Mazda MPV Problems by Year
NHTSA has 655 owner complaints and 17 safety recalls on file for the Mazda MPV, across 12 model years (1995–2006). The 2000 model year has the most complaints (149). The most reported problem area overall is power train.
Mazda MPV years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical MPV year: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2000 MPV: 149 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2002 MPV: 124 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2003 MPV: 113 complaints, 4 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 1999 MPV: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2006 MPV: 12 complaints, 2 recalls
- 1996 MPV: 18 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mazda MPV problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 135 | 11 | 2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 128 | 10 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 82 | 10 | 40 |
| Electrical System | 66 | 10 | 1 |
| Structure | 43 | 7 | 3 |
| Tires | 37 | 11 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 37 | 7 | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 32 | 10 | 9 |
| Seat Belts | 26 | 7 | 7 |
| Suspension | 26 | 10 | 0 |
| Engine | 19 | 8 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 19 | 7 | 1 |
| Equipment | 17 | 7 | 1 |
| Visibility | 14 | 8 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 12 | 8 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 | 5 | 0 |
| Seats | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Steering | 9 | 5 | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Wheels | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Mazda MPV problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2002: power train (66)
All Mazda MPV model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 MPV | 12 | 2 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2005 MPV | 36 | 3 | — | Air Bags | More complaints than other years |
| 2004 MPV | 71 | 5 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2003 MPV | 113 | 4 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2002 MPV | 124 | 4 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2001 MPV | 70 | 3 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 MPV | 149 | 5 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1999 MPV | 2 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1998 MPV | 19 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1997 MPV | 22 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 1996 MPV | 18 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 1995 MPV | 19 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Fewer complaints than other years |
More from Mazda: all Mazda models · Mazda VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda MPV years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2000 (149), 2001 (70), 2002 (124), 2003 (113), 2004 (71) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical MPV year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mazda MPV?
Power Train, with 135 complaints across 11 model years.
How many recalls does the Mazda MPV have?
17 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.