Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Mazda MAZDA6
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Mazda MAZDA6 has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 174 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #19V781000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V402000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V474000 Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E025000 FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E011000 AFTERMARKET ROOF MOUNTED LOAD CARRIERS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V531000 MAZDA/FUEL SENDER UNIT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V207000 MAZDA/FMVSS 135/BRAKE RESERVOIR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V206000 MAZDA/FOG LIGHT NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 36 complaints
- Power Train 36 complaints
- Air Bags 30 complaints
- Electrical System 18 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 18 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 18 complaints
Of the 174 complaints on file, 11 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 174 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Mazda Mazda6 has several recalls, primarily concerning airbag and exterior lighting issues, and significant owner complaints related to powertrain and engine cooling. These concerns, alongside common failures, contribute to a below-average reliability rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| fuel system | 50,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | common |
| engine cooling system | 60,000–120,000 miles | $400–$800 | common |
| powertrain | 80,000–130,000 miles | $1,000–$2,500 | occasional |
| electrical system | 70,000–110,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
| service brakes | 60,000–100,000 miles | $300–$700 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Brake inspection every 10,000 miles
- Coolant flush every 2 years
- Transmission fluid replacement every 30,000 miles
- Tire rotation and balance every 5,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual engine noises
- Fuel smell inside cabin
- Warning lights on dashboard
- Reduced braking efficiency
- Odd transmission shifts
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.