2003 Mazda MPV Review
Fuel Economy
18 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
By adding power sliding doors and a more powerful engine, Mazda has finally made its petite and sporty MPV a respected choice in the minivan marketplace.
Pros
Compact and maneuverable, confident handling manners, roll-down windows in the sliding doors.
Cons
Limited maximum cargo capacity, lacks some features found in the other minivans.
What's New for 2003
For 2003, power sliding doors are an option for both the LX and ES trim levels. A towing package and a cargo organizer are two other new options. Also, an alarm and engine immobilizer are now part of a security package, and a cassette player is available on the ES trim level. The LX trim now rides on 16-inch wheels. Inside, floor and cargo mats are now standard on both trim levels, while outside, you'll see a new exhaust tip.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Do Not Buy This Van!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mazda MPV ES 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
This is the worst experience I have ever had with a vehicle. Purchased used. One owner lease. Good price and had all I wanted. Well the engine started coughing. 2 coils replaced, transmission, fan cooling system, and then another enginge. That engine was coughing. Another lower mileage engine around 40,000 installed. Now that engine is coughing since it now has around 75,000 miles on it, the engine not odometer. New driver window motor, 4 o2 censons, and a new cadallidic converter. I have put more money in this van than its worth. Mazda is not coming clean on the engine problems and they should be recalled. Shame on you! Just paid off my van and can't afford another vehicle or more repairs!
Favorite Features
I really wanted to love this van, it has everything I wanted for me and my children. Plus it was a good price compared to the Sienna.
Suggested Improvements
The Engine! I will never own anything but Toyota again! Invest the money up front because Toyota doesn't need repairs like Mazda. I know, I've owned the Corolla, Celica, and Avalon. None of these vehicles Ever needed major repairs and they were all bought used!
Gone the distance so far....
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mazda MPV LX 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Original owner. Have replaced the oil pan when it cracked at 95K, one tail light has gone out 2 times. Get up and go is non-existent. It eventually gets to speed, but it loses power up hills that other car accelerate up. Tow package doesn't really allow you to tow safely the claimed weight. No major breakdowns, have replaced rotors at 100K, but that is bad info from the last people that changed my tires. Been through 2 sets of tires all around. Gas mileage has continually gone down through the years. That is greatest disappointment. Rear air not near cool enough. Needs bigger fan. My boys were still hot.
Favorite Features
LOVED roll down 2nd row windows. Like the dual sliding doors more than i thought I would. Has been reliable overall.
Suggested Improvements
improved fuel economy.
Don't Do It
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mazda MPV LX 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Here's the thing: The transmission is a joke. It constantly wants to downshift on interstate hills to jerk your neck out of joint. Then at low speeds it has an abupt upshift and it feel like someone has rear-ended you. Did I mention that the fuel economy stinks? I didn't? Well, it does. Did I mention I had body rust in the fourth year? I'm an angry white MPV owner, man. Good thing they quit making this bomb.
Favorite Features
I've always liked the wheels and body style.
Suggested Improvements
Do we need to go there?
Happy until
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mazda MPV LX 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
Purchased our Mazda MPV new in 2003, We were happy with the way it handled and found the van to be very reliable except for a coil replacement at 75,000 miles and oil pan leak at 125,000 miles, seats hard as a rock and now at 140,000 miles the transmission failed on the interstate without notice, leaving us stranded for days. $3200.00 later with a Re-man transmission from the local dealership we are back on the road. Never again Mazda, no second chances.
Favorite Features
handles like a car or Mid size SUV, good get up and go power.
Suggested Improvements
Fix the little things,and the transmission that are costly in these economic hard times.
2003 Mazda MPV (tow pkge) 66K
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2003 Mazda MPV LX 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
Review
I rock out to Metallica-speakers are adequate! Do yourself a favor replace the spark plugs @35K, otherwise they burn out the coils. Put some good quality ones in. come on Mazda can you at least put some decent plugs in it and tires that last more than a year. Oh, and meet other makers warranty up to 100K!
Favorite Features
style, versatility...not to big, good for the kids and to haul some wood.
Suggested Improvements
quality improvements, plugs, tires. and fix the little things like in the floor seats, I hate putting my knees on the rails when i remove the middle seats.
View Pricing for Other Years
- 2006 Mazda MPV
- 2005 Mazda MPV
- 2004 Mazda MPV
- 2003 Mazda MPV
- 2002 Mazda MPV
- 2001 Mazda MPV
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