2003 Mazda Mazda6
The Verdict
The 2003 Mazda Mazda6 has 175 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (56 complaints) and body (38 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 59/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Mazda Mazda6, consider the 2020 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2020 has 98% fewer complaints
View the 2020 Mazda Mazda6 dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
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.
Recalls 6
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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.
Risk
A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
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.
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 d...
Risk
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 ...
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, f...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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 infl...
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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, Ari...
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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, fr...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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, MO...
Risk
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 VE...
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 ...
Reported Feb 4, 2009
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 ...
Risk
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.
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 RE...
Reported May 6, 2003
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Mazda6. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously repaired for the same failure under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V531000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000.
In 2018, the car was part of a trade in for a certified used car at my dealership. The car had over 350,000 miles and could no longer run.
WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS IT STAYS AT THE SAME SPEED OR IT SPEEDS UP ON ITS OWN. WHEN I PRESS ON THE BREAK SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT'S NOT GOING TO STOP AND JUST KEEP GOING OR IT JERKS FORWARD WHEN I STOP. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I AM DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
AFTER TWO YEARS OF DRIVING THIS CAR THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY BROKE PUNCTURING THROUGH THE FIRE WALL AND BRAKE RESERVOIR, LUCKILY I WAS STARTING THE VEHICLE IN A HOSPITAL PARKING LOT WHEN I PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN IT WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT COME BACK UP. IT WAS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE, I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AFTER PATCHING THE FIREWALL AND REPLACING THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY FOR $1800 I WAS TOLD THAT PART WAS FAULTY ON THIS VEHICLE AND IF IT HAPPENED ONCE IT WOULD PROBABLY HAPPEN AGAIN. ONE YEAR LATER IT BROKE AGAIN ONLY THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I WENT TO SHIFT GEARS THE CLUTCH WENT TO THE FLOOR AND DIDN'T COME BACK UP, I HAD TO PULL OVER LUCKILY I DIDN'T GET HIT OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD BY MAZDA THERE WOULD BE NO RECALL BECAUSE THIS PART ISN'T A DIRECT SAFETY ISSUE.
ON 01/18/2019 I TOOK VEHICLE I PURCHASED, TO MOCK FORD IN GRANT'S PASS OREGON FOR TAKARA AIRBAG RECALL. THIS IS WHEN I BECAME AWARE OF SAFETY ISSUE THAT VEHICLES AUR BAGS HAD BEEN CUT OUT AND REMOVED. THE SERVICE GUY AT MOCK FORD EXPLAINEDAND GAVE ESTIMATE WHICH WAS GREATER THAN WHAT CARS VALUE WAS. THE SELLER OF CAR AARON RONSON NEVER DISCLOSED ANY ISSUES. ONLY THAT HE BOUGHT FROM A FRIEND THAT BUYS AND FIXES CARS. HIS FRIEND WORKED AT A WRECKING YARD. MY SAFETY CONCERN AS WELL AS INSURANCE COVERAGE IS HAVE BEEN B.CEFFECTED. MY COMPLAINT IS NO FOUND RECORDS OF VEHICLEACCIDENT. AND NO BRANDING OF TITLE IT IS CLEAR. NO EVIDENCE OF AIRBAD DEPLOYMENT. I HAVE BEEN REFUSED COPIES IF PREVIOUS OWNER TO INVESTIGATED KNOWLEDGE PRIOR TO MY PURCGASE.
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 BAD HEADACHE I THROW UP, I SLEEP SITTING UP, SOMETHING IN THE CAR LIKE METAL FRAGMENT HIT ME IN THE LEFT EYE, NOW I CAN BARELY SEE OUT OF MY LEFT EYE. AND MUST CONTINUE MEDICAL TREATMENT. AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO PAY FOR MY MEDICAL TREATMENT AND PAIN AND SUFFERING, BC THAT SEAT BELT NOT LOCKING CAUSED MY INJURIES, MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALLED MY CAR OUT BC OF THE SEVERE DAMAGE TO IT.
TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE NOTIFIED MAZDA AT LEAST 5 TIMES THAT THIS CAR HAS BEEN JUNKED, YET I KEEP GETTING HARASSED WITH MAILINGS. PLEASE STOP! THIS IS HARASSMENT!
