The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 35 of 113 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (11) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 124 in 2002 to 113 in 2003.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 113
- Recall campaigns
- 4
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $3,450
- Combined MPG
- 18
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Minivan - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,450 | 3,450 | 3,450 | 3,450 | 3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16 / 21 | 16 / 23 | 16 / 23 | 16 / 23 | 16 / 23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494 | 494 | 494 | 494 | 468 | |
| Complaints filed | 70 | 124 | 113 | 71 | 36 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 4 | 12 | 2 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 20 | 6 | 18 | 2 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Mazda MPV have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Mazda MPV?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 35 of 113 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mazda MPV get?
EPA rates it 18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Mazda MPV?
EPA estimates $3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 16 mpg | 23 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 27 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 35 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 11 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Defect
- THE TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE INDICATED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS NOT CORRECT. THE LABELS SHOW THE MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE AS 240 KPA/32 PSI WHEN IT SHOULD BE SHOWN AS 240 KPA/35 PSI. AS A RESULT OF THIS ERROR, THE LOAD RATIOS FOR THE 205/65R15 94H AND THE 215/60R16 95H TIRES EXCEED THE LEVELS PERMITTED BY FMVSS 120.
- Consequence
- IF THE TIRE IS OPERATED IN AN UNDER-INFLATED CONDITION, THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE COMPROMISED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECTED LABEL THAT THEY CAN APPLY TO THEIR VEHICLE, OR THEY CAN HAVE A DEALER INSTALL THE LABEL, IF DESIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION #4.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Defect
- CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AIR BAG WARNING LABELS INTENDED FOR THE CANADIAN MARKET. THUS, THE LABELS CONTAIN WARNINGS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND FRENCH. AS A RESULT, THE AREA OF THE ENGLISH WARNING IS ONLY 16 SQUARE CENTIMETERS, AS OPPOSED TO THE 30 SQUARE CENTIMETERS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
- Consequence
- Remedy
- OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AIR BAG CAUTION LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WHICH WERE MAILED ON JULY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN MINI VANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOCKET HOLDER IN THE FOG LIGHTS IS INSTALLED IN THE LAMP CASING USING PRESSURE. DURING OPERATION OF THE FOG LIGHT, THE HEAT FROM THE BULB CAN EXPAND THE SOCKET HOLDER. THE EXPANSION CAN FORCE THE SOCKET HOLDER REARWARD. AFTER REPEATEDLY BEING SUBJECT TO THIS EXPANSION, IF THE FOG LIGHT IS ALSO SUBJECTED TO VIBRATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE SOCKET HOLDER WITH THE BULB HOLDER AND THE WIRING HARNESS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FOG LIGHT CASING.
- Consequence
- SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BULB SOCKET AND THE HARNESS CAN DROP INSIDE THE BUMPER AND POSSIBLY BUT RARELY, THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE BULB CAN CAUSE THE BUMPER TO BURN.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING TO PREVENT THE SOCKET HOLDER FROM SEPARATING FROM THE LAMP CASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT FOG LIGHTS,THE FOG LIGHT BULB SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.
- Consequence
- IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE USED WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BULB SOCKET AND THE WIRING HARNESS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FOG LIGHT HOUSING IF EXPOSED TO SHOCK AND/OR VIBRATION AND DROP INSIDE THE BUMPER. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE OPERATION OF THE FOG LIGHT MAY THEN CAUSE THE BUMPER TO BURN.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INSTALLATION CONDITION OF THE FOG LIGHT BULB ASSEMBLY, AND REPAIR IT WHEN NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.