thanks for any input.
Who's paying is a very different issue
TB
However, in warranty, the cost is solely Mazda's.
We are approaching 1000 posts in this forum and most of them are about something else but MPV problem-related. I guess this will help new owners and people who consider buying MPV if we recollect our experiences with our MPVs briefly.
I suggest everyone post what year/trim you have, when bought, how much miles/kms you've put on it and what kind of problems (if any) you've experienced so far.
I guess I start first:
Model:
Silver 2000 MPV LX
+ Sports package (16" wheels, 6 CD changer, leather steering wheel)
+ fogs
Bought: August 2000
Mileage: ~19,000 km
Problems:
1. After buying the van I have noticed that the engine coolant level was dropping. No leaks were on the ground though. Refilled on the first oil change and in a couple of months the coolant was at low again. On next oil change I asked to inspect the cooling system and it appeared that it had an airpocket somewhere. After the air was removed, the coolant stays it a steady level. So not a real problem actually.
2. In the winter I noticed dash and door pillar rattle that was intermittent. Apparently when the plastic cools it deforms somehow and begin to rattle. But it wasn't persistent or for a long time. Now it is gone.
3. Rear drum brakes squeak when braking slowly. I went to a parking lot some day and practiced "stopping when reversing at high speed". Helped a little bit but still appears from time to time. I'm going to repeat the procedure soon. If this won't help, I'll ask the mechanic to inspect the brakes when I bring the van to 24,000 km inspection (the brakes must be inspected at that time anyway)...
I guess that's it for problems.
Model:
Emerald Mica 2000 LX
+ LX2 (Touring Package)
+ 6-disk changer
+ Four-Seasons
+ Rear A/C
+ Clutter Catcher
Bought:
August 1999 (Mfg 5/99)
So, this makes it an "early 2000" model
Mileage: 15,300miles
Fuel Economy: 18.5 Summer/16 Winter
Problems:
1. The most persistant item we've noticed is that the nut holding the spare tire tight works itself loose. Some "red" Loktite has solved this.
2. License plate frame rattled. Fixed with some double-sided tape.
3. Just noticed "da lean" and will address this with the dealer when we do our LOF in May.
4. Rear brakes also squeek sometimes, but this is from what's called "glazing" and like alex said, reverse braking stunts cure it. It is reoccurring tho.
Other than those small niggling things, we love ours and look forward to many years with it...and possibly another MPV in our stables.
--javadoc
I believe glazed brake noise cannot be cured by reversing and braking. The pads must be filed to roughen their surface or just replaced in severe cases... Just my 2 cents...
To improve this ,I will exchange to the Halogen type valve (lamp) for fog lights.
In the future, if the mazda sell the Xenon-H.I.D. headlights system for MPV, I will exchange it.
2000 Black LX
+Roof rack
+6 CD changer
+Touring package
+Rear Air
+Moon Roof
+GFX
Purchased February 28, 2001 (haven't been keeping great track of the MPG)
Miles: almost 900
Problems:
1. Cd's didn't load - took it in and they replaced the until works great now. Gotta love those Veggie Tales
2. No tether anchors for the child car seats - they installed them but charged $8 a piece for parts (I think it's standard in the 2001's)
3. Car seats were hard to install in the second row - looked at previous postings and figured out easier ways to do it. Now it's a snap.
4. "Thump" when braking - learned how to drive the van, if I can only convince my husband how to drive it it will be perfect.
5. My 2 yo doesn't like having the moonroof open - either just make her get used to it or leave it closed more often.
6. Also my 2 yo finds the keys and sets the alarm off (neighbors just love me.) - Put the keys up higher
As you can tell not a lot of huge problems with the van we love it.
2001 MPV LX Sand Mica
+ Security pkg. (side airbags, 15" alloy wheels w/locks, alarm, immobilizer, carpeted floor mats)
+ 4 seasons
+ Rear A/C
+ Roof rack
+ Step plate(rear bumper)
We purchased our MPV on 4/2/01(Mfg 11/00) and have about 600 miles.
Not a single problem yet.
My wife says she needs an PHD(engineering) to operate the wipers. Only complaint.
Approx 20 MPG, so far(mostly stop and go).
We love our MPV.
Noticed a "clicking" sound a week or so ago and discovered a 3/8" head of a nut or screw or something embedded smack dab in the middle of the tread of the left rear tire. Not knowing how long it might be and/or how deep it might be in, I didn't want to just remove it on the road, so called my dealer and drove it in. They removed it, plugged the tire and sent me on my way, no charge. I could have brought it to a local garage, but I figured I'd let the Mazda folks have at it.
Very pleased so far with the gas mileage; a low of 21.3 and a high of 23.7, without even being careful. I'll take it!
Oooh, oooh. Who's going to be message #1000?!
Security
Rear Air
Roof rack
Purchased: 2/10/01
Mileage: 1700
MPG: about 17 in all suburban driving (25 miles per day, round trip)
Problems:
1] a thoroughly revolting (and thoroughly embarrassing) "rotten-egg" odor noticeable only when car is standing still. Seems to be fading, blessedly.
2] RF seatbelt twisted in guide.
3] a brake pedal that seems lower than what I'm used to.
4] a glare on sunny days from the top of the dash.
Geez, with so much wrong, why did I ever buy this piece of trash?
And while I'm here, let me wax maudlin for a minute. I've asked a number of questions and expressed some "newbie" concerns on this and the other MPV forums. I've been amazed and really gratified at the responses I've gotten back. It seems that everybody who hangs out here wants nothing more than to help others who have any kind of need. And the advice is usually right on target. So, in case I haven't said it before, I'll say it now.
Thanks. You're really very nice people to know.
Thus endeth the maudlin maundering of the day.
RJ
While we're on the subject, it's been a while since we've discussed this, but am I the only one that's having the RF seatbelt racheting back, and if I'm not, am I alone in thinking it is absurd to have a racheting belt in that front row position. And... (deep breath) does anyone know if Mazda has a non-racheting mechanism that I can (even if it ain't free) replace that belt with? Guess that would be my only other annoyance with the MPV van, except that I don't seem to be able to run 11 second 1/4s, but hey, you can't have it all.
okay, back to loving our MPVs.
--Javadoc