Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Mazda MPV, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 22 | 14% |
| Tires | 18 | 12% |
| Air bags | 13 | 8% |
| Seat belts | 11 | 7% |
| Suspension | 10 | 6% |
| Structure | 10 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 5% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
NHTSA 01V382000 MANUFACTURER CAMPAIGN # 0520A 12/20/2001 REMEDY AVAILABLE DX BRAKE LINES AND VALVES. AS VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION FRONT SUSPENSION SHAKES VERY BAD ABOUT 35MPH TO 50MPH DOES NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE ON H
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
APPROXIMATELY SIX BLOCKS FROM HIS HOME, THE OWNER OF A 2000 MAZDA MPV MINIVAN WAS IN THE LEFT TURN LANE OF A HIGHWAY WAITING TO TURN LEFT. WHILE STOPPED AND WITH NO IMPACT, THE SIDE AIRBAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED FROM BO
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
EXCESSIVE FRONT BRAKE REPLACEMENT, LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY ALMOST HIT TWO PEOPLE, DOES NOT STOP RIGHT AWAY WHEN BRAKES ARE PRESSED. TGE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL ON ITS OWN AND HIT MY NEIGHBORS PROPERTY AFTER VEING PARKED
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I GOT INTO MY CAR AND PLACE MY SEAT BELTS ON. I SHIFTED THE CAR IN REVERSE GEAR AND STARTED REVERSING FOR 3 SECONDS AND WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OR COLLISION TO THE CAR, THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND EXPLODED ON MY WHOLE LEFT
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AIRBAG INFLATED FOR NO REASON AT ALL. EMERGENCY CARE WAS REQUIRED. CAUSED A CRACKED RIB AND SEVERE PAN. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNAB
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT ENGAGE
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
I WAS TRYING TO START MY "NEW" USED MAZDA MPV USING ETHER SPRAYED INTO THE AIR FILTER-BOX THROUGH A SMALL HOLE, AND MY DRIVER'S-SIDE -IMPACT AIRBAG WENT OFF WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY. I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AT
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2000 Mazda MPV. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE MINI VANS DO NOT HAVE TIRE INFORMATION LABELS THAT COMPLY WITH SECTION 5.3 OF FMVSS 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE SENT ACCURATE TIRE INFORMATION LABELS AND OWNER MANUAL INSERTS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT 16 INCH TIRES. THESE MINI VANS DO NOT HAVE THE CORRECT RECOMMENDED COLD INFLATION PRESSURE ON THE LABEL AND THUS DO NOT COMPLY WITH SECTION 5.1.2 OF FMVSS 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS."
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE SENT ACCURATE TIRE INFORMATION LABELS AND OWNER MANUAL INSERTS. IN ADDITION, OWNERS OF MPV'S WITH 16" TIRES WILL BE ADVISED TO CHECK THEIR TIRE PRESSURE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TIRES A
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN MINI VANS WITHOUT ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE BRAKE PIPE LAYOUT, THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE WITH P
Risk: IF PARTIAL FAILURE OCCURRED IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM, THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE COULD INCREASE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE BRAKE SYSTEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REM
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. DUE TO THE INAPPROPRIATE SHAPE OF THE LINKAGE IN THE REAR DOOR LOCK CONTROLLER, ACCUMULATED DUST MAY PREVENT THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM FROM FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, CAUSING INCOMPLETE LOCKING OF THE DOOR WHEN THE CHILDPROOF LOCKING SYSTEM IS USED.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING OF THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PARTS IN THE LATCHING ASSEMBLY THAT WILL PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING.
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 80 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 22 of them (14%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.