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Vans & Minivans Mazda MPV Mazda MPV
8192 messages, Last post on Nov 25, 2009 at 7:01 PM
You are in the Mazda MPV Forum. Your Host is Karens
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Greetings all, I'm new to the forum. We have a 2003LX which we loved for the first 4 years/50K miles; DVD player, towing package -- really the perfect family car. At around 50K miles we encountered what sounds like the usual laundry list of problems. O2 sensors, oil pan, bad sliding door, more O2 sensors, possible cat converter, PCV valve, etc. Maybe I have a falsely negative impression, but I'm reaching the conclusion this is just not a quality vehicle and we should cut our losses now while we can still get $3K for a trade-in (especially since transmission failure seems pretty common for MPVs). I admit we haven't adhered to the service schedule very well, and I know one has to maintain proper perspective when a Ford engine hits 80K miles, but after driving my Subaru outback for 12 years, I'm not acclimated to this level of mainenace problems. Can a MPV reach >120K miles without a huge maintenace cost? Trade it or keep it? Thanks
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Replying to: texsteeler (Apr 29, 2009 6:58 am) That's a rip off. If a dealership is only offering $3k trade-in, I'd either keep it or sell it private party for double that. But, as long as you have confidence in your engine and transmission (Duratec engine is one of Fords' best and most reliable) I think it will last well over 120k miles. You're right though in not wanting to be nickeled and dimed to death over those minor repairs. If covered under warranty not too bad. So, considering how much you paid for the van only 6 years ago, how much a new or used would cost, it would be better finacially to keep it... at least a couple more years. |
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Replying to: texsteeler (Apr 29, 2009 6:58 am) I have no money so I am limping along with it. TCC 
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| Anyone else care to report on the reliabiility and repairs of their MPV thus far? So, far we have been very happy with our 2004 Mazda MPV LX... purchased new. Thus far it has proven to be a quality and reliable vehicle, knock on wood. We did have two coils replaced under warranty, which has been a problem for a lot of MPV's. Had the trans fluid flush at around 27k miles. Coolant flushed last year... filters changed on schedule. Oil changes around every 3k or 4k miles. Engine lags sometimes when you punch it hard to accelerate, but other than that very good performance. Original brakes are still good. On our second set of tires, Goodyear Tripletreds which are great in rain. We have nearly 60k miles currently, and planning another Florida trip for this summer. | |
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Replying to: jipster (May 01, 2009 7:46 am) Last month we had the back 3 ignition coils and fan control module replaced for about $650. One ignition coil had already been replaced under warranty 3 years ago. We still have the original brake rotors and are on the third set of tires. The OEMs didn't last that long, but Yokohama AVID tires have worked well for us in terms of cost, road noise, durability, and traction here in So' Cal'. We flushed the transmission fluid around 60,000 miles, and the tech said it needed it again. Hmmm-- I'll check into that. I flushed the coolant around 45,000 miles, so it's probably due again soon. We change the oil about every 5,000 miles. We preferred the Mazda over the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna because we didn't want a big minivan. Now that I have leased a Subaru Outback we'll probably be taking my car on more vacations and giving the MPV a rest. |
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Well, it's a great unit but it's had a terrible track record going back to 2002. There's a reason they quit making it in 2006. Oil pan leaks, transmission failures, check engine light fiascos - catalytic converter issues, coil issues, sensor issues, paint issues. Other than that my 2003 LX with 120K miles on it up here in MN. has been a great value...excuse me, I'm coughing terribly! Latest was the replacement of the oil pan gasket - apparently the boys thought that metal gaskets would never warp and leak....wrong! $450 later, I have an 'updated' flex gasket that contours to the pan. What an idea! Oh yes, I had the check eng. light come on a few times last winter and had it turned off. Seems they wanted to replace the catylitic converter for $1200 but I said NO and so far it has not been an issue. I think I'm on borrowed time with my MPV anyway. That's my opinion and I don't think I'm alone. The posts here back in 2003-2006 were all pretty negative. People are getting rid of these boxes now so not so many posts.
