Faults:
I have the 4 seasons package and it feels like there is no heat on the front passenger side.
At 40K miles check Engine light came on. Paid $100 to find out I needed a $10 gas cap.
At 82K miles car had trouble accelerating. It would hesitate. The computer lost its program, (how does that happen?) idle air control stopped working, carbon built up in engine and host of other things happened. They could not tell me what caused this. While this was happening the check engine light never came once. When I inquired of Mazda how to prevent this from happening, because according the service program I did not miss anything, they said there was nothing I could have done to prevent this from happening. "These things just happen sometimes." So I paid the $1500 and fixed the car.
10 Days later the car shuts off on the interstate while doing 75mph. After I tow it to the dealership, I find out some honey-comb thing in the precatalytic converter crumbled up and flew into the catalytic converter. $2100 to repair.
I have even not hit 100K miles when I need to have a "major" service on it. i.e. timing belts and hoses.
General Comments:
The middle bucket seat are not comfortable for adults. Small children are OK, but I can only take about 2 hours siting back there.
I was really excited about it when I first got it... Even reccommended it to friends. 4 friends bought them.
But right now I just want to get rid of it and keep my 11yr old Honda.
I have spent more on service and repair for this Mazda MPV in the 3 years that I have owned than I have spent on my 11 year old Honda Civic. Yes, it is a bigger car an more expensive just by nature, but my catalytic converter is operating fine on the Honda with 198K miles.
18th Mar 2005, 21:06
I find the persons comments about the 2001 MPV problems odd since I have surpassed 122,000 miles and have never had it in for repairs other than brakes at 98k. I did voluntary flush the trans and radiator at around 50-60k. The reason I was researching the web was because I was wondering about the timing belt. As far as the plugs, etc., I have been told that if it's not broken, don't fix it. I still average 23-24 MPG all around driving. I will comment that probably 50% of the miles were highway miles. Any suggestions on the timing belt? what happens when it fails? Thanks (I guess I should knock on wood)