MYRModel Year Report

2003 Mazda MPV

◆ Worse than typical
2003 Mazda MPV
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:47:31.784Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mazda MPV Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1986: 0 complaints 1986 1987: 0 complaints 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 22 complaints 1989 1990: 47 complaints 1991: 66 complaints 1992: 61 complaints 1992 1993: 51 complaints 1994: 36 complaints 1995: 19 complaints 1995 1996: 18 complaints 1997: 22 complaints 1998: 19 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 2000: 149 complaints 2001: 70 complaints 2001 2002: 124 complaints 2003: 113 complaints 2003 2004: 71 complaints 2004 2005: 36 complaints 2006: 12 complaints 2006
2003: 113 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19870
19880
198922
199047
199166
199261
199351
199436
199519
199618
199722
199819
19992
2000149
200170
2002124
2003113
200471
200536
200612

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 27%

27% of complaints: power train — 31 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ON MAY 13, 2004, MY 33-WEEK PREGNANT WIFE PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY WITH OUR DAUGHTER SLEEPING IN BACK OF OUR 2003 MAZDA MPV. MY WIFE PUT THE CAR IN PARK, ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND LEFT THE CAR RUNNING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040519

2003 MAZDA MPV - TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY ROUGH FROM 2ND TO 3RD. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE. DEALER SAYS THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED AND FIXED UNLESS IT CAN BE DUPLICATED IN THE REPAIR SHOP. *LA

NHTSA ODI report, 20031023

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8%

8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 8 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

CAR WAS STATIONARY AND IN PARK. UPON TURNING KEY IN IGNITION, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MAZDA SERVICE AGENT COULD FIND NO MECHANICAL CAUSE. IT IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160930

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MPV. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED AND MADE A LOUD SOUND WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION DUE TO THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140714

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 6 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 113
R 20030331 — exterior lighting

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT FOG LIGHTS,THE FOG LIGHT BULB SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INSTALLATION CONDITION OF THE FOG LIGHT BULB ASSEMBLY, AND REPAIR IT WHEN NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZE

Campaign 03V053000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030714 — exterior lighting

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 T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING TO PREVENT THE SOCKET HOLDER FROM SEPARATING FROM THE LAMP CASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON

Campaign 03V206000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040716 — equipment

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 RE

Remedy: 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 CONTAC

Campaign 04V282000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040722 — equipment

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 I

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 04V109000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Mazda MPV — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (31 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V053000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V206000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V282000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V109000 (equipment) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2005 ▲ 1994 ● 1990

WORST YEARS

■ 2000 ◆ 2002 ● 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Mazda MPV reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Mazda MPV is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mazda MPV?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Mazda MPV have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.