Mazda · MPV · 2002
4
Recalls
124
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2002 Mazda MPV has 4 recalls and 124 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: power train (58 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 25, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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).
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT FOG LIGHTS,THE FOG LIGHT BULB SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.
Remedy Status
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY AND SHOOK WHILE IDLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE COIL PACK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
THE DRIVERS SEATBELT CLASP OR BUCKLE REFUSES TO ACCEPT THE STEEL TAB, AND WILL NOT LOCK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ACTUATOR CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V234000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TRANSMISSION FAILED, COMPLETELY DISENGAGED. NO WARNING. HAD TO BE TOWED. REQUIRED A $2500.00 COMPLETE OVERHAUL. VERY LOW MILES ON THIS VEHICLE, ALWAYS PROPERLY MAINTAINED. *TR
2002 MAZDA MPV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ON. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY WHEN MY MPV WOULDN'T SHIFT SO I COULD PASS A TRUCK. THEN IT STARTED TO LOSE SPEED. WOULD DEPRESS GAS PEDAL AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT NO SPEED. HAD TO PULL OVER TO BREAKDOWN LANE WHICH BECAME A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WE ARE LUCKY WE DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MPV WOULD NOT WORK IN DRIVE, REVERSE, 3 OR 2 GEARS. WE WERE STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK HOME. DIAGNOSIS: TRANSMISSION GONE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MPV AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. HAVE HAD SHIFT PROBLEMS IN THE PAST WHERE DEALER JUST RESETS THE CODES. I WON'T HAVE IT FIXED. I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THIS MANUFACTURER. *TR
TL* 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 *BF
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 TO REDLINE...I THEN TURNED IGNITION OFF BEFORE CRASHING INTO THE CARS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT......VERY VERY SCARY. SAW RECALL AND OTHER PEOPLE WITH EXACT SAME PROBLEM. CALLED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATES ON THE RECALL....THEREFORE NOT THEIR PROBLEM. HOW CAN THEY SAY VEHICLES MADE 3 MONTHS BEFORE ARE UNSAFE BUT OTHER ONES ARE NOT.....ISN'T IS POSSIBLE THEY GOT THE DATES OF MANUFACTURE WRONG? I A PERSONS LIFE NOT WORTH FIXING THIS KNOW ISSUE??? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 MAZDA MPV WITH APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES . ON THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 16, 2011 WHILE DRIVING HOME WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR THE RIGHT FOG LIGHT STARTED A FIRE IN THE BUMPER. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS MANY YEARS AGO FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL, I DID BRING MY CAR IN AND SUPPOSEDLY THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. HOWEVER, GIVEN WHAT HAS OCCURRED LAST NIGHT I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED, DESPITE WHAT THE RECORDS WITH MAZDA SAY. I FEEL THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT NEGLIGENCE IN THE ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THIS UNDER THE RECALL AS THE EXACT PROBLEM THE RECALL WAS SAID TO FIX HAS ACTUALLY OCCURRED. I HAVE CONTACTED FRANK AT MAZDA 800-222-5500 EXTENSION 1154 AND HE IS REFUSING TO HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY ALSO REFUSE TO HELP ME WITH THIS MATTER. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT WAS NOT CORRECTED PROPERLY AND HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THERE IS STILL POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL HARM AS THE OTHER FOG LIGHT MAY STILL BE AT RISK. I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU FOR HELP IN CORRECTING THIS MATTER BY HAVING MAZDA TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND ANOTHER SUCH OCCURRENCE THAT HAPPENED TO DRIVER ON 9/16/2010. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 MAZDA MPV MINIVAN WITH 91,000 MILES ON IT ON THE FREEWAY AND WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEAR. IT SEEMED TO GO INTO NEUTRAL AND I BEGAN LOOSING SPEED. I HAVE DONE ALL MAINTENANCE AS WAS SUGGESTED IN THE HANDBOOK BY MAZDA. IN FACT, MAZDA HAS DONE ALL OF THE MAINTENANCE. THIS WAS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AS THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS. I WAS TOLD BY MAZDA THAT IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND MAZDA REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS EVEN THOUGH IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH A PEDESTRIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND THEN TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY ALREADY PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING RECALL ON THE VEHICLE ; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V206000 COMPONENT: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS . THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110000. UPDATED 12/29/10 *BF UPDATED 01/03/11
2002 MAZDA MPV TRANSMISSION KEPT SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR . *TR
