2003 Mazda MPV Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 8%of 113 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 29,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Mazda MPV, 8% of the 113 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We drive to lake tahoe in my MPV van with 5 people in it. The van jerked when driving accelerating from 40 to 50 MPH. We changed driver on the way, and both driver felled the same thing. It seems a transmission shift shock or shift flare. Then when google the problem on internet, I found out that it is a very common problem for Mazda MPV 5-speed auto transmission. Many people experienced a sudden failure after a few weeks of the shift flares . This can be very dangerous. Mazda should offer free repair for this common failure of their product. …”
NHTSA complaint #10525428, filed 2013-07, 110,000 miles“2003 Mazda MPV began to rapidly accelerate while entering my driveway. Even though applying brakes at full force, my vehicle crashed into my garage door. While trying to put gear shift into neutral, I accidentally shifted into reverse. The vehicle again accelerated, the whole while I had both feet pushing on the brakes as hard as I was able. The minivan then shot out in reverse and hit my neighbors' car parked on the street in front of their house.”
NHTSA complaint #10157028, filed 2006-05, 29,000 miles“While slowly accelerating, the RPM jumps up about 600-800 RPM and the transmission jumps, somewhat violently, into 3rd gear. It only occurrs from 2nd to 3rd. In does not matter what the weather is or how long the vehicle has been operating. It happens about 70% of the time. We have taken the vehicle in twice and the dealer (sherrits sic.) state they can not duplicate the problem and they have not found any fault codes, therefor, there's nothing they can do. I am to continue to monitor the problem. Our van has 6010 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10051236, filed 2003-12, 2,000 miles“Throttle revved, but vehicle failed to accelerate when the gas pedal was depressed. Prior this to incident transmission abruptly shifted into gear. Dealership refused to repair the problem until the manufacturer decided on a remedy.”
NHTSA complaint #10054078, filed 2004-01, 7,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Mazda MPV wagon. While driving 75 MPH with the cruise control activated, the contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated up to 90 MPH without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they inspected it and was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was 110,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10410479, filed 2011-07, 110,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10186703Jan 21, 2021In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- 10148072Oct 10, 2018In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
- 10144333Aug 31, 2018In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 | 17% |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% |
| 2003 | 9 | 8% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 7 | 10% |
| 2000 | 9 | 6% |
| 1996 | 3 | 17% |
| 1994 | 2 | 6% |
| 1993 | 1 | 2% |
| 1992 | 3 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mazda MPV
35 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsAir bags
10 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 29, 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