2003 Mazda MPV: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Sep 15, 2008 · Transmission · CA

Transmission slips, usually going from 2nd to 3rd, and sometimes 1st to 2nd. Usually happens when I try to accelerate hard. Engine revs up and the transmission slips, then with a big clunk the gear engages. Seems to me like a severe safety issue if you cannot accelerate yourself out of a potential side impact. And this must be hard on the transmission too. I've checked this out with two separate dealers, once right after I got the vehicle in 2003 and once in 2005. Both dealers could not reproduce the problem, but this happens to me quite often, at least a couple of times a month. I know that the service bulletin is out on this, but now my warranty is expired. At any rate, I don't feel like taking it into the dealer and wasting my time only to be told that there is nothing wrong with it.

Filed Mar 27, 2006 · Transmission · NY

Transmission slips and then slams into gear.

Filed Oct 28, 2004 · Transmission · CA

1) transmission has very hard shift from 2nd to 3rd gear. Problem is intermittent. 2) occurred at least once a day and mostly in local traffic. 3) took it to the long beach mazda dealer to reprogram the TCM but the problem still occurring.

Filed Jun 25, 2004 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · TX

Transmission shifting rough. It seems the transmission is slipping and then slams into gear. It happens every day, some days more than others and some days harder than others. Sometimes I feel like I am going to get whiplash whenever it slams into gear. I have been complaining about this problem since late last year but the dealer cannot seem to fix it. They keep replacing the coils but that does not solve the problem. They mentioned that they seem to be having this problem with a lot of 2003 mpv's. It has been to the shop five times since january and it is still not fixed.

Filed Feb 17, 2004 · Transmission · 5,600 miles · NC

Transmission between 2nd and 3rd gear- in the last month or so, we have noticed a hesitation and then hard shift into third gear during regular city driving. We spent 2/16/2004 at the dealership for an oil change, tire rotation, and examination of this problem. They performed a reflash of the TCM/ptm and left the dealership satisfied. About 15 minutes later, it started again. We called back and as of this morning, we have scheduled a drive with the transmission mechanic. I have noticed a number of complaints here and on edmunds.com. I really hope this can be solved for an otherwise great minivan.

Filed Jan 23, 2004 · Transmission · 1,500 miles · KS

Transmission lags, then slams into gear on 2-3 shift, particularly under inconsistent acceleration (such as in traffic). Causes noise, uncomfortable jerk, potentially dangerous driving situation when other vehicles are close.

Filed Jan 2, 2004 · Transmission · NJ

My wife and I purchased a 2003 mazda mpv in august. We are very happy overall with the vehicle. However, about 70% of the time when the van is shifting between 2nd and 3rd gears the tranmission hesitates and shifts hard. The tranmission makes a clunking sound. We brought the vehicle to the crystal auto mall on november 28th and they said that the computer needed to be updated and that it was fixed. After a couple of days we realized that the problem was not fixed. We received a survey from mazda to measure our satisfaction of the repair and it was indicated that the problem was not fixed. We never heard from mazda. We brought the van back to the dealer on december 30th and were told that the technician needed to speak with mazda to fix the transmission. As of today (january 2nd) they still haven't spoken with mazda about the problem. I mentioned to the service manager that a lot of people seem to be having the same problem and he admitted that the problem exists for some mpvs. My wife called mazda to complain about the service taking so long and that this is the 2nd time the van was brought in, but mazda's response was that the dealer was working on the problem. The van has less than 6,000 miles on it, so hopefully the problem will be fixed or we will be looking into invoking our state's lemon law.

Filed Dec 16, 2003 · Transmission · 3,000 miles · MN

The transmission did not shift smoothly. The motor revved up then slammed into gear, which caused the vehicle to jump. Provide further details................................................................

Filed Dec 5, 2003 · Transmission · WA

You can add me to the list of people who are experiencing the hard shift problem that many others have described as an intermittent hard slam of the trans in my new $30,000 mazda mpv. It occurs when the van has been driven for a while and happens when shifting from 2nd to 3rd around 30mi per hr. I have taken it to the original dealer and they admit that there is a problem but they won't try to fix it because they say they currently they have no fix from mazda. I emailed mazda and they admit that there is no fix but they are working with the manufacturer of the transmission. I am trying to file for lemon law arbitration with the attorney general at this time. I need four work orders from the dealers which means 4 days without a car and time off work . The second dealer I took it to said my van was working as it was designed to even though I tried to show the service manager the email from mazda that as good as confesses that they are having problems with the transmissions on 2003/2004 mpv's. The area dealer service rep for mazda wouldn't help me either. I think it's time for me to call my friends at cbs news and get mazda on 20/20 and have them answer some pointed questions, like why don't they stand behind their cars and give us the service we all deserve. If you want to see more complaints go to edmunds.com there are over 3000 + complaints and counting. I think mazda won't do anything about this until some one is either in an accident or hurt as a result of the trans. Problem. My recommendation is don't buy a mazda mpy van.

Filed Nov 6, 2003 · Transmission · 4,000 miles · NY

Vehicle has clunking when it shifts from 2nd to 3rd especially at slower speeds vehicle has been to the shop 4 times and problem still exists. Dealer installed 2 new software updates. Dealer that has tried fixing problem is new country- mazda saratoga springs ny.