Skip to content
KLUNK
KLUNK

2003 Mazda B-series

The Verdict

95 Smooth Ride

The 2003 Mazda B-series has 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (7 complaints) and electrical (7 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 95/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Mazda B-series, consider the 2009 model year which has 81% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2009 has 81% fewer complaints

View the 2009 Mazda B-series dashboard →

95

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2003 Mazda B-series. No spam, no marketing.

Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20003427412
2001208145
200292765
200371743
20046125152
2005121711
200610801
2007003610
200820900
200910300

By Category

Body
7
Electrical
7
Engine
4
Transmission
3
Brakes
1

By Severity

1
6
2
10
3
1
4
5

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 4

My truck sat for a while I charged the Batt. I drove to the landfill in Tehachapi Ca. It ran fine. I unloaded the trash the engine idled for 30+min. The landfill had debris on the ground. The truck ran fine back to town. I had 3/4 fuel. I decided to fill up at the Loves gas station I filled it all the way 2 clicks I think. I started up the truck after fueling it ran terribly I had a flashing check engine light. I drove home 2milles when home the truck was on FIRE!! I turned off engine. Put lots of h20 on fire. Disconnected Batt put more h20. I don't know if it started at gas station or in between. I can ask neighbors. The fire was under the driver's seat underneath the truck. I don't know if it was damaged by debris at the dump there was lots of [XXX] on the ground. It has not been inspected yet. I have not started any repairs. No police report. No damage to any one or property (except my truck). It is in my driveway and can be inspected there or towed. No pictures but I can take some. I am glad it didn't cause the gas station to go up in flames. Yes I have it insurance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

30mo ago
Electrical 2

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING, TURNING OFF AIR CONDITIONER, RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND TURN INDICATOR. THE DASH LIT UP ABS, AIRBAG, AND CRUISE CONTROL INDICATORS. WHEN I STOPPED, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND TURNED THE KEY TO POWER WITHOUT STARTING ENGINE AND FOUND THE ELECTRICAL WORKING AGAIN. I TRIED DRIVING AGAIN AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME AND WENT OFF AGAIN. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET

97mo ago
Electrical 2

TAKATA RECALL IS NOT BEING DONE FAST ENOUGH. THIS RECALL BEGAN OVER A YEAR AGO IN JANUARY 2016. WE HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A LETTER TELLING US TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR. THE RECALL SAYS IT IS DANGEROUS AND TO HAVE IT DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE YET ACCORDING TO THEIR SCHEDULE...WE ARE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING ABLE TO DO IT IN OVER A YEAR. WE NEED TO GET TO WORK IN THIS VEHICLE EVERY DAY. UNACCEPTABLE.

113mo ago
Body 1

WHOLE UNBODY FRAME IS RUSTED

116mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH WAS INSTALLED AND THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,777. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

124mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA B3000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

149mo ago
Body 4

15" DUNLOP TIRE, LOOKED LIKE IT WAS BARLEY USED STILL HAD THE NUMBS ON IT. MIDDLE OF TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF, SENDING THE BACK END OF OUR TRUCK SIDEWAYS THEN ROLLING IN A DEEP EMBANKMENT. TRUCK TOTALED. WILL GIVE MORE INFO. *TR

169mo ago
Body 2

BF GOODRICH P225/70/R15 BLEW OUT ON THE SIDEWALL, TOTALLY SEPARATING FROM WHEEL. CONTACTED BFG ONLY TO BE TOLD TIRE IS ON BACKORDER, CALLED 3 MONTHS LATER WAS TOLD TIRE IS DISCONTINUED. I HAVE FULL WARRANTY ON TIRE BUT BFG REFUSES TO HONOR THEIR OBLIGATION. *TR

183mo ago
Transmission 4

MY 2003 MAZDA B3000 PICKUP SPONTANEOUSLY SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL INTO REVERSE AND CRASHED THE (DRIVER'S SIDE) OPEN DOOR INTO THE INSIDE WALL OF MY GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AND UNOCCUPIED, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE FORCE OF THE CRASH WAS ENOUGH TO BEND THE DOOR. I CALLED THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DO NOT ISSUE REPORT NUMBERS FOR MINOR LOSSES INCURRED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. I AM FILING THIS REPORT IN VIEW OF THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS BODILY HARM, DEATH, OR MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE ASSOCIATED WITH A SPONTANEOUS SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL INTO A GEAR, SO THAT THE VEHICLE TRAVELS WITHOUT ANY OCCUPANTS, AND POSES THE RISK OF CRASHING. *TR

188mo ago
Brakes 2

THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE ON THE TRUCK RUPTURED DURING BREAKING. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT, SO THERE WAS NO DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

198mo ago
Transmission 2

SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF CLUTCH FLUID RENDERING VEHICLE INOPERABLE (LOSS OF CONTROL TO GO FORWARD AND GET OUT OF THE WAY) DUE TO AN INABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS. LEAK AT CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER IS SUSPECT. FOUND MYSELF TO BE A "SITTING DUCK" AT A TRAFFIC INTERSECTION ALTHOUGH FORTUNATELY, NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

202mo ago
Engine 4

I WAS DRIVING INTO THE MOUNTAINS OF NC FROM SC. SMELLED SMOKE. REALIZED IT WAS COMING FROM IN BETWEEN TRUCK CAB AND BED. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT OUT FIRE AS IT HAD STARTED TO MELT THE PLASTIC BED LINER AND PLASTIC GAS TANK. FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A 2 FOOT BY 2 FOOT PIECE OF CARDBOARD THAT HAD FALLEN DOWN BETWEEN BED AND CAB. IT WAS RESTING ON THE GAS TANK AND LEANING TO THE SIDE ON TOP OF THE MUFFLER. I ASSUME IT CAUGHT FIRE AS WE TRAVELED SLOWLY UP THE WINDING ROAD. (HWY 276) THERE IS NO SHIELD OVER THE MUFFLER. WHEN THE TANK WAS REPLACED IT WAS REPORTED TO ME THAT THE FIRE HAD MELTED THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP AND HAD EXPOSED A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK. I BELIEVE THIS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BY MAZDA. *JB

239mo ago
Electrical 4

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND MY CAR WENT FLYING INTO THE GUARD RAIL AT ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR HEAD ON AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS SENT TO THE HOSPITAL. *NM

244mo ago
Transmission 2

'03 B-3000 DUAL SPORT... 41,XXX MILES... MANUAL TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR, AND GRINDS AGAIN, BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR, THIS HAPPENING AFTER A 10 HOUR TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS AROUND 70-75 MPH. *NM

245mo ago
Electrical 1

12/07/05 ENGINE DIED ON 4 LANE HWY, 42 MILES FROM HOME IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. TOWED TO DEALER, WHO TWO DAYS LATER STATED PROBLEM WAS FUEL PUMP RELAY, AND IT WAS FIXED. 01/25/05 TRUCK DIED IN INTERSECTION AT 4:30 P.M. HUSBAND TAPED WIRES AND WIRE-TIED CONNECTOR TO RELAY. DEALER ORDERED FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH 01/27/05 AND DID NOT INSTALL UNTIL 02/03/06, BECAUSE WAITING FOR PART. DEALER RELOCATED THE RELAY FROM FLOOR BOARD TO BEHIND THE PASSENGER KICK PANEL AND WIRE-TIED THE CONNECTOR TO THE RELAY AND SWORE THIS WOULD SOLVE PROBLEM. ON 02/10/06 THE ENGINE DIED AT 1:00 P.M., 50 MILES FROM HOME. BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS HISTORY, I MANAGED TO RESET AND CONTINUE HOME AND LEFT MESSAGE WITH SERVICE MANAGER. MY HUSBAND DECIDED TO INSPECT SITUATION, AND DISCOVERED THE WIRE CONNECTOR THAT PLUGS INTO THE RELAY IS BROKEN AND IS THE CAUSE FOR FAILURE. WE BELIEVE THIS DAMAGE WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE ORIGINAL LOCATION OF ASSEMBLY UNDERNEATH PASSENGER FLOOR MAT. PRESENTLY AWAITING CALL BACK FROM SERVICE MANAGER. *JB

248mo ago
Body 1

THE TRUCK ONLY HAD APPROX 31000 MILES ON IT OVER 2 YEARS OF DRIVING. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS(MIND YOU THAT ONLY ONE PAD REALLY HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT WAS THE LEFT INNER PAD) AND THE DISCS AS THEY WERE ALREADY OUT OF THE LIMIT FOR RESURFACING.

255mo ago
Electrical 2

CANNOT REACH PEDALS UNLESS SEAT MOVED ALL THE WAY FORWARD. AIRBAG IS ONLY 2 INCHES FROM STOMACH! *NM

261mo ago
Body 3

POWER STEERING LOCKUP CAUSES VERY HAZARDOUS LOSS OF CONTROL. A BROKEN STEERING PUMP WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE PROBLEM (BUT ONLY AFTER UMPTEEN VISITS TO AN UNCOOPERATIVE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT). PUMP WAS REPLACED.

262mo ago
Body 2

THE DEFROSTER IN MY VEHICLE FOGS UP MY WINDSHIELD WHEN VEHICLE IS IN USE THEN SHUT DOWN FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MINUTES OR WHILE DRIVING WITH FAN OFF THEN WHEN THE DEFROSTER IS ENGAGED IT FOGS UP MY WINDOW TO WHERE I CANNOT SEE OUT.*AK

273mo ago
Engine 2

SMALL QUANTITY OF GASOLINE COLLECTED IN A CAVITY ON THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK IN 2003 MAZDA 6. *MR WHILE PREPARING THE VEHICLE FOR A 40 MPH OFFSET FRONTAL CRASH TEST, THE ENGINEERS AND TECHNICIANS FOUND A SMALL AMOUNT OF GASOLINE COLLECTED ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK AND ADJACENT TO THE SCREW IN THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THEY WERE UNSURE IF THE LEAKED GASOLINE WAS PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED OR DUE TO ONE OF THE TWO 5 MPH IMPACTS THAT WERE CONDUCTED. *SCC *JB

281mo ago

22 total

1/ 2
Report a Klunk