Mazda MPV Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Mazda MPV options? We analyzed 7 model years (2000–2006) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Found a Mazda MPV? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Mazda MPV has 617 owner complaints and 26 safety recalls across model years 2000–2006. The most reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. 2000 drew the most complaints; 2006 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Mazda
- Model
- MPV
- Model years analyzed
- 2000–2006 (7 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 617
- Safety recall campaigns
- 26
- Crash-related complaints
- 53
- Fire-related complaints
- 13
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2000 (155 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2006 (12 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- POWER TRAIN
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Mazda MPV: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe MAZDA MPV has 617 NHTSA complaints and 26 recalls on record. 53 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 617 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 26 federal recall campaigns
- 53 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
26 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2006. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 617 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
617 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V404000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. TULLEY MAZDA (147 DANIEL WEBSTER HWY, NASHUA, NH) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
MY VEHICLE HAS LES THAN 84,000 MILES ON IT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND A TECHNICIAN LATER TOLD ME THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE SPARK PLUG SYSTEM. I ALSO HAD A WINDSHIELD WIPER POP OFF WHILE IN USE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, IDLING, OR DRIVING UPHILL, THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM ENGINE CYLINDER NUMBER SIX. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SIERRA MAZDA DEALER IN BIRMINGHAM, AL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
THE HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS HAVE HAZED OVER. THIS CONDITION HAS SEVERLY LIMITED THE LIGHT OUTPUT OF THE HEADLIGHTS. THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND THE MANUFACTURER CONTENDS THAT THIS IS NORMAL WEAR ON THE HEADLIGHT. *JS I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THEY INTENDED THE LIGHT OUTPUT TO DIMINISH OVER TIME TO THE POINT WHERE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS RESTRICT LIGHT OUTPUT BELOW MINIMUM LUMEN.OUTPUT
I OWN A 2006 MAZDA MPV. ON SEPTEMBER 26, MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT WHILE ENTERING IN OUR HOME DRIVE WAY, WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND STRUCK THE GARAGE DOOR AND CRASHED AGAINST THE INTERNAL WALL THAT DIVIDE THE GARAGE FROM THE KITCHEN. WE DID NOT REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO THE POLICE OR THE INSURANCE TO AVOID FURTHER INCREASE IN THE QUOTES INSURANCE BUT OUR NEIGHBORS SAW THE ACCIDENT. WE HAD TO HIRE A SPECIALIZED DOOR COMPANY TO REPLACE THE GARAGE DOOR AND A HANDYMAN TO FIX THE GARAGE SIDE AND THE KITCHEN SIDE. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THE CAR REPAIR IS $2,000.00, NEW GARAGE DOOR $1,175.00 AND THE WALL $250. A FEW DAYS AFTER WE BOTH THIS CAR, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT THE AUTO PARTS PARKING LOT WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES, JUST THE TERRIBLE MOMENT IN WHAT YOU FEEL THAT YOU CAN'T STOP YOUR CAR. WE FOUNDED AT LEAST 15 COMPLAINTS IN THE INTERNET RELATED TO THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH THE MAZDA MPV. ALL THESE COMPLAINS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR
Read 14 more owner reports
THE ELECTRIC WINDOW CONTROL FOR THE 2006 MAZDA MPV FAILED TO LOWER THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WHEN ENGAGED. WHEN THE OTHER WINDOW CONTROLS WERE ENGAGED, THE CONTROL PANEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BEGAN TO MAKE A WHINING NOISE AND SMOKE. WE REPORTED IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER WHO TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM QUITE A BIT, BUT IT IS NOT ON ANY RECALL AND WOULD COST ALMOST $1,000 TO FIX. WE TOOK THE FUSE OUT THAT CONTROLLED THE WINDOWS AND HAVE NOT HAD IT FIXED YET. *TR
THE DEALER REPLACED THE FILLER TUBE FOR FILLING UP THE GAS TANK. EVERY TIME I PUMP GAS INTO THE VEHICLE I GET BACK SPLASH THAT GOES ALL OVER MYSELF AND THE GROUND. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER DON'T WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FILLER TUBE TWICE AND THE GAS TANK, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THIS BACK SPLASH IS DANGEROUS TO MY HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW. THE PROBLEM WASN'T THERE WHEN I BOUGHT THE VAN. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER FUEL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE IT SPILLED BACK OUT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FILLER TUBE TWICE AND THE FUEL TANK ONE TIME SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FUEL CONTINUED TO SPILL OUT ON THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WROTE A LETTER AND A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED HIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,944.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA MPV. WHILE PULLING INTO A HANDICAPPED SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND STRUCK THE HANDICAPPED SIGN. THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED AND CRASHED INTO THE WINDOW OF A BANK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO HIS CHEST AND STOMACH. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE MAZDA DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY INFORMED THE DEALER THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS SURGING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACCELERATING FASTER THAN THE SET SPEED. FLORIDA HIGHWAY POLICE FILED REPORT NUMBER 070FF132518, AND H.S.M.C. FILED CRASH REPORT NUMBER 7738-3529. THE SPEED AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,666 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,500.
