Mazda

MPV (2nd)

2000-2006 · Minivan ยท 2 engines
Best Engine โŒ Avoid (1.5)
617 NHTSA Complaints
16 Recalls
13 Fire Reports
53 Crash Reports
๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

GYD

2.5L / 144 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.5)
167 complaints 83.5 per year
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
31
cooling
30
body
23
safety systems
19
other
18

Known Issues

Engine Issues (31 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (30 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (23 complaints)

AJD

3.0L 6-cyl / 180 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.3)
271 complaints 38.7 per year Gasoline
8 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
87
engine
67
cooling
55
safety systems
36
electrical
32

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (87 complaints)
Est. repair: $2,025โ€“$3,500 (18 reports)
Engine Issues (67 complaints)
Est. repair: $1,000โ€“$2,500 (7 reports)
Cooling System Issues (55 complaints)
Est. repair: $1,000โ€“$2,500 (7 reports)

10 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Mazda MPV regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (105 complaints)
engine critical
Cooling System Issues (92 complaints)
cooling critical
Transmission Issues (90 complaints)
transmission critical
Safety Systems Issues (56 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Electrical System Issues (33 complaints)
electrical critical

Recalls (16)

19V781000Oct 30, 2019critical
Air Bags

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

18V402000Jun 14, 2018critical
Air Bags

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

18V404000Jun 14, 2018critical
Air Bags

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2005-2009 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 17V-011 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

04V234000May 18, 2004serious
Vehicle Speed Control

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 DEFECTIVE CABLE INSTALLED DURING THAT REPAIR (GROUP 2).

04V073000Feb 16, 2004serious
Air Bags

AS A RESULT OF AN NCAP TEST, CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WAS NOT CORRECTLY WIRING.

04V282000Oct 5, 2004serious
Equipment

THE TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE INDICATED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS NOT CORRECT. THE LABELS SHOW THE MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE AS 240 KPA/32 PSI WHEN IT SHOULD BE SHOWN AS 240 KPA/35 PSI. AS A RESULT OF THIS ERROR, THE LOAD RATIOS FOR THE 205/65R15 94H AND THE 215/60R16 95H TIRES EXCEED THE LEVELS PERMITTED BY FMVSS 120.

04V109000Sep 2, 2004cosmetic
Equipment

CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AIR BAG WARNING LABELS INTENDED FOR THE CANADIAN MARKET. THUS, THE LABELS CONTAIN WARNINGS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND FRENCH. AS A RESULT, THE AREA OF THE ENGLISH WARNING IS ONLY 16 SQUARE CENTIMETERS, AS OPPOSED TO THE 30 SQUARE CENTIMETERS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

03V053000Feb 12, 2003cosmetic
Exterior Lighting

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT FOG LIGHTS,THE FOG LIGHT BULB SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.

03V206000May 5, 2003cosmetic
Exterior Lighting

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOCKET HOLDER IN THE FOG LIGHTS IS INSTALLED IN THE LAMP CASING USING PRESSURE. DURING OPERATION OF THE FOG LIGHT, THE HEAT FROM THE BULB CAN EXPAND THE SOCKET HOLDER. THE EXPANSION CAN FORCE THE SOCKET HOLDER REARWARD. AFTER REPEATEDLY BEING SUBJECT TO THIS EXPANSION, IF THE FOG LIGHT IS ALSO SUBJECTED TO VIBRATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE SOCKET HOLDER WITH THE BULB HOLDER AND THE WIRING HARNESS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FOG LIGHT CASING.

02V078000Mar 19, 2002cosmetic
Equipment

CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." AN INCORRECT GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) WAS INDICATED ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL.

02V196001May 7, 2002serious
Air Bags

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES WERE NOT PROPERLY WELDED AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION.

01V382000Dec 16, 2001serious
Service Brakes

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 THE STANDARD.

00V113001Nov 3, 2000cosmetic
Equipment

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE MINI VANS DO NOT HAVE TIRE INFORMATION LABELS THAT COMPLY WITH SECTION 5.3 OF FMVSS 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

00V113002Nov 3, 2000cosmetic
Equipment

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT 16 INCH TIRES. THESE MINI VANS DO NOT HAVE THE CORRECT RECOMMENDED COLD INFLATION PRESSURE ON THE LABEL AND THUS DO NOT COMPLY WITH SECTION 5.1.2 OF FMVSS 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."

99V191000Jul 15, 1999serious
Latches/Locks/Linkages

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. DUE TO THE INAPPROPRIATE SHAPE OF THE LINKAGE IN THE REAR DOOR LOCK CONTROLLER, ACCUMULATED DUST MAY PREVENT THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM FROM FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, CAUSING INCOMPLETE LOCKING OF THE DOOR WHEN THE CHILDPROOF LOCKING SYSTEM IS USED.

99V171000Jul 6, 1999cosmetic
Engine & Cooling

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

Alternatives in Minivan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2006 Mazda MPV problems?

The 2000-2006 Mazda MPV has accumulated 617 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Cooling System, Transmission. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Mazda MPV engine is most reliable?

The 2000-2006 Mazda MPV was offered with 12 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.0L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2000-2006 Mazda MPV a good used car?

The 2000-2006 Mazda MPV can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 617 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2006 Mazda MPV have?

The 2000-2006 Mazda MPV has 617 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2000-2006 Mazda MPV?

There are 16 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2000-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Mazda MPV?

Before buying a used Mazda MPV, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Cooling System, Transmission, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the MPV have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2006 Mazda MPV. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 617 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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