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Replying to: tcc21 (May 01, 2009 8:48 pm) That's not true. The MPV had a great track record up until late 2004 or 2005. It was one of Consumer Reports top recommended minivans, and reliability was listed as one of the best. The transmission "shift shock" issue hurt it's reliability rating, but that was a minor problem that was corrected with having the TCM reflashed. I've only heard one or two issues with the catalytic converter at the MPV Club, about 3 or 4 trans. failures, no paint issues, and maybe one or two issues with oil pan leaks. The main problems have been with the ignition coils and the PCV hose. Which is a cheap fix if you are a DIY'er. There's a reason they quit making it in 2006. Mazda quit selling the MPV in the U.S.A because sales weren't high enough. People were more interested in the bigger Honda and Toyota minivans. The MPV is still being made and sold in Japan and parts of Asia... doing very well I might add. The posts here back in 2003-2006 were all pretty negative Actually if you go back and look most of the posts are positive.
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It's true that they are still making it overseas, but it did not do well here due to reliability issues (and the size). I liked the smaller size and sportier look. That's why I bought it. But if you were to peek at the thread for MPV Problems and go back in time, there were MANY people complaining about the tranny issues - that were NOT being fixed by the dealers after SEVERAL visits. I beg to disagree strongly that it was a RELIABLE vehicle. The dealers around here no otherwise and have come just short of admitting that there were design flaws and mechanical issues. I'm glad I only had a 'few' of them. I know more that had handles falling off, power doors no longer working after a short time. I myself had an extended warranty on mine and burned up over 2K of it by replacing the front rack and other steering and suspension components due to squeaking in the steering wheel and creaking when going over things like speed bumps when the temp was under 30 degrees here in MN. I'm glad you like your MPV and wish you all the best. I just know that Consumer Reports changed there tune in 2004 after all the input came in from the previous 2 years when they put the new engine in it and changed some of the cosmetics. BTW. RUST has been a big issue as well. I had my lower door panel replaced in 2004 due to rust coming thru the bottom of the passenger door! Unbelievable. I baby my unit too. It has more wax on it that water flies off it. Again, there were MANY that use to be on this thread that had major concerns that may not even be around here any more due to selling them off. BTW also, when it's time for you to replace the rear license plate lights, good luck. The dealer does mine and curses me out when I come in to have it done. You just don't pluck the lense off like the manual says.... All the best! TCC
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| Thanks to all for their inputs. Reading everything I can about the MPV, I get the impression many owners have had the same experience. Vehicle runs great for approximately 4 years/50K miles. Then the check engine light comes on and from then on it's nothing but O2 sensor/cat converter/oil pan/engine coil/PCV valve etc etc etc with a big risk of transmission failure. Mine has 82K miles; my neighbor, who is a master mechanic with 30+ years has had it in his shop for a week and still can't figure out what the heck is wrong. If this was a normal sedan I would have traded it in a long time ago but I hate to give up a 6 year old minivan. Tough decision. | |
I hope I didn't come across too negative. But I know that there are issues with these units that Mazda has not stepped up and taken care of. There were many posts here about Mazda Corp. bucking out on supporting major issues with these vans. I even had a faulty gas gauge that had to be replaced due to not reading properly. They are/were a sharp small mini and had some great potential features. Too bad that things like 'the drivers power window going up at a crawl when the temps are colder' had to happen. I am going to baby mine for at least two more years. I tend to keep my vehicles about 8 years and then sell them off. I had the notorious Dodge Caravan before this Mazda. THAT had tranny issues too. Not sure why these issues just keep coming. Right now my MPV is in good shape after putting 500 dollars into a new oil pan gasket and seal. That's another story why it was leaking! I have 120K on mine right now and am holding my breath that it will keep functioning for a while. I DO know that the same like vehicle (Toyota or Honda) with 120K miles on it would not have these conditions. I should have spent the extra $5K at the time and went that route! Good luck! TCC
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