PREMATURE WEAR - OEM DUNLOP TIRES WORN OUT AT UNDER 14,000 SMALL PUNCTURE COULD NOT BE SEALED BUY MAZDA DEALER - AFTER TAKING THE MPV TO THE LOCAL GOODYEAR SHOP - THE INDICATED THE TIRES WERE TOO WORN TO REPAIR . I HAVE ALL THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AT MAZDA DEALER. *TR
AT LOW SPEED, 20 TO 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION JERKS SO MUCH THAT THE HEADREST HITS MY HEAD BADLY. IT IS ALMOST LIKE THE VEHICLE IS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY HEAD IS STILL DIZZY AFTER A DAY. THIS JERKING FREQUENCY IS ABOUT TWICE IN THE PAST 4 WEEKS.
2004 MAZDA MPV. CONSUMER WRITES ASKING TO BE REMOVED FROM RECALL LIST BECAUSE THEY NO LONGER OWN THE VEHICLE.
FRONT CROSS MEMBER CORROSION; FRAME DAMAGED; CAR DANGEROUSLY UNSTABLE. WHEEL ALIGNMENT COST ME $72.64 AND FRAME REPAIR COST $693.36. THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR 4 DAYS. MENTAL ANGUISH. MAZDA DEALER DECLINED REPAIRS. MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE DECLINED TO PAY. NOW THEY ARE ADMITTING THAT PROBLEM ON MAZDA 6 VEHICLES. IT'S AN OLD PROBLEM PROBABLY RELATED TO METALLURGY OR IMPROPER PAINT PROTECTION.
SUSPENSION SUBFRAME RUSTED AND CRACKED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA MPV. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 15 MPH, SHE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SEND DOCUMENTATION FROM THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 166,000.
I WENT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET MY SAFETY RECALLS DONE AT THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP ON TORRANCE BUT THEY SAID I NEEDED TO FILL OUT A FORM AND TO WAIT FOR THEM TO RECEIVE THE AUTO PARTS. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 6 MONTHS SINCE I WENT, I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THE AT ALL.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN MAY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
AIR BAG INFLATOR REPLACEMENT FIRST NOTICE REC.8/1/16,CALLED BOMARITO(LOCAL DEALER)-NO PARTS-WOULD CALL CALLED AGAIN1/2/17-SAME RESPONSE SECOND NOTICE REC.4/17/17-CALLED AGAIN SAME RESPONSE.
TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED MAZDA OFFER TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PART AND ACCOMMODATE FOR TRANSPORTATION WHILE THE CAR IS BEING REPAIR. THE ONLY REQUIREMENT TO HAVE THIS ACCOMMODATIONS IS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THEM TO DELIVER SUCH OFFER TO FIX THE INCONVENIENCES THAT THIS BRINGS. I CALLED TO MAKE THE ARRANGEMENTS BUT NOW MAZDA REFUSES TO GIVE ANOTHER TRANSPORTATION WHILE FIXING THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS INCLUDED IN THEIR WRITTEN OFFER.
Showing 20 of 617 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Mazda MPV
These pages show model-year patterns across 7 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Mazda MPV, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Mazda MPV has 617 complaints on record across 7 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Mazda MPV has 26 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 53 of the Mazda MPV's 617 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Mazda MPV vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Mazda MPV vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Mazda MPV has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Mazda MPV stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Mazda MPV by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Mazda MPV.
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Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Mazda MPV reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Mazda MPV reliable?
Poor. The Mazda MPV has 617 NHTSA owner complaints and 26 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Mazda MPV years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2000 (155 complaints), 2002 (125 complaints), 2003 (114 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Mazda MPV problems?
Top reported issues: POWER TRAIN (134 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (127 complaints); AIR BAGS (69 complaints).
Does the Mazda MPV have recalls?
Yes — 26 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Mazda MPV. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.