2003 Mazda 6 I 2.3
Summary:
I would NEVER recommend this car to anyone, ever
Faults:
The transmission would only shift into neutral at 42,000 miles. The transmission was replaced. This did not fix the problem. They instead replaced the front axle assembly.
At 64,000 miles, the battery light came on. I took it to Mazda on July 19th. July 20th, they checked the alternator output and the PCM. They assured me the car was fine. I went to pick it up, and the car wouldn't start. They then decided it was the alternator, which they replaces at a 125% mark-up. On the first test drