2001 Mazda MPV Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Mazda MPV, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine1519.2%
- Airbags1114.1%
- Electrical911.5%
- Transmission79.0%
- Driver assistance79.0%
- Body & structure67.7%
- Brakes56.4%
- Powertrain (other)33.8%
- Interior & seats33.8%
- Tires & wheels33.8%
- Seat belts22.6%
- Exterior lighting22.6%
- Suspension22.6%
- Other / unspecified11.3%
- Fuel system11.3%
- Heating & air conditioning11.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 MAZDA MPV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE OR STEAM AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND CONTACTED AAA TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,954. UPDATED 03/08/11 *BF UPDATED 05/24/11 UPDATED 12/20/11 *CN
DEALER INSTALLED A REBUILT G4AEL TRANSMISSION AND A REBUILT CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN A 2001 MAZDA MPV LX VAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2008. I PURCHASED THIS VAN ON MARCH 26, 2008. I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE INSTALLATION OF THE USED PARTS IN A VAN ONLY SEVEN YEARS OLD. ON MAY 11, 2009, THE VAN BROKE DOWN WHILE TRAVELING. TWO OF THE PARTS THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ARE THE TRANSMISSION AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS NEEDED IS A USED MOTOR AND HEADGASKET. MAJOR REPAIRS WHICH I CAN NOT HAVE DONE ON A CAR THAT LASTED ONE YEAR AND FIFTEEN DAYS. THE CONSUMER REPORTS NOTIFIED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS UNDERPOWERED UNTIL THE 2002 UPGRADE TO A 3.0 LITER V-6 AND A LIVE-SPEED AUTOMATIC. NOW, THE MAZDA MPV LX VAN WAS DISCONTINUED AFTER THE 2006 MODEL YEAR. I AM WITHOUT A CAR AND MY MONEY. MAZDA USA AND THE DEALER HAVE NOT HELPED ME GET TRANSPORTATION. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SIDE AIRBAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED AS THE PASSENGER WAS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED AN INJURED BACK DURING THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE DEPLOYMENT THE AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE BUT WAS VISIBLE FROM THE SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,446.
ON MAY THE 5TH 2014 WHILE SITTING STILL AND THE ENGINE NOT RUNNING THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING DEEP BRUISING AND A CRACKED RIB TO MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT AT THE TIME. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE WHICH IS A 2001 MAZDA MPV. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE AND CAN NOT AFFORD ANOTHER BECAUSE I AM DISABLED AND DRAW SSI. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I INITIALLY BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IT HAD BEEN THROUGH PREVIOUS OWNERS AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIX THINGS BUT AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE AND I JUST CAN AFFORD MUCH BUT I HAPPEN TO PUT THE YR MAKE AND MODEL INTO THE GOOGLE ONE DAY AND NOTICE OF RECALLS AND AS I READ THE SAME AS WHATS I HAD ALREADY NOTICED HAD ALREADY HAPPENED AND I FIGURED I COULD LIVE WITH IT BUT I WOKE UP ONE MORNING GOT IN IT AND BOOM DRIVING FOR TEN MINUTES AND BOOM ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAVE NO GEARS AND THEN I GET 1ST AND NOTHING ELSE THEN EVENTUALLY NO REVERSE , SO AFTER ALMOST GETTING STUCK IN THE COLD STREETS WITH A BABY AND MY FRIEND, I BARELY MADE IT HOME I WANNA KNOW WHY SUCH A NICE VEHICLE IS SO FUCT!!! AND WHY DID I GET A BUNK DEAL. LIKE I THOUGHT THIS WAS MY BREAK FINALLY I WONT HAVE TO WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT A VEHICLE JUST THE OTHER STUFF, BUT TO MY DISMAY........... HERE WE ARE?????? AND IF YOU HAPPEN TO CONTACT ME I CAN THEN EXPLAIN IN DETAIL THE DESTRUCTION OF THIS VEHICLE
HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION MAZDA MPV 2001 WHILE DRIVING MY MPV ON CITY STREETS & FREEWAYS, THE LOW BEAMS FLICKER, OR TURN OFF, AND THE HIGH BEAM INDICATOR ILLUMINATES ON DASH BOARD. HOWEVER THE HIGH BEAMS DO WORK. WHEN THIS OCCURS IT PERSISTS BOTH WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. THE LOW BEAMS WILL INTERMITTENTLY AND MOMENTARILY TURN ON, LATER THE "HIGH BEAM" INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE THAT THE LOW BEAMS OFF AGAIN. NO REASON. I CANNOT DRIVE AT DUSK OR AT NIGHT DUE TO THE ISSUE OF NEVER KNOWING IF THE LOW BEAMS WILL WORK OR NOT! IF I DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ALL OTHER MOTORISTS ARE HONKING OR BOTHERED. I HAVE HAD THE BULBS CHECKED AND REPLACED AS WELL AS THE FUSES, ALL CHECK OUT GOOD. AN ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST ADVISED THAT I CALL MAZDA AND ENTER COMPLAINT DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES, BECAUSE HE CANNOT TRACE ANY FAULTY WIRING. TROUBLESHOOTING THIS HAS BEEN VERY COSTLY. THEY HAD TO REVIEW THE SCHEMATIC OF THE SWITCHES ON THE STEERING COLUMN AS WELL AS CONNECTIONS TO HEADLIGHTS - NO ANOMALIES FOUND. MAZDA HAS RESPONDED TO MY REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 MAZDA MPV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE OR STEAM AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND CONTACTED AAA TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,954. UPDATED 03/08/11 *BF UPDATED 05/24/11 UPDATED 12/20/11 *CN
2001 MAZDA MPV VAN TRANSMISSION QUIT AT 150,000. I WAS TOLD IT ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE . WONT SHIFT PASS SECOND . ESTIMATE COST REPAIRS ARE $2599.00. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THROTTLE PEDAL WAS STICKING UPON COLD START. PEDAL HAD TO BE STEPPED ON HARDER THAN USUAL UPON START WHICH THEN CAUSED VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. VEHICLE SEEMED FINE AFTER FIRST PUSH OF PEDAL. DEALER HAD TO CLEAN OUT CARBON DEPOSITS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN PAST 2 YEARS. WORRIED THAT PEDAL WOULD POSSIBLY STICK WHILE DRIVING WHICH WOULD DEFINITELY BE A SAFETY ISSUE. THESE DEPOSITS HAVE OCCURRED DESPITE USING TECHRON GAS ADDITIVE. VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT HAS ALSO COME ON MANY TIMES IN PAST - THESE ALSO MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO CARBON BUILDUP. *JB
DT: THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR WARRANTY WORK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, SO THE DEALER DID A CHECK AND FOUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER SAYS THAT THEY RECYCLED UNUSED GAS BACK THROUGH THE INTAKE TO BE BURNED, THIS CAUSED CARBON BUILDUP. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CARBON BUILDUP WAS TOO BAD AND COULD NOT BE CLEANED, PART HAD TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER HAD TWO OTHER MECHANICS LOOK AT THE PART AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD CLEAN THE PART AND THEN PUT IT BACK ON. THE CONSUMER SAID THE PART READ FORD BUT THE VEHICLE IS A MAZDA. CONSUMER SAYS THAT PROBLEM IS THE RECYCLED UNUSED GAS GOING BACK INTO THE INTAKE; THE CONSUMER SAYS THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. THE CONSUMER HAD THE DEALER PUT THE NEW PART ON, THEN THE CONSUMER STOPPED PAYMENT ON THE CREDIT CARD USED TO PAY FOR SERVICE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS PART. