2003 Mazda MAZDA6: harsh or hard shifting

7 of the 174 complaints about the 2003 Mazda MAZDA6 describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 4%
typical mileage: 16,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 11 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

2018
2
2016
1
2014
2
2012
1
2011
2
2010
1
2009
5
2008
1
2007
2
2006
1
2005
2
2004
3
2003
7

What owners say

Filed Sep 30, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 96,332 miles · FL

I purchased a 2003 mazda 6 about a month ago, and I have had the hard shifting problems and the temp gauge going up to high all the time and floating back down. I was not informed of this and other recalls of this model and I have been denied to get the problem fixed. The dealer where I bought it said they flashed it a couple times but it is not stated o n my repair receipt. I feel that I am driving a dangerous car and something needs to be done!!!! I am not going to keep driving this car and I feel I can take it back because my first payment is not due yet. Be it said that this car has been in the shop 4 times since day one! They still will not fix it and it is under warranty. This is a rip off and this model is unsafe and these models should be taken off of the market!!!

Filed Jun 14, 2013 · Transmission · 16,000 miles · CA

I hadn't had the car too long and was taking off from a traffic light when the hard shift first occurred. I really thought I'd been hit from behind by another car, but this was not the case. It didn't happen too often for awhile, then it started happening more frequently so I took it in. I took it to multiple mazda dealers, where I would leave it overnight for them to try and reproduce the problem. They always insisted that they could not so I gave up for awhile. It got worse and then I saw a tsb online about the issue. The supposed fix is to flash the computer chip. Every dealer I contacted about it said they'd charge an hour labor to do this, and my private mechanic couldn't do it as it's some magical thing only the dealers can do. Anyway I have not had it flashed yet, the car is coming up on 147k and the problem is now so bad that it's dangerous. I will have the flash done in the next couple days but I don't think it will help. I also had to have the throttle body replaced a year ago as I was nearly hit by a big rig when the car shut down in the fast lane. So many people have had this and similar really dangerous problems, this car should have been recalled years ago.

Filed Nov 19, 2004 · Engine, Seat belts · 750 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Nov 12, 2004 · Acceleration, Engine · 16,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Apr 21, 2004 · Transmission · 7,000 miles · MN

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.

Filed Sep 15, 2003 · Suspension · CA

There is a "clunking" sound coming from the left front of the car that can be felt through the steering wheel when making slow turns while going over rain ditch.

Filed Aug 29, 2003 · Suspension · ME

There is a metallic "clunking" sound some where in the right front (and can sometimes be felt through the steering wheel) when making low speed, 90 degree turns.