Model year

2003 Mazda 6

NHTSA does not list the EPA model name 6 for 2003. Under the matched name MAZDA6, NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 174 complaints (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). 3 recalls marked do not drive. The components listed on the most complaints for MAZDA6 are AIR BAGS (28), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (18), POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (14). NHTSA lists 4 investigations, including 2 investigations with no close date in the file. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 20–24 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,800–$3,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.

ABOUT THIS DATA

Matched NHTSA names

The EPA model name is not itself a name in the NHTSA file for 2003. The counts in the answer are the sum of the names below. Overlap between those names is not removed.

NHTSA names assigned to this EPA model year
NHTSA name	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations
MAZDA6	6	174	4

Recalls for MAZDA6

19V781000 · Oct 31, 2019

Do not drive

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.…

18V402000 · Jun 15, 2018

Do not drive

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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,…

17V474000 · Jul 26, 2017

Do not drive

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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…

03V531000 · Dec 16, 2003

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

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.

03V207000 · Jun 5, 2003

PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT

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…

03V206000 · Jun 5, 2003

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS

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…

Complaints for MAZDA6

174 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 11, fire flag on 2, injury field 5, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.

AIR BAGS28
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL18
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12
ENGINE10
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE10
POWER TRAIN7
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC7

Investigations for MAZDA6

Investigations in the NHTSA file (4). "No close date" means the file has no close date. It is not a statement that the investigation is still active.
Action	Subject	Opened	Closed
PE03047	FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT SEAL LEAK · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY	Oct 14, 2003	Dec 24, 2003
PE14016	Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS	Jun 11, 2014	Mar 2, 2015
EA15001	Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS	Feb 24, 2015	No close date in the file
EA21002	Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE	Sep 17, 2021	No close date in the file

Safety ratings

NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.

Fuel economy

EPA configurations. Electric rows show MPGe in the combined column and kWh/100 mi separately. Annual fuel cost is EPA's published fuelCost08 figure.
Configuration	Fuel	City	Hwy	Comb	kWh/100 mi	Range	Annual fuel cost
6 · 2.3L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive	Regular Gasoline	22	29	24	—	—	$2,800
6 · 2.3L · Automatic (S4) · Front-Wheel Drive	Regular Gasoline	20	26	22	—	—	$3,050
6 · 3L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive	Regular Gasoline	17	25	20	—	—	$3,350
6 · 3L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive	Regular Gasoline	17	25	20	—	—	$3,350

Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.

Check a vehicle

This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Mazda 6 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.

All Mazda 6 model years