3.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,674 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Mazda MAZDA6 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2003 Mazda MAZDA6 Owner Comments

problem #14

Jun 052011

MAZDA6 6-cyl

  • 125,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2003 Mazda6 6.0 ATX - car suddenly loses power while accelerating. The engine revs but no power to wheels. I have contacted local dealer without any resolution to why this is occurring. Upon a brief internet search I find this is not an isolated case. I have noticed it happens more often with ac unit on.

- Magna, UT, USA

problem #13

May 032010

MAZDA6

  • 98,000 miles
The transmission is slipping, not wanting to shift into 2nd gear and then when it does shift it jerks the car really hard. This used to occur very seldom but since the car now has 98,000 miles on it, this has been happening almost all the time. I have heard that the car needs to be reflashed, but I have also read that this does not help. Many people with the same car have the same exact problem. Also this transmission is not able to be rebuilt. The transmission needs to be recalled.

- Stevinson, CA, USA

problem #12

May 102005

MAZDA6

  • 300,000 miles
Engine needed to be replaced twice within less than 5 1/2 yrs. Transmission needed to be replaced within 6yrs. Brakes needed to be replaced every year and a half. Interior cheaply made. All part on this vehicle are plastic and brake very easy. Motor mounts needed to be replace within 4 yrs. This vehicle is a owners nightmare. I would never recommended anyone to purchase this car. Repairs cost more than the car is worth. Engine repair $6000, motor mounts $900, transmission $2400-$4800, brakes $400, and the cost goes on. (lemon).

- N Las Vegas , NV, USA

problem #11

Feb 052004

MAZDA6

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Mazda 6. while driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle vibrated and hesitated without warning. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. The technician stated that the failure was related to the engine, which was replaced. In addition, the vehicle would shift roughly from first to second gear. He experienced failure with the exterior lights and the window operating mechanisms. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and a diagnostic test was performed. The technician stated that the aftermarket electronic components were possibly the causes of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the following components: Alternator, battery, exterior lights, and four window operating mechanisms. Also, the computer module, transmission, and air conditioner modules were replaced. The failure mileage was 85,000 and current mileage was 94,000.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #10

Mar 262005

MAZDA6 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My car has had all of it's routine maintenance done. At 30K I had to replace the transmission at 20 I had to replace the alternator. At 60K I have had to replace the transmission again! at 60K I had to replace a transaxle something or another. Now at 66K it is doing all of the same things that it was doing before the transmissions went out, and it's because "I need a new air filter, spark plugs, and fuel filter" the car jerks very hard when slowing down on the freeway the RPM race, like it won't gear down. When I put it in park it's as if I am pressing the gas pedal down and revving the engine. But the car is in park, and there is no pressure on the gas pedal what so ever! I hate this car, and recommend no one to buy one! I will be voicing my opinion of the car in the car windows, and telling everyone I know about the poor quality of this car. You would think that paying 27K for a vehicle that it would last!

- South Houston , TX, USA

problem #9

Jun 172005

MAZDA6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,981 miles
The transmission in my 2003 Mazda 6S has failed on me 2 times in 2 years at the most diffucult times... finals week at college and aslo during a busy time of work. The dealership has ackknowledgewd the problem and reprogrammed the computer system. Still the car had problems immidieatley after that visit, the transmission failed. They replaced the transmission with a new one, it too had the same problems... they acknowledged the situation and were unable to diagnose the problem. They told me that my car already had the upgraded computer program that is supposed to fix the erratic shifting. And that I should return if it gets worse. When it did, the technician drove it and now knows what it is doing, but he too said he doesn't know how to fix the problem if no check engine lights are coming on.... thats the other problem. The check engine light don't come on when the car does it, but further more they don't even come on when the transmission fails completely! I am worried that this car has a major problems that will only get worse and adversley affect other components. Which it already has... they rack and pinion went out and almost caused me to wreck into a city bus, the subframe was installed too tight and caused the car to squeak and rattle, the brakes have a chatter that has been addressed and have been replaced twice. But most of al all of these things have happened in the first 2 years (20 months.) the original transmission issue was addressed at 12,000 miles and has since by my opinion been the cause of the other related problems. Also the car sits an inch and a quarter lower on the passenger front than the driver front. Causing the rear to also be uneven.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #8

