Ask the Car People.SM


Mazda MPV Transmission Problems

191 messages,  Last post on Apr 25, 2013 at 5:25 PM

You are in the Mazda MPV Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mazda MPV, Transmission, Van


Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 14 of 20

#130 of 191 2002 Mazda MPV Transmission Range Switch by sammy127

Mar 05, 2009 (7:36 pm)

Hi,
 
I have a 2002 MPV with 50,000 miles. It still has 6 months left on the 7 year, 70,000 mile extended warranty that was purchased from the MAZDA dealer that sold the car to me.
 
The transmission started having problems. Erratic shifting, etc. I took it to the dealer, and they "pulled the codes" and it came back with a code indicating a fault with the Transmission Range Switch. It's a $350 repair. Now, the interesting part....
 
The Mazda extended warranty people refuse to pay for it! Mazda put out a service bulletin a few years ago saying that the Transmission Range Switch causes a lot of problems, and Mazda has redesigned it, and if a customer complains about transmission problems, it's probably this part. So....the extended warranty people from MAZDA adamantly REFUSE to pay for this repair because they say the original part didn't break - it was designed wrong to begin with, but it hasn't broken so they won't fix it! Sounds like crap, especially since the transmission used to work and now it doesn't. It presumably didn't spit out fault codes before, but does now.
 
I can't believe Mazda is doing this! What a screw job! Even the service advisor said he's never heard of them pulling this kind of crap! "The part didn't break, it was always like that (defective) so our extended warranty doesn't cover it."
 
Anybody got any ideas??

#131 of 191 Re: 2002 Mazda MPV Transmission Range Switch [sammy127] by jipster

Mar 06, 2009 (6:26 am)

Replying to: sammy127 (Mar 05, 2009 7:36 pm)
Well, the part was functioning properly the first 50,000 miles and now it isn't. So, I would say even though it's not broke, it is certainly defective and not functioning the way it should (even with a poor design). Sounds like the cheap S.O.B's are just trying to get out of paying a claim. Stay on them. Be firm, yet polite. May get better results to show up in person than over the phone.
 
Also sounds like a thrid party warranty sold by your Mazda dealership??? If so, and they refuse to pay, I would ask the dealership to pony up and pay for the repair, as they benefit financially whenever they sell those crappy third party warranties.
 
Also, I'd ask to speak to the service manager. He's the guy with the power to do something about it. Then the general manager. If all else fails you can try small claims court. Good luck.

#132 of 191 Internal Transmission Failure by carolc3

Mar 09, 2009 (9:28 am)

I have a 2002 Mazda MPV automatic with about 73,000 miles. It had some issues before but the warranty always covered it and the dealers (even when out of town) handled things well. Loved it...until now.
 
Stopped at a stop light the other day and when I went to accelerate, the first and second shifts did just fine. But, that was it. It wouldn't go into the next shift. I could drive just fine up to about 40/mph. Ironically, it drives better in the third gear, where I can drive up to 55/mph.
 
There are no warning lights on on the dashboard. The mechanic says the reading comes back with an "internal transmission failure".
 
I am considering taking it to the dealer to see if I can negotiate the repair cost since some previous work under warranty involved the transmission. Any suggestions from those of you that may have experienced this internal failure??

#133 of 191 02 MPV transmission failure by rcps

Jun 19, 2009 (7:12 pm)

I bought our 02 MPV from a friend a couple of years ago, and our family was very happy with it. A month ago the automatic transmission failed completely, and we took it to the dealer. They wanted over $3,000 to replace it, which I could not afford, so I took it to a transmission rebuilder, Toronto Transmission.
 
They fixed it for $2,000, but 2 weeks ago it died again. They repaired it under warranty, but yesterday it died a third time. They are now telling me that there is a problem with the axle that is causing the failure. I don't have a clue if the axle could cause the transmission to fail, or if I should pay the transmission shop more money to fix it. I don't want to go elsewhere because the repair is under warranty, and I would have to pay for another repair and for the tow. Next time they could tell me it failed because of something else.
 