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY DEALER THE PART WAS ONLY GOOD FOR APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES THEN IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT IF HE CLEANED THE PART, IT WOULD ONLY LAST FOR 20,000 MILES. CONSUMER SAYS THAT HE DOESN'T KNOW IF IT IS HIS FAULT OR THE DEALERSHIPS FAULT FOR TRYING TO SELL MORE PARTS. CONSUMER HAS DONE RESEARCH ON CARBON BUILD UP ON THE INTERNET AND HAS FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT THE ONLY INTAKE WITH THIS PROBLEM. CONSUMER SAYS THAT DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THIS IS WHY MAZDA USES A DIFFERENT MOTOR NOW. CONSUMER SAYS THAT VEHICLE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF CUT OUT ONCE IN A WHILE, BUT HE DOESN'T THINK HE CAN REALLY TELL ANY DIFFERENCE IN WITH NEW THE PART. *JB *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY BROTHERS MAZDA MPV 2001 VAN HAS A MUSTY OR FREON LEAKING LIKE SMELL NOT SURE WHAT BUT WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS ON IT'S REALLY BAD IS THIS HARMFUL TO BREATH FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN. I READ UP ON MANUFACTURER DEFECTS AN NO RECALL WAS ASSIGNED OR BROUGHT UP BUT SEVERAL AN I MEAN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND RECOMMENDED THINGS TO DO ABOUT THIS ) SMELL ISSUE) IS KNOW BY THE MANUFACTURER COMPANY BUT OM ALL MY RESEARCH AN FINDINGS CONTAIN NO EVIDENCE OF DEALSHIPS SEELING THESE VEHICLE HAVE NO RECORD OF DOING ANY REPLACEMENT OF PARTS OR MAINTENANCE ON EFFECTIVE MOLDY OR FREON SMELL MAINTENANCE COMING FROM VENTS ONLY REPLACED CABIN FILTER ON FEW OCCASIONS .THE MANUFACTURES CAUSE SAYS DIFFERENT PLEASE INVESTIGATE BECAUSE OF IT IS A MOLD ISSUE AND PARTS CAN BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF BAD DESIGN OR EVEN LACK OF MAINTENANCE DONE AT DEALERSHIP A RECALL SHOULD BE THE RESULT.I WILL ENCOURAGE THE NUTSA TO TRY FIRST TRY AN GET ANY CERTIFIED ANDERSON DEALERSHIP TO IDENTIFY PRESENTS OF MOLD COMING FROM VENTS WHAT THEY DID RESOLVE ISSUE, WHAT THEY REPLACED,HOW OFTEN AND CRITICAL IT IS TO DO SO BECAUSE OF MOLD OR SUCH UNSAFE FUMES COMING IN THROUGH VENTS INDIRECT CONTACT WITH CHILDREN OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME. HOW MANY ACCOUNTS HAVE THERE BEEM OR MEDICAL RESPITORY FAULTS SUBJECT TO EVER THOUGH PUBLIC WAS NOT AWARE THAT THESE MAZDA VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO MOLD AFTER EVEN A SHORT TIME DRIVING DEPENDING ON HUMIDITY DRIVING CONDITIOMS TO ME THAT SHOULD BE MANUFACTURER COMPANY DEFAULT OR RECALL .A MOLD ISSUE IIN A SHORT OR LONG TERM WITH ANY VEHICLE SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO SERIOUS..... SERIOUS. PUBLIC ATTION. ANOTHER STUPID QUESTION THAT COULD BE ASKED IF EVEN SERVICED PROPERTY HOW DOES THE CERTIFIED SHOP OR DEALERSHIP PROVE THAT ALL OR 99% OR WHATEVET THE GOOD OR BAD OF AIR IS BEING DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE.
THE SPARE TIRE WINCH MOUNTED CENTRALLY UNDER THE PASSENGERS SIDE SECOND ROW SEAT WILL CORRODE AND JAM NOT ALLOWING FOR ACCESS TO THE SPARE TIRE IN A ROAD SIDE EMERGENCY.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOCAL MECHANIC PERFORMED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE BRAKES NEVER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE RECALL REPAIR, 01V382000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DID CONFIRM THAT THE RECALL REPAIR HAD NOT BEEN PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 125,000.
CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE FOR A RECALL 01V382000 REPAIRS ON BRAKE SYSTEM. THEY COULD NOT FIX ITCORRECTLY, AND CONSUMER HAD TO GO BACK, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FIXED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I INITIALLY BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IT HAD BEEN THROUGH PREVIOUS OWNERS AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIX THINGS BUT AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE AND I JUST CAN AFFORD MUCH BUT I HAPPEN TO PUT THE YR MAKE AND MODEL INTO THE GOOGLE ONE DAY AND NOTICE OF RECALLS AND AS I READ THE SAME AS WHATS I HAD ALREADY NOTICED HAD ALREADY HAPPENED AND I FIGURED I COULD LIVE WITH IT BUT I WOKE UP ONE MORNING GOT IN IT AND BOOM DRIVING FOR TEN MINUTES AND BOOM ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAVE NO GEARS AND THEN I GET 1ST AND NOTHING ELSE THEN EVENTUALLY NO REVERSE , SO AFTER ALMOST GETTING STUCK IN THE COLD STREETS WITH A BABY AND MY FRIEND, I BARELY MADE IT HOME I WANNA KNOW WHY SUCH A NICE VEHICLE IS SO FUCT!!! AND WHY DID I GET A BUNK DEAL. LIKE I THOUGHT THIS WAS MY BREAK FINALLY I WONT HAVE TO WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT A VEHICLE JUST THE OTHER STUFF, BUT TO MY DISMAY........... HERE WE ARE?????? AND IF YOU HAPPEN TO CONTACT ME I CAN THEN EXPLAIN IN DETAIL THE DESTRUCTION OF THIS VEHICLE
MAZDA MPV'S OXYGEN SENSOR BANK2, SENSOR1 WIRE CIRCUIT BURNED UP. HAVE TO REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THERE WAS NO FIRE ON MY MPV BUT IF I DIDN'T HAVE IT FIX FAST IT COULD CAUSE FIRE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXTERNAL PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES ON BOTH SLIDING DOORS ON 2001 MAZDA MPV HAVE BROKEN OFF WHILE SHUTTING DOOR. DRIVER SIDE HANDLE HAS BEEN BROKEN 1 MONTH. THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE ON JAN. 1, 2008. SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO COLD OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE. DOORS NOW MUST BE OPENED WITH THE INSIDE HANDLE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO GET REAR PASSENGERS OUT. SINCE ONE SIDE WAS OPERATIONAL UNTIL NOW, NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO TAKE VAN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF HIGH COST TO FIX IT.*CN
I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THE MAZDA MPV 2001. THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS COME TOGETHER IF YOU WANT THEM TO. WHEN APART, THE CAPTAINS CHAIR BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT DOES NOT AN ARMREST BUT THE OTHER CAPTAIN CHAIR DOES. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A VAN THAT DID NOT HAVE AN ARMREST ON BOTH OUTSIDE SEATS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN IF YOU ARE IN A SPIN OUT AND NEED SOMETHING TO GRAB ONTO, THERE IS NOTHING THERE IN THAT SEAT. IT IS AN AUTOMATIC REACTION TO GRAB WHERE THE ARMREST SHOULD BE. ALSO, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT PLACING A CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THAT CHAIR. IF THERE IS EVER A SIDE-IMPACT, I FEEL THAT THE ARM REST MIGHT JUST BE ENOUGH TO KEEP THE SEAT FROM SLIDING OFF DUE TO THE FORCE OF THE CRASH. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPARE TIRE CARRIER ON 2001 MAZDA MPV VAN IS POOR DESIGN CAUSING A POSSIBLE DEATH IN THE EVENT THE SAFETY LATCH AND CABLE GIVE WAY. POOR LOCATION BETWEEN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS. *TR
I OWN A 2001 MAZDA MPV DX. IN THE USER MANUAL AND ON THE DOOR LABEL, THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS A 94 FOR WEIGHT. MANY TIRE SHOPS OFFER A 92 RATED BASED ON BOOKS AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS. I DROVE 50,000 MILES USING MICHELIN HYDROEDGE RATED 92. I COULD FEEL LUG DRIVING THE CAR ALL THIS TIME. IS IT OK TO INSTALL TIRES HAVING A LOWER WEIGHT RATE, THAN THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
PARKED A STOP LIGHT WITH ONE VAN AHEAD OF ME SEAT BELT THAT WAS HOOKED ON THE MECHANISM THAT CONTROLS THE BACK OF THE DRIVERS SEAT SLIPPED OFF AND THREW THE SEAT BACKWARDS, FORCING ME TO TAKE FOOT OFF BRAKE AND HIT THE CAR AHEAD OF ME AND CAUSING ME ( BY THE FORCE I WAS THROWN BACK) SEVERE HEADACHES. NO CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN. *NM
SEAT BELTS LOCK AND STAY LOCKED WHEN IN USE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION MAZDA MPV 2001 WHILE DRIVING MY MPV ON CITY STREETS & FREEWAYS, THE LOW BEAMS FLICKER, OR TURN OFF, AND THE HIGH BEAM INDICATOR ILLUMINATES ON DASH BOARD. HOWEVER THE HIGH BEAMS DO WORK. WHEN THIS OCCURS IT PERSISTS BOTH WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. THE LOW BEAMS WILL INTERMITTENTLY AND MOMENTARILY TURN ON, LATER THE "HIGH BEAM" INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE THAT THE LOW BEAMS OFF AGAIN. NO REASON. I CANNOT DRIVE AT DUSK OR AT NIGHT DUE TO THE ISSUE OF NEVER KNOWING IF THE LOW BEAMS WILL WORK OR NOT! IF I DRIVE WITH HIGH BEAMS ALL OTHER MOTORISTS ARE HONKING OR BOTHERED. I HAVE HAD THE BULBS CHECKED AND REPLACED AS WELL AS THE FUSES, ALL CHECK OUT GOOD. AN ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST ADVISED THAT I CALL MAZDA AND ENTER COMPLAINT DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES, BECAUSE HE CANNOT TRACE ANY FAULTY WIRING. TROUBLESHOOTING THIS HAS BEEN VERY COSTLY. THEY HAD TO REVIEW THE SCHEMATIC OF THE SWITCHES ON THE STEERING COLUMN AS WELL AS CONNECTIONS TO HEADLIGHTS - NO ANOMALIES FOUND. MAZDA HAS RESPONDED TO MY REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE.
