NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 71 owner complaints for the 2001 Mazda MPV. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (14) and power train (11). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTUATOR CABLE MAY BE BROKEN DUE TO INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH (GROUP 1). ALSO INCLUDED ARE CERTAIN 2000-2001 MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 31, 1999 AND MARCH 31, 2001, THAT HAVE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL REPAIRED AND POSSIBLY HAD A DEFECTIVE CABLE INSTALLED DURING THAT REPAIR (GROUP 2).
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, SOME OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES WERE NOT PROPERLY WELDED AND MAY NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION.
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 BRAKE PIPE LAYOUT, THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE BRAKE STOPPING DISTANCE WITH PARTIAL FAILURE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 MAZDA MPV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE OR STEAM AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND CONTACTED AAA TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE TRANSMISSION AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,954. UPDATED 03/08/11 *BF UPDATED 05/24/11 UPDATED 12/20/11 *CN”
“WHEN I INITIALLY BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IT HAD BEEN THROUGH PREVIOUS OWNERS AND I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIX THINGS BUT AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE AND I JUST CAN AFFORD MUCH BUT I HAPPEN TO PUT THE YR MAKE AND MODEL INTO THE GOOGLE ONE DAY AND NOTICE OF RECALLS AND AS I READ THE SAME AS WHATS I HAD ALREADY NOTICED HAD ALREADY HAPPENED AND I FIGURED I COULD LIVE WITH IT BUT I WOKE UP ONE MORNING GOT IN IT AND BOOM DRIVING FOR TEN MINUTES AND BOOM ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAVE NO GEARS AND THEN I GET 1ST AND NOTHING ELSE THEN EVENTUALLY NO REVERSE , SO AFTER ALMOST GETTING STUCK IN THE COLD STREETS WITH A BABY AND MY FRIEND, I BARELY MADE IT HOME I WANNA KNOW WHY SUCH A NICE VEHICLE IS SO FUCT!!! AND WHY DID I GET A BUNK DEAL. LIKE I THOUGHT THIS WAS MY BREAK FINALLY I WONT HAVE TO WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT A VEHICLE JUST THE OTHER STUFF, BUT TO MY DISMAY........... HERE WE ARE?????? AND IF YOU HAPPEN TO CONTACT ME I CAN THEN EXPLAIN IN DETAIL THE DESTRUCTION OF THIS VEHICLE”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA MPV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SIDE AIRBAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED AS THE PASSENGER WAS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SUFFERED AN INJURED BACK DURING THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE DEPLOYMENT THE AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE BUT WAS VISIBLE FROM THE SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,446.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MPV Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 71 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (14), power train (11), air bags (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Mazda MPV at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).