2002 Mazda MPV Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 19%of 124 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 24,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Mazda MPV, 19% of the 124 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 24,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Loud tapping noise existed for several months, sounded like a valve tapping. Problem was a cracked exhaust manifold. Dealer found cracked manifold and a stripped attaching bolt. Both were replaced. Manufacturer subsequently repaid me for cost of parts. I paid labor.”
NHTSA complaint #10227894, filed 2008-05, 66,815 miles“My 2002 MPV suffered a complete transmission failure at about 75k miles, stalling out in morning traffic and needing to be pushed from the road. The transmission occasionally kicked when shifting since the car was new. I called Mazda, which refused to pay anything toward the repair, saying it had relinquished liability for a vehicle several years past warranty. Despite what I see in NHTSA's complaint log and elsewhere on the net, Mazda told me that it does not agree that the transmission on the 2002 MPV is unusually prone to failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10256614, filed 2009-01, 75,000 miles“The transmission bucks when shifting out of first gear. This happens mainly after accelerating, letting your foot off the gas, and then re-accelerating. The car has been in several times for the same issue, and it continures to occur. The dealership does not consider this a warranty issue, though we have had the same problem with the car since we the 2nd week we owned the vehicle. It should be noted that there have been a number of transmission updates that the vehicle has gone through as part of service. In addition there is a sulfur smell emitted by the exhaust system. …”
NHTSA complaint #10030499, filed 2003-07, 34 miles“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). …”
NHTSA complaint #10254213, filed 2009-01, 66,677 miles“- the contact owns a 2002 Mazda MPV. The contact stated that the elbow fitting connected to the intake manifold developed a tear which caused a vacuum leak in the engine and made the brakes lose vacuum assist. The contact had the vehicle taken to the dealer where he found that there was a recall for this part that was good up to 70000 miles. The contact stated he was not notified of the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10180613, filed 2007-01, 70,691 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251387Feb 12, 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10208556Feb 23, 2022Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10200933Aug 24, 2021This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10173097Mar 12, 2020Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10153311Jan 9, 2019On some vehicles, a sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor may be noticed coming from the exhaust system. The odor is usually noticed after a cold start, fast idle, extended periods…
- 10145240Sep 11, 2018EXHAUST PIPE GASKET OPEN END: There has been some concern with the open end of hoop design being considered a defect in the gasket for P/N AJ17-40-305. The end of this ?hoop? is…
- 10145242Sep 6, 2018On some vehicles, a sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor may be noticed coming from the exhaust system. The odor is usually noticed after a cold start, fast idle, extended periods…
- 10213331Feb 15, 2016Sulfur smell from exhaust system.
- 10020804Dec 20, 2006Engine hard to start, runs rough.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 17% |
| 2004 | 23 | 32% |
| 2003 | 23 | 20% |
| 2002 | 23 | 19% |
| 2001 | 15 | 21% |
| 2000 | 24 | 16% |
| 1998 | 1 | 5% |
| 1997 | 5 | 23% |
| 1996 | 2 | 11% |
| 1995 | 6 | 32% |
| 1994 | 10 | 28% |
| 1993 | 13 | 25% |
| 1992 | 20 | 33% |
| 1991 | 16 | 24% |
| 1990 | 5 | 11% |
| 1989 | 4 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mazda MPV
66 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Mazda MPV
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology