Faults:

Initially had problems with tires wearing.

Recently had to replace front wheel hub and assembly, $500, (car has 140K).

Warning light came on and one of catalytic converters may possibly need replacement.

General Comments:

Overall been very pleased with car. Comfortable. Reliable.

Great for families traveling with kids!

Faults:

Rear Heater Core went last year. The metal hoses that connect to it are exposed to water, mud, salt thrown up by the rear passenger tire which causes premature deterioration of the part.

Front Brake pads last year - maintenance.

Alternator went this year - Mazda told my garage (and me - I called the parts dept. too) "None in the country." Part miraculously appeared when brought to the Mazda dealership for repair one week later.

Tires all four this year - maintenance.

Passenger front power window motor failed this year - replaced.

Driver side power door lock motor seized this year - replaced.

Rear spoiler wing that was installed new by the dealer rusting at bolt attachment for past three years.

General Comments:

The 2.5L V6 has enough power for this size of vehicle even with the entire family along for the ride and is fuel efficient.

VERY clunky transmission under acceleration.

Contrary to what Toyota sales staff will tell you Mazda was the first to have rear sliding doors that have winde-DOWN type windows - a great feature.

Rear bench seat is versatile and convenient folding into the floor when you need the space, can roll over and serve as a bench, or can fold halfway with back of seat resting on bench. Reservoir when bench is in normal position keeps items contained.

Middle bucket seats roll up and can slide together to ease rear access.

One major pet peeve: Driver cannot turn on the interior light for rear passengers. The switch is on the light in the middle of the rear passenger area. Kids have to do it themselves if they can reach. Given this is a family vehicle this is a major oversight.

2nd pet peeve: Though the Driver has control of the rear fan I discovered by happenstance that he/she NEVER has control of the rear climate ie. whether hot or cold air is blowing in the rear. Rear temperature is adjustable only on the climate controls by the third row bench passengers. Hopefully the rear passengers in this promoted as family vehicle are of age where they can appreciate what turning those knobs will do - like blowing ice cold air on the kids in December when at the front your climate control is set to heat. This isn't congruent with the fact that the Driver has control (or can turn over control to rear passengers) of the rear fan.

3rd pet peeve (and it appears on a lot of cars it seems) : The Driver's over-ride switch for the power windows stops all the passenger window switches AND THE DRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE PASSENGER WINDOWS. ie. Juniors playing with the window, I turn off the switches so there's no more playing, but, now I can't put the window up. Not without turning back on the over-ride and getting into a power struggle. Poor design that seems to be prevalent in today's cars.

This is my second Mazda. My first was a 1993 Mazda 626 ES and my positive review of the car is on this site. I still recommend Mazda and would buy another.

Faults:

Alternator failed around 75000km...that was dissappointing...the dealer had 5 alternators in stock indicating that this may be an ongoing problem.

Coolant lines at rear of van needed to be replaced...these are covered under a recall and were replaced.

Strut that holds trunk lid open failed and the trunk slammed on my head, knocking me to the ground...also under recall...I can see why...my head still hurts!

Damn spare tire was needed twice and both times it was rusted in place under the van... what a pain to get it out of there... I finally just cut the "lowering cable" and I store the tire in the back of the van...

Throttle housing was replaced by the dealer...it was a recall item.

General Comments:

I love the van... it drives well and is very spacious with the fold-away rear bench seat and the removable mid seats.

I would definitely buy another one...