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 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 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 | 29 | 30% |
| Air bags | 15 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 9% |
| Power train | 6 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 3% |
| Structure | 3 | 3% |
| Tires | 3 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 2% |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
2004 MAZDA MPV. CONSUMER WRITES ASKING TO BE REMOVED FROM RECALL LIST BECAUSE THEY NO LONGER OWN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
FRONT CROSS MEMBER CORROSION; FRAME DAMAGED; CAR DANGEROUSLY UNSTABLE. WHEEL ALIGNMENT COST ME $72.64 AND FRAME REPAIR COST $693.36. THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR 4 DAYS. MENTAL ANGUISH. MAZDA DEALER DECLINED REPAIRS. MAZD
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA MPV. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 15 MPH, SHE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I WENT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET MY SAFETY RECALLS DONE AT THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP ON TORRANCE BUT THEY SAID I NEEDED TO FILL OUT A FORM AND TO WAIT FOR THEM TO RECEIVE THE AUTO PARTS. IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 6 MONTHS SINCE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN MAY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE O
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
AIR BAG INFLATOR REPLACEMENT FIRST NOTICE REC.8/1/16,CALLED BOMARITO(LOCAL DEALER)-NO PARTS-WOULD CALL CALLED AGAIN1/2/17-SAME RESPONSE SECOND NOTICE REC.4/17/17-CALLED AGAIN SAME RESPONSE.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED MAZDA OFFER TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PART AND ACCOMMODATE FOR TRANSPORTATION WHILE THE CAR IS BEING REPAIR. THE ONLY REQUIREMENT TO HAVE THIS ACCOMMODATIONS IS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THEM TO DEL
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2004 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.
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Ind
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may e
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of ch
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.
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.
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 LEV
Risk: IF THE TIRE IS OPERATED IN AN UNDER-INFLATED CONDITION, THE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE COMPROMISED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 CONTAC
| Reliability raw | 72 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | 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 96 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 29 of them (30%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 72/100 (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 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 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 68/100. 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.