Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Mazda MPV owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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). …
Prolong off and on ticking sound in the engine , finally thought it was a belt took it to a shop to have belts changed or checked , mechanic said it is not your belts it is your engine, so we had to have it towed at our expense to the dealer we bought it from to have engine checked or replaced , and now Mazda won't warranty it !!! The mechanic from where we bought it from ,got kind of nasty and told us to get our dam car out of his f-ing shop , we were upset because Mazda won't replace engine , now I am stuck with a 15,000 dollar car no engine !!!! …
The engine coils have failed 4 times since we have owned the vehicle. Last night while traveling on the interstate in the rain, key words, in the rain it started again. I am sure at least one if not two coils went this time. Just had a coil and all the boots that are suppose to protect the coils and keep the moisture out replaced in February, 2012. It always happens when it rains. Mazda is well aware of the situation and has done nothing to fix this issue except to stop using this system and start making their cars differently. But what about the people who own the older models? This is a dangerous situation as I was on the highway, at night, and it was pouring down rain and the van starts slowing down and sputtering along, with traffic traveling behind me. …
With our Mazda 2004 MPV, we have had four separate incidents in 2 1/4 years from mar 2008 through June 2010 where the check engine light has come on to indicate an engine problem. In each incident, the vehicle runs very rough and very slow. Each incident resulted in us taking the vehicle to the Mazda dealership where some or all of the ignition coils were replaced. For some of the incidents, the vehicle was out of warranty but in each incident all or some of the costs were covered by Mazda. In 2 of the incidents, we were out of town and it was dark. In another incident, we were leaving town, and the other, we were in town. Now, we will not take the vehicle out of town for fear of completely breaking down at night or in unsafe conditions. On the internet, I find very many similar incidents for the Mazda MPV.
My radiator fan constantly runs intermittently but with increasing lengths of time, regardless of the weather (hot, cold.) the engine does not overheat. But the lights dim at night when the fan kicks in and creates a loud humming sound that is becoming more irritating. I read on the web that many earlier models of the Mazda had a recall for the fan control module up to 2003. My vehicle is not in the recall, but I noticed a lot of people on the web have models after the recall period and we all have the same problem as the recalled modules. (sp-60 I think is the recall notice.) I'm not sure I am contacting the right office, but how do you get this on the recall program or determine that the faulty modules aren't creating the same problem for models made after the recalled versions? Can you help?
At approx. 50,000 miles my 2004 Mazda MPV's 'check engine light' went on. When I brought the car in for service I was told an ignition coil had to be replaced. At approx. 60,000 miles, the same thing happened ... The car's check engine light ' came on and, again, an ignition coil had to be replaced. I have since learned from web postings that this ignition coil problem May be a fairly common repair on 2004 Mazda Mini-vans and I'm wondering if this is a design defect that should be addressed through a recall and repair by Mazda. Were I on a highway when the light came on ... The car lost acceleration capacity and became very difficult to drive ... I could have been in a serious accident. I am now concerned that this ignition coil problem May continue to re-occur in the future.
2004 Mazda MPV purchased on feb. 28, 2004. On mar. 27, 2004, engine failed without warning lights. Fortunately, car was idle when engine failed. Only had 1,100 miles on vehicle. Manufacturer has not been cooperative in diagnosing the problem. Initial assessment by the dealer tech at star Mazda in glendale, ca was that connecting rod failed and engine seized. Dealer stated that Mazda's own tech people would have to take a look at the engine to diagnose problem. It has already been a week. Requested vehicle to be towed to 1000 oaks Mazda, where I purchased the vehicle. Mazda still not given approval for that towing. Still waiting
2004 Mazda MPV - transmission issues and engine coil failures. Transmission has shift shock, where the vehicle slams into the next gear at 20 MPH. The shock sends the vehicle dangerously forward. Mazda had two service bulletins for this defect which included replacing sensors and switches. Mazda also supplied a diagram to instruct drivers to "wiggle" the gear selector between gears. None of this solved the problems. Engine coils were replaced three times at 24,000 miles, 32,000 miles, and 35,000 miles. This caused the vehicle to stop running correctly while driving.
My 2004 Mazda MPV suffered the same problem as many other consumers. On two different occasions I had to replace all of the coils and plugs on my vehicle. The first instance was just after the warranty expired and involved one of the rear coils but the said I should replace all three rear coils. The second incident occurred two months later to the front coil and I replaced all of those - total cost $900. I complained to Mazda but they wouldn't do anything for me. This should be recalled and owners compensated.
Persistent ticking sound from engine, which has become louder with passing of time. TSB re ticking sound has been performed by showcase Mazda, and on follow-up visit they advised situation is normal, the ticking sound notwithstanding. A respected independent auto repair service, combs automotive, advised the engine absolutely should not be making the ticking sound with only 30K miles on it. Please note that below I show incident date as this month, but it has become more pronounce over past few weeks.
Engine complaints in other MPV years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Mazda MPV?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Mazda MPV, 34% of the model year's 71 complaints. The component named most often is engine (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Mazda MPV engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2004 Mazda MPV, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Mazda MPV engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 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.