10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,908 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Mazda MPV transmission problems

transmission problem

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2003 Mazda MPV Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #11

Dec 152003

MPV

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2003 Mazda MPV with 8,000 miles on it. My transmission (2nd to 3rd shift) started shifting with a jolt from about 1,000 miles. It only happened occasionally at first but now it is every day. Have taken it to malloy Mazda. They called Mazda and told me to wait until Mazda gets a fix. They are suppose to call me.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #10

Jan 012003

MPV 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 300 miles
I purchased a 2003 Mazda MPV ES on 12/23/03.vehicle has approx 320 miles on it and I'm beginning to experiance and harsh bang on upshift between 2nd and 3rd gear.I found thousands of complaints pertaining to the same problem.I'm trying to find out if theres a fix or not.

- Bayside, NY, USA

problem #9

Dec 192003

MPV 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25 miles
On occasion, upon acceleration, engine slips, then bangs into gear. Took it to the service and they found nothing. Pulling out of the service parking lot it happened to me twice. Also man in front of me in the service line has the same year model and is complaining about the same thing.

- Massapequa, NY, USA

problem #8

Dec 162003

(reported on)

MPV

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The transmission did not shift smoothly. The motor revved up then slammed into gear, which caused the vehicle to jump. Provide further details................................................................

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #7

Nov 042003

MPV

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
You can add me to the list of people who are experiencing the hard shift problem that many others have described as an intermittent hard slam of the trans in my new $30,000 Mazda MPV. It occurs when the van has been driven for a while and happens when shifting from 2nd to 3rd around 30mi per hr. I have taken it to the original dealer and they admit that there is a problem but they won't try to fix it because they say they currently they have no fix from Mazda. I emailed Mazda and they admit that there is no fix but they are working with the manufacturer of the transmission. I am trying to file for lemon law arbitration with the attorney general at this time. I need four work orders from the dealers which means 4 days without a car and time off work. The second dealer I took it to said my van was working as it was designed to even though I tried to show the service manager the email from Mazda that as good as confesses that they are having problems with the transmissions on 2003/2004 MPV's. the area dealer service rep for Mazda wouldn't help me either. I think it's time for me to call my friends at cbs news and get Mazda on 20/20 and have them answer some pointed questions, like why don't they stand behind their cars and give us the service we all deserve. If you want to see more complaints go to edmunds.com there are over 3000 + complaints and counting. I think Mazda won't do anything about this until some one is either in an accident or hurt as a result of the trans. Problem. My recommendation is don't buy a Mazda mpy van.

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #6

Sep 302002

MPV 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles
The transmission seems to shift very hard in between certain gears..it thrusts you forward with a power surge. I bought this vehicle because I am a disabled woman. And it filled all my needs..when this jolt happens. Talked to my doctor and was advised to do as little driving as possible in this van. At risk of more injury to my neck..took it to the dealer 3 times..was told that it was just a quirk in the Mazda transmission. Told the Mazda mechanic that it was an awfully expensive quirk. They did a reprogram on the transmission. It still does it..only now the geers slip too. They said that they would no longer see the vehicle for this problem. If they could not get the van to reproduce the problem for the mechanic, that it would be at my expense and not under warrenty. They refuse to do anything about it. This problem exist. Only there is no way that you can pin point the moment and time of this problem.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #5

Nov 252003

MPV 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2003 Mazda MPV. Transmission shifts very hard from 2nd to 3rd. You can actually feel the transmission slipping and then it will slam into 3rd gear. It feels as if you are being hit from behind. Very dangerous! the problem is intermittent and unpredictable. Problem appears to be more apparent when the outside temp is mild and the engine has been running for more than 15-20 minutes. Problem must be duplicated in order for Mazda to repair. My van has 6500 miles on it.

- Franklin, MA, USA

problem #4

Nov 272003

MPV 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,162 miles
2003 Mazda MPV - transmission shifts very rough from 2nd to 3rd. You can feel the transmission slipping then it slams into 3rd gear. Problem is intermittent and unpredictable. Dealer says the problem cannot be diagnosed and fixed unless it can be duplicated in the repair shop. I printed 30 pages from the edmunds.com board and mazdausa.com board and handed it to the service manager to show that yes this is a problem. The van only has 4100 miles on it and has done this since purchased. I will now keep a record of the incidents. **riverside, ca.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #3

Sep 232003

MPV

  • 57 miles
While driving at any speed, the gears in the vehicle seem to be slipping. The gears didn't change at the proper intervals. There were times when the consumer would be at a stop light and the vehicle would lurch forward, as if struck from behind. The check engine light came on and stayed on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who reprogrammed the PCM module in the transmission. The reprogramming did not stop the engine from slipping, but it did cause the check engine light to go out. The vehicle has been in the shop for the engine slipping three times, and the problem still persists. The manufacturer has been informed of the problem.

- Cambridge, MD, USA

problem #2

Sep 222003

MPV 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles
Vehicle has clunking when it shifts from 2nd to 3rd especially at slower speeds vehicle has been to the shop 4 times and problem still exists. Dealer installed 2 new software updates. Dealer that has tried fixing problem is new country- Mazda saratoga springs NY.

- Ballston Spa, NY, USA

problem #1

Sep 252003

MPV 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,800 miles
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.

- Minnetonka, MN, USA

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