Vehicle Data Hub

2003 Mazda MAZDA6 engine problems

44 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6, which is 18% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
44 18% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
61,000 miles 29 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 1
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2003 Mazda MAZDA6 Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 61,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 13 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 0 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 1 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 2 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 6 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 2 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 2 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 2 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 1 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 61,000 miles
Based on 29 complaints that include mileage. 48% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles13
20k to 40k miles0
40k to 60k miles1
60k to 80k miles2
80k to 100k miles6
100k to 120k miles2
120k to 140k miles2
140k to 160k miles2
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles1

What the data shows

Of the 29 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 61,000 miles, and 48% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 fire.

What owners wrote

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.

Reported at 122,000 miles, June 2013 Fire

2003 mazda 6 with regular maintenance and approximately 60k miles. Having incidents of stalling and idling hard. Per one mechanic it is a pvc and lines. A second mechanic showed us a crack in the intake manifold. These parts are cheap since they are plastic. But the quoted installation is over $700 for just the pvc.

Reported at 62,000 miles, November 2010

Other problems reported for the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Mazda models