THERE IS AN OCCASIONAL SHORT IN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN MY 2001 MAZDA MPV DX WHICH RESULTS IN THE HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING UNLESS I DISASSEMBLE AND CLEAN THE CONTACTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE VAN AND I NOW HAVE TO CARRY TOOLS TO FIX IT AT ANY GIVEN TIME. WE ALSO TRY TO AVOID DRIVING AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF IT. THE PLASTIC AROUND THEM ARE BURNED AND MELTED WHICH IS WHAT CAUSED THE SMOKE. TONIGHT WHEN WE WERE DRIVING HOME THE SMELL WAS THERE AGAIN AS WELL AS QUITE A BIT OF HEAT WHEN YOU FEEL THE STEERING COLUMN THEN THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED FADING OFF THEN BACK ON AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES. WE TOOK IT TO MAZDA THE OTHER YEAR AND THEY WANTED SOMEWHERE IN THE RANGE OF $3500 DOLLARS TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS IS CERTAINLY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL IN MY OPINION. I HAVE SEEN ON INTERNET FORUMS THAT THIS IS NOT A ISOLATED ISSUE BECAUSE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. AND THE COST TO FIX SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE IS RIDICULOUSLY HIGH. I WORRY THAT IF THE LIGHTS DO NOT JUST GO OUT THAT THERE MAY BE A FIRE SINCE THINGS ARE OBVIOUSLY BURNING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2001 MAZDA MPV,BOUGHT IN 2001 FROM DEALER. NOW 5 YEARS LATER,ON THE DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM, APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 IN. IN FROM BALL JOINT,THAT PORTION OF CONTROL ARM IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF OR TEAR DUE TO CORROSION. THAT I WOULD SAY IS A VERY CHEAP DESIGN BY THEIR ENGINEERS OF MAZDA CORP. I WAS VERY, VERY,FORTUNATE THAT MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT THE MORNING WHEN IT WAS NOTICED. I HAVE A LONG DRIVEWAY BEFORE WE GET OUT TO THE HIGHWAY! SHE HEARD A VERY DISTINCT GRINDING OF METAL AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO CHECK IT OUT!WHAT A SCARY SIGHT! I STRONGLY FEEL YOU FOLKS NEED TO CHECK THAT PART OF MAZDA'S MPV! I FEEL IT IS TO THIN OF METAL TO BE USED FOR THAT PART. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO CASTIRON????? THEY NEVER CORRODE. I HAVE NO WARRANTY LEFT ON AUTO. THE PART,THAT PART IS $324.00 PLUS LABOR. PLEASE HELP! ALOHA. *NM
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL PULL THE LEFT SIDE AND SOMETIME COULD NOT KEEP CONTROL OF IT, DEALER WAS CONTACTED. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPARE TIRE CARRIER ON 2001 MAZDA MPV VAN IS POOR DESIGN CAUSING A POSSIBLE DEATH IN THE EVENT THE SAFETY LATCH AND CABLE GIVE WAY. POOR LOCATION BETWEEN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
SINCE WE GOT THE VAN IT WAS A NEW VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS CONSISTENTLY COME ON. THE DEALER TRYED TO TELL US WE WERE NOT TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP. THEN IT WAS WE NEEDED A NEW GAS CAP. YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP EVERY TIME THE LIGHT COMES ON. ONE MECHANIC STATED IT WAS AN 02 SENSOR THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN REPLACED AFTER MUCH HASSLE. NOW 10 DAYS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT IS BACK ON. THE WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO RUN OUT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL SMELL COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONER AFTER START UP
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .