2003 Mazda Mpv: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Mazda Mpv: 4 recalls, 113 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
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.
Equipment Vehicle recall #04V109000 · 2004 · 350 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters:
The fix: 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.
Equipment Vehicle recall #04V282000 · 2004 · 20,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 18 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (35): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (32), noise or vibration (6), stalls / loses power (4).
- Engine & cooling (23): the most common themes are warning light on (8), stalls / loses power (6).
- Electrical (16): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (7), warning light on (6), electrical failure (2).
- Airbags (10): the most common themes are fails to deploy (4).
The 2003 Mazda Mpv has 113 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 17 Mpv model years for complaints (2.1× the average Mpv year). Complaints peaked in 2004 (27 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 37,586 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (124 complaints, 4 recalls), 2004 (71 complaints, 5 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 2003 Mazda Mpv.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Mazda Mpv have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2003 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 2003 Mazda Mpv problems?
Owners have filed 113 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (35), engine & cooling (23), electrical (16).
What gas mileage does the 2003 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 2003 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.