I OWN A 2002 MAZDA MPV. IT HAS ABOUT 94,000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, I WAS TRYING TO INCREASE SPEED BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FASTER, INSTEAD THE CAR BEGAN TO REDLINE AND DECREASE IN SPEED. WHEN I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WAS RUNNING BUT DID NOT MOVE. I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY, LUCKILY I WAS IN THE SLOW LANE OTHERWISE I MAY HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THE CAR HAD ANY PROBLEMS, NO WARNING LIGHT OR SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT AT ALL. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. COST TO REPAIR $2,600. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I FOUND THAT THERE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A RECALL MAZDA OF JAPAN FOR 81,000 VEHICLES. ALSO IT IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM CITED FOR MAZDA MPV VANS SOME WITH FAR LESS MILEAGE THAN MINE. I AM VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS INCIDENT AS I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME AND WAS FEARFUL FOR THEIR SAFETY. *TR
WE HAVE A 2002 MAZDA MPV (FIRST OWNERS) WITH 104K; FOLLOWED ALL MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTENANCE. DIED ON THE WAY TO WORK THIS MORNING, HAD TO BE TOWED TO SHOP. THEY WANT 6000$ TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION (WITH A REBUILT ONE). I'M SHOPPING AROUND. THE CAR ISN'T WORTH 1/2 THAT FOR TRADE-IN. WE HAVE HAD THE TRANS MODULE REPLACED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH NO WARNING, ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE COMPLETED. *TR
COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 67,000 MILES IN OUR 2002 MAZDA MPV2. ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN PERFORMED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (THANKFULLY CLOSE TO HOME) AT THE START OF RUSH HOUR AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN 40MPH - THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT DOWN, THE REVS INCREASED, BUT I HAD NO ACCELERATION. I WAS ABLE TO GET MOST OF THE WAY HOME BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED AUDIBLY WHINING AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MY 10 YEAR OLD AND I PUSHED IT INTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO SAID WE WOULD NEED THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. MAZDA WOULD NOT CONSIDER ANY OUT-OF-WARRANTY HELP UNLESS WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP (AT A COST OF $100 FOR US) AND DIAGNOSED THERE (ANOTHER $100). HAVING DONE THIS, THEY SAID NO HELP WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE. THEY SAID THIS WAS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE AREA SERVICE MANAGER, BUT REFUSED TO GIVE HIS CONTACT DETAILS SO WE COULD NOT DISCUSS THIS WITH HIM. WE HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THIS WEBSITE, LOOKING AT PROBLEMS LISTED UNDER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE NUMBERS OF COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURES NEEDING REPLACEMENT ARE AS FOLLOWS FOR THE SPECIFIC YEARS: 2000 = 1 PROBABLE FAILURE; 2001 = 1 PROBABLE FAILURE; 2002 = 40 COMPLETE FAILURES; 2003 = 1 FAILURE; 2004 = 2 FAILURES; 2005 = 0 FAILURES; 2006 = 0 FAILURES. IT SEEMS CLEAR TO US THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 MAZDA MPV TRANSMISSION. PEOPLE SHOULD REALIZE THAT MAZDA ARE NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT WHEN THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM LIKE THIS. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO GET MAZDA TO ACCEPT SOME RESPONSIBILITY? IT LOOKS LIKE THIS WILL COST NEARLY $4000 TO FIX. I DON'T THINK WE'LL BE BUYING ANOTHER MAZDA ..EVER. *TR
2002 MAZDA MPV WITH 39,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION TOTALLY FAILED ON US55 HALFWAY BETWEEN BLOOMINGTON, IL AND CHICAGO. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED BACK TO CHICAGO. TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS MY SECOND ONE. WHEN I BOUGHT CAR IN 2002 TRANSMISSION FAILED IN 1ST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILED IN MY 2002 MAZDA MPV AT 111K MILES. AFTER READING SEVERAL STORIES ONLINE THAT SOUND IDENTICAL TO MINE, I FELT COMPELLED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I WAS TRAVELLING ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE WITH 5 CUBSCOUTS AND THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED, LEAVING US STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TRANSMISSION GAVE NO WARNING THAT IT WAS ABOUT TO FAIL, OTHER THAN A FEW ROUGH SHIFTS FROM TIME TO TIME. MECHANIC CHECKED FLUID LEVELS AND PRESSURE OF TRANSMISSION AND ALL CHECKED OUT OKAY AFTER INCIDENT. THIS WAS NOT DRIVER OR MAINTENANCE ERROR. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE AT ALL IN DRIVE, LOW GEARS OR REVERSE.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2002 Mazda MPV has 4 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 124 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Mazda MPV.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2002 Mazda MPV.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2002 Mazda MPV are power train (58 reports), engine and engine cooling (17 reports), electrical system (5 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 4 recalls on record for the 2002 Mazda MPV. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.