KnownCarProblems2002 Mazda Mpv Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Mazda Mpv, most often about the transmission (53% of complaints, typically around 66,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Mpv model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2002 Mazda Mpv problems
Transmission
66 complaints · 53%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The transmission in my 2002 Mazda Mpv failed. The minivan as less than 65000 miles. The transmission failed without warning and it's currently being repaired. The transmission failure left me and my wife and 2 children under the age of 8 in the middle of a 3 lane highway. Stranded, I needed a tow truck to get the car…
At 68,000 miles, the transmission on my Mazda Mpv totally failed on a busy interstate highway outside of chicago. It was towed in and needed a totally new transmission at a substantially high cost. The vehicle was 18 months out of its 3 year warranty. This is apparently a "known issue" for Mazda Mpv transmissions. I…
Engine
25 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
Engine was running rough and misfired. One dealer said this was a transmission module. After keeping it for several days and said the sparks needed adjusting, waited on the transmission module because it was running fine. Then it stopped suddenly in snowy weather, towed, I was left stranded for 2 hours in cold…
2000-2003 Mazda Mpv models have a coolant seepage from rear heater pipe which can cause severe engine failure and traffic hazard due to non-drivable vehicle. Mazda Mpv 2002 was found to have a coolant leak in rear heater pipes and was taken to Mazda repair center. Mazda advised a vehicle should not be run without…
Electrical
9 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring.
Engine was hesitating during acceleration causing difficulty in driving, especially merging into traffic. Problem got worse as engine heated up. Dealer diagnosed problem as a bad coil but could not determine which of the 6 coils were faulting. Dealer finally gave in and replaced them for no charge after I complained…
At 72k, transmission failed while driving at hwy speeds. Transmission went into neutral on its own. Had to replace transmission. Also all 6 coils have been replaced. 1 failed at approx. 38k, 2nd at 50k, the remaining at 72k.
Speed control
5 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
My wife was driving Mazda Mpv van which is 2002 model. She was driving at about 20-25 MPH and tried to apply the brakes when she saw another car approaching the road; the brakes did not engage and she started hearing some heavy sound coming from engine. The van continued to accelerate and she had to take wide turn to…
Was driving down the street with cruise control on and set. Coming up to red light. Hit cancel on cruise lever and it did not disengage. The turned it off with the button. Light went off but was still engaged. I also was applying the brakes in a panic.....still not disengaging. Put car in neutral.....engine rpms went…
Body and structure
4 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: body.
Consumer called complaining about electrical door problems. Consumer was putting her child in vehicle and her wrist hit the electronic system that caused the door to close partially, and it gave her an electrical shock which bruised her wrist. Dealer was contacted, and mechanic at dealer told her that it was normal…
The liftgate damper pivot bolt broke, causing the liftgate to fall on my head. It only fell a couple of inches because of my height. I see there is a recall in canada for this exact same issue. I called Mazda - they stated my car was not covered by the recall. I saved the old part. I replaced the 2 dampers and bolts -…
Air bags
4 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
I was just setting in my 2002 Mazda Mpv es and with the key turned to on spot not to start the vehicle so that I could put down my window. After a minute or so my SRS airbags in my driver seat and passenger seat deployed without any warning. Injury to myself was moderate. My biggest disappointment is that Mazda would…
The contact owns a 2002 Mazda Mpv. While traveling 45 MPH the vehicle crashed into the side of another vehicle. None of the airbags deployed. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not inspected for the air bag failure or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 172,000. Updated 07/06/12
Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
While driving on rt. 95 from nj to baltimore at 65 MPH, tire located at rear driver side exploded. Vehicle started quakering affecting vehicle's direction and control. The broken tire was replaced by an emergency spare tire. Tire's information: dunlop sp 40 205/65 r15 94s m+s
Tire valve stems all four ,caused two flat tires and two value stem creaking, 13 months old, sumitomo tires p21560h16 from sears. I was told it was dry rot, I told the mdg. He was full of b.s. . I had midas replace all four value stems.
Brakes
3 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: foundation components.
Brake pad design fault resulting in loosening of brake pads and giving cranking noise while braking. Vehicle in complaint -- 2002 Mazda Mpv.
My wife was driving Mazda Mpv van which is 2002 model. She was driving at about 20-25 MPH and tried to apply the brakes when she saw another car approaching the road; the brakes did not engage and she started hearing some heavy sound coming from engine. The van continued to accelerate and she had to take wide turn to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Mazda Mpv recalls
Speed control: cables
Risk: 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.
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.
Full defect summary
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).
Lights: fog lights
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
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 bulb holder and the wiring harness may separate from the fog light casing.
Lights: fog lights
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
On certain mini vans equipped with front fog lights,the fog light bulb socket may have been installed improperly.
Equipment: labels
Fix: Owners will be mailed accurate certification labels and inserts for the owner's manual. Owner notification began june 12, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2002 Mazda Mpv
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mazda Mpv?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (66 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); engine (25 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles); electrical (9 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Mazda Mpv have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 19, 2004 (speed control). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Mazda Mpv?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Mpv model year since 2000, with 124 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.