My 2003 mazda mpv has a horrible transmission shifting problem. Took it to dealer and they said it's the transmission control module. They charged me 1,500 dollars to install new and and reflash it and the transmission still doesn't shift properly.
The worst 2003 Mazda MPV problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission35
- Engine27
- Electrical16
- Airbags10
- Acceleration9
- Body8
- Brakes7
- Seat belts3
- Steering3
- Tires3
- Suspension2
- Visibility2
- Wheels2
- Driver assistance1
- Fuel system1
- Locks1
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Mazda MPV
Check engine light 10Harsh shifting 10Slipping 9Stalling 9Jerking 7Hesitation 5
Recalls 4
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- The tire inflation pressure indicated on the vehicle certification label is not correct. The labels show the maximum tire pressure as 240 kpa/32 psi when it should be shown as 240 kpa/35 psi. As a result of this error, the load ratios for the 205/65r15 94h and the 215/60r16 95h tires exceed the levels permitted by fmvss 120.
- Risk
- If the tire is operated in an under-inflated condition, the load carrying capacity of the vehicle may be compromised, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with a corrected label that they can apply to their vehicle, or they can have a dealer install the label, if desired. The recall began on july 16, 2004. Owners should contact mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500, option #4.
Recall number 04V282000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- Certain minivans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "occupant crash protection." some of these vehicles were produced with air bag warning labels intended for the canadian market. Thus, the labels contain warnings in both english and french. As a result, the area of the english warning is only 16 square centimeters, as opposed to the 30 square centimeters required by the standard.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with air bag caution labels and installation instructions which were mailed on july 22, 2004. Owners should contact mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500.
Recall number 04V109000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: fog lights
- What is wrong
- On certain mini vans and passenger vehicles, the socket holder in the fog lights is installed in the lamp casing using pressure. During operation of the fog light, the heat from the bulb can expand the socket holder. The expansion can force the socket holder rearward. After repeatedly being subject to this expansion, if the fog light is also subjected to vibration during vehicle operation, the socket holder with the bulb holder and the wiring harness may separate from the fog light casing.
- Risk
- Should this occur, the bulb socket and the harness can drop inside the bumper and possibly but rarely, the heat generated by the bulb can cause the bumper to burn.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a spring to prevent the socket holder from separating from the lamp case. Owner notification began on july 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500.
Recall number 03V206000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: fog lights
- What is wrong
- On certain mini vans equipped with front fog lights,the fog light bulb socket may have been installed improperly.
- Risk
- If the vehicle continues to be used with this condition, the bulb socket and the wiring harness may separate from the fog light housing if exposed to shock and/or vibration and drop inside the bumper. Should this occur, the operation of the fog light may then cause the bumper to burn.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the installation condition of the fog light bulb assembly, and repair it when necessary. Owner notification began march 31, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500.
Recall number 03V053000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Mazda MPV 126
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red....
- A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating
- In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems
- Speedometer replacement procedure
- Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
- Mazda can no longer support the replacement of immobilizer units LC62-67-5G2 or DC69-67-5G2 because the...
2003 Mazda MPV fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16 | 23 | 18 |
What 2003 Mazda MPV owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I would like to report the vance who is the auto manager at sears auto in salem, oregon at 955 lancaster drive ne salem, oregon 97301. I bought 4 new tires in june 2018 and purchased a road hazard plus warranty. In between this incident I am reporting to you; I reported vance for being very unprofessional to me in the store, making demeaning comments to me, and denying me the opportunity to buy all season tires that were available online. I filed a complaint in july after going in for an oil change and vance doing something to my headlights when he was not asked to. I am reporting that every part that I replace new on my car; vance went to that area (new headlights, new rotors) and caused me to have to go receive additional work (which I did on my rotors, I had to have them machined even though I had new ones put on in 2016. New rotors last more than 1 brake pad change). I received that work on september 10, 2018 at another automotive shop. I went to sears on september 10, 2018 because my tire was low. My tires are still under warranty. Vance from sears auto in salem, oregon stated he would not service my car because I filed a report with sears customer service. He stated I can drive to sears in beaverton, oregon when vance knew I had a nail in my tire. He was putting my safety at risk. I had to go buy another tire, call the district manager (leo), and have him approve for my tire to be changed in salem and to be reimbursed for the tire that I paid for. Leo was very professional and fixed the situation but I am reporting vance attempting to compromise my safety, working on areas of my car I did not ask or approve, unprofessional abuse, and for discrimination. There are other customers that have filed customer service complaints against this salem auto shop in salem, oregon but they were still able to utilize their warranty. I appreciate your investigati
It stalls with no apparent reason while driving on city streets
Both sunvisors mirror housings drops hanging from the cables every time you lower the sunvisors. It happens stationary and in motion. Can't virtually use sunvisors.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda mpv. The contact stated that 48 hours after purchasing the vehicle from honda of winter haven in winter haven, florida, the passenger side air bag deployed when the key was inserted into the ignition. The front passenger's right arm and lung were bruised and was taken to the hospital by the driver. The passenger was treated and released. The police was contacted, but a report was not filed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.
Takata recall it say sr on the seat.... This is what happens, my wife and I work for a satellite company as installers. Sat at 4:30pm we arrive at customer house to perform the installation. .. Turn the car off I take the keys as normal.greet the customer and did a site surver 5 min.. Pass and we decided to go back to the car to do paper work and turn AC on.... Well my wife got on th passenger side and I in the driver side we close the door and I present the key to turn on car.. The passenger side air bag on the seat deploye and injure my wife on her arms and back rib cage neck bones breathing sharp pain on the lung area making her short of breath. While she received the impact with out expecting the hit she thought she was shot she lost continence and fall into trauma and stress levels till I realize it was the air bag had deployed while car was in park. This happen while the vehicle was in park and off no ignition keys and happen when I presented the key to turn it on. Now she leaves in fear what if the next car do the same and it has affected her life putting her in painful misery mental and suffering the ignorance and unprofessional has affected my family. .. Mazda it's responsible... Thank god she it's alive and we wasn't driving. I declare the vehicle unsafe and should be a re call now please. Let's safe life's. Thank you! Some it's liable for what happen to her this vehicle I got it from the honda dealer of winter haven fl they have been very helpful and kind trying to help us the best way. I need help I am loosing time at work and all the difficulties we going through. What can you do?
Car was stationary and in park. Upon turning key in ignition, the passenger side air bag deployed. Mazda service agent could find no mechanical cause. It is not normal wear and tear. Resulting airbags cannot be turned on, leaving us with a vehicle with no airbag protection. Mazda declined our request to replace the faulty airbag system, and only offered us a 500 credit toward the purchase of another vehicle. This offer does not equal the book value of the car, and certainly the real value of a paid for reliable vehicle in great condition.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda mpv. The contact stated that the engine was misfiring due to a coil spring fracture that randomly occurred several times. The contact stated that the previous owner had to replace four coil springs that prematurely fractured. The contact later owned the vehicle in mid april 2015 and also had to replace two coil springs that fractured prematurely. The dealer also replaced a gasket cover. In addition, the dealer diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced due to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no permanent solution. Tha manufacturer indicated that the catalytic converter was on back order so the contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda mpv. While driving 60 MPH on a highway, the front passenger side air bag exploded and made a loud sound without warning. The contact sustained injuries and received medical attention due to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 129,850.
Every time this mazda mpv gets a little wet it will not go over 40 MPH. I have contacted the dealership with no return phone call or email. The coils allow moisture to get in which will cause the vehicle to think it is overheating and will not go no matter what you do. I was on the highway when this happened in jacksonville during rush hour and being stuck in the middle of no where because of a faulty coil that the dealership does not want to take responsibility for, is beyond frustrating. I have kids that have been in the vehicle other times when this has happened and we had to sit in the van or go to gas stations and wait until it was somewhat derivable again. I have read forum after forum and there seems to be a lot of people having this issue with their mpv, ranging from 1993-2006 models. Something needs to be done with this before someone gets hurt.
Compare the 2003 Mazda MPV
Other model years
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Questions about the 2003 Mazda MPV
Is the 2003 Mazda MPV reliable?
Owners have filed 113 complaints about the 2003 Mazda MPV, 1.6 times a typical MPV model year.
What is the 2003 Mazda MPV year score?
The 2003 Mazda MPV scores 55 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mazda MPV: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Mazda MPV?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 35 complaints, typically around 7,000 miles. Next is engine (27).
How many recalls does the 2003 Mazda MPV have?
4 recalls, covering equipment and exterior lighting.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mazda MPV get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Mazda MPV range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16 city and 23 highway.
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