Apr 212003

MAZDA6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 750 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2003 Mazda 6 check engine light at 1 week, transmissions slipping & slamming into gear through 1 1/2 years of ownership, at 35,000 engine went was replaced, replacement had 300 miles on it when it died on the southern end of NJ turnpike towed to de dealer, still has transmission problems, back in shop now for engine problems only 3000 on replacement engine, into dealer numerous times for water leaks that have cause mold & rust inside the car on seatbelts & causing me a great deal of illness - still not repaired going through lemon law since Nov 2003.

- Warren, NJ, USA

problem #7

May 202003

MAZDA6

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at any speed consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the rear. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to dealer for inspection. However, mechanic could not duplicate the problem.

- Seabrook, NH, USA

problem #6

May 172003

MAZDA6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,000 miles
I bought my car March 6, 2003. In may of 2003 it started making a howling noise when turning left at low speeds or into a parking space. I have brought it in 4 times and they cannot find the noise. For the last 2 months my transmission has been hesitating at around 25-35 mph. It is like it doesn't know what gear to shift into and when it does it makes a loud clunking noise and my car jerks forward. I have had it in twice for that and they cannot find the source of that either.

- Andover, MN, USA

problem #5

Oct 302003

MAZDA6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
There is something wrong with the transmission as if it does not know which gear it sould be in. There is a sevre bucking from 1st into 2nd gear where the tires chirp and the car jumps. This happens under light throtle and it happens alot. It could be a problem with the PCM or ECU or the transmission itself. I have never had a car that has done this. When you spend 25K on a car you would expect quality but not with the 6.

- Annandale, VA, USA

problem #4

Feb 192004

MAZDA6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Violent shifting from 1st to 2nd gear in the Mazda6S with automatic transmission. Feels as if the car has been hit by another vehicle from the rear. Front tires momentarily lose traction and chirp sometimes. These violent shifts only happen during mild accelleration.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #3

Dec 202003

MAZDA6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 700 miles
I have a 2003 Mazda 6S with the automatic transmission. Since it was new it made noises and did not feel as though it was shifting right. It hangs between gears and there is a considerable hesitation when accelerating. Have had it to the dealer four times, went through the lemon law, and even though with the tech in the car I got the car to glitch and hang, he indicated normal operation. He insisted that the switch to synthetic transmission fluid is the culprit; however, quality of operation has decreased significantly since the dealer flushed the fluid and went back to conventional transmission fluid.

- Warren, NJ, USA

problem #2

Oct 182003

MAZDA6 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles
The "new" vehicle had 900 unexplained mile on it upon purchase. Within 4 months the check engine light came on and the vehicle kicks back when changing gears. Took to dealer in Pennsylvania, was advised that needed knock sensor replaced, but they did not have part. Took the vehicle to dealer in Virginia, did not look at it, although I told them what other dealership said, and told them there was a recall on it. Took to different dealership and was advised that there are 2 recalls, and they were fixed. Now the fan races minutes after the vehicle is off. Also, the vehicle seems to be lacking in power despite the engine is 220 horse power.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #1

May 072003

MAZDA6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles
The engine light and transmission light indicated a problem to me, as well as the car jerking upon acceleration. After taking the car to the dealer for service it was determined that knock sensor had malfunctioned. Since the first visit to the dealership for service regarding this problem, it has happened 5 times. I have contacted my dealer and the manufacturer and am still dealing with this issue. My dealer has made no attempt to rectify the situation other than replacing the engine sensor over and over. The car was out of commision for over a week each time. I have gone to the dealer asking for their help in contacting Mazda about a new engine and or car and they are completly uncooperative.

- Elizabethtown, PA, USA

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