Mazda MPV Common Problems And Solutions
Looking to buy a Mazda MPV and would like to know if there are any common problems associated with this vehicle model? Or do you already own this vehicle and are looking for more info about its common faults? If yes, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve researched and put together the most frequently reported issues by the vehicle owners and we’ll share it in this guide.
Mazda MPV common problems include:
- Cooling fan module failure
- Ignition coil failure
- Mazda MPV cranks but won’t start
- Ticking noise from the engine
- Mazda MPV PCV valve crack
- Water pump failure
- Engine won’t start when parked on an inclined surface
- Rumbling noise from the engine
In this article, we’ll shed more light on the various problems you may encounter with your MPV. For each of these issues, we’ll share practical steps on how to solve the issues and offer preventive tips where possible. You’ll also discover additional helpful info such as Mazda MPV years to avoid.
Mazda MPV common problems
Here’s the full list of the most common problems MPV owners repeatedly report experiencing in their vehicles:
Cooling fan module failure
The MPV cooling fan module is notorious for going bad. This is quite common across various model years from 2000 to 2006. Most of the affected vehicles have a mileage from 13,600 to 888,785.
Your vehicle’s cooling fan module, also known as the radiator fan module, helps control the operation of the cooling fans. The fans regulate the engine temperature by dissipating heat from the radiator.
When it fails, it can start running continuously even after shutting off your vehicle or fail to run at all.
In the case where the fan is running continuously, your engine may fail to warm up properly. And in the case where the fan doesn’t run, then the engine may start overheating.
Other symptoms to look out for when the fan module fails include an overheating engine, intermittent operation, and a coolant temperature warning.
If you suspect your vehicle has a cooling fan module issue, we advise you to have this issue diagnosed and repaired promptly by a qualified Mazda technician.
They’ll run diagnostic tests to find out whether the module or other related components are behind this issue and recommend the necessary repairs.
This is because it can lead to engine damage which is the last thing you want to happen to your vehicle.
Keep in mind that Mazda has a voluntary recall on the 2002-2003 model years to help address this issue.
Ignition coil failure
We also came across many reports by Mazda MPV owners regarding issues with the ignition coil in their vehicles.
Most vehicle owners report the check engine light kept coming on due to misfires. This turned out to be due to worn-out or defective ignition coils.
If the problem becomes severe, the engine performance will be affected and the engine warning light will be flashing on and off repeatedly.
According to RepairPal, the most affected model years include the 200 to 2006, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998 model years. The mileage range when this happens is around 14,900 to 214,000.
Some of the vehicle owners experienced symptoms such as rough idles, power loss, hesitation while driving, and check engine light flashing.
When they took their vehicle to their mechanic, they were diagnosed and found to have bad ignition coils causing this problem.
Therefore, the best fix is to replace the affected coils and the misfire will stop. However, we advise you to consider replacing all the coils at once to help you save money in labor.
Mazda MPV cranks but won’t start
The “Mazda MPV cranks but won’t start” problem is also frequently reported by vehicle owners. According to RepairPal, this problem is usually attributed to a faulty internal distributor.
This problem is so widespread that it has been reported in model years 1990 to 1998 and 200 to 2006. The average mileage for the affected vehicles is around 149k miles.
The internal distributor, or ignition distributor, is a critical part of your vehicle ignition system.
Its primary role involves distributing high-voltage electrical energy to your car spark plugs. It ensures control ignition timing, which then ensures smooth engine operation, optimal combustion of fuel, and efficient power generation.
However, if this distributor becomes faulty, it can cause the engine crank but fail to start.
This is because it disrupts the ignition timing and thus leads to a wide range of issues like lack of spark, misfires, incorrect timing which makes the spark occur at the wrong moment of the engine cycle, and lack of ignition signal.
If you’re experiencing cracking without starting problems in your car, you may want to have the internal distributor inspected and replaced by a qualified technician if necessary.
Ticking noise from the engine
Many Mazda MPV owners have also reported hearing ticking noise coming from the top part of the engine while it’s running. In most cases, this ticking noise becomes even more noticeable when the engine is cold.
In some cases, the noise may go away soon after the engine warms up.
The issue is common in MPVs with high mileage. It affects a wide range of vehicle models from 1990 all the way up to 1998 as well as the 2001, 2003, and 2006 model years. The affected vehicles have an average mileage of 140,259 miles.
The reason behind the noise is that the hydraulic valve lash adjusters have become worn or reached the end of their life. And in doing so, they’re no longer able to function properly.