Can anybody help?

#134 of 191 02 MPV transmission failure by jks8

Aug 13, 2009 (12:48 pm)

My transmission just died at 86k miles. Has anyone gotten anything out of Mazda?

#135 of 191 Re: 02 MPV transmission failure [jks8] by shelle7796

Aug 13, 2009 (1:02 pm)

Replying to: jks8 (Aug 13, 2009 12:48 pm)
Yes, I was successful with Mazda. However, not one on one. I went to the dealer where I bought my car and made them also stand behind the product that they sell. The dealer talked with a representative from Mazda and they agreed to pay half of the $4,000.00 bill. My transmission died at 60,000.00 miles.

#136 of 191 Re: transmission replacement [pkersey] by namberl

Aug 29, 2009 (2:22 pm)

Replying to: pkersey (Feb 19, 2007 6:45 pm)
I have a 2002 MAzda MPV that initially got 20mpg and gradually increased to 23mpg over 80,000. In May while away from home the transmission went kaput and would not stay in gear. I had it towed to a garage that I knew nothing about and was at their mercy. The owner determined that the hydrolic pump failed and would not hold the trans in gear. My options were a new Trans at $8000, a used as is trans at $2100 or him rebuilding mine for $2600. I chose the latter. It now shifts better than ever and on a recent 2000 mile trip to Colorado I averaged 26+mpg with the car top carrier on and driving 80mph in Nebraska and Colorado. What could the mechanic have done to get these improvements?

#137 of 191 Re: transmission replacement [namberl] by rcps

Aug 29, 2009 (3:15 pm)

Replying to: namberl (Aug 29, 2009 2:22 pm)
I have no idea what he could have done. When our 02 MPV transmission went, the dealer quoted $3,000 for a replacement, but we went elsewhere and had it rebuilt for $1,200. It failed 3 times within weeks of the rebuild, we paid another $1,000 for other fixes, but it never worked properly again. After a couple of months, we gave up and traded it in for $2,000 on a new vehicle.
 
Will never buy another Mazda again.

#138 of 191 Re: 02 MPV transmission failure [rcps] by maharishi

Sep 15, 2009 (6:47 pm)

Replying to: rcps (Jun 19, 2009 7:12 pm)
Well, may be a little late ..but still share my experience - Mine gave up last month - 2001 MPV - Reverse will not engage and in neutral moves forward and sometimes just shudders when starting - "Rebuilt" offers are available for $1300-1500 - Parts + labor - Transmission is real complex and I wonder how much of "manufacturing accuracy in alignments " can be achieved with rebuilds - More issues are often reported with rebuilds - I settled for a "used" transmission ...for about $900/=( 90day 5k warranty)
and got the van fixed for total $1500.00. Runs smooth and well so far. The only risk is the what the part guy claims - the tranny I got is supposed to be 120k-km. Well it is like replacing the entire block than opening and closing the block which possibly needs very well controlled environment for assembly and caliberation.

#139 of 191 02 Mazda MPV -- Bad Quality by dannyyo

Feb 01, 2010 (3:37 pm)

I have a 03 Mazda MPV with 78000 miles on it. I've already had the water pump replaced twice, first time at 47k miles and then at 77k. Oil pan leaked at 77k as well and the gasket was replaced. PCV hose was recalled in '03, then I had a CEL appear at 50k and had to get it replaced again. Apparently the replacement part in '03 through the recall was defective as well. I had few other sensors go bad around 45k and those were luckily covered by the 48month warranty, but it had to be towed. I can't believe I have so much problem with the minivan even before it ever got to 100k. It's a freaking money pit and every time it has issues, my wife want to trade it in for a Honda. For now it's still cheaper to fix it then getting a new car. I'll probably never buy Mazda again....too much head ache.

Messages Page 14 of 20

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement