Over a period of 1-1/2 hours, our 2003 mazda 6 quickly lost all acceleration power on 5 different occasions while driving out of town on the highway. Following a 'slight bump' the car went from 70 MPH to 35 MPH to 10 MPH, quickly, regardless of pressure applied to the accelerator. Getting to the side of the road in traffic going 70mph+ was in itself a challenge and after pulling to a complete stop the car began jerking fiercely. Only turning off the engine completely was the system 'reset'. The mazda dealership hooked it up and determined the throttle body must be replaced for a quoted cost of $534.41 (macon, ga). The sensor itself, the likely culprit for this issue, is not offered or available for sale by mazda without its 'body', unlike countless other makes, which is outrageous, but the most disgusting part of this issue is that although there are a critical number of complaints logged about this issue, the tps has not been listed as a recall. The dealership stated they did not have to replace it since there were only 'service bulletins' listed and no actual recalls for the parts. They are very aware of the situation. From my own experience and my daughter's with this issue, I can guarantee that this has definitely caused serious injuries, if not fatalities, that just haven't been reported or possibly identified. I will continue to hunt down the sensor as I will not fall prey to mazda's 'racket'. The car will sit until I locate the part, or end up being parted out.
2003 Mazda MAZDA6 acceleration complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 18 of 18, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving home from my chardon, oh office on either aug 5 or 6, 2009 at 35 MPH my car's RPM needle started jumping and the car's "gas pressure" felt like it was hicupping. The RPM needle jumped from @2 to 4 twice, then the car started steadily accelerating in speed. The brake pedal at this time felt "hard" and the car was "fighting against my attempt to slow down" and the RPM's were still trying to accelerate. I imagine if I pushed on the brake and the gas pedal at the same time, it would simulate the way it felt. I also have a manual shift mode on my car and used it to more effectively slow down (vs using the brake) but at the same time the car was still trying to accelerate, but couldn't because I was in a lower gear/manual mode. And I remember while in manual gear 1, my car was lurching me back and forth in my seat as I drove through my neighborhood to get home, and my foot was off the gas pedal! On aug 12th, 2009 I mentioned this event to a mitsubishi dealer's mechanic (friend of my father) who was replacing my power steering line, he took a look at my car but said it seemed fine. My husband has been driving that car since that event, because I am afraid of it happening again. The car has not done this while my husband has been driving it. Not to sound like an oddball, but if I didn't know better I would have said my car was acting possessed, like the movie "christine". I have to think that there is some correlation to what my car did and what is going on with toyota. My husband is an electrical engineer and he used to work for grob systems, who does engineering for multiple automobile manufacturers, and I wonder if mazda has some same system in their automobile's as toyota and if it was engineered by the same supplier. I would swear on a bible that this happened to me with my car. (my husband left grob to move to cleveland and marry me). It sucks having this car now, it is paid off, I'm afraid to drive it, and I don't want to sell to an innocent stranger.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mazda 6. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact applied pressure to the brake pedal several times before the vehicle slowed down. The vehicle accelerated without the accelerator pedal being depressed. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was concluded that the failure was related to a defective throttle; however, the vehicle began operating normally after the diagnosis. The technician recommended that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 81,000. Updated 10/16/08.
Dt*: the contact stated that the vehicle accelerated on its own and on many occasions while driving 55 MPH. This occurred even while applying the brakes. On one occasion, the vehicle almost hit a pedestrian. On another occasion, the vehicle ran through a red light. The vehicle was taken to the dealers who determined the problem was pertaining to the throttle body. The vehicle was repair however the problem persists.
Dt*: the contact stated there were several problems with the vehicle. The first problem involved the brake pads that were worn out and had to be replaced after 20,000 miles. The second problem dealt with manual transmission. Sometimes the manual transmission shifted roughly. Third problem, in cold weather, the engine surged and revved high for three seconds. The dealership told the contact the brake wear was normal. The dealership could not duplicate the other problems.
While driving 40 MPH vehicle intermittently accelerated at higher speed. Cruise control would not be engaged during this issue. Vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions, and they were unable to duplicate the problem.*ak the vehicle was taken to the dealer and was told that the vehcile was in good condtion and that nothing was wrong. The vehicle would also hesitate at various speeds and made a clunking noise. The vehicle revved high while at a complete stop. The check enigine light illuminated intermittently. Each time the dealer turn the engine light out it would come back on.
I purchased my 2003 mazda 6s in october 2003. Since I have owned the car I gets poor gas mileage on it (about 16-18 miles per gallon). I do plenty of city driving but I still feel that this is not adequate. Even when I drive on the highway the gas mileage averages poorly. There is also a smell coming from the exhaust when vehicle is in motion. The vehicle also rev's up higher before switching from lower gears to higher gears. I do not 'jack rabbit' start or stop the vehicle. There is also alot of brake dust on the rims of the front wheels. Acceleration is very poor. There is also a jerk when the vehicle switches from first gear to second. Don't get me wrong I love the way the vehicle looks, which is the main reason why I bought the vehicle, but the overall quality has turned out to be much poorer than I had expected.
Was left stranded when check engine light and at light came on. Car would not accelerate above 20 MPH and had some jerking. Had car towed in. Service dept replaced throttle body and sensor. Car still repeatedly has a jerk/hesitation when holding steady between the speeds of 40mph and 50mph. Have brought the car in three times for the jerking/hesitation and the service mechanic does not know what else to do. They tried redownloading the computer which worked for about 1 week and then the jerking/hesitation proceeded. My service dept has spoken to customer service of california and they say they have not heard of any of these problems with any other mazda 6's and they have no idea what it is. I have also experienced a water leak in my vehicle about a month after I bought it which flooded my whole passenger side. Carpet had to be replaced. My brakes have a squeaky, grinding noise when turning. My back seat seams are coming unsewed. Will have to get the fabric replaced. My question is, "what's next?" I have already recieved legal advice and my lawyer thinks I have a pretty good case. If nothing can be done, then why not replace the vehicle. I am fed up with spending my time at the mazda dealership. I bought a new vechicle to stay away from mechanical difficulities.
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