I received these off goggle when doing a search for ( Mazda MPV Transmission problems.)
Transmission is going bad at 83,00 miles. Mazda will not back up their product. Will not buy another Mazda.
We bought this van for size, price, and features. Although we liked the performance, fit and finish of the Honda, a comparable Odyssey was several thousand dollars more expensive. The main complaint, and it is a big one, is that the transmission sometimes lags between 2nd and 3d, then shifts in with a bang. Very unsettling and uncomfortable to driver and passengers. We have it scheduled with the service dept., but they informed us they have had similar complaints and don't yet know how to fix it. Otherwise, good handling, good gas mileage, comfortable on the road (rough ride over low speed bumps), very usable space. Not crazy about the power sliding doors, but they came with the other options we wanted. Assuming they can fix the transmission, we are pleased with the vehicle so far. However, we would not buy another one, because other Japanese manufacturers have figured out the quality control stuff that Mazda seems to struggle with. My guess is it's the Ford components that are junk, and that some other Mazda models might be OK. Friends with Miatas and older sedans have been very pleased. If they can't fix the transmission, we will not likely buy another Mazda product. The transmission is a MAJOR problem; unacceptable and inexcusable in any vehicle not made in Cold War eastern Europe
When we finally decided to upgrade our car to a minivan, we naturally checked out the domestic models, plus Honda and Toyota. We also checked out Mazda and were quite impressed with the styling and space as well as the smaller footprint of the vehicle, which my wife appreciated. However, only a few days into ownership, we started experiencing transmission problems. Between 2nd and 3rd gear on an up-shift, the transmission would hunt for the next gear and when it finally found it, it would bang into gear quite loudly. Dealer was contacted who told me to wait a month till a fix was available. This apparently was a software issue in the transmission's control module and a "bug fix" was expected from Mazda in about a month's time. Problem is that this problem was now almost a daily occurrence (sometimes happening several times a day) and was making me both annoyed and worried. Worry was that the transmission would be getting damaged each time this happened. After sitting patiently by for almost 3 weeks I called the dealer again after I started noticing that the transmission clunked as a result of being put into reverse from park. This is a brand new car that is showing transmission problems characteristic of a vehicle 10 years old or more. So far I've called the dealer 3 times in regards to this problem, and each time I am told that the service manager will call me back to gather more details and to book me in. To-date, no one has called me back. I've owned two Mazda's prior to this (bought used) and never had any problems with them. The older Mazda's were such a joy to own and to fix yourself, which was very important to be since I was on a student budget. I decided to give Mazda a try, after having owner two brand new Hondas, remembering the good old days of Mazda ownership and hauling my college-stuff around in the hatchback. Sadly, the experience of owning a brand-new Mazda hasn't compared. I can't really tell if this is an isolated incidence and that I was just sold a lemon, or whether there's a dark-side to the new Mazdas. Most reviews I've lead seem to point to the former, as most people rate these cars quite highly. Not sure what to make of the problems I've been having. Also, after the first car wash, my wife noticed water dripping into the car from the top of the right side sliding door. That door is also harder to close properly, since sometimes we think we've closed it but the dashboard reports that the door is still ajar. Also alarming to me is the price that the dealer charges for the routine maintenance on this vehicle: almost 3 times the price that I used to pay for servicing my Honda. I only wish I'd been more alert during the test-drive.
Mazda Club on the net. ~~>
http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/15854?it=17
Shocker ~~>
http://www.epinions.com/content_34937474692
Sorry Mate , I was going to suggest adding the right transmission fluid. They have special limited slip fluid brands out there now days for these imports. I’m really not a transmission specialist. I hope the above information might help out some. Good Luck with that.
If you haft to go out in the rain and take that tranny out , I feel for ya man . I know what it’s like to work under a car having wet oily water dripping in your face. It sucks. I’ve been trying to hurry up on this Nissan to avoid just that. The weather will be here before too long. This Nissan Maxima Sucks. It took me two full days just to tear down the engine. After spending several hundred dollars for expensive parts , It took me most of this week just to put it back together again. I Hate Timing Chains ! Timing belts are so much easier to deal with. . These Cam shaft sprockets and the chains on the Maxima have certain links that needs to be aligned with one another. Well , I just found that out today when I couldn’t get the car started last night. So I had to fork up some more cash for a decent Chilton Repair Manual that specializes in just this make of car. ( Haynes Repair Manual lacks the desired specs. ) So ,.. after all that hard work , it looks like I’ll need to tear it back down again ( even pull off the heads ) to line up them damn timing chain links. Arrrghhhaa . I’ll do it, but never again man . Nissan just sucks when it comes to simplicity. I’ll need to say my prayers tonight and hope I dont have a bent valve. If so , I’ll probably haft to buy the whole set. This guy at the Parts store told me to pull up a chair when it came to the prices of these Nissan parts. LOL , Yeah , the jokes on me this time. Heheh , I got to laugh about it . It’s just a hobby after all. Good Luck with yours Bro .
Falker .