2002 Mazda Mpv: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Mazda Mpv: 4 recalls, 124 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.

Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #02V078000 · 2002 · 14,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain MINI vans fail to comply to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars." an incorrect gross axle weight rating (gawr) was indicated on the certification label.
Why it matters:
The fix: Owners will be mailed accurate certification labels and inserts for the owner's manual. Owner notification began June 12, 2002.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #03V053000 · 2003 · 5,400 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain MINI vans equipped with front fog lights,the fog light bulb socket May have been installed improperly.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the installation condition of the fog light bulb assembly, and repair it when necessary. Owner notification began March 31, 2003.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #03V206000 · 2003 · 64,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will install a spring to prevent the socket holder from separating from the lamp case. Owner notification began on July 14, 2003.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #04V234000 · 2004 · 10,200 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain minivans equipped with cruise control, the cruise control actuator cable May be broken due to insufficient strength (group 1). Also included are certain 2000-2001 minivans equipped with cruise control built between March 31, 1999 and March 31, 2001, that have had the cruise control repaired and possibly had a defective cable installed during that repair (group 2).
Why it matters: It is possible that the broken actuator cable May be out of position and could interfere with the operation of the accelerator cable, preventing a decrease in engine speed while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the actuator cable. Owner notification for vehicles involved in group 1 began on July 7, 2004. Owner notification for vehicles involved in group 2 began on September 10, 2004. Owners should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (66): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (38), stalls / loses power (8), warning light on (5).
- Engine & cooling (23): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (6), leaks (5).
- Electrical (9): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
- Speed control / throttle (5): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2002 Mazda Mpv has 124 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 17 Mpv model years for complaints (2.3× the average Mpv year). Complaints peaked in 2007 (23 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 60,950 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (70 complaints, 3 recalls), 2003 (113 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Mazda Mpv.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Mazda Mpv have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2002 Mazda Mpv. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Mazda Mpv problems?
Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (66), engine & cooling (23), electrical (9).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Mazda Mpv get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic 5-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Mazda Mpv repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.