2000 Mazda MPV LX review from North America

I purchased this Mazda MPV LX Van brand new from the local dealer.

The very first time I took for a emission test at about 12000 miles on it failed. Spent $450.00 for base less repairs as dealer had no idea what's wrong so they did all sort of things like Tune-up, replace spark plugs and wires, oil change, transmission fluid change, clean fuel injectors etc..etc.

Took back to emission test and Failed again... I was furious.. The manager at test center told me my van cannot communicate with their testing equipment.. problems with OBD2 software. He then used portable scanner and plug it to my van and it passed.

Then at about 30000 miles Check engine light came on and again my night mare started. Took it to dealer and there we go again change spark plug wires etc..etc...every time dealer calls me saying van is done I had to take back for engine light coming on due to loose spark plug wire. Finally I had to call Mazda corporate at California office and spoke to expert on Mazda engine and he told me take back the van and have dealer mechanic call him and he can help him. After that the engine light was fixed for a while.

Then at about 50000 miles I had to take back for emission test and as expected it failed again. This time I spent almost $2000 for various fixes as suggested by dealer, but when I took back it failed again. I was really mad and then testing center manager gave me recall notice to upgrade software for OBD2. I went back to dealer and it was done and finally in four years for the first time it passed emission test!!

Soon after this at about 70000 miles the engine blew up in spite of taking care of this MPV like my own child!! It cost me $6000 to replace with new rebuilt by Jasper engine. The local Murray's Auto shop here in Burtonsville , MD did excellent job and the van was on the road again.

The story do not stop here... at about 78000 miles the engine once again started to make funny noise and I took back to Murray's and they told me that after investigation they found that the engine was faulty and needs another rebuilt engine...oh...my God!! OK... after 20 days it and another new engine it was running like a new van till last week once again Check engine light came on... took back and found that catalytic converter has gone bad and will cost me $1000 to replace it... Oh my lord!!

We had a very horrible similar experience with FORD station wagon and me and my wife decided never ever to buy FORD again... guess what? after owing this van for about one year I found out that this MPV had FORD Taurus engine and transmission as Mazda was bought by FORD way before I got this 2000 MPV... talk about bad luck!

Please make sure in future if you are buying a new vehicle do extensive research before spending your fortune on lemon.

This MPV if Mazda improves the quality is a good value. But we had such a bad experience we will never buy any FORD products.