2003 Mazda MAZDA6

● Typical for this model

2003 Mazda MAZDA6
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:16:12.899Z

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 PER YEAR

2003: 174 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2002	28
2003	174
2004	159
2005	147
2006	173
2007	156
2008	111
2009	385
2010	225
2011	134
2012	99
2013	22
2014	137
2015	60
2016	76
2017	59
2018	54
2019	6
2020	2
2021	17

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 16%

16% of complaints: air bags — 28 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

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, 20190828

THIS CAR WAS DESTROYED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND AS SUCH CAN NO LONGER BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171218

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. *NM

NHTSA ODI report, 20031230

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 18 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 14 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 12 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20030714 — exterior lighting

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 T

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 ON

Campaign 03V206000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030714 — parking brake

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

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 RECEI

Campaign 03V207000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20031014 — PE (closed 20031224)

FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT SEAL LEAK

R 20040209 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 03V531000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090417 — 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, MODEL

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 1-8

Campaign 09E011000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — 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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20170912 — air bags

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.

Campaign 17V474000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180706 — air bags

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.

Campaign 18V402000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191203 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V781000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Mazda MAZDA6 — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for air bags issues (28 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (18 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (14 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 03V206000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 03V207000 (parking brake) has been completed.
Verify recall 03V531000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 09E011000 (equipment) has been completed.
Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 17V474000 (air bags) has been completed.
Verify recall 18V402000 (air bags) has been completed.
Verify recall 19V781000 (air bags) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ▲ 2017 ▲ 2015

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ◆ 2010 ● 2006

See all years ranked →

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 air bags, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6 have?

9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.