If you observe frequent oil changes, this problem may not catch up with your MPV anytime soon. Nonetheless, it’s still inevitable and will still happen at some point.
When faced with this issue, you’ll need to replace the hydraulic valve lash adjusters. Following the recommended oil change schedule can also help prevent this issue from recurring in your vehicle.
Engine won’t start when parked on an inclined surface
You may also encounter an issue where your engine won’t start when you’ve parked your vehicle on an inclined surface.
This is also a common fault problem in Mazda MPVs and affects model years from 1990 to 1991, 1992, 1994, 1994, 2001, and 2003. Most of the affected vehicles have a mileage ranging from 153k to 195k.
If you encounter this problem, the reason could be due to inhibitor switch failure or transmission linkage requiring adjustment.
The inhibitor switch tells your vehicle computer that the transmission is in neutral or park mode and enables the engine to start.
If it becomes faulty, however, it will prevent your vehicle from starting and even cause stalling while driving.
You may also face transmission problems as well as the check engine light coming on.
If you suspect you have a faulty inhibitor switch, we advise you to have it checked by your mechanic and replaced as necessary.
Rumbling noise from the engine
Many MPV owners also report hearing a rumbling noise coming from the engine. This may be accompanied by possible power loss. Some drivers liken this noise to a tractor sound.
The issue is often attributed to collapsed hydraulic belt tension, which creates cambelt problems.
Model years affected by this problem include the 1990-1998, 2003, and 2004 MPVs. The issue also occurs in vehicles with high mileage of around 195,000 to 217,485.
When faced with this issue, we recommend you replace the timing belt as well as the tension. We also advise you to replace the water pump as it will likely have undergone excessive wear at this point.
Mazda MPV PCV valve crack
According to most MPV owners, the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve is prone to cracking open.
This creates a vacuum leak and a lean fuel mixture, which can cause surging and even engine misfires in your vehicle. The check engine light may also illuminate as a result of misfires.
Going by the RepairPal data, the most affected models by this issue include the 2000 to 2006 model years. The issue can affect vehicles with a mileage as low as 45,000 to as high as 135,000 miles.
Some of the car owners explained that their van was running like it was trying to miss or flood. After taking it to the dealer they bought it from, they said that the PCV had failed.
To address this issue, you’ll need to replace the PCV valve with a new one. This will cost you around $199 to $250 on average. But it will sure get your van back up and running smoothly.
Another vehicle owner explained that when the PCV valve developed a small hole, their MPV would shake violently at stops and have rough idling.
Water pump failure
The water pump in the V6 engine of the MPV is also prone to failure. This issue tends to cause overheating in your vehicle and may cause damage to other components, including the radiator and cylinder head.
When the water pump malfunctions, it will become leaky and you’ll likely notice a wet patch underneath your vehicle. This leads to low levels of coolant in the reservoir.
If you don’t fix this issue on time, it will lead to an overheating problem in your vehicle.
If your vehicle experiences water pump failure, you’ll need to replace the defective water pump to help fix the issue.
However, we advise having the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic to assess the condition of the pump as well as that of the cooling system as a whole.
Note that following the recommended manufacturer’s maintenance schedule, including periodic water pump and cooling system inspection, can help prevent water pump-related issues from occurring in your vehicle.
Mazda MPV years to avoid
The worst MVP model years to avoid according to Carcomplaints include the 2000 and 2004 model years.
However, they have rated 2012 as the worst model year overall. As for the first-generation models, they’ve rated 1992, 1993, and 1994 as the years with the highest number of problems reported.
The 1st generation vehicles seem to be affected by most of the common problems we have discussed above.
According to Carproblemzoo, the 2000 model years received the highest number of complaints followed by the 2002, 2003, and 2004 models.
If you’re interested in exploring common problems across different Mazda models, you might find our articles on Mazda MX5 common problems and Mazda Tribute common problems insightful. These resources can provide you with valuable information about issues faced by various Mazda vehicle owners.Conclusion
Now you know the most common faults in Mazda MPV vehicles. These issues range from water pump failure to cooling fan module failure, engine ticking noise, ignition coil failure, engine cranks but won’t start, rumbling noise, engine failing to crank/start when parked on an incline, and PCV valve developing cracks.
Whether you own a Mazda MPV van or plan to get one soon, knowing these problems will help you know what is wrong with your vehicle or what to look for in the future. Be sure to follow the solutions in this guide to address any of these issues when they show up in your vehicle. Remember that proper maintenance of your vehicle can help keep away most of these issues.
