What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2003 Mazda MAZDA6

Typical pattern

14% of complaints about the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2003 vehicle — around the middle of the 228 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.0 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (38 complaints), typically at 2.5 yr or about 24,981 miles.

Complaints
235
Median age at failure
3.0 yr
Median mileage
36,000 n=160
Crash / fire / tow
8.1% of reports
Safety recalls
9 3 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
38 reports · 24,981 mi
2.5 yr
2.6%
Engine cooling
35 reports · 13,000 mi
1.6 yr
0%
Air bags
30 reports · 43,000 mi
12.8 yr
30%
Electrical system
18 reports · 82,000 mi
2.3 yr
11.1%
Speed control
18 reports · 98,000 mi
8.9 yr
0%
Service brakes, hydraulic
17 reports · 10,460 mi
1.8 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

19V781000 2019-10-31 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

18V402000 2018-06-15 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

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, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

17V474000 2017-07-26 Do not drive
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

09E025000 2009-05-11
Exterior lighting:headlights

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

09E012000 2009-04-07
Exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

09E011000 2009-04-02
Equipment

THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.

THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

03V531000 2003-12-16
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL SENDER UNIT (FSU) MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED IN THE FUEL TANK, PRODUCING AN INADEQUATE SEAL, AND FUEL MAY LEAK.

A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.

03V207000 2003-06-05
Parking brake:indicator light

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." DURING PRODUCTION, THE FLOAT IN THE FLUID LEVEL SENSOR IN THE BRAKE RESERVOIR CAN BE FORCED OFF OF THE GUIDE RAIL DURING THE FILLING OF THE MASTER CYLINDER.

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE FLOAT WILL NOT RETURN TO THE GUIDE RAIL AND THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION.

03V206000 2003-06-05
Exterior lighting:fog lights

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SOCKET HOLDER IN THE FOG LIGHTS IS INSTALLED IN THE LAMP CASING USING PRESSURE. DURING OPERATION OF THE FOG LIGHT, THE HEAT FROM THE BULB CAN EXPAND THE SOCKET HOLDER. THE EXPANSION CAN FORCE THE SOCKET HOLDER REARWARD. AFTER REPEATEDLY BEING SUBJECT TO THIS EXPANSION, IF THE FOG LIGHT IS ALSO SUBJECTED TO VIBRATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE SOCKET HOLDER WITH THE BULB HOLDER AND THE WIRING HARNESS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE FOG LIGHT CASING.

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE BULB SOCKET AND THE HARNESS CAN DROP INSIDE THE BUMPER AND POSSIBLY BUT RARELY, THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE BULB CAN CAUSE THE BUMPER TO BURN.

In owners’ own words

Engine cooling mileage not reported 9 mo in service
THERE IS AN ODOR COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES FOR THIS, AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE GAS I WAS BUYING. SO I STARTED BUYING GAS OUT OF TOWN FOR A WHILE, THE ODOR CONTINUES. I HAVE 12,000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND THE ODOR KEEPS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. BUT THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME IT IS THE GAS, AND OFFERS NO HELP.*AK
Engine cooling 6,000 mi 10 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *PH SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED AROUND LEADING TO DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. TWO DEALERS DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RUN AT 8500 ELEVATION. THE CONSUMER WAS LEFT SIDEWAYS IN THE ROAD WHEN THERE WAS HESITATION. *SCC *JB
Engine cooling 700 mi 1.0 yr in service
SULFUR (ROTTEN EGG) SMELL IN VEHICLE CABIN. DEALER SAID NO FIX FROM MAZDA RELATED TO EXHAUST ISSUE, SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, ISSUE LASTS UP TO 8K MILES. CAR HAS LESS THAN 800 MILES.*AK
Electrical system 2,200 mi 10 mo in service
HAVE A MAZDA 6 THAT CONTINUOUSLY HAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. HAD AN INCIDENT WHERE THE CAR WAS FAILING TO ACCELERATE AND WAITED FOR TOW TRUCK. THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR. WAITED 3 WEEKS BEFORE I COULD GET MY CAR BACK AND WHEN I GOT IT BACK, IT HAPPENED AGAIN 3 MORE TIMES, AND TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICING ALL THOSE TIMES. I DON'T WANT TO CONTINUE TO MAKE A TRIP TO THE DEALER EVERY MONTH LIKE I HAVE BEEN DOING.*AK

Other MAZDA6 model years

20182017201520142012201120102009200820072006200520042003

How to read this