2003 Mazda MPV Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 20%of 113 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,901miles
- 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 2003 Mazda MPV, 20% of the 113 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,901 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“The ignition coils on my 2003 Mazda MPV fails while I was driving. My van only has 27,000 miles on it. When I did more research, I found this is a very common problem for MPV. This needs to be a recall!”
NHTSA complaint #10231296, filed 2008-06, 27,400 miles“2003 MPV's check engine light came on shortly after getting on the interstate. Van had a stuttering feel. Even though the van was 5 weeks out of warranty by time, not mileage (39901 miles) I took it to the dealership hoping for a goodwill fix. They said it was the EGR valve. I have never seen an EGR valve to out so early. Dealership did cover the part and charged me $180 in labor to replace the valve that was only a two bolt removal and extremely easy to get to. Mazda should have covered this fully. I was expecting this to be the famous coil problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10220664, filed 2008-03, 39,901 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10267955, filed 2009-05, 124,000 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 2003 Mazda MPV
35 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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