Mazda MPV Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Mazda MPV model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 1999 drew the fewest (2) and the 2000 the most (149).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2006 Among the fewest complaints |
12 | 2 | Air bags | — | 18 |
| 1996 Among the fewest complaints |
18 | 1 | Air bags | — | 15–17 |
| 1995 | 19 | 1 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 15–19 |
| 1998 | 19 | 1 | Air bags | — | 15–17 |
| 1989 | 22 | 5 | Seat belts | — | 16–19 |
| 1997 | 22 | 1 | Air bags | — | 15–17 |
| 1994 | 36 | 1 | Air bags | — | 15–19 |
| 2005 | 36 | 3 | Air bags | — | 19 |
| 1990 | 47 | 3 | Power train | — | 16–19 |
| 1993 | 51 | 1 | Power train | — | 15–18 |
| 1992 | 61 | 1 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 15–18 |
| 1991 | 66 | 3 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 15–20 |
| 2001 | 70 | 3 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 18 |
| 2004 | 71 | 5 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 18 |
| 2003 Among the most complaints |
113 | 4 | Power train | — | 18 |
| 2002 Among the most complaints |
124 | 4 | Power train | — | 18 |
| 2000 Among the most complaints |
149 | 5 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 18 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Mazda MPV years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2000 Mazda MPV: 149 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 24 (16%); Tires 18 (12%); Structure 17 (11%).
Reports mention 12 crashes, 3 fires, 23 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 76,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2002 Mazda MPV: 124 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 66 (53%); Engine and engine cooling 23 (19%); Electrical system 9 (7%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 5 fires, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 61,900 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2003 Mazda MPV: 113 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 35 (31%); Engine and engine cooling 23 (20%); Electrical system 16 (14%).
Reports mention 12 crashes, 2 fires, 18 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 37,673 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
The Mazda MPV years with the fewest complaints
1999 Mazda MPV: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 1 (50%); Tires 1 (50%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2006 Mazda MPV: 12 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 2 (17%); Engine 2 (17%); Vehicle speed control 2 (17%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 injuries. 2 recall campaigns listed.
1996 Mazda MPV: 18 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 3 (17%); Vehicle speed control 3 (17%); Engine and engine cooling 2 (11%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 4 injuries. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Mazda MPV owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 36 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 59,000 |
| 2004 | 71 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 55,000 |
| 2003 | 113 | 12 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 37,673 |
| 2002 | 124 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 61,900 |
| 2001 | 70 | 10 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 73,500 |
| 2000 | 149 | 12 | 3 | 23 | 0 | 76,000 |
| 1999 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1998 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1997 | 22 | 9 | 3 | 10 | 0 | — |
| 1996 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 36 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 51 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 61 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 66 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 1990 | 47 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Mazda MPV recalls
- Ignition Switch may Overheat (1989–1998 model years; 1,368,500 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2015; 15V674000)
- INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT BUCKLES (1989–1991 model years; 360,433 vehicles across all models; filed May 1995; 95V103005)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2004–2006 model years; 308,591 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2018; 18V402000)
- BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:SHOE AND DRUM SYSTEM:LININGS (1990–1991 model years; 95,074 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 1992; 92V027000)
- MAZDA/FOG LIGHT (2002–2003 model years; 64,000 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2003; 03V206000)
All 22 Mazda MPV recall campaigns · Mazda MPV problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Mazda MPV years FAQ
Which Mazda MPV year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 1999 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Mazda MPV years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2000, 2002 and 2003 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Mazda MPV problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (201 of 938 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Mazda MPV have?
NHTSA lists 22 recall campaigns covering the Mazda MPV. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mazda MPV recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.