The Lemon Index
20012nd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: engine
76 owner complaints, first 3 years 18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2000 Chevrolet Astro 1002000 Ford Windstar 1542000 Toyota Sienna 171
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 01V382000 (brakes), 00V113001 (equipment) and 00V113002 (equipment) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- Mazda sent dealers 136 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Information concerning oil drain plug”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mazda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 76 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 38K to 70K miles (61K to 113K km) on the car (10 of all 76 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Passenger's seat belt locks up and becomes extremely tight when vehicle is being driven or when passenger slightly moves.
2000 Mazda MPV owner · NHTSA complaint 886928
More owner reports
Front passenger's side seatbelt tightens with minimal movement, retracts, locks up and will not release. Passenger must unbuckle seat belt due to extreme discomfort.
NHTSA complaint 754824
While driving engine pulley fell off, causing consumer to lose control of vehicle. Bolt that held it in place broke off. Contacted dealer.
NHTSA complaint 8018049
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 4.0M views · 2000–2006 Mazda MPV
Most-watched topics
- Transmission & shifter336K views
Transmission range sensor problem 2000 Mazda mpv lxNewYorker in Connecticut · 132K views · 5 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring304K views
Low beam head light bulb replace 2000-2006 Mazda MpvNewYorker in Connecticut · 219K views · 4 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors293K views
Mass air flow sensor (MAF) how to remove or clean,2000 mazda mpvNewYorker in Connecticut · 82K views · 7 videos - Cooling system176K views
2001 Mazda MPV radiator cooling fan replacementChris Lewis · 40K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Windows, doors & mirrors159K views
Bolts through the window! Mazda MPV 2005 Window Regulator BrokenRainman Ray's Repairs · 154K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical132K views
Starter motor replace 2000 Mazda MPVNewYorker in Connecticut · 70K views · 5 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets73K views
How to Replace the Spark Plugs and Valve Cover Gaskets on a 2005 Mazda MPVHow to Automotive · 72K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door65K views
2005 Mazda MPV Removing/Replacing Blower MotorGreg's DIY Garage · 31K views · 5 videos
Before you buy, watch
2005 Mazda MPV 7 Seater Family Wagon ** Cash4Cars ** ** SOLD **Cash4CarsNZ · 21K views
Used 2000 Mazda MPV for sale at Honda Cars of Bellevue...an Omaha Honda Dealer!Honda Cars of Bellevue · 21K views
Used 2005 Mazda MPV ES for sale at Honda Cars of Bellevue...an Omaha Honda Dealer!Honda Cars of Bellevue · 20K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2000 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 136 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information concerning oil drain plug
- Foghorn/moaning noise from engine compartment
- Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Brakes · recall issued 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN MINI VANS WITHOUT ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS (ABS) FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE BR…
- Equipment · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS.
- Equipment · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT 16 INCH TIRES.
Show all 5 recalls
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS.
- Engine · recall issued 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH ENGINES SUPPLIED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY CLEVELAND ENGINE PLANT.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 6-cyl.
Every Mazda MPV year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 6 Mazda MPV years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2000 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-mpv/?y=2000" title="Mazda MPV reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="330" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mazda-mpv/2000/">Lemon Index</a> (2000 Mazda MPV reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2000 Mazda MPV reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 193; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mazda MPV year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2001.
What are the most common 2000 Mazda MPV problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (13%), seat belts (13%) and tires (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Mazda MPV have?
5 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Mazda MPV get?
18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2000 Mazda MPV have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2000 Mazda MPV cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Mazda MPV have?
2.5L 6-cyl.
What Mazda MPV year is better than the 2000?
Nearby, the 2001 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works