Owners have filed 245 complaints
about the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6 with NHTSA between 2003 and 2022.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 18 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 75
Against the median year of the Mazda MAZDA6. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 53
10.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 87
51% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Automatic Transmission
1426.4%
Engine
1018.9%
Manual Transmission
713.2%
Exhaust System
611.3%
Rotor
59.4%
Catalytic Convertor
47.5%
Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)
47.5%
Body
35.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
1811.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
3119.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
3320.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
53.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
127.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
2716.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
2616.0%
150,000+ miles
116.7%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Frontal crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2003 Mazda6 4-DR.
—
—
—
—
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2003peak 16Jan 2022
NHTSA investigations into the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
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 rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
EA15001Opened 24 Feb 2015Still openAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field fai...
PE14016Opened 11 Jun 2014Closed 2 Mar 2015AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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 air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field fai...
PE03047Opened 14 Oct 2003Closed 24 Dec 2003FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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 THESE CONDITIONS MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND IN THE PRESENCE OF A SOURCE OF IGNITION, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY OCCUR.MAZDA WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN TO CORRECT FSU SEAL INSTALLATION...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 11,800 milesGenoa, WVCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11252002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,800 milesGenoa, WVCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11252002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,800 milesGenoa, WVCrash1 injured
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11252002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blaine, MNCrash
AIR BAGS
THIS CAR WAS DESTROYED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND AS SUCH CAN NO LONGER BE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #11055407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesGalloway, NJFire
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BLUE SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE TAIL PIPE AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE CLOGGED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIE ROD WAS LOOSE AND COULD FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
NHTSA complaint #10524537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 122,000 milesGalloway, NJFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MAZDA6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BLUE SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE TAIL PIPE AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE CLOGGED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIE ROD WAS LOOSE AND COULD FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
NHTSA complaint #10524537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 124,000 milesGreenville, SC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
NHTSA complaint #11448828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spring, TX
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11418298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 159,185 milesFort Wayne, IN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #11343015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 159,185 milesFort Wayne, IN
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
NHTSA complaint #11343015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesNewark, DE
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11268685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riddle, OR
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11253802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,800 milesGenoa, WVCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11252002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,800 milesGenoa, WVCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11252002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,800 milesGenoa, WVCrash1 injured
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11252002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 240,000 milesIxonia, WI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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!
NHTSA complaint #11235242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesNEW Britain, CT
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I JUNKED THE CAR IN JANUARY OF 2018 DUE TO HAVING TOO MANY PROBLEMS
NHTSA complaint #11073941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Blaine, MNCrash
AIR BAGS
THIS CAR WAS DESTROYED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND AS SUCH CAN NO LONGER BE REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #11055407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunnyvale, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #11018745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunnyvale, CA
ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #11018745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, DE
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL, FORMER OWNER
NHTSA complaint #11014658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fair Grove, MO
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10955065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,000 milesTakoma Pard, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10947510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,650 milesPlano, TX
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10862188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10838012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #10838352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesWeymouth, MA
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10816958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Wales, PA
AIR BAGS
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
NHTSA complaint #10816406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Geneva, OH
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10810644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wahiawa, HI
AIR BAGS
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.:
NHTSA complaint #10810169 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fortworth, TX
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA 6. THE CONTACT RECIEVED 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.
NHTSA complaint #10808797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
