2002 Mazda MPV LX 3.0 V6

Summary:

Great family vehicle

Faults:

Check engine light is currently on.

General Comments:

I have not had to touch a thing on this vehicle. The check engine light did recently come on. I changed the air filter and will attempt to reset the light and see if it stays on.

It is an excellent vehicle for a family of 4 or 5. I bought the van used 2.5 years ago for a low price and have been very satisfied with its convenience, maneuverability, and quality.

Gas mileage is below what I expected, but few vans are good.

The brakes do click after reversing, but there is a fix for this. It is not a problem, just an annoyance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th January, 2008

2002 Mazda MPV LX 3.0L

Summary:

Nice, sharp looking van; fast, sporty, but expensive to maintain

Faults:

Interior plastic parts scratch fast and badly.

Coil failed.

Rust started to appear on doors.

O2 sensor needed to be replaced, told by dealer, but the check engine light still even after replaced.

Back heat and AC stopped working.

General Comments:

The car very nice looking van comparing with others, and way cheaper than the Sienna and Odyssey, and it's a Japanese made, that's what make me decide to buy it.

But since day one, I found lots of things I didn't like for a newer model car:

- The transmission shifter is big and located in a strange place, blocking your hand to reach the audio buttons and AC... etc.

- The plastic parts are so soft and scratch fast.

- 5 speed auto transmission is too much... keeps the transmission busy all the time changing gears, and sometimes jerks.

- The engine not bad; it has 200hp; better than 2001 and previous models, but still I feel the van is heavy.

- The gas mileage is horrible

- The steering is little heavy and hard to steer

- It's not fun to drive, and the blind spots are huge.

I drive a 1990 GMC Vandura 3500 truck, and it feels lighter and and easier to drive.

Comparing this MPV with my previous car, a 1988 Accord, this van is expensive to maintain, and the heater and AC are not strong.

Maybe I'm not a van guy, but I bought it because I have 2 kids now, and my 1988 Honda was a 2 door.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th November, 2007

18th Jan 2012, 18:19

I'm the review writer, and this is an update. We still drive our MPV. Other than oil changes, so far no major problems.

Driver's side window motor changed, sway bar linkage changed. Brakes and rotors.

The van still performs and drives nice, but the Canadian winter snow and salt is taking lots of effect on the van. It's rusting out.

Overall, a very reliable van, but the gas mileage sucks. 400km per 65 liter tank. Even my full size cargo van does better.

In reply to 18th Jan 2012, 18:19

13th Sep 2012, 17:03

Another update.

Most doors have lock issues; sometimes they don't lock or unlock only manually.

The front end is making too much noise. Lots of rust under the van and on the body. Still, I think it's a good van, but now it's not worth fixing.

Very reliable. No mechanical issues.

2002 Mazda MPV ES 2.5L V6

Summary:

Avoid Mazda products in winter climates

Faults:

Door seams showing rust after the 2nd winter. Repaired under warranty, but rust has returned on all doors.

Wheel wells showing rust after 3 years.

Paint chipping/flaking off on trunk shortly after 3 year warranty expired. Mazda refused to fix this problem because the rust has not perforated the metal.

Power doors periodically will not shut properly.

General Comments:

Mechanically has been fairly reliable.

Mazda has not addressed their poor paint and premature rust issues. Will never purchase a Mazda product again because of unacceptable corrosion. Their cars will not last very long on salted roads in Canadian winter climates.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th October, 2007

9th Dec 2010, 09:37

2002 Mazda MPV purchased new. I too have had corrosion issues at the rear fender wells and in the lower front door seams. I discovered quite by accident that the vehicle retains water somewhere. When parked on an incline, I will see a trail of water under the car (AC or defrost not on)

This is the only issue I've had with my MPV. I love it besides this major flaw. My corrosion didn't begin until about the 5th year of ownership.