Mazda MPV Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy

Q: What year MPV should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, the 2000 Mazda MPV has the most documented problems with a problem score of 130 — driven by 2 recalls, 98 complaints.

Q: What is the best year MPV to buy?

The 2006 Mazda MPV is the best-scoring year in our analysis with a problem score of only 4, meaning 0 recalls and 4 complaints on record.

Q: Which MPV has the fewest problems?

The 2006, 2005, 2004 model years have the fewest reported problems in the NHTSA database. Always verify a specific vehicle's history with a VIN report before purchasing.

Every Mazda MPV model year (2000–2006) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.

Years Tracked

Total Recalls

377

Total Complaints

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Mazda MPV Years to Avoid

#1 WORST

2000

2 recalls · 98 complaints

13 reported injuries

Top issue: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Problem score: 130

#2 WORST

2003

2 recalls · 68 complaints

11 reported injuries

Top issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Problem score: 96

#3 WORST

2002

2 recalls · 81 complaints

2 reported injuries

Top issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Problem score: 91

Best Mazda MPV Years to Buy

#1 BEST

2006

0 recalls · 4 complaints

Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Problem score: 4

#2 BEST

2005

0 recalls · 25 complaints

Main area: AIR BAGS

Problem score: 31

#3 BEST

2004

3 recalls · 53 complaints

Main area: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Problem score: 66

Found the right year? Verify that specific MPV with a free VIN report.

Mazda MPV — Year-by-Year Problem Report

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Injuries	Deaths	Problem Score	Verdict
2006	0	4	—	—	4	Excellent
2005	0	25	3	—	31	Good
2004	3	53	2	—	66	Caution
2003	2	68	11	—	96	Avoid
2002	2	81	2	—	91	Avoid
2001	2	48	13	—	80	Caution
2000	2	98	13	—	130	Avoid

All 7 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.

Mazda MPV Shopping Guide by Era

Pre-2013

Proceed with Caution

Older MPV models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year MPV should I avoid?+

Avoid the 2000 Mazda MPV if possible. It has 2 recalls, 98 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 130 — the highest in our dataset.

What is the best year MPV to buy?+

The 2006 Mazda MPV is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 4. It has only 0 recalls and 4 complaints on record with NHTSA.

Which MPV has the fewest problems?+

The 2006, 2005, 2004 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.

More Mazda MPV Research

Reliability Score

Overall reliability rating and score breakdown for the Mazda MPV.

Common Problems

Full breakdown of every reported defect for the Mazda MPV.

Check a Specific Mazda MPV VIN

Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.

Run a Free VIN Report →