MazdaMPV2003Overview/mazda/mpv/2003/base/

2003 Mazda MPV

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 MPV.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 5-spd

Defined as a VAN equipped with an Automatic 5-spd transmission, the 2003 Mazda MPV returns EPA fuel economy estimates of 16/23/18 mpg. Situated within a model history covering 1990 to 2006, this year recorded 114 total owner complaints, placing it between the peak of 155 complaints in 2000 and the low of 2 in 1999. With four recalls issued and the Power Train identified as the top complaint area, this iteration represents a mid-range reliability profile within the vehicle's documented history.

Model year200620052004200320022001200019981997

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque79-108 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter AJTM14302. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterAJTM14302
Engine air filterRF2A13Z40A9U
Fuel filterAJ5113ZE0
Spark plugZZC218110A
Battery000080124FWB alt 0000806535WB
Serpentine beltAJ0318381
ThermostatAJ5715171A alt 9XB06807S
Cabin air filterLC7461P11 alt LDY461J6X

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight3796 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the MPV of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.4–12.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.40 sec — 2002 ES
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002ES 3.0L V69.40 sec17.20 sec200 hpFWD
2001ES 2.5L V612.30 sec18.90 sec170 hpFWD
2000LX 2.5L V611.30 sec18.50 sec170 hpFWD
2000ES 2.5L V612.00 sec18.70 sec170 hpFWD
2000ES 2.5L V612.20 sec18.80 sec170 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 79-108 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.6 Pints
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.2 Pints

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts79-108 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.055 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.43-1.88 lbs
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Oil Capacity5.40 oz

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket62-68 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle66-80 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.055 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.024 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant at 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 12,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake System (inspect)
Every 22,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Line (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 Mazda MPV sits within the second generation’s mid-cycle, reflecting a stabilization in complaints and recalls compared to the preceding years. Complaints peaked in 2000 (155) and remained elevated through 2002 (125), but the 2003 model saw a modest decline to 114, aligning closely with the 2004 figure (96) before dropping sharply in later years. Recalls held steady at four for 2003, matching 2002, while investigations remained absent—unlike 2004–2005, which saw three each, suggesting emerging issues in the subsequent refresh. The top complaint areas—power train (31) and engine cooling (17)—mirror trends across the generation, though the 2003’s crash (12) and fire (2) complaints are unremarkable in context. This year avoids the early-generation volatility and pre-refresh spikes, making it a relatively balanced choice within the MPV’s lifecycle. **Takeaway: The 2003 is a prudent buy, offering a middle-ground reliability profile without the extremes of its neighbors.**

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
124
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
114
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 114 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train31
Engine & Engine Cooling17
Electrical System9
Vehicle Speed Control7
Structure6
Air Bags5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Steering3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V109000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 09/03/2004

CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AIR BAG WARNING LABELS INTENDED FOR THE… Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AIR BAG CAUTION LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WHICH WERE MAILED ON JULY 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

03V206000Exterior Lighting:Fog LightsReported 05/06/2003

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOCKET HOLDER IN THE FOG LIGHTS IS INSTALLED IN THE LAMP CASING USING PRESSURE. DURING OPERATION OF THE FOG LIGHT, THE HEAT FROM THE BULB CAN EXPAND THE SOCKET HOLDER… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING TO PREVENT THE SOCKET HOLDER FROM SEPARATING FROM THE LAMP CASE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 124 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
07-004-25a2025-12-10Unknown Or OtherA musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system…
07-004-252025-04-25Unknown Or OtherA musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system…
09-038-242024-08-08Electrical SystemIn accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…
SA-011-24b2024-07-29Unknown Or OtherMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific MPV. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2003 MPV have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MPV get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.