2003 Mazda Mazda6: recalls and complaints

NHTSA advisory: do not driveCampaign 19V781000. NHTSA received the report on 31 Oct 2019. 47,006 units. Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

Remedy of campaign 19V781000, in the NHTSA record

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V130, 14V362, 14V773 and 15V869.

NHTSA advisory: do not driveCampaign 18V402000. NHTSA received the report on 15 Jun 2018. 308,591 units. Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

Remedy of campaign 18V402000, in the NHTSA record

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.

1 more campaign has an NHTSA advisory. The recall campaigns section shows each one.

Do-not-drive advisory: A mark on a recall campaign in the NHTSA recall file. This site shows the mark as NHTSA sets it.

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2003 Mazda Mazda6. The newest campaign is 19V781000. NHTSA received the report on 31 Oct 2019. The NHTSA record gives the component Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module. NHTSA has 118 complaints on file for this model year. 4 NHTSA investigations name this model year.

This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.

NHTSA VIN lookup

Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.
NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on 1 Oct 2026. Complaint file through 29 Mar 2018. Recall file through 30 Sep 2026.

Since the last update

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

Recall campaigns

6 campaigns, newest first. 830,889 units in total.

19V78100031 Oct 2019Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator ModuleAdvisory
18V40200015 Jun 2018Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator ModuleAdvisory
17V47400026 Jul 2017Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator ModuleAdvisory
03V53100016 Dec 2003Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery
03V2060005 Jun 2003Exterior Lighting / Fog Lights
03V2070005 Jun 2003Parking Brake / Indicator Light

19V781000Received 31 Oct 2019. 47,006 units.
Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator ModuleDo-not-drive advisory
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V130, 14V362, 14V773 and 15V869.
Report filed by Mazda North American Operations. Manufacturer campaign number 2618F. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 3 Dec 2019.
18V402000Received 15 Jun 2018. 308,591 units.
Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator ModuleDo-not-drive advisory
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.
Report filed by Mazda North American Operations. Manufacturer campaign number 2618F. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 6 Jul 2018.
17V474000Received 26 Jul 2017. 308,992 units.
Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator ModuleDo-not-drive advisory
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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 factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
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.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-382.
Report filed by Mazda North American Operations. Manufacturer campaign number 1417G. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Sep 2017.
03V531000Received 16 Dec 2003. 56,700 units.
Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
A fire could occur in the presence of an ignition source.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will inspect the top of the fuel tank, and if necessary, repair or replace it. Owner notification began february 9, 2004. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Report filed by MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS. Manufacturer campaign number 1403L. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 9 Feb 2004.
03V206000Received 5 Jun 2003. 64,000 units.
Exterior Lighting / Fog Lights
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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 repeatedly being subject to this expansion, if the fog light is also subjected to vibration during vehicle operation, the socket holder with the bulb holder and the wiring harness may separate from the fog light casing.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
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.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will install a spring to prevent the socket holder from separating from the lamp case. Owner notification began on july 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Report filed by MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS. Manufacturer campaign number 1103F. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Jul 2003.
03V207000Received 5 Jun 2003. 45,600 units.
Parking Brake / Indicator Light
Defect, in the NHTSA record
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.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
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.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Mazda has not yet provided a remedy for this campaign. Owner notification began july 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Report filed by MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS. Manufacturer campaign number 1203F. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 14 Jul 2003.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

Complaints by component

118 complaints, 169 component mentions.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

2003 Mazda Mazda6
All 2003 vehicles

2003 Mazda Mazda6: complaints by component, per 1,000 component mentions
Component	2003 Mazda6	All 2003 vehicles	Mazda6, all years	Mentions
Engine and Engine Cooling	189.3	108.8	175.1	32
Power Train	177.5	136.5	186.6	30
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	106.5	83.2	87.6	18
Electrical System	82.8	122.3	80.6	14
Suspension	53.3	62.1	32.3	9
Structure	53.3	51.6	34.6	9
Vehicle Speed Control	47.3	45.3	32.3	8
Air Bags	47.3	45.8	71.4	8
Service Brakes, Air	35.5	4.6	13.8	6
Fuel System, Gasoline	35.5	43.8	34.6	6

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 22.

Complaints that report a crash: 9
Complaints that report a fire: 1
Injuries in the complaints: 4
Deaths in the complaints: 0
Date of the newest complaint: 26 Oct 2010

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Complaints about the 2003 Mazda Mazda6, by the year NHTSA received them. The largest year is 2004, with 42 complaints.

Investigations

NHTSA investigations that name the 2003 Mazda Mazda6
Number	Type	Subject	Component	Opened	Closed	Campaign
EA21002	Engineering analysis	Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture	Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module	17 Sep 2021	Open
EA15001	Engineering analysis	Air Bag Inflator Rupture	Air Bags / Frontal	24 Feb 2015	Open	14V668
PE14016	Preliminary evaluation	Air Bag Inflator Rupture	Air Bags / Frontal	11 Jun 2014	2 Mar 2015	13V172000
PE03047	Preliminary evaluation	FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT SEAL LEAK	Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump	14 Oct 2003	24 Dec 2003	03V531000

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

Other model years

The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

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Official channels

NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
NHTSA page of the 2003 Mazda Mazda6The recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

Cite this page

Recall Register. 2003 Mazda Mazda6: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/mazda/mazda6/2003/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through 30 Sep 2026.

Sources

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence: US government work, public domain
Recall file through: 30 Sep 2026
Complaint file through: 29 Mar 2018
First complaint in the file: 1 Jan 1995
Manufacturer in the recall file: Mazda North American Operations

The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2003 Mazda Mazda6?: 830,889 units in 6 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.
How many recall campaigns does the Mazda Mazda6 have for all model years?: NHTSA lists 28 recall campaigns for the Mazda Mazda6, model years 2002 to 2019. 6 of them name the 2003 model year.
Which component do the complaints about the 2003 Mazda Mazda6 name most often?: Engine and Engine Cooling: 32 of 169 component mentions, or 189.3 per 1,000. For all 2003 vehicles the figure is 108.8 per 1,000.
Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2003 Mazda Mazda6 open?: 2 investigations have no closing date in the NHTSA file, of 4 that name this model year.