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Vans & Minivans Mazda MPV Mazda MPV
8192 messages, Last post on Nov 25, 2009 at 7:01 PM
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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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Replying to: tcc21 (May 02, 2009 8:19 pm) Whem my first coil went out maybe 2 years after we bought our 04 MPV, the car felt really clunky in reverse. I thought it was a tranny problem and took it to the dealer. The tech couldn't find anything, and since the coil problem was intermittent the code reader didn't find the problem. It took two visits until they identified the problem properly. Last month we found the MPV surging and feeling choppy at times, so we correctly surmised it was another coil issue. This time two of them weren't firing off and on, so sometimes it felt like a transmission problem.
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Replying to: shirohniichan (May 04, 2009 9:29 am) |
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My 2000 MPV LX has 95,000 miles. It has major engine problems. For the last several years (3 to 8) it had a very subtle occasional cylinder miss. For the first several years of ownership, the miss was almost unnoticeable (or I would have taken it in for warranty repair). The last three years, the miss became more prominent and frequent. I have taken it back in for diagnostics at and independent mechanic and at the Mazda dealer. I have personally replaced most of the electronics (ignition coil, spark plugs, wire set). The Mazda dealer ruled out the fuel injection system, emission control system, etc. The conclusion is that it is a major engine problem which would require taking the engine head off to inspect everything. We are starting to talk about over $1,000 in labor just to inspect and find the problem. The engine also has a pervasive coolant leak that has been hard to isolate. I am very happy with the entire car, other than the engine. I has been a major disappointment. I also have a 2003 Protoge5 with 75,000 miles and that 2.0L engine is an absolute gem. My 93 Miata has 180,000 miles, another gem. My conclusion is the Ford Duratech 2.5L V6 is major disappointment. |
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