Six problems related to transmission gear slipping have been reported for the 2003 Mazda MPV. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Mazda MPV based on all problems reported for the 2003 MPV.
Transmission slips, usually going from 2nd to 3rd, and sometimes 1st to 2nd. Usually happens when I try to accelerate hard. Engine revs up and the transmission slips, then with a big clunk the gear engages. Seems to me like a severe safety issue if you cannot accelerate yourself out of a potential side impact. And this must be hard on the transmission too. I've checked this out with two separate dealers, once right after I got the vehicle in 2003 and once in 2005. Both dealers could not reproduce the problem, but this happens to me quite often, at least a couple of times a month. I know that the service bulletin is out on this, but now my warranty is expired. At any rate, I don't feel like taking it into the dealer and wasting my time only to be told that there is nothing wrong with it.
Transmission slips and then slams into gear.
2003 Mazda Mpv. Transmission shifts very hard from 2nd to 3rd. You can actually feel the transmission slipping and then it will slam into 3rd gear. It feels as if you are being hit from behind. Very dangerous! the problem is intermittent and unpredictable.
Transmission shifting rough. It seems the transmission is slipping and then slams into gear. It happens every day, some days more than others and some days harder than others. Sometimes I feel like I am going to get whiplash whenever it slams into gear. I have been complaining about this problem since late last year but the dealer cannot seem to fix it. They keep replacing the coils but that does not solve the problem. They mentioned that they seem to be having this problem with a lot of 2003 Mpv's. It has been to the shop five times since January and it is still not fixed.
2003 Mazda Mpv - transmission shifts very rough from 2nd to 3rd. You can feel the transmission slipping then it slams into 3rd gear. Problem is intermittent and unpredictable. Dealer says the problem cannot be diagnosed and fixed unless it can be duplicated in the repair shop. I printed 30 pages from the edmunds. Com board and Mazdausa. Com board and handed it to the service manager to show that yes this is a problem. The van only has 4100 miles on it and has done this since purchased. I will now keep a record of the incidents. **riverside, CA.
2003 Mazda Mpv. Transmission shifts very hard from 2nd to 3rd. You can actually feel the transmission slipping and then it will slam into 3rd gear. It feels as if you are being hit from behind. Very dangerous! the problem is intermittent and unpredictable. Problem appears to be more apparent when the outside temp is mild and the engine has been running for more than 15-20 minutes. Problem must be duplicated in order for Mazda to repair. My van has 6500 miles on it.