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Safety and Reliability Ratings > 2003 > Mazda > MAZDA6

2003 MAZDA 6S
Sedan 4 DR
Front wheel drive


CARFAX has collected the industry's leading used car safety and reliability ratings into one, convenient report. With this report, you'll know the safety and reliability of your next used car. All information presented in this report is specific to the 2003 MAZDA 6S. Please view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report for the detailed history of a specific used MAZDA.

 

CARFAX Safety Section One  Safety:

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CARFAX Safety Section Two  Reliability:

Use this information to check how reliable a vehicle model is before you buy.


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NHTSA Crash Test Results National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
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Frontal Crash: Rating:   NHTSA Five Star Legend
Driver Rating 5 of 5  
Passenger Rating 5 of 5  
Side Crash: Rating:  
Front Seat Rating 3 of 5  
Rear Seat Rating 4 of 5  
Rollover Resistance: Rating:  
Rollover Resistance Rating 5 of 5  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides 3 different ratings - full-width frontal crash test , side impact crash test , and rollover resistance . The frontal crash test indicates how well the safety features and restraints will protect an occupant in a head-on collision. The side-impact test conveys the chance of a severe chest injury, while the rollover resistance rating estimates the risk of rolling over in a single vehicle crash. Go to NHTSA to learn more about these results.


IIHS Crash Test Results Highway Loss Data Institute
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Frontal Offset Crash Test Rating:   4 star legend
Overall Evaluation   G
Structure/Safety Cage   G
Injury Measures  
Head/Neck   A
Chest   G
Leg/foot, left   G
Leg/foot, right   G
Restraints/dummy kinematics   G
Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight. <p>The Mazda 6 was introduced in the 2003 model year as a replacement for the Mazda 626.</p> Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit the B-pillar. Measures taken from the neck, chest, and both legs indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions in a crash of this severity. A high head acceleration occurred when the dummy's head hit the B-pillar, indicating that injuries to the head would be possible. 2003 Mazda 6 i 4-door 3086 front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags 105 187 70 2.3 L 4-cylinder 23 29

Crash Tested Vehicle: Details | Vehicle Specifications

Side Impact Crash Test Rating:  
Overall Evaluation   P
Structure/safety cage   M
Injury Measures
Driver Passenger
3137 none 105 187 70 2.3 L 4-cylinder 22 29 Measures taken from the dummy indicate that serious skull fracture and/or brain injuries, plus a fracture of the pelvis would be likely in a crash of this severity. Rib fractures would also be possible. Measures taken from the dummy indicate that rib fractures and/or internal organ injuries would be likely in a crash of this severity. The risk of significant injuries to other body regions is low. The dummy's head was hit by the pillar behind the rear passenger door. This pillar is required by federal standard to provide some protection for occupants' heads. 2004 Mazda 6i 4-door <p>The Mazda 6 was introduced in the 2003 model year as a replacement for the Mazda 626.</p> <p>When side airbags are optional, as in this vehicle when it was tested, the Institute conducts the test without this option. If a manufacturer offering optional side airbags requests the Institute to conduct an additional test of a vehicle with this option and agrees to reimburse the cost of the vehicle, a second test is conducted. Mazda did not request such a test.</p> <p>Note: Beginning with 2007 models, side airbags were made standard, so these ratings do not apply to 2007 and later models.</p> The dummy's head was hit by the intruding barrier, producing high head injury measures.
Head Protection
  P   A
Head/neck
  P   G
Torso
  A   P
Pelvis/Leg
  P   G

Crash Tested Vehicle: Details | Vehicle Specifications

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) uses frontal offset and side impact crash tests to estimate the crashworthiness of a vehicle. These results are good indicators of how a frontal and side impact can structurally impact a 2003 MAZDA 6S . The crashworthiness data for this 2003 MAZDA 6S was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these crash test results.



Low-Speed Damage Repair Highway Loss Data Institute
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Front Crash Description: Front Crash Cost:
Front into flat barrier $ 151
Front into angle barrier $ 398
Rear Crash Description: Rear Crash Cost:
Rear into flat barrier $ 521
Rear into pole $ 297
Average Damage Per Test $ 342

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance. These results convey how well this 2003 MAZDA 6S bumpers will protect the car body from damage in low-speed collisions. The low-speed damage repair costs for this 2003 MAZDA 6S were obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.


Injury, Collision, & Theft Indicators Highway Loss Data Institute
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Index: Score: Rating:
Injury Index 134 Substantially worse than average
Collision Index 132 Substantially worse than average
Theft Index 7 Substantially better than average


These scores are stated in relative terms, with 100 being the average for all cars in each category. Scores greater than 100 represent higher risk in each category. For example, an injury indicator score of 122 means that a passenger in this model is 22% more likely to be injured in an accident. The injury, collision, and theft indicators for this 2003 MAZDA 6S are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.



