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: Oct 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
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda MPV. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. As a result of the failure, the contact crashed into a tree on the passenger side of the vehicle. The driver's side air bag deployed; however, the passenger’s side air bag did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. A Police report was filed, but no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V781000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the VIN was included; however, the vehicle had previously been repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 251,000.
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Mazda MPV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V404000 (Air Bags) however, the nearest dealer location was nearly 5 hours away. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and attempted to send a mechanic from the dealer to the residence for the recall repair however, the dealer declined. The contact was then referred to a Subaru dealer for assistance; however, the manufacturer failed to send the part to the dealer. The contact had gone back and forth with the manufacturer and other dealers but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK DOING THE SPEED LIMIT AND MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP I PRESS THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND IT STILL DID NOT STOP I PULLED UP MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THAT DID NOT WORK SO FINALLY I GOT THE CAR TO STOP BECAUSE I KEPT PUMPING THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND I THREW IT IN PARK I WAS SO SCARED I SEARCHED AROUND FOR RECALLS ON THE BRAKE AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE THE ONLY RECALL I SEEN WAS IN 2017 IN DETROIT. PLEASE ANYTHING SUGGESTIONS
DOS NOTE TUN ON CHECKLIGHT.ENGINE WENT OUT RUNNING ANDE DOS NOTE GIVE CONDE.TRIED WIHT OTHER ECU ANDE HACE THE DAME.
ENGINE STALLS OR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY WHEN AUTO MOVES FROM HIGH SPEED TO LOW SPEED. MAZDA 6 W/ 3.0 LITER ENGINE, WHICH IS THE SAME ENGINE AS THIS UNIT, HAS A SIMILAR ISSUE - SEE HERE: HTTP://WWW.6CREW.COM/FILES/TSB/01-016-06-2135.PDF THIS IS HAPPENING PERSISTENTLY FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOWS TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE HANDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH BOMMARITO MAZDA SERVICE (4198 I-70 NORTH OUTER RD, ST PETERS, MO 63376) WHO STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT YET RECEIVED THE REPAIR PARTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA MPV. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE REAR WHEELS WAS RUSTED AND SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,473.
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.
Research more
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.