2001 Mazda MPV Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

MPV Fan on September 30, 2019

Our MPV took us on many a family trip. Also as a daily driver, as with any vehicle, it is important to keep up the maintenance. Oil changes, checking fan belts, hoses, and also the brakes and tires are most crucial. Of course any part can go bad after miles and miles of dedicated service. Cars and trucks are NOT infallible. Another important items to check on any car is headlights, brakelights, and running lights. Our MPV is reliable because we have kept it in good working condition so it has remained a reliable vehicle to count on.

Castillo’s Familia. on January 27, 2019

When I buying this minivan has a 125,000 miles We traveling to Mexico in diferents citys or states Like Veracruz,Acapulco, Puebla,Tlaxcala, and all of this traveling never lets me down now this minivan Has a 344,445 miles and still working perfect I don’t know when she’s going to broke.

Svenbob on September 18, 2016

Bought used in 2004 with 35K miles - now has 150K. Only left stranded once, due to failed alternator. Several years ago a coil block failed and we feared the engine was dying, but I was able to replace it and the engine has run well since. CEL for emissions vapor leak has been a problem - both solenoids have been replaced. Replaced O2 sensor as well. Either Front sway bar strut has broken more than once. Also the driver's door electric window regulator failed due to a stripped drive gear - common to these vehicles - replacement gears are available cheaply. And rear hatch strut needed replacing. A/C compressor failed. Some LED lights on gage binacle burned out, but replacement was simple. Rust is an issue - we lived in Ohio 10 years and it shows under the van - but not hazardous at this time. Poorest part of the design is the location of the spare under the car and the cable mechanism to lower it - it rusts and becomes nearly impossible to lower. All told, relatively minor repairs and annoyances for a vehicle that is 15 years old. It has survived two learning drivers and hauling their friends and has been safe and reliable. 25mpg highway / 18 city. Comfortable for trips. Seats six readily and seven if necessary. Good storage particularly with stowaway rear seat. It is relatively low on power (2.5 L engine) but it keeps up with normal traffic well - switching out of overdrive makes a noticeable difference when driving through mountains or needing to pass. I haven't felt that the relatively low power was detrimental. Love the cargo hauling ability and the roof rack which is perfect for my canoe. Have removed middle row seats and folded down rear seat to enable sleeping in the van. When I injured my left knee, the driving position and ease of entry was a blessing. The interior has held up well and the carpet mats and insulation help to keep it quiet and inviting. If purchasing an MPV, the blue book is now low enough to make it attractive even if more than one of the above repairs is needed. I still smile when I get in it.

Blais33 on February 19, 2015

My parents bought this car new, and had it my whole life. They bought the 2001 LX version in dark green. It carried us on many family vacations, sat us all comfortably and safely. It never broke down, and when I moved away from home they sold it to me. I traded it in after a year because it had 194,000 miles on it and I needed something four wheel drive due to where I live. The only complaint was the rust on the wheel wells, but eveything worked well even at the day I traded it in with almost 200,000 miles on it! It never broke down when I owned it and started up every morning, even when it was -25 degrees and snowing! If you want a safe, reliable, yet pretty powerful family car this is the one for you!

SoCal on September 25, 2013

We've had the van since 2001, the base DX model with the roll up windows. We have driven it all over the West and it has never let us down. There have been problems, but name one car that doesn't after 162,000 miles. The engine is still strong as well as the transmission. We have replaced the alternator twice and it is hard on tires and we had issues with the emissions equipment, but nothing out of the ordinary. The size is perfect for 2 kids plus their friends or dogs. Mazdas are not very quite on the road, but this was a base model. My wife has replaced the 2001 with a 2003 MPV, but we are keeping it for beach and dog car. It still has a go 50,000 left in it and the parts are becoming inexpensive.

RL on July 10, 2013

I bought this vehicle new 12 years ago. It's great for traveling with kids. Lots of memories. Underpowered, maybe, but it still pulls my 17' boat no problem. I think the boat weighs more than the van... It's now at 200K miles. Most repairs I can do myself. It shows considerable wear, but that's expected with what it has been thru. Just now replacing the ac compressor. No major work ever needed, even though I have never taken it for the regular maintenance. I don't remember ever having a tune up. SC to NY City and back with blown gasket, limped back into town. Reliable A++++. Lucky I guess. I'm going for 300K unless something major happens. Great car.

rogern1967 on April 22, 2013

I am the original owner of a 2001 MPV EX. Paid $26k. Now has 150k miles and 12 years of family use. I do all my own servicing and repairs. My wife choose this van because it is more maneuverable than competitors, and the 3rd row seat folding system was also superior to competition. As many pro and owner reviews of this van have stated, the 2.5L engine is over-matched for the van--the engine was designed for a small sedan. As a result, the van uses as much fuel as a larger more generously powered van, but under performs under a full load or towing. That said, the engine has been very dependable, with the only problems being a few nagging oil leaks which started at around 60k miles. Radiator was replaced around 100k. My van has dual Air Conditioning. This system is used frequently and has been completely trouble free--great system! The 4-speed auto transmission in the van needed to be rebuilt at around 110k, which is fairly typical. All other systems have received scheduled maintenance and have been trouble free. Only device not working is the CD player--it won't read a disk. My leather wrapped steering wheel has worn and looks awful--as does my the armrest on the driver's seat. I replaced the starter just recently--around 145k miles. Rear tailgate and both sliding doors (all manual) have been completely trouble free--quite a different story compared to what owners of other brand minivans with power doors share. Fuel economy maxes at about 23 on long trips, around town expect mid teens. If you buy good quality tires, they will last 40k. This Mazda has been a dependable family hauler. We bought it for its clever 3rd row seat and good handling. It remains trusted and dependable after 12 years.

TestyTess on December 19, 2012

We bought this minivan in 2006 and have never regretted it. Aside from an outside door handle that broke off (my daughter was sure it was unlocked), and the visor clips (like every car I've owned), nothing inside or outside has failed. In cold weather we get a loud hum that almost sounds like a horn, but just have to rev the engine or change in/out of gear and it stops; no one has ever figured it out but it doesn't cause any problems. It has almost 180k miles and I never want to replace it! Gets near mpg city, more on highway. A little smaller than other minivans, easier to park or fit in garage but not more crowded inside somehow. I LOVE it.

Mazda fan on May 25, 2011

I bought this 10-year old car with with only 52k miles on it after my beloved 98 Honda Odyssey developed transmission problems. This car is smooth handling, fast enough for average needs, tall but narrow and handles like a passenger car. I love it. I drove from Los Angeles to San Francisco lately and it was perfect and trouble free. A good value. Japanese-made, though the engine is actually a Ford Duratec engine, as I recall. I am very happy with my car.

Samican on February 22, 2011

Don't do it this van will drive you nuts. Today I found out I need my 3rd transmission and thats just f ing crazy. The door handle fell of the other day while my 5'3" wife was opening the door. Its loud as heck compared to other models in its range. And Mazda does know of all the tranny problems and won't do a thing to help. Look up all the law suits out against mazda because of their faulty trannys. They don't care. Please I beg you go with a different vehicle any other vehicle just not this one !!