Mazda MPV hesitation problems

Filed Apr 28, 2015 · Engine · 70,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda mpv. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle would also not accelerate properly and shook while idling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine coil pack failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Apr 5, 2010 · Electrical · 23,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 mazda mpv. While driving at speeds of 30 MPH, the vehicle began hesitating as if it were attempting to stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they replaced the electrical coil to the cylinder. The repairs were performed under factory warranty. The failure recurred within a year and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic placed insulating materials around the coil to prevent moisture from entering the coil. The mechanic advised when moisture would enter the electrical coils; it would cause a shortage contributing to the failure. In addition, when the engine was shut off, the cooling fan would continue operating. The failure persisted. There were no recalls for the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

Filed Oct 26, 2009 · Electrical · 35,000 miles · NY

Like many other mazda mpv owners, I've experienced problems with the vehicle's ignition coils. In august 2008, the vehicle was riding very rough and hesitating on the highway. The diagnostics for the check engine light showed that one of the ignition coils had misfired. I had the coil replaced and, at the recommendation of the dealership, replaced the spark plugs. At that time, my vehicle with approximately 35,000 miles on it, was out of warranty. I paid $476 for the repair but was ultimately reimbursed by mazda on a customer goodwill basis. One year later, in august 2009, the vehicle again began riding rough and hesitating. When the check engine light came on, I brought the vehicle to the dealership. Based on the earlier experience, I suspected an ignition coil as the culprit. My suspicions were realized. The dealership found that cylinder #5 had misfired and that several other coils were weak. The dealer indicated that the other coils were likely to go and recommended that all of them be replaced. I had the work done at a cost of $960. The vehicle at this point had only 46,000 miles on it. Both repairing dealerships mentioned that this is a common problem with mpvs. From my research, I can see that is a significant problem for 2002-2006 mpv's. Entire message boards are dedicated to this mazda mpv ignition coil defect. Most believe that there's a design flaw that prevents the coils from dispersing moisture properly, which over time leads the cylinders to misfire. It seems to me that mazda should have voluntarily recalled the vehicle due to this issue. Having previously made a customer accommodation on the earlier repair, mazda has refused to reimburse me for the costs of this latest repair. It's unfortunate that mazda has chosen to deal with the problem on a customer-by-customer basis, rather than having voluntarily recalled the vehicle in order to address this very common problem.

Filed Jun 29, 2009 · Transmission · 42,395 miles · NY

A few weeks ago I had noticed that my 2003 mazda mpv was jerking or hesitating. I only have 42,395 miles on it. I took it to one place and was told it sounds like transmission trouble to them. I brought in to aamco and was told it was the torque converter and they showed me where the metal was etched out>my warranty expired in april 2007 I was told I was lucky to address this problem now before the entire engine seized. I have been a mazda owner since 1993 first I had a protege then the 626 now I own the mpv I am shocked that this would happen so soon with so little mileage/ to replace everything it will cost me $3480 what a shame!!!!

Filed Jun 10, 2009 · Engine · 71,498 miles · DC

Mazda mpv 2004 vehicle's engine hesitated when driving in rain at any speed. This began happening before mileage and date listed below. This is a safety hazard when particularly when it occurred while driving on the washington metro beltway. An assistant service manager at, rosenthal mazda arlington, 750 n. Glebe road, arlington, va. ( 703/527-3000) advised that this problem was known to mazda for the past five years and required air induction service every 12,000-15,000 miles. We never were warned of this problem or the need for the specific preventable maintenance by either the company or rosenthal mazda. The repair cost $2000 and could have been avoided if mazda had advised owners of the need for preventable maintenance (air intake manifold). I repeat that this is a safety issue, causing the driver to be distracted and the car to accelerate poorly, particularly when the engine is hesitating while driving at high speeds in congested traffic. Please contact mazda and investigate and require them to send warnings and reimburse those who suffered monetary damage as a result of their lack of warning.

Filed May 8, 2009 · Electrical · 51,000 miles · IL

Significant engine missing on acceleration caused vehicle to hesitate while clearing intersection. Near miss on major accident. Mechanic states that this is a very common problem on the 2003 mpv due to defective ignition coils. Repair is to replace all 6 coils as it is unknown which is causing the misfire.

Filed Nov 10, 2008 · Engine · 63,135 miles · CT

2004 mazda mpv with 63k miles. Has broken down 5 times with same problem affecting one of two different coils. Engine light comes on. Van hesitates/shakes. No loss of life, but plenty of lost wages etc and mazda rep not cooperative. $400 and average 3 days in shop each time to repair. Mechanic guessed problem before I even told him. States that they see this all the time with the mpv's.

Filed Aug 20, 2008 · Engine · 38,000 miles · FL

At 38,000 miles, the van started to have intermittent hesitations that randomly occurred. I needed to replace all ignition coils at a cost in excess of $600.

Filed Jul 14, 2008 · Engine, Fuel system · 85,000 miles · NJ

Since new, hesitates between 40-50 MPH, causing sudden loss of power, high rpms but no acceleration. Removing foot from gas van sometimes recovers. Has had transmission control module replaced as a result, then ignition coils were blamed and those were replaced one by one, sometimes more than once, then coolant temperature sensor went, now at 85,000 transmission went. Each event stranded my family by the side of the road and car had to be towed.

Filed Apr 5, 2007 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · NY

Transmission failure after 5 documented trips to dealer about transmission problems: - car bought 2/2002. - 8/6/02-10,816 - hesitation from start. Wife complaining of poor driving characteristics. Dealer couldn't verify anything, even that the cel was on. - 2/21/03 - 21,065 - rough downshifting. Wife thought tranny was slipping and kicking in. Dealer flashed tranny per tsb on the 3-2 downshift known problem. - 8/27/03 - 26,235 - poor shifting. Dealer said shift solenoid sticking. Flashed TCM again. (not sure what they did to correct solenoid) - 11/19/04 - 41,979 - tranny & torque converter flushed after complaining of poor driving again. Note: - contacted mazda corporate about the lack of transmission maintenance in owners manual. Mazda said there's no maintenance required! - 4/4/07 - 94,xxx - without warning, no accelerating, car simply stopped moving on the highway. Tranny was slipping bad and my wife was nearly killed pulling off the highway! Fluid level was ok, color was ok, but it smelled burnt. Car required towing. It was diagnosed with total transmission failure. I called mazda USA, who said the car is out of warranty and no assistance will be offered. I called the dealership where it was always serviced, and they said that they've never seen mazda support a car out of warranty like this. I complained to both about how this was a documented problem from new. If I was smart, I would have filed a lemon law complaint and gotten a full refund back then, but they just kept insisting it was a TCM program. I never imagined that the TCM would be able to cause the tranny to physically fail. Also, the fact that these trannies have internal, non-serviceable filters is just poor design. Lastly, honda has the same issue with their odessy, but they are covering the repairs in full! My friend had his tranny replaced at 88k miles! I'm exploring legal avenues of recourse.