Most common 2001 Mazda MPV problems
Share of the 70 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda MPV complaints by model year
Best MPV years: 2006, 1998, 1995. Years to avoid: 2000, 2002, 2003, 2001, 2004. Compare all years →
2001 Mazda MPV recalls (3)
Vehicle speed control › Cables
On certain minivans equipped with cruise control, the cruise control actuator cable May be broken due to insufficient strength (group 1). Also included are certain 2000-2001 minivans equipped with cruise control built between March 31, 1999 and March 31, 2001, that have had the cruise control repaired and possibly had a…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the actuator cable. Owner notification for vehicles involved in group 1 began on July 7, 2004. Owner notification for vehicles involved in group 2 began on September 10, 2004.
Air bags › Frontal
On certain passenger vehicles, some of the passenger air bag modules were not properly welded and May not deploy in a collision.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module. Owner notification began October 4, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: certain Mini vans without anti-lock braking systems (ABS) fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, "passenger car brake systems." due to inappropriate brake pipe layout, these vehicles do not meet the brake stopping distance with partial failure requirements of…
Remedy: Dealers will modify the brake system. Owner notification began January 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
What 2001 Mazda MPV owners say
Engine & cooling
I am experiencing a malfunctioning number 1 spark plug for my 2001 Mazda MPV dx. Prior to the check engine light illuminating, the vehicle experiences serious hesitation when speeding up. I live near many railroad crossings and the hesitation is serious enough for me to question whether the vehicle will stop altogether. I have had the check engine light serviced three times. Each time the dealer claims that the number 1 spark plug is cracked. The spark plug is covered by the standard warranty, so the dealer replaces it without question. I am concerned with the situation when my warranty runs out, soon, whether this problem will continue. Replacing the spark plug is not a trivial task. I currently have 39,000 miles on the vehicle and have owned it for 2.5 years. The standard warranty is 3yrs/50,000miles. …
Dealer installed a rebuilt g4ael transmission and a rebuilt catalytic converter in a 2001 Mazda MPV lx van on February 5, 2008. I purchased this van on March 26, 2008. I was not informed of the installation of the used parts in a van only seven years old. On May 11, 2009, the van broke down while traveling. Two of the parts that need to be replaced again are the transmission and catalytic converter. The additional repairs needed is a used motor and headgasket. Major repairs which I can not have done on a car that lasted one year and fifteen days. The consumer reports notified me that the engine was underpowered until the 2002 upgrade to a 3.0 liter v-6 and a live-speed automatic. Now, the Mazda MPV lx van was discontinued after the 2006 model year. I am without a car and my money. Mazda USA and the dealer have not helped me get transportation.
Air bags
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Mazda MPV. The contact was driving 55 MPH when the contact crashed into another vehicle. The contact's vehicle then spun around and crashed into the same vehicle a second time from the front end. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy. The contact and the other driver were injured and a police report was filed. The contact stated that the manufacturer refused to inspect the vehicle for the air bag failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 02V196000 (air bags: frontal) . The failure and the current mileages were 120,000. Updated 02/02/12 updated 02/08/12
Tl contact owns a 2001 Mazda MPV. While the contact was sitting in the vehicle, the passenger side air bag deployed without an impact or crash occurring. She thought her back was on fire and rolled around in the grass. The contact was taken to the emergency room for first degree burns, a contusion, and possibly a broken rib. A police report was filed. The contact is pregnant and unable to have x-rays performed. The manufacturer stated that they could not assist. The current and failure mileages were 100,934.
Transmission & drivetrain
When I initially bought this vehicle it had been through previous owners and I have been trying to fix things but am a single mother of three and I just can afford much but I happen to put the yr make and model into the google one day and notice of recalls and as I read the same as whats I had already noticed had already happened and I figured I could live with it but I woke up one morning got in it and boom driving for ten minutes and boom all of a sudden I have no gears and then I get 1st and nothing else then eventually no reverse , so after almost getting stuck in the cold streets with a baby and my friend, I barely made it home I wanna know why such a nice vehicle is so fuct!!! And why did I get a bunk deal. Like I thought this was my break finally I wont have to worry so much about a vehicle just the other stuff, but to my dismay........... Here we are?????? …
Tl contact owns 2001 Mazda MPV. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact noticed smoke or steam around the vehicle. The contact was able to exit the highway and contacted aaa to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The contact did not know what caused the failure. The transmission and catalytic converter were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 112,954. Updated 03/08/11 updated 05/24/11 updated 12/20/11
2001 Mazda MPV engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Mazda MPV a good car?
Based on 70 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 MPV rates avoid: 2.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the MPV at the same age. It is one of the MPV years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Mazda MPV?
The engine & cooling — 15 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the air bags (11) and transmission & drivetrain (10).
How many recalls does the 2001 Mazda MPV have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2001 Mazda MPV, the most recent from May 19, 2004 (cables). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda MPV?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2006, 1998 and 1995. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 2002, 2003, 2001 and 2004. See the full Mazda MPV years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Mazda MPV problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 74,000 miles; 38% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.