The Lemon Index
200420062nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 17,634 in the U.S. in 2005 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 10 complaints in its first 3 years.
10 owner complaints, first 3 years 19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Chevrolet Astro2005 Nissan Quest 1292005 Chevrolet Uplander 199
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 9 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 19V781000 (airbags), 18V404000 (airbags) and 18V402000 (airbags) done? 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?
- Do all the seat belts latch and retract?
- 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 105 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Engine no start in extreme cold weather”?
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 10 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 27K to 59K miles (43K to 95K km) on the car (9 of all 10 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
Referral e-mail concerning the seat belts which failed to hold them when they were struck from behind in their 2005 Mazda MPV*
2005 Mazda MPV owner · NHTSA complaint 10187935
More owner reports
At 38,000 miles, the van started to have intermittent hesitations that randomly occurred. I needed to replace all ignition coils at a cost in excess of $600.
NHTSA complaint 10238999
Seat belt did not hold us when we were hit from behind while waiting for a left hand turn light.
NHTSA complaint 10190558
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 2005 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 105 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine no start in extreme cold weather
- 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
- 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
On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2005-2009 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 17V-011 but have not yet been repaired.
- 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.
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 $3,150 (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. 2005 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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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-mpv/?y=2005" 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/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Mazda MPV reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Mazda MPV reliable?
We can't score it: only 17,634 were sold in the U.S. in 2005 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Mazda MPV problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are seat belts (30%), engine (30%) and transmission & drivetrain (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Mazda MPV have?
3 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 2005 Mazda MPV get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2005 Mazda MPV have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Mazda MPV cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Mazda MPV have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Mazda MPV year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average). Across every year, 2001 drew the fewest.
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