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Used 2003 Mazda MPV Consumer Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
213 reviews

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3.5 out of 5 stars

Longtime Mazda buyer disappointed

2thebeach, 11/03/2008
2003 Mazda MPV ES 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Have owned seven different Mazdas. All served me well except my 03 MPV ES. Problems are as follows. 41000 miles, recall for fan control module, PCV hose and fuel trim code correction. Also replaced a leaking crank seal. 42500 replaced #6 ignition coil and spark plug. 47500 replaced leaking oil pan gasket and coolant line leading to rear heat/ac. 84000 replaced coils #3 & #5 plus front sway bar links. Other problems during ownership include replacing over half of the exterior bulbs, considerable body rust around rear wheel wells and the paint finish flaking off of the alloy wheels! Sorry Mazda, I don't give second chances now that so many brands both foreign & domestic build quality cars.

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2.75 out of 5 stars

Bought it new and it was the worst van

dentandabump, 02/16/2010
2003 Mazda MPV LX 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I bought this van in 2004 brand new.By the time I traded it in at 82,000 miles,the service people knew me too well.I did all scheduled maintenance yet had to replace:transmission sensor, CV joint,all coil packs, EGR boost sensor,starter,radiator,engine mounts, oxy sensor, coolant reservoir, control arms,range selector switchpurge valve, manifold ans more to the tune of thousands. The body was rusting and the carpet wore out quick. After forking out 20,000 to buy it and all the expensive repairs on parts that should not have been worn until after 100,000 miles, I am upset with Mazda makers.I paid 400 for a sensor and was told the convertor, tranny coolant hoses and water pump were bad.Trade in!Grrr

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2003 Mazda MPV for sale near you
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4.5 out of 5 stars

Good Mazda

Budd Ditchendorf, 07/12/2010
2003 Mazda MPV ES 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

We purchased this van with 62,000 miles on it in 2008 for a great price. Made me wonder if it was a lemon. We had to have a van and it was the right price especially compared to Toyotas and Hondas. This van has been a blessing! 25 ,000 miles later and it runs perfectly. Do all my own maintenance and the fluid levels are always spot on where they were before. Ours is decked out with all the modern options of 2003 and was way below the cost of comparable other vans. I would venture to say you must check this van out if you are in the market for a van. This seems to be a reliable used purchase flying below the radar thus a much more reasonable price.

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3.5 out of 5 stars

2003 MPV LX - Bought New

Tommy C., 08/17/2010
2003 Mazda MPV LX 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

My MPV was bought new and now has 143K miles on it. It has had all the issues that others stated here. Check Engine light is a regular happening! Catalytic Converter issue that I will ignore until the end! Replaced the two common coils in front - water issue/design - stupid! Leaking rear AC antifreeze tubes - under warranty at 130K - thanks Mazda! Tubes were rusted gone! transmission issues - reprogrammed in 2004 and seems to be ok since. Rust around rear wheel wells AND bottom seals of front doors! Happened at 35K miles in beginning! Worst design - no power lock button on pass.side door! No dimmer over-ride to switch on inside lights after 10 Minutes! Ugh! AC is weak! Heater is weak.

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5 out of 5 stars

Still a great car at 166K

Happy MPV driver, 08/25/2019
2003 Mazda MPV LX 4dr Minivan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I bought the MPV new in April 2003 and have properly maintained it, but have not babied it at all either. Almost 16 1/2 years later, I still love driving this van. I took it on a 3140 mile trip this summer, and it was a joy to drive at 75 mph and 24-25 mpg. When my wife and I finally started looking for a new car in late 2017, we would have bought an updated MPV in a heartbeat. Its virtues for me are: 1. Great visibility because of the large windows 2. (at least mine) the light interior makes it feel airy and open 3. The seats are very comfortable and the seat-steering wheel-pedals geometry I find comfortable as well 4. This car has been very reliable--with one exception: I had to replace ignition coils three times. The third time, I told the repair person, "Replace all six coils. Use lots of the sealant material you use so that water does not have a chance to get in and cause corrosion, which makes the coil misfire. I do not want this problem again." He did and the problem has not re-occurred in three years. I had the shift-shock problem at the beginning. Mazda took care of it under warranty, and the problem went away. I will keep driving this van until something big breaks. It is still fun to drive, and I will actually be sad when I finally part ways with it.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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