MYRModel Year Report

2003 Mazda MAZDA6

● Typical for this model
2003 Mazda MAZDA6
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:54:40.091Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
174
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

2002: 28 complaints 2003: 174 complaints 2003 174 2004: 160 complaints 2005: 147 complaints 2006: 173 complaints 2007: 156 complaints 2008: 111 complaints 2008 2009: 386 complaints 2010: 225 complaints 2011: 135 complaints 2011 2012: 99 complaints 2013: 22 complaints 2014: 137 complaints 2014 2015: 60 complaints 2016: 76 complaints 2017: 60 complaints 2017 2018: 59 complaints 2019: 6 complaints 2020: 2 complaints 2020 2021: 17 complaints
2002: 28 complaints 2003: 174 complaints 2003 174 2004: 160 complaints 2005: 147 complaints 2006: 173 complaints 2006 2007: 156 complaints 2008: 111 complaints 2008 2009: 386 complaints 2010: 225 complaints 2010 2011: 135 complaints 2012: 99 complaints 2012 2013: 22 complaints 2014: 137 complaints 2014 2015: 60 complaints 2016: 76 complaints 2016 2017: 60 complaints 2018: 59 complaints 2018 2019: 6 complaints 2020: 2 complaints 2020 2021: 17 complaints
2002: 28 complaints 2002 2003: 174 complaints 2003 174 2004: 160 complaints 2004 2005: 147 complaints 2005 2006: 173 complaints 2006 2007: 156 complaints 2007 2008: 111 complaints 2008 2009: 386 complaints 2009 2010: 225 complaints 2010 2011: 135 complaints 2011 2012: 99 complaints 2012 2013: 22 complaints 2013 2014: 137 complaints 2014 2015: 60 complaints 2015 2016: 76 complaints 2016 2017: 60 complaints 2017 2018: 59 complaints 2018 2019: 6 complaints 2019 2020: 2 complaints 2020 2021: 17 complaints 2021

2003: 174 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
200228
2003174
2004160
2005147
2006173
2007156
2008111
2009386
2010225
2011135
201299
201322
2014137
201560
201676
201760
201859
20196
20202
202117

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

22% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Engine and engine cooling

21% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

Air bags

17% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I hit a deer at 45 miles an hour then hit the hit totalling the car, the airbag did not come out, the seat belt did not lock causing me to be slammed into the steeling wheel, now I suffer great pain, can't move my neck, can't lay down bc of such...

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-08-28

Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system

This car was destroyed in an accident, and as such can no longer be repaired.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-18

While driving the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree. The front, side, and rear air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained a broken arm and the vehicle was declared a total lost. Please provide any additional information.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-12-30

Service brakes

15% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

Electrical system

11% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Car does not have ignition lock system. After stopping car, turning off and removing key, car rolled backward while still in "Drive" Position causing damage to driver side back door.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-15

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2003-07-14Exterior lighting03V206000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a spring to prevent the socket holder from separating from the lamp case. Owner notification began on July 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2003-07-14Parking brake03V207000 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…

    Remedy: Mazda has not yet provided a remedy for this campaign. Owner notification began July 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2003-10-14Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-12-24 Fuel tank sending unit seal leak
  4. R
    2004-02-09Fuel system, gasoline03V531000 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.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the top of the fuel tank, and if necessary, repair or replace it. Owner notification began February 9, 2004. Owners should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2009-04-17Equipment09E011000 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…

    Remedy: Thule will mail a retro fit kit along with repair instructions to owners free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before April 13, 2009. Owners may contact thule toll-free at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  9. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  10. R
    2017-09-12Air bags17V474000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2018-07-06Air bags18V402000 Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2019-12-03Air bags19V781000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Mazda MAZDA6 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 38 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 37 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 30 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V206000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 03V207000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 03V531000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 09E011000 · Equipment
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 17V474000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V402000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V781000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6 is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6 have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.