I JUNKED THE CAR IN JANUARY OF 2018 DUE TO HAVING TOO MANY PROBLEMS
THIS CAR WAS DESTROYED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND AS SUCH CAN NO LONGER BE REPAIRED.
2003 MAZDA6 MODEL CARS WERE BUILT WITH FAULTY THROTTLE BODIES. UNAWARE OF THIS, I BOUGHT ONE OF THESE VEHICLES AND IMMEDIATELY BEGAN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH IT. WHEN DRIVING VERY SLOWLY, UNDER 15 MPH, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY THROTTLE, ACCELERATING IT IN BURSTS EVEN WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THAT ISSUE IS PROBLEMATIC BUT RELATIVELY MINOR; HOWEVER, THERE IS A MUCH MORE DANGEROUS ISSUE THE FAULTY THROTTLE BODY CREATES. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE FAULTY THROTTLE BODY CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO CUT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH OUR KIDS IN THE CAR THE FIRST TIME WE HAD THE ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING (SOON AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR). LUCKILY, SHE WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AT 25 MPH. THE ENGINE HAS CUT OUT ON ME WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS FORCED TO COAST THROUGH FREEWAY TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER IN ORDER TO STOP THE CAR AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS CUT OUT, WITHOUT WARNING, AT SEVERAL SPEEDS. THERE IS NO RHYME TO WHEN IT WILL CUT OUT AND NO INDICATION IT'S GOING TO CUT OUT AHEAD OF TIME. I SPENT OVER $500 TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH MECHANICS UNSURE WHAT WAS WRONG. THEN A MECHANIC HAPPENED TO HAVE AN OLD SERVICE BULLETIN (SB), DATED 5/18/2006, FROM MAZDA THAT STATED THROTTLE BODIES WITH THE MARKINGS AA, AB, OR BA AT THE END OF THEIR SERIAL NUMBERS (AS IS THE CASE WITH THE ONE IN MY CAR) ARE "NO GOOD". BECAUSE THE PART IS LABELED "NO GOOD" UNDER MAZDA LETTERHEAD, I FIGURED THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A RECALL ISSUED BEFORE I OWNED THE CAR THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER SOMEHOW MISSED. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS ASSURED NO RECALL HAS EVER BEEN ISSUED ON THE PART AND IN ORDER TO REPLACE IT, THE COST WILL BE OVER $1,000. A RECALL MUST BE MADE ON THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND FAULTY, BY MAZDA'S OWN ADMISSION, PART BEFORE UNSUSPECTING PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED, IF THAT HASN'T HAPPENED ALREADY.
TAKATA RECALL, FORMER OWNER
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V382000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V354000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO DEALERS, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AFTER SEVERAL CALLS. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA 6. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRED MORE FORCE TO STEER AND THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V374000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,650.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V382000 (AIR BAGS) AND THE CONTACT WAITED FOR MONTHS TO RECEIVE THE SECOND NOTICE INDICATING THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT SENT THE PARTS TO THE DEALER IN ORDER FOR THE RECALL REMEDY TO BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC TIME FRAME THAT THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
2003 MAZDA 6. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. DISCOVERED PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED MAZDA STOPPED MANUFACTURING THE PCM FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN 2003 AND THEREFORE, IT HAD TO SPECIAL ORDERED. IT TOOK EIGHT WEEKS FOR THE DEALER TO RECEIVE THE PART. *JB
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA 6. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V345000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V382000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT, RESPECTIVELY.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V382000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 03/10/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG ON 02/12/16*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V382000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TAKATA RECALL I RECEVED THE FINAL REPAIR NOTICE, AND I HAVE CONTACT YOU GUYS I HAVE A REFERENCE NUMBER OF 896159. I LIVED IN HAWAII, I TOOK THE THE CAR TO CUTTER MAZDA IN WAIPAHU HAWAII IN OCTOBER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL CONTACT ME WHEN THE PART IS AVAILABLE. I CALLED BACK LAST WEEK AND THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO RETURN MY CALL TO SEE WHEN THE PART WAS GOING TO BE IN. NO ONE HAS CONTACT ME AS OF YET. WHAT ELSE CAN I DO IF THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT TRYING TO REPAIR THE RECALLS.:
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