The Lemon Index
200320052nd generation
About average · most complaints: engine
Better years to buy
22 owner complaints, first 3 years 18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Kia Sedona 2152004 Toyota Sienna 3902004 Dodge Grand Caravan 30
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 12 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V781000 (airbags), 18V402000 (airbags) and 04V282000 (equipment) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- NHTSA has an open investigation into desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Has this car had that problem?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Mazda sent dealers 122 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Metal snap or popping noise from engine”?
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 22 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 5K to 50K miles (9K to 80K km) on the car (12 of all 22 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
2004 Mazda MPV with only 400 miles on it is starting to develop a sulfur smell coming from tail pipe area. This has been a issue in the past with the MPV. Is there a fix. I have not contacted dealer as of yet.
2004 Mazda MPV owner · NHTSA complaint 10062686
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 2004 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 122 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Metal snap or popping noise from engine
- Engine no start in extreme cold weather
- 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
- Airbags · recall issued 2019
These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design.
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Equipment · recall issued 2004
THE TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE INDICATED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS NOT CORRECT.
Show all 5 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued 2004
CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AIR BAG WARNING LABELS INTENDED FOR THE CANAD…
- Airbags · recall issued 2004
AS A RESULT OF AN NCAP TEST, CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG WAS NOT CORRECTLY WIRING.
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
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- OpenAir bag inflator rupture2015
- ClosedAir bag inflator rupture2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
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: 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Mazda MPV year. 2004 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-mpv/?y=2004" 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/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Mazda MPV reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 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 104; 100 is average, lower is better). 2004 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.6× the average car's complaints. The Mazda MPV year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2001.
What are the most common 2004 Mazda MPV problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (32%), transmission & drivetrain (23%) and tires (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Mazda MPV have?
5 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Mazda MPV get?
18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2004 Mazda MPV have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 23% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Mazda MPV cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Mazda MPV have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Mazda MPV year is better than the 2004?
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