NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 96 owner complaints for the 2004 Mazda MPV. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (35) and air bags (17). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
THE TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE INDICATED ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS NOT CORRECT. THE LABELS SHOW THE MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE AS 240 KPA/32 PSI WHEN IT SHOULD BE SHOWN AS 240 KPA/35 PSI. AS A RESULT OF THIS ERROR, THE LOAD RATIOS FOR THE 205/65R15 94H AND THE 215/60R16 95H TIRES EXCEED THE LEVELS PERMITTED BY FMVSS 120.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“THE ENGINE COILS HAVE FAILED 4 TIMES SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. LAST NIGHT WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE RAIN, KEY WORDS, IN THE RAIN IT STARTED AGAIN. I AM SURE AT LEAST ONE IF NOT TWO COILS WENT THIS TIME. JUST HAD A COIL AND ALL THE BOOTS THAT ARE SUPPOSE TO PROTECT THE COILS AND KEEP THE MOISTURE OUT REPLACED IN FEBRUARY, 2012. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN IT RAINS. MAZDA IS WELL AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE EXCEPT TO STOP USING THIS SYSTEM AND START MAKING THEIR CARS DIFFERENTLY. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO OWN THE OLDER MODELS? THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, AT NIGHT, AND IT WAS POURING DOWN RAIN AND THE VAN STARTS SLOWING DOWN AND SPUTTERING ALONG, WITH TRAFFIC TRAVELING BEHIND ME. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE AS IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND IT IS BECAUSE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT NOT ANYTHING THAT OWNERS CAN AVOID. *TR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA MPV. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 15 MPH, SHE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO SEND DOCUMENTATION FROM THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 166,000.”
“VEHICLE WAS LURCHING, NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. IT TOOK A WHILE TO FIGURE OUT THE REAR COIL WAS BAD. WE SPENT $1200 GETTING A TUNE UP AND THAT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM TOOK A WHILE TO FIGURE IT OUT. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THIS VEHICLE COMPLETELY AT 55 THOUSAND MILES. WE HAD TAKEN IT IN 3 TIMES BEFORE IT FAILED AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. *TR”
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 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 18 | $3,450 | 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 |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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 96 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (35), air bags (17), electrical system (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 Mazda MPV at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).