2003 Mazda MAZDA6: check engine light

Filed Aug 5, 2015 · Engine · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda 6. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle began to act as if it wanted to stall with the RPM gauge going up and down on the vehicles instrument panel as well as the check engine warning indicator illuminating. The contact stated the failure was a recurring one. The vehicle was taken diagnosed by an independent mechanic, but the diagnosis details could not be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 14, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · DE

My vehicle has been having an issue with the throttle position sensor. As well as the PCM, usually connected as noted by my mechanic. 3 things can come from this he said. I could be having an issue with the gas pedal, the computer, or I need a new throttle body. From my understanding so far the issue causes the computer to incorrectly read, causing the check engine light as well as a few others to abruptly turn on while car is in full motion, for me this is typically at 55 MPH. The car then looses the ability to properly accelerate, or decelerate. I have to quickly pull my car to the shoulder, put in park while the car seems to be lurching forward, and turn off the engine. If I do not do this quick enough the engine begins to rev high and low continuously. My RPM gauge bounces around as it is doing so. After leaving the car off for a few moments I can then restart. My check engine light will now stay on for about 50 miles and turn itself off. Once the light has gone off usually within 15 miles my car will do it all over again. After calling my dealer, because I still owe 2 more years of payment on the car, I am told that they can fix it if I have my warranty intact. Unfortunately it has run out as of july. The part alone from the dealership is $700. Why is there no recall on this issue if so many people are having it?

Filed May 11, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 107,000 miles · OR

Was at a stop sign to make a left turn half way thru the car stalled and all lights came on, vehicle behind me almost ran into us. Barely got pulled over to the side of the road had to turn car off and then back on the check engine light remained on but vehicle would drive, after about 5 starts the light came off had the car checked, was told it was the throttle body. One week later same thing wet to pull onto a busy street and car stalled almost causing another wreck, tried to drive it home and stopped at the grocery store, when I went to pull in the car stalled again in the middle of the street, blocking on coming traffic. Called mazda to see how much it would cost to be fixed, the lady told me that if it was still under warranty it would be free but that expired in 2011. I have seen many of the same complaints about this, mazda has admitted to it being a problem but has not recalled it. We have two kids and thank god nothing serious has happened with us in the car. This problem could very easily cause injury or deaths to any drivers on the road.

Filed Dec 29, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 155,000 miles · MT

While driving home the car seemed to have lost all power, but was still running. I was able to coast to my house but then tried to stop and the car surged. I had to pull the emergency brake to stop. I was quite shaken at that point. The engine light came on. I was able to drive it back to town to have the car checked, no error codes showed up on the computer. The engine light did go off, the car ran fine for about 3 months then proceeded to do the same thing. The car lost power but I was able to coast to my place of work. However even though there seemed to be no power again when I tried to brake the car surged and the car almost jumped the curb, which would have put me in my office. I again had the vehicle checked, no errors. After researching it seems this may be due to the automatic throttle sensor. Question with all the complaints, cars stalling at high speeds and the surging of vehicles why is there no recall. You recall for a stupid lights, over spraying of a clear coat, but no recall on something that is putting people in danger?? I don't understand.

Filed Jul 12, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 122,000 miles · NJ · fire

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. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

Filed Feb 24, 2011 · Fuel system · 112,000 miles · OH

Car engine stopping while running and a no start. Service engine light warnings over a long time. One repair by mazda on the gas cap repair, but I have also uncovered a recall on leaking seals at the tank on 2003 models, 03v‑531. Service light again came on from 10/18/10 -10/30/10. While out of town the car sat airport parking on my return it stopped without warning at a light 11/22/10, but all lights and radio stations were active, so no battery problem. After adjusting the filler gas cap several times I found it wasn't closing and could be pulled right off. We have made sure the cap is on tightly each time and since cancelled the dealer appointment for a $100 inspection, no light since. 2/9/11 after driving 35 miles the car would not restart, aaa came out and no battery trouble, but a 30 mile towing was required to my home. The vehicle sits in a garage avg temp of 35-45f. The next morning after several attempts and using both keys it restarted and we took it into a dealer. @2 days later they find a "service bulletin" 901-009/07) from 2007. Possible @ -30c (zerof) the no start or crank due to moisture within the main relay and/or fuel pump relay. That night 25-30f in nov no way close. On 02/12/11 while driving on is77 the car quite running again, 911 called as I made it to the side of the road under heavy fast moving traffic. This week on 2/22 while in the garage hesitant to turn over again but did start on the 3rd try, vehicle temp reading was 47f. So now for 2 new parts for 2003-2005 models and $450+ repairs can be made. The parts are in and per the bulletin looks more like a by-pass option than replacing a defective oem part. Cutting out while driving is very serious, as much so as acceleration on a toyota. Since my company is tied to the tire/wheel & auto mfg and we conduct 1/2 dot tire test for the USA, I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about on defects.

