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 125 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Mazda MPV, and it carries 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 58 | 46% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 4% |
| Air bags | 4 | 3% |
| Tires | 4 | 3% |
| Structure | 4 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 2% |
| Seats | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY AND SHOOK WHILE IDLING.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
THE DRIVERS SEATBELT CLASP OR BUCKLE REFUSES TO ACCEPT THE STEEL TAB, AND WILL NOT LOCK. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ACTUATOR CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TRANSMISSION FAILED, COMPLETELY DISENGAGED. NO WARNING. HAD TO BE TOWED. REQUIRED A $2500.00 COMPLETE OVERHAUL. VERY LOW MILES ON THIS VEHICLE, ALWAYS PROPERLY MAINTAINED. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
2002 MAZDA MPV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ON. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY WHEN MY MPV WOULDN'T SHIFT SO I COULD PASS A TRUCK. THEN IT STARTED TO LOSE SPEED. WOULD DEPRESS GAS PEDAL AND THE ENGINE WOULD REV BUT NO SPEED. HAD TO PULL OVER TO BREAKDOWN LANE WHI
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA MPV. WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE AIR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 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.
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR CABLE MAY BE BROKEN DUE TO INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH (GROUP 1). ALSO INCLUDED ARE CERTAIN 2000-2001 MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 31, 1999 AND MARCH 31, 2001, THAT HAVE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL REP
Risk: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BROKEN ACTUATOR CABLE MAY BE OUT OF POSITION AND COULD INTERFERE WITH THE OPERATION OF THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, PREVENTING A DECREASE IN ENGINE SPEED WHILE DRIVING, INCREASING TH
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACTUATOR CABLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR VEHICLES INVOLVED IN GROUP 1 BEGAN ON JULY 7, 2004. OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR VEHICLES INVOLVED IN GROUP 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2004.
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 SUBJE
Risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BULB SOCKET AND THE HARNESS CAN DROP INSIDE THE BUMPER AND POSSIBLY BUT RARELY, THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE BULB CAN CAUSE THE BUMPER TO BURN.
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
CERTAIN MINI VANS FAIL TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." AN INCORRECT GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) WAS INDICATED ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED ACCURATE CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSERTS FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPO
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT FOG LIGHTS,THE FOG LIGHT BULB SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.
Risk: IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE USED WITH THIS CONDITION, THE BULB SOCKET AND THE WIRING HARNESS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FOG LIGHT HOUSING IF EXPOSED TO SHOCK AND/OR VIBRATION AND DROP INSIDE THE BUMPER.
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 AUTHORIZE
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 54 | 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 125 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 58 of them (46%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (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 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 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.