2006 Mazda MPV: common problems and reliability

The 2006 Mazda MPV has 12 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and engine. Owners most often flag automatic transmission failures: includes torque converter failure (causing shuddering, stalling when put in gear), torque converter clutch solenoid circuit faults (p0740), and general "bad" transmissions requiring replacement. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2006 model year

12
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
2
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2006 Mazda MPV vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2006 a good year for the MPV?

Across the 5 MPV model years we track, complaint volume runs from 2 (1999) to 125 (2002). With 12 complaints, the 2006 MPV sits belowthe model's median of 22.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

air bags
2
engine
2
vehicle speed control
2
electronic stability control (esc)
1
exterior lighting
1

Recalls affecting the 2006 MPV

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 18V404000

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, M

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 18V402000

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Californ

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the vehicle's age and maintenance history. For older, high-mileage examples (typically pre-2006 models), the feedback is dominated by recurrent mechanical and electrical issues, leading to…

  • Automatic transmission failures: includes torque converter failure (causing shuddering, stalling when put in gear), torque converter clutch solenoid circuit faults (P0740), and general "bad" transmissions requiring replacement. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Cooling system problems: radiator leaks, thermostat failures (codes P0126, P0128), and sudden coolant loss leading to overheating, sometimes linked to recent repair work. Frequency: very frequent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the MPV. See the full MPV owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used MPV listings typically run $3,500–$5,398 across 1989 to 2006 model years.

Other MPV model years

Compare every MPV year side by side to see how 2006 ranks against the rest.