Safety Recalls
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NHTSA Safety Recalls:
Important: The following recalls were issued for the 2003 MAZDA 6S by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 2003 MAZDA 6S still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: 07-14-2003
Units potentially affected: 64,000
NHTSA campaign number: 03V206000
Defective part or component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
Description: On certain mini vans and passenger vehicles, the socket holder in the fog lights is installed in the lamp casing using pressure. During operation of the fog light, the heat from the bulb can expand the socket holder. The expansion can force the socket holder rearward. After repeatedly being subject to this expansion, if the fog light is also subjected to vibration during vehicle operation, the socket holder with the bulb holder and the wiring harness may separate from the fog light casing. Should this occur, the bulb socket and the harness can drop inside the bumper and possibly but rarely, the heat generated by the bulb can cause the bumper to burn. Dealers will install a spring to prevent the socket holder from separating from the lamp case. Owner notification began on July 14, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 45,600
NHTSA campaign number: 03V207000
Defective part or component: PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT
Description: Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 135, ""passenger car brake systems."" During production, the float in the fluid level sensor in the brake reservoir can be forced off of the guide rail during the filling of the master cylinder. Should this occur, it is possible that the float will not return to the guide rail and should that occur, the brake fluid level warning indicator may not function. Mazda has not yet provided a remedy for this campaign. Owner notification is expected to begin during June 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Recall date: Not reported
Units potentially affected: 56,700
NHTSA campaign number: 03V531000
Defective part or component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
Description: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel sender unit (fsu) may have been improperly installed in the fuel tank, producing an inadequate seal, and fuel may leak. A fire could occur in the presence of an ignition source. Dealers will inspect the top of the fuel tank, and if necessary, repair or replace it. Owner notification is expected to begin during February 2004. Owners should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.


This 2003 MAZDA 6S safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by the National Highway Traffic and Saftey Administration, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



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J.D. Power Ratings
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Ownership: Rating:
Initial Ratings (up to 1 year)  
Overall Quality Rating 2.5 of 5
  Mechanical Quality Rating 2 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Quality Rating 3 of 5
  Body and Interior Quality Rating 3.5 of 5
Overall Appeal Rating 4 of 5
  Performance Rating 3.5 of 5
  Comfort Rating 5 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel Rating 4.5 of 5
  Style Rating 4 of 5
Midterm Ratings (1-3 Years)  
  Mechanical Reliability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Reliability No data from source
  Body and Interior Reliability No data from source
Long Term Ratings (3-5 Years)  
Overall Dependability Rating 2 of 5
  Mechanical Dependability Rating 2 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Dependability Rating 3 of 5
  Body and Interior Dependability Rating 2.5 of 5

J.D. Power and Associates uses selected highlights from the firm's quality and customer satisfaction syndicated studies to create the Power Ratings at the model-level. These ratings and awards are based on model rankings within each vehicle segment, whereas Power Circle Ratings compare all models across segments.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the JDPA content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.



Identifix Reliability Ratings
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Category: Comments: Rating:
Engine Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Transmission & Driveline Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Steering & Suspension Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Brakes Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Heating & Air Conditioning Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Starting & Charging Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Accessories Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Identifix Legend


This 2003 MAZDA MAZDA6 reliability information was provided by Identifix. Identifix is the nation's largest technical support service for the aftermarket auto repair industry. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by Identifix, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Intellichoice Cost of Ownership & Value Rating Intellichoice
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Cost of Ownership (2003 - 2007):
Category:    Mazda6 s 4 Dr Sedan:
Depreciation $13,411
Financing $3,036
Insurance $6,720
State Fees $414
Fuel $4,204
Maintenance $1,249
Repairs $879
Total 5-Year Ownership Cost $29,913

Ownership costs are the costs to purchase and operate a vehicle over a period of time. Understanding these costs can save you money and help you make a wiser financial decision when it comes time to select a vehicle. Intellichoice is one of the leading providers of automotive information in the U.S.

Original Manufacturer Warranty
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Coverage: Years/Mileage:
Basic 4 years or 50,000 miles  
Drivetrain 4 years or 50,000 miles  
Emissions 2 years or 24,000 miles  
Corrosion 5 years with Unlimited mileage  
Transferable Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered.  
Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance is covered for 4 years or 50,000 miles.  
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint Safety belt and inflatable restraint system are covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles.  
Specific Components 8 years or 80,000 miles  
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Batteries are pro-rated after 12 months. Safety restraint system is covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Adjustments are covered for 1 year or 12,000 miles. Roadside assistance is provide during the basic warranty period.  

This 2003 MAZDA 6S warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
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Category: Review:
Summary:

More zoom-zoom than other mid-size cars.
By Jim McCraw, NewCarTestDrive.com

The new Mazda 6 is an affordable sports sedan. It boasts more exterior and interior style than other mid-size sedans. It's more fun to drive than those other cars with quicker cornering and stopping performance and a sportier ambiance. It's a great choice for someone who wants something more exciting than a Honda Accord.

Overview:

The 2003 Mazda 6 is an all-new four-door mid-size sedan. It's sportier than the other cars in its class, both in appearance and in its handling and driving dynamics. It's more agile and holds the road better than other mid-size sedans, such as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima. The Mazda 6 is lighter on its feet and stops quicker than other mid-size sedans. In short, it's a better driver's car.

The new Mazda 6 is designed to replace both the 626 and the Milennia and is the best sedan for the money Mazda has ever built. After four generations of maturation and development, and considerable help from Ford Motor Company, the zoom-zoom guys have really put a fine point on it this time.

Read the complete 2003 Mazda 6 review

© 2002 NewCarTestDrive.com

CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by NewCarTestDrive.com, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Awards
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View awardees recognized by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, Polk Automotive, and J.D. Power and Associates.



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