We drive to lake Tahoe in my MPV van with 5 people in it. The van jerked when driving accelerating from 40 to 50 mph. We changed driver on the way, and both driver felled the same thing. It seems a transmission shift shock or shift flare. Then when "google" the problem on internet, I found out that it is a very common problem for Mazda MPV 5-speed auto transmission. Many people experienced a sudden failure after a few weeks of the "shift flares". this can be very dangerous. Mazda should offer free repair for this common failure of their product. I'm engineer and I take good care of my cars and change all oil and atf on schedule. My Ford minivan 96 areostar have run more than 260 K mile with original engine and transmission. It is still running strong.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mazda MPV wagon. While driving 75 mph with the cruise control activated, the contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated up to 90 mph without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they inspected it and was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was 110,000.

- Eldorado, KS, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Mazda MPV. The contact stated while driving, the vehicle suddenly began to accelerate. When she attempted to stop the vehicle, the brakes would not respond. The contact shifted into neutral gear in order to stop the vehicle. The contact continued driving to her residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that a part of the accelerator pedal had been tightened which caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired at that time. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 91,000. The failure mileage was 86,298. Updated 02/23/11 updated 02/28/11

- Chester, VA, USA

2003 Mazda MPV began to rapidly accelerate while entering my driveway. Even though applying brakes at full force, my vehicle crashed into my garage door. While trying to put gear shift into neutral, I accidentally shifted into reverse. The vehicle again accelerated, the whole while I had both feet pushing on the brakes as hard as I was able. The minivan then shot out in reverse and hit my neighbors' car parked on the street in front of their house.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

While slowly accelerating, the RPM jumps up about 600-800 RPM and the transmission jumps, somewhat violently, into 3rd gear. It only occurrs from 2nd to 3rd. In does not matter what the weather is or how long the vehicle has been operating. It happens about 70% of the time. We have taken the vehicle in twice and the dealer (sherrits sic.) state they can not duplicate the problem and they have not found any fault codes, therefor, there's nothing they can do. I am to continue to monitor the problem. Our van has 6010 miles on it.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA