2003 Mazda MPV Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

John on February 20, 2024

Here it is 2024 and the 2003 MPV I bought new 21 years ago is still running perfectly! It has 210,000 miles on the original engine and tranny. In it's 21 years, it has never failed to start and drive. Just as dependable as all the newer cars that I have owned over the years! Just keep up with the maintenance and it will run forever!

eljoaquin on July 18, 2022

Bought our 2003 MPV in 2014 from a friend of a friend who inherited it from his grandfather. It has taken us on a few long trips, the farthest from CA to Santa Fe, NM. We have to do some maintenance repairs every so often, but overall it has been good to us and a tremendous value. It idles a little rough, so I throw it in neutral at long stoplights. Otherwise, it's comfy and good for hauling. We have around 175k miles on ours.

Reliablecarliker on June 20, 2020

This has been the best car I have ever owned. I bought it new in April 2003, and it has 167K miles. After the dealer fixed the shift-shock soon after buying it, the van has been a joy to drive and very reliable. The ads said "The body of a minivan, the soul of a sports car" and they were right. Driving down the highway, it feels like it is on rails. The visibility out is outstanding, and the interior has a light, airy, open feel. When we decided to get a new primary car in 2017, we would have bought an updated MPV in a heartbeat. I am so glad I bought this van and will continue to drive it until something expensive breaks.

Martinez on June 12, 2018

Best I have ever owned, took a few trips to northern Mexico, very reliable, never had a problem. Very roomy, good for an extended family

Mustangconnor on June 3, 2018

I lost my 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan to a lady whose runaway vehicle had no brakes when she hit me. I bought a used 2003 Mazda MPV DX with just over 100,000 miles to pull our pop-up trailer and second daily commuter. So far it has exceeded my expectations. Stronger engine and power early on, 200hp vs 180hp on my old Dodge. Also shorter and lighter, 3800lbs vs 4100lbs. I thought the smaller 3.0l DOHC would be more economical than the older technology 3.3l OHV Dodge, but I seem to be using the same amount of gas? The interior is well laid out and I love the roll-down second windows that most minivans don't have. I miss the full "stow and go" the Caravan had, but the back seats do fold down flat. It also also looks better and feels sportier. There is a weird popping sound on the right front side when I go over a pothole? It may be worn bushings but doesn't seem to be an issue. I plugged my OBD reader before I bought it, and it had NO ENGINE CODES. The previous owner also had all the maintenance records for the last four years, which was awesome. I am happy with my purchase.

Scott Coyle Sr on February 4, 2018

I've owned this van for 4 years and it has yet to die. I have put on over 60,000 miles to where it now sits at just over 250,000 miles. There is a lot of work I plan to do to it as it now has extreme sentimental value. I've put in just over $1500 during the last 4 years and the only thing I hate is the stupid ford engineers because they built a v6 motor with the alternator located behind and underneath the passanger side front tire. Its a chore to replace and you wont know it til the battery dies and your replace the battery only for it to die within an hour or so after install. For being a lower end Mini Van the thing can haul quite a bit, Ive piled it full many occasions and it handled well. It gets 22mpg on average with a low average of 19mpg. Ive driven from Manchester Iowa to Denver and back, 4-5 times to and from Madison, Black River Falls and until recently would take it anywhere. Due to my finanical neglect of this wonderful van I am now paying the price but for all its done for me it'll be worth it seeing it finally get the attention it needs. Got a second vehicle now so I can do what this van needs. A really good tlc!

John on long Island on September 2, 2017

I bought my 2003 MPV new and I still have it 15 years later. I have always found it to be comfortable and reliable. We put well over 100,000 miles on it before it ever needed a repair. The engine and transmission are original and still work perfectly. It is versatile as a minivan should be with fold away and/or removable seats and plenty of cargo space. The engine is plenty powerful and smooth. The body has not yet started to rust and the paint, despite my neglect still shines great when I occasionally wash and wax it. It has started to need some repairs lately because some parts have simply worn out. But with 200,000 miles on it now how could I really complain. If I had to complain about anything it would be that the check engine light goes on for the most minor reasons. The van still runs perfectly but the light makes my wife nervous so we have been to the mechanic for dumb reasons like the gas cap is not screwed on tight enough! Another problem would be that on cold mornings the doors freeze shut. I once ripped the door handle right off trying to open it when frozen. We live on Long Island. I could only imagine how annoying this problem would be if we lived somewhere really cold! My only other complaint (and this is picky) is that the headlight bulbs are very difficult to replace. I have to remove the battery and some air vents to get to one of them. But over all this is a great van. It has never been towed home from anywhere! All accessories still work including the Air Conditioning which has never even been serviced. It has now been demoted to our secondary vehicle but we're keeping it. If I could snap my fingers and make it new again I would drive it for another 15 Years!

BLH TC on August 10, 2017

Bad things about it: - Engine has 207,000 miles on it. - It uses oil: about 1 quart every 1,000 miles. - Sliding doors remote locks no longer work, probably repairable. - Sliding doors work by power only if the car is stopped, the shift is in PARK, and the engine is off, probably repairable. - Sliding doors sometimes won't open by power, only manually, but they will close by power, probably repairable. - CD player doesn't work, probably repairable. Good things about it: - Tires are all new about 3 weeks ago. - Engine is strong and always starts easily. - Transmission is smooth and trouble-free. - Mileage in town about 18, on highways about 23. - A/C works very well, front and rear. - Heater works very well. - Upholstery is in excellent shape. - Radio works very well for AM and FM 1 and FM 2. This is an excellent car, I am selling it only because I upgraded to a car that has more features and seats.

non mom on June 4, 2016

We got this used in 2013 with 114,000 miles. It was a great investment. It made a trip from Seattle to Austin Texas hauling a Uhaul trailer and doing 80 mph. Gas mileage suffered with the added weight but it made it here with no hesitation. It is a very powerful little van. With regular maintenance it will last a long time. Oil changes and one big tune up has been it.

tt on August 9, 2013

I bought a used MPV LX for $3800 and it has been excellent! My kids fell in love with it as did my wife and I. We just moved from Tokyo so had to set up house and it has been great for hauling furniture too. Some idiot in a hage Dodge RAM rammed my from behind two weeks after I had bought it - I was alone but the impact sent me into the car in front. Apart from flying glass I was fine as would have my family. And, ICBC valued the car at $6800 so they are repairing it. I know it is very strong in a high speed impact and holds its value and it fun to drive.