The Lemon Index

All carsMazdaMPV2001

2000 Mazda MPV, 2nd generation, illustration2000
2001 Mazda MPV, 2nd generation, illustration
2002 Mazda MPV, 2nd generation, illustration2002

2001 Mazda MPV problems.

2nd generation

1032001 Lemon Index · 100 = average car

About average · most complaints: engine

Fewest complaints of its generation (2nd generation).

All 7 yearsCompare

35 owner complaints, first 3 years 18 mpg combined, EPA

Similar cars, same year

2001 Chevrolet Astro 732001 Ford Windstar 1062001 Toyota Sienna 77

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

  1. Were recalls 04V234000 (speed control), 02V196001 (airbags) and 01V382000 (brakes) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
  2. Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
  3. Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
  4. Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
  5. Mazda sent dealers 123 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Foghorn/moaning noise from engine compartment”?

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 35 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:

6crashesaverage car: 2
4injuriesaverage car: 1
0firesaverage car: 1
0towsaverage car: 1

“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.

engine23%
airbags14%
transmission & drivetrain11%
brakes11%
body structure9%

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.

half by 25K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 6K to 40K miles (10K to 64K km) on the car (10 of all 35 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

Consumer stated that while driving, the engine light will come on unexpectedly where had contact dealer then fixed. Nlm

2001 Mazda MPV owner · NHTSA complaint 8004035
More owner reports

Engine has been leaking oil from engine since date of purchase. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further details.

NHTSA complaint 897217

In a frontal collision none of the air bags deployed, causing injuries to driver.

NHTSA complaint 8011809

Fixes owners look up most.

From 200 YouTube videos · 4.0M views · 2000–2006 Mazda MPV

Most-watched topics

  1. Transmission & shifter336K views
    Transmission range sensor problem 2000 Mazda mpv lxTransmission range sensor problem 2000 Mazda mpv lxNewYorker in Connecticut · 132K views · 5 videos
  2. Gauges, lights & wiring304K views
    Low beam head light bulb replace 2000-2006 Mazda MpvLow beam head light bulb replace 2000-2006 Mazda MpvNewYorker in Connecticut · 219K views · 4 videos
  3. Intake, EGR & engine sensors293K views
    Mass air flow sensor (MAF) how to remove or clean,2000 mazda mpvMass air flow sensor (MAF) how to remove or clean,2000 mazda mpvNewYorker in Connecticut · 82K views · 7 videos
  4. Cooling system176K views
    2001 Mazda MPV radiator cooling fan replacement2001 Mazda MPV radiator cooling fan replacementChris Lewis · 40K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
  1. Windows, doors & mirrors159K views
    Bolts through the window! Mazda MPV 2005 Window Regulator BrokenBolts through the window! Mazda MPV 2005 Window Regulator BrokenRainman Ray's Repairs · 154K views · 3 videos
  2. Infotainment, battery & electrical132K views
    Starter motor replace 2000 Mazda MPVStarter motor replace 2000 Mazda MPVNewYorker in Connecticut · 70K views · 5 videos
  3. Oil leaks & gaskets73K views
    How to Replace the Spark Plugs and Valve Cover Gaskets on a 2005 Mazda MPVHow to Replace the Spark Plugs and Valve Cover Gaskets on a 2005 Mazda MPVHow to Automotive · 72K views · 2 videos
  4. Heat, A/C & blend door65K views
    2005 Mazda MPV Removing/Replacing Blower Motor2005 Mazda MPV Removing/Replacing Blower MotorGreg's DIY Garage · 31K views · 5 videos

Before you buy, watch

Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2001 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 123 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • Foghorn/moaning noise from engine compartment
  • Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
  • 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 3

  • Speed control · recall issued 2004

    ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR CABLE MAY BE BROKEN DUE TO INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH (GROUP 1).

  • Airbags · recall issued 2002

    ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES WERE NOT PROPERLY WELDED AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION.

  • 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…

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada

Every Mazda MPV recall, all years · All Mazda recalls

Safety

Stability controlNot offered
Collision warningNot offered
Lane departure warningNot offered

Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆

NHTSA front crash test of the 2001 Mazda MPV
Front crash test · NHTSA
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. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.

2006–#12005–#42004104#22003236·2002134#62001103#32000193#5

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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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-mpv/?y=2001" 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/2001/">Lemon Index</a> (2001 Mazda MPV reliability)</p>

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Quick answers

Is the 2001 Mazda MPV reliable?

About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 103; 100 is average, lower is better). 2001 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.6× the average car's complaints.

What are the most common 2001 Mazda MPV problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (23%), airbags (14%) and transmission & drivetrain (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2001 Mazda MPV have?

3 safety recalls (latest: speed control). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Mazda MPV get?

18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Does the 2001 Mazda MPV have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.

How much does the 2001 Mazda MPV cost in fuel a year?

About $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2001 Mazda MPV have?

2.5L 6-cyl.

Is there a better Mazda MPV year than the 2001?

Not nearby: the 2001 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Mazda MPV years within 3 model years of it.

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

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