Filed Feb 19, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 102,290 miles · CA

On 17 feb 2011 I was driving my 2003 mazda 6s and while driving at a low speed of 25 MPH all my lights on my dashboard turned on and my car immediately began to reduce speed almost to a stand still. Luckily I was able to pull to the side of the road in time to avoid any accidents or possible damage to my vehicle. I restarted my car and was able to proceed in driving. However my engine light remained on. I researched this issue online and found that someone with the same model vehicle and year had the same issue almost verbatim. The referenced a service bulletin from mazda bulletin no: 01-016/06 released in 2006 regarding throttle body replacement. I read the bulletin and sure enough it stated to inspect the letters on the throttle body. It showed aa,ab,ba markings = no good and bb marking = good. So I inspected my vehicles throttle body letter and sure enough it was "aa". I will have to definitely replace it, and of course I have no choice because you can imagine the ramifications of driving on a highway or freeway and something like this were to occur. Accidents, or even death. It is pretty upsetting that something has not been done to correct these issues especially with the potential consequences of this defect!

Filed Apr 22, 2007 · Engine · OK

I purchased my mazda in 2003. Since the purchase everything was fine until the end of oct. 2005 my engine light came on and my car was shaking, and my rpms where malfunctioning (going up and down, then back up again). I took my car to the dealership and was informed that my car jumped time, my car had under 45k miles. They fixed it, but in the beginning of nov. 2005, not even a month later, my car did the same thing, but this time I was told that the bolts in my engine needed to be replace. Then in the summer of 2006 I had a vacuum leak, my car would start and stop, I had that repaired at repair shop of my own chose, since my warranty was up. Now in april 2007, I was informed by a repair shop, of my own chose, that I thrown a rod in my motor.

Filed Jan 23, 2007 · Engine · IN

After 4 previous repairs I started my car and my check engine light once again began to flash, this time flashing rapidly. I called the dealer who told me not to drive the car because the rapid flash means the car is unsafe. I was told I had a bad coil. After a $400 repair, I proceeded to drive the car home only to have the same light flash. The dealer then told me my cataliytic converters split. Now I have a $4,600 repair job on a 2003. Please check to see if there are any other complaints on this vehicle. I have had nothing but problems with this car for the past year. Thank you.

Filed Jul 25, 2005 · Engine · NC

Dt: the consumer stated the engine hesitated when she hit the gas and when she is driving, it seemed to hesitate and then goes on. She said the check engine light came on. She has had it to the dealer three times. All this has happened in the last three weeks. She said that two months ago they tried to lock it and the horn started blowing. The dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.

Filed Jul 1, 2005 · Engine, Fuel system · 10,000 miles · NJ

Check engine light came on car was hesitating in middle of highway felt like it wanted to shut off made it home next day car did not start had it towed to the dealer car kept in shop for a month dealer could not figure out the problem said it was a sensor in the engine that was defective got the car back but it since then continued to give me problems brought the car back to original dealer crystal mazda for 3 recalls in july04 and other problems, in april05 check engine light suddenly turns on in the middle of a busy highway car starts to jerk and just died car was towed to the dealer and they called me weeks later to tell me the engine seazed I have had a lemon law case with kimmel and silverman for a year now dealership have been very nasty to me as well as the manufacturer they do not want to fix the vehicle or give me a replacement I also requested a copy of an invoice describing the cause of the engine dying and diagnosis they refuse to do so I have become so ill because of this and have a child to think about I just want a reliable car that me and my daughter will be safe in can you help.

Filed Jun 28, 2005 · Steering, Transmission · 24,981 miles · CA

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.