Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Engine stalls or shut down completely when auto moves from high speed to low speed. Mazda 6 w/ 3.0 liter engine, which is the same engine as this unit, has a similar issue - see here: http://www.6crew.com/files/TSB/01-016-06-2135.pdf this is happening persistently for the last 2 years.
We own a 2005 Mazda MPV. Two years after purchasing the vehicle it started to shake and jerk as if it wanted to turn off, after taking it to the dealership it turns out the engine was misfiring due an ignition coil giving out. Nine months later it happens again. This time they replaced all 6 six ignition coils. Two years after replacing all six coils it happens again. This time they replaced the #3 coil. While at the dealership the service lady told us that this is a consistent problem with this vehicle and that we would have this problem with the coils for as long as we own the van. All three times that this has happened the car shakes and acts as if the engine wants to shut off. After vigorous research online we found out that we are not the only ones dealing with this problem. …
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 problem is with a faulty 2003 Mazda MPV pcv hose. Original Mazda recall number 2204h was conducted to replace the original faulty pcv hose. (note: when pcv hose collapsed, it caused a vacuum leak that affected my brake system and caused problems while in traffic, problem intensity was between minor and major) I had my pcv hose replaced in 2004 under the recall, but the replacement hose also collapsed. I've never heard of a pcv hose collapsing. I've heard of them becoming dry/brittle since it's a rubber hose, but I've never heard of a pcv hose collapsing until the Mazda recall. There is some vacuum on the hose, but it's not very strong, I don't think it's strong enough to cause a collapse. In my opinion, there needs to be a second recall to replace the now collapsing replacement hoses. I contacted Mazda corporation at 11:30 a.m. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Mazda MPV. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated when starting the vehicle. While driving at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle would jerk when shifting from first to second gear. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where one of the o2 sensors was replaced. Throughout the following year, the check engine light would intermittently illuminate on the dashboard before independently turning off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer several times where they were unable to diagnose the failure because the check engine light would no longer be illuminated. The vehicle then began to jerk when shifting gears at any speed. After conducting his own research, the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where all of the engine coils were replaced. …
2000-2003 Mazda MPV models have a coolant seepage from rear heater pipe which can cause severe engine failure and traffic hazard due to non-drivable vehicle. Mazda MPV 2002 was found to have a coolant leak in rear heater pipes and was taken to Mazda repair center. Mazda advised a vehicle should not be run without coolant since it can damage the engine, and replaced the lines for a cost of $1000 (parts + labor). MPV was driven 18 miles after completed repair, then the engine suffered a complete failure in traffic and vehicle stopped in the middle of an intersection, posing a danger to MPV passengers as well as other vehicles. Mazda repair center claims the engine failure is due to driving with low/no coolant prior to repair. …
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.
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle description: minivans equipped with engines supplied by Ford motor company cleveland engine plant. These engines are installed with fuel injectors that do not match the lower intake manifold
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lower intake manifold assembly.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda MPV years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (27), 2000 (26), 2002 (25), 2004 (24) and 2001 (15) model years. Engine complaints make up 24% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Mazda MPV engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 99V-171 (gasoline, Jul 7, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mazda MPV engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 39% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (29 mentions), followed by the exhaust system (20).
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.