The Used Car Index

2003 Mazda MAZDA6 problems

NHTSA lists 174 complaints for the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6, 11 of them mention a crash and 2 mention a fire. 5 complaints mention an injury, with 5 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as MAZDA MAZDA6.

At a glance

Complaints
174
With crash
11
With fire
2
With injury (complaints)
5
Injuries
5
Deaths
0
Recalls
6
Do not drive recalls
3
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
308,992
Investigations
4
Open investigations
2
Manufacturer communications
210

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. The required sales year is missing.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3620.7%
POWER TRAIN3620.7%
AIR BAGS3017.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1810.3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1810.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1810.3%
STRUCTURE116.3%
ENGINE105.7%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE95.2%
SUSPENSION95.2%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGEXHAUST SYSTEM12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICFOUNDATION COMPONENTS10
POWER TRAINMANUAL TRANSMISSION8
POWER TRAINCLUTCH ASSEMBLY6
STRUCTUREBODY6
SUSPENSIONFRONT4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWIRING3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCOOLING SYSTEM3

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

6 recalls.

19V781000

Date: 2019-10-31. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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, t (excerpt)

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

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. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V130 (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

18V402000

Date: 2018-06-15. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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, Ne (excerpt)

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

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. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this rec (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

17V474000

Date: 2017-07-26. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-38 (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

03V531000

Date: 2003-12-16. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

03V207000

Date: 2003-06-05. Systems: PARKING BRAKE.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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 RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

03V206000

Date: 2003-06-05. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

Defect: 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 (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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 AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

4 investigations; 2 open.

EA21002

Opened: 2021-09-17. Closed: Not listed.

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupt

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

EA15001

Opened: 2015-02-24. Closed: Not listed.

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive a

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: 14V668, 15E040, 15E041, 15E042, 15E043, 15V284, 15V285, 15V286, 15V287, 15V312, 15V313, 15V318, 15V319, 15V320, 15V322, 15V323, 15V324, 15V361, 15V370, 15V444, 16E005, 16E006, 16E009, 16E042, 16E043, 16E044, 16V036, 16V061, 16V063, 16V071, 16V077, 16V078, 16V079, 16V081, 16V127, 16V128, 16V267, 16V334, 16V340, 16V341, 16V344, 16V346, 16V347, 16V349, 16V352, 16V358, 16V359, 16V361, 16V363, 16V364, 16V373, 16V374, 16V382, 16V384, 16V418, 16V499, 16V947, 17E001, 17E002, 17E034, 17V004, 17V005, 17V006, 17V013, 17V014, 17V015, 17V016, 17V017, 17V020, 17V022, 17V023, 17V024, 17V026, 17V027, 17V028, 17V029, 17V030, 17V031, 17V032, 17V047, 17V068, 17V429, 17V449, 17V457, 17V474, 17V478, 17V479, 17V480, 17V569, 17V787, 17V788, 17V793, 17V806, 17V807, 18E001, 18E002, 18E003, 18V004, 18V007, 18V009, 18V010, 18V011, 18V012, 18V013, 18V014, 18V015, 18V016, 18V018, 18V021, 18V022, 18V023, 18V024, 18V025, 18V030, 18V031, 18V032, 18V038, 18V039, 18V040, 18V041, 18V042, 18V043, 18V044, 18V045, 18V046, 18V082, 18V148, 18V220, 18V247, 18V381, 18V401, 18V402, 18V403, 18V404, 18V427, 18V452, 18V661, 18V662, 18V717, 18V883, 19E001, 19E002, 19E003, 19E016, 19V001, 19V002, 19V003, 19V004, 19V005, 19V006, 19V007, 19V008, 19V009, 19V010, 19V014, 19V015, 19V016, 19V017, 19V018, 19V141, 19V181, 19V182, 19V488, 19V499, 19V500, 19V501, 19V502, 19V698, 19V741, 19V781, 19V782, 20E001, 20V001, 20V002, 20V003, 20V007, 20V008, 20V011, 20V016, 20V017, 20V018, 20V747, 20V785, 21E013, 21V050, 21V051, 21V052, 21V053, 21V054, 21V076, 21V081, 21V158, 21V162, 22V945.

PE14016

Opened: 2014-06-11. Closed: 2015-03-02.

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive a

Systems: AIR BAGS.

Linked campaign numbers: 13V172000, 14E073000, 14V428000, 14V700000, 14V763000, 14V770000, 14V772001, 14V787000, 15V226000.

PE03047

Opened: 2003-10-14. Closed: 2003-12-24.

FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT SEAL LEAK

IN SOME OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THE FSU LOCK RING SEAL MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IMPROPERLY.THE FUEL TANK MAY BE ASSEMBLED WITH INSUFFICIENT COMPRESSION ON THE FSU LOCK RING SEAL DUE TO CROSS-THREADING THE LOCK RING, THE SEAL MAY BE OUT OF POSITION AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION,OR THE FUEL TANK MAY BE ASSEMBLED WITH INSUFFICIENT COMPRESSION ON THE SEAL DUE TO DISTORTION OF THE TANK SHELL.EACH OF THES

Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Linked campaign numbers: 03V531000.

Manufacturer communications

210 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT61
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM36
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING33
STEERING15
POWER TRAIN14
STRUCTURE14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER13
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY10

11037013

Date: 2026-08-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid. It has been unpublished and superseded by the Field Quality Information Report (FQIR) reporting system.

11035599

Date: 2026-07-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER.

This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit inoperative electric rear window defroster grid lines, integral antenna concerns causing radio reception issues or terminal tabs pulled

11032103

Date: 2026-04-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the sch

11026904

Date: 2025-12-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in the A/C evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling

11022727

Date: 2025-08-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

When replacing the SiriusXM satellite radio unit, a call must be made to inform SiriusXM of the existing Radio ID and the new/replacement SAT Radio ID as soon as possible to ensure the customer leaves the dealership with an active SAT radio.

11020039

Date: 2025-06-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Some customers may complain about a noisy HVAC blower motor or odor after a cabin air filter replacement. Foreign debris on the blower motor after servicing the cabin air filter may be the cause. During the removal of the cabin air filter, foreign debris (leaves, dust, dirt....ect.) may fall on the

11017699

Date: 2025-04-25. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in the A/C evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling

11007022

Date: 2024-08-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.

11006987

Date: 2024-08-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealera s responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odomet

11005671

Date: 2024-07-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
MAZDA6174

Same model, other years

All model years | All Mazda models

Other Mazda models, 2003

Sources

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