2003 Mazda MAZDA6 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 4%of 174 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 24,981miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6, 4% of the 174 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 24,981 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10126849, filed 2005-06, 24,981 miles“While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle swerved to the left. The consumer was not able to maintain control of the vehicle and crashed into an embankment. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, the and mechanic determined that rain caused the vehicle to swerve.”
NHTSA complaint #10091982, filed 2004-10, 12,072 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Mazda 6. While backing out of a parking space, the steering wheel required more force to steer and the electronic power steering warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and was able to resume normal operation. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electronic hydraulic power steering pump failed and needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10v374000 (steering). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,650.”
NHTSA complaint #10862188, filed 2016-04, 57,650 miles“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. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. …”
NHTSA complaint #10524537, filed 2013-07, 122,000 miles“Failure of the rack & pinion steering twice in the last 1.5 years; march 2004 and again sept. 2005. Needed to be replaced each time.replacement was done under warranty the first time[ at 20,000 miles]; the second time Mazda paid for the part even though the car had 54,000 miles on it and was out of warranty; I paid for the labor.”
NHTSA complaint #10141668, filed 2005-11Related service bulletins
- 10251387Feb 12, 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10208556Feb 23, 2022Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10153318Jan 23, 2019Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10154139Dec 11, 2018If a vehicle has body vibration or steering wheel shimmy while driving and the root cause is determined to be tire balance, re-balance the tires using a Hunter GSP9700 or…
- 10142519May 8, 2018Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10185904Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3" even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10101062Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10090812Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10098895Nov 4, 2014Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road. Follow steering wheel alignment procedure.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 17% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 6 | 8% |
| 2015 | 3 | 5% |
| 2014 | 9 | 7% |
| 2013 | 1 | 4% |
| 2012 | 4 | 4% |
| 2011 | 16 | 12% |
| 2010 | 29 | 13% |
| 2009 | 36 | 9% |
| 2008 | 4 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 5% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6
36 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
36 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology