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Mazda MPVModel year report

2003 Mazda MPV Problems

Complaints
113filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
37,586miles, 88 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mazda MPV (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2003 Mazda MPV most often write in about harsh 2nd-to-3rd gear transmission shifting, frequently reported on vans with very low mileage, and about ignition coil failures that cause stuttering, stalling and check-engine lights. Air bag non-deployment and unexpected deployment, cooling-related stalling, and cruise control speed variation appear in smaller numbers of complaints. Many complaints were filed in the first few years of ownership, with mileage ranging from a few hundred miles to well over 100,000.

  1. Transmission and drivetrain

    Harsh 2nd-to-3rd gear shift (shift shock)

    • 36 complaints (32%)
    • median 7,426 mi at 1.4 yrs old (26 state mileage)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2003–2013

    Owners describe the transmission hesitating or slipping on the 2-to-3 shift and then engaging third gear with a hard bang or slam, sometimes feeling like being hit from behind. Complaints say the behavior is intermittent and often hard for dealers to duplicate; some dealers reprogrammed the transmission control module, replaced the TCM or changed fluid, and owners report the symptom returning. Others describe jerking on downshifts and one report of torque converter wear. Many reports come in under 15,000 miles, some within the first few hundred miles, with others logged between 40,000 and 120,000 miles.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Drive the van at city speeds and feel for a pause then a firm jolt going into third gear; ask whether the control module was ever reprogrammed or the transmission serviced, and check for records of TCM or fluid work.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “We had an issue with our 2003 Mazda MPV es van that was reported on this site about 2 months ago. The transmission was shifting harshly between 2nd and 3rd gears. After several attempts to fix the problem, our dealership finally told us the Mazda has identified the problem. They call it shift shock and it requires a reprogramming of the computer.”

    NHTSA complaint #10064072, filed 2004-03, 1,000 miles

    “My 2003 Mazda MPV, the transmission shifts hard between 2nd and 3rd gear. You can feel the transmission slipping and then it hits hard into third gear. I have taken this vehicle three times to the dealer for repair. First time they updated computer info, second time they replaced the TCM, and third time they replaced the tranny fluid which I paid for and the problem still hasn't been solved.”

    NHTSA complaint #10146091, filed 2005-12, 14,743 miles
  2. Electrical system

    Ignition coil failure causing misfire and stalling

    • 24 complaints (21%)
    • median 57,400 mi at 6.0 yrs old (22 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $855 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2004–2017

    Complaints describe the engine shaking or missing, loss of power, stuttering and sometimes stalling while driving, usually with the check-engine light on. Dealers typically replaced one or more ignition coils, and several owners report repeat failures of coils that had already been replaced. Some owners say the problem appeared after driving in rain or wet weather, and a few mention plugs being replaced at the same time. Reported from roughly 26,000 to 148,000 miles in this sample, with several around 40,000 to 80,000 miles.

    What to check: Ask for service records showing which coils and plugs were replaced and when; on a test drive, watch for hesitation or a flashing check-engine light under acceleration, and have any stored codes read before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have had to replace five of the six coils on my 2003 Mazda MPV over 3 years. They fail frequently and cause the engine to miss or stall even while moving. Very dangerous in heavy traffic. I see this is a common problem with Mazda MPV 2002 - 2006. Very expensive to replace the back coils - several hundred dollars. The front ones are easy to replace.”

    NHTSA complaint #10257075, filed 2009-02, 80,000 miles

    “Browsing the complaints 2002 - 2006 for the Mazda MPV, I think you will find many of the same complaints regarding the ignition coils. I have a 2003 MPV and had 3 coils and all 6 plugs replaced in the spring at a cost of $700. I now have one or more coils failing again and am faced with a similar charge. This should definitely be a recall issue as it is an obvious design flaw.”

    NHTSA complaint #10200818, filed 2007-08, 65,000 miles
  3. Engine cooling

    Engine stalling and rough running

    • 14 complaints (12%)
    • median 32,779 mi at 1.6 yrs old (13 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2003–2013

    Owners report the engine cutting out at low speeds or while braking, with one case traced by a dealer to a bypass valve and another describing a collapsed PCV hose that had already been replaced under a prior campaign. Others describe rough idling, surging, shaking at stop signs and repeated check-engine lights, with dealers replacing sensors, hoses and, in one case, the engine. Mostly reported between about 13,000 and 78,000 miles in this sample, with the highest-mileage report near 130,000 miles.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the PCV hose campaign was completed and whether it has been replaced since; listen for an erratic idle and check for a check-engine light or pending codes at purchase.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10267955, filed 2009-05, 124,000 miles

    “At speeds of 25 - 35 miles per hour, our 2003 Mazda MPV lx stalled for no apparent reason in traffic. All control of the vehicle was lost when it stalled, luckily, we were traveling at speeds and in a lane that no accident occurred, however, it was extremely dangerous. We had the vehicle serviced at a dealer local to where we were vacationing. The dealership, holman Mazda in egg harbor township, nj, replaced an air bypass valve, which they stated was the reason for stalling at approximately 2500 RPM. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10132573, filed 2005-08, 32,779 miles
  4. Air bags

    Air bag not deploying or deploying unexpectedly

    • 9 complaints (8%)
    • median 75,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2004–2017

    Complaints describe air bags that did not deploy in a collision, including one where the driver was restrained and the van was struck from the side, and another where seat belt restraint was also questioned. Other reports describe a passenger-side air bag deploying with the vehicle stationary and in park, or bursting while driving at highway speed, leaving owners with an air bag system they were told could not be restored. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 36,000 to 130,000 miles, in vehicles of varying age.

    Recall 04V109000

    What to check: Ask whether the air bag warning lamp behaves normally on startup and whether any air bag related recall work was completed; a scan tool can show stored air bag fault codes and whether the system is currently active.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Dt: the contact stated while traveling at 45 MPH another vehicle pulled out in front of the contact's vehicle. This resulted in a crash. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. Also, the seat belts did not restrain the contact properly. The lap portion of the belt seemed to work fine, but the shoulder strap did not work properly. The contact sustained chest injuries. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was totaled by the insurance company. Updated 01/19/06.”

    NHTSA complaint #10144774, filed 2005-12, 37,500 miles

    “Restrained driver was traveling through an intersection at approximately 40mph when she was t-boned by a sticking vehicle. Air bags did not deploy. Serious injuries.”

    NHTSA complaint #10240175, filed 2008-08, 60,000 miles

Buying note. These vans are old enough that condition and service history matter more than any single flaw, so get records for transmission work and ignition coil replacements and have a pre-purchase inspection read the stored engine and air bag codes. Transmission and coil symptoms tend to recur, so budget for follow-up repairs if either has been addressed only once.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 113 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mazda MPV. 88 of the complaints include a mileage, and 57% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 37,586 miles. Of all complaints, 12 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 18 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 100 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seat belts (3), Steering (3), Tires (3), Suspension (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Wheels (2), Electronic stability control (1), Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “My 2003 Mazda MPV has a horrible transmission shifting problem. Took it to dealer and they said it's the transmission control module. They charged me 1,500 dollars to install new and and reflash it and the transmission still doesn't shift properly.”

NHTSA complaint #11173211, filed 2019-01, 115,000 miles

Engine cooling: “2003 Mazda MPV lx with 35,000 miles ignition coil failure after driving through rainstorm in extremely rural area. I was driving alone and had to limp the vehicle 30 miles back to town at 25 MPH. Only one place in town could fix it and it was an expensive repair. I have been told this is a common issue with the Mazda MPV and if so, there should be a recall for the poorly designed coil.”

NHTSA complaint #10355181, filed 2010-09, 35,246 miles

Electrical system: “Every time this Mazda MPV gets a little wet it will not go over 40 MPH. I have contacted the dealership with no return phone call or email. The coils allow moisture to get in which will cause the vehicle to think it is overheating and will not go no matter what you do. I was on the highway when this happened in jacksonville during rush hour and being stuck in the middle of no where because of a faulty coil that the dealership does not want to take responsibility for, is beyond frustrating. …”

NHTSA complaint #10586423, filed 2014-05, 146,000 miles

Air bags: “We were going thru an intersection when another person decided to turn left too early. We were already 1/2 way through, could not stop, traveling around 20 MPH. We hit the passenger side front tire area of his vehicle with the front end of our van. Our van totally lost the front bumper, the front is totally smashed, my husbands knees hit the dash so hard he dented the dash. My glasses flew off. My daughter who was in the rear driver side had scrapes and bruises from the seatbelt constraint kicking in. All this and neither air bag went off. …”

NHTSA complaint #10205970, filed 2007-10, 56,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

57% of the 88 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 7,853 and 74,801 miles.

27%0–1010%10–2519%25–5018%50–757%75–10016%100–1502%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (88 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 37,586 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’0427’06’08’10’12’14’17’19
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Mazda MPV. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
MPV · sedan FWDnot rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Mazda MPV version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
MPV FWD3.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162318$3,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 Mazda MPV → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 100 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 100 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mazda MPV

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20061238,9442—18—Not enough data
20053653,4143—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20047155,0005—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200311337,5864—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200212460,9504—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20017071,7503—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200014975,8275—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199819113,0001—17—Stable
199722100,0001—17—Stable
199618122,7951—17—Stable
199519132,5001—19—Stable
199436125,0001—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199351117,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199261142,0001—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19916695,0003—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199047134,0003—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198922—5—19—Stable

All Mazda MPV model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mazda MPV?

Owners of the 2003 Mazda MPV most often write in about harsh 2nd-to-3rd gear transmission shifting, frequently reported on vans with very low mileage, and about ignition coil failures that cause stuttering, stalling and check-engine lights. The issues reported most often: Harsh 2nd-to-3rd gear shift (shift shock); Ignition coil failure causing misfire and stalling; Engine stalling and rough running.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mazda MPV have?

NHTSA recorded 113 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mazda MPV as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Mazda MPV is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 35 complaints (31% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 23.

Has the 2003 Mazda MPV been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mazda MPV get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Mazda MPV (MPV, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mazda MPV reported?

Among the 88 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 37,586 miles and the middle half falls between 7,853 and 74,801 miles; 57% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.