Is the 2003 Mazda Mazda6 a bad year?
174 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Mazda6 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2003 Mazda Mazda6 are in line with other Mazda6 years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2003 Mazda6 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 32,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrain | 36 (21%) | 13k–99k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 32 (18%) | 12k–99k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 24 (14%) | 9k–52k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 18 (10%) | 14k–85k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 18 (10%) | 21k–125k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 30 (17%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 15 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 12 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 32,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 174 complaints: 11 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 5 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jan 2022.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The transmission in my 2003 Mazda 6s has failed on me 2 times in 2 years at the most diffucult times... Finals week at college and aslo during a busy time of work.
The engine light and transmission light indicated a problem to me, as well as the car jerking upon acceleration.
The transmission is slipping, not wanting to shift into 2nd gear and then when it does shift it jerks the car really hard.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 32,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2003 Mazda Mazda6: 9
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, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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. 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.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
These fit kits were sold as aftermarket equipment for use on the vehicles listed above. The bolt(S) used to secure the foot to the vehicle was manufactured to a hardness that may cause the bolt(S) to be brittle and potentially break under stress. 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 vehicle crash.
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. A fire could occur in the presence of an ignition source.
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. 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.
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. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mazda: 133
Repair instructions Mazda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2003 Mazda Mazda6. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...)…
Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission…
Ethanol is becoming a common additive in gasoline
Some customers may complain about high engine oil consumption
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Fuel tank sending unit seal leak
Neighbouring years
2002 Mazda6: 28 complaints, keep it · 2004 Mazda6: 160 complaints, keep it.
Every Mazda Mazda6 year
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Questions
Is the 2003 Mazda Mazda6 a bad year?
174 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Mazda6 years. At 32,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mazda Mazda6?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (36), engine (32), brakes (24), electrical system (18), speed control (18).
How many recalls does the 2003 Mazda Mazda6 have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 19V-781), Air bags (NHTSA 18V-402), Air bags (NHTSA 17V-474), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.