Model year guide

2003 Mazda MPV

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Mazda MPV is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 144 on record.

2003 Mazda MPV — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Mazda MPV at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints114
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$1,622

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2003 Mazda MPV recalls 4

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #04V282000 · manufacturer #2104F · 10/06/2004

THE TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE INDICATED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS NOT CORRECT. THE LABELS SHOW THE MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE AS 240 KPA/32 PSI WHEN IT SHOULD BE SHOWN AS 240 KPA/35 PSI. AS A RESULT OF THIS ERROR, THE LOAD RATIOS FOR THE 205/65R15 94H AND THE 215/60R16 95H TIRES EXCEED THE LEVELS PERMITTED BY FMVSS 120.

Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A CORRECTED LABEL THAT THEY CAN APPLY TO THEIR VEHICLE, OR THEY CAN HAVE A DEALER INSTALL THE LABEL, IF DESIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION #4.

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #04V109000 · manufacturer #1804C · 09/03/2004

CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AIR BAG WARNING LABELS INTENDED FOR THE CANADIAN MARKET. THUS, THE LABELS CONTAIN WARNINGS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND FRENCH. AS A RESULT, THE AREA OF THE ENGLISH WARNING IS ONLY 16 SQUARE CENTIMETERS, AS OPPOSED TO THE 30 SQUARE CENTIMETERS REQUIRED …

Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AIR BAG CAUTION LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WHICH WERE MAILED ON JULY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights NHTSA Campaign #03V206000 · manufacturer #1103F · 05/06/2003

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…

Fix: 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 …

Exterior Lighting:fog Lights NHTSA Campaign #03V053000 · manufacturer #0903C · 13/02/2003

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT FOG LIGHTS,THE FOG LIGHT BULB SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.

Fix: 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 SH…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2003 Mazda MPV common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2003 Mazda MPV safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Frontal crash test — 2003 Mazda MPVFrontal crash test
Side barrier test — 2003 Mazda MPVSide barrier test

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2003 Mazda MPV. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2003 Mazda MPV MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,700
EPA size classMinivan - 2WD
TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

What's a 2003 Mazda MPV worth?

Low
$700
Typical price
$1,622
High
$2,800

From 45 comparable 2003 Mazda MPV listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Mazda MPV costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,500
Depreciation (5 yrs)$700
Total$19,200
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,622) with the same model 3 model-years older ($1,217), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
187.0 in
Width
72.0 in
Height
68.9 in
Wheelbase
111.8 in
Curb weight
3,796 lb
Front track
61.0 in
Rear track
61.0 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2003 Mazda MPV. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 126

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 126.

Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid. It has been unpublished and superseded by the Field Quality Information Report (FQIR) reporting system.

Bulletin SA-055-26 · Aug 2026

This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit inoperative electric rear window defroster grid lines, integral antenna concerns causing radio…

Bulletin 09-022-26 · Electrical System, Visibility/wiper · Jul 2026

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems.…

Bulletin SA-029-26 · Power Train, Service Brakes, Engine · Apr 2026

A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in the A/C evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensati…

Bulletin 07-004-25a · Dec 2025

A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in the A/C evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensati…

Bulletin 07-004-25 · Apr 2025

In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer’s responsibility to comply with Federal, S…

Bulletin 09-038-24 · Electrical System · Aug 2024

Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services perform…

Bulletin SA-011-24b · Jul 2024

Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services perform…

Bulletin SA-011-24a · Jun 2024

Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services perform…

Bulletin SA-011-24 · Steering, Power Train, Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2024

Speedometer replacement procedure

Bulletin 09-016-23 · Electrical System · Feb 2023

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the MPV FWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 4

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2003 Mazda MPV. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Engine

Certain vehicles previously updated following an emission recall concerning the PCV hose may experience throttle icing during cold weather operation. As a result of misrouting of the PCV hose during the emission recall, moisture build-up inside the hose could freeze while the vehicle is parked. If the vehicle is then driven at constant highway speeds in extremely cold temperatu…

Transport Canada #2006035 · Feb 2006

Other

On certain vehicles, the liftgate stay dampers and stud bolts may rust and stick together, causing the stud bolds to break off. In the worst case, this condition may allow the liftgate to suddenly drop during opening or closing, injuring the operator. Correction: Dealers will replace the left and right dampers and stud bolts.

Transport Canada #2005082 · Mar 2005

Airbag

On certain vehicle, the airbag warning labels on the sun visors are English only. This does not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 208. Correction: Mazda will mail owners corrected replacement labels and installation instructions.

Transport Canada #2003178 · Jul 2003

Electrical

On certain vehicles, the front fog light bulb socket was installed improperly. If the vehicle continues to operate with this condition, the bulb socket and the wiring harness may separate from the fog light housing as a result of exposure to vehicle vibration. Should this occur, the bulb socket and the harness can drop inside the bumper and in the worst case, the heat generated…

Transport Canada #2003047 · Feb 2003

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Mazda MPV

The Mazda MPV is a minivan manufactured by Mazda. Introduced in 1988 as a rear-wheel-drive model with optional selectable four-wheel drive, this was replaced in 1999 with a front-wheel-drive version with optional all-wheel-drive in some markets. Over one million MPV models have been produced since its introduction.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2003 Mazda MPV trims & engines on record

Trims
LX · ES · LX-SV
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl 180 hp

2003 Mazda MPV vehicles on record

Other Mazda MPV model years

2003 Mazda MPV — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Mazda MPV have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2003 Mazda MPV. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mazda MPV?

Across all 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, engine and engine cooling, electrical system.

What is the 2003 Mazda MPV safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2003 Mazda MPV crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 5★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mazda MPV get?

The 2003 Mazda MPV has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway).

How much is a 2003 Mazda MPV worth?

Comparable 2003 Mazda MPV listings run roughly $700–$2,800, typically around $1,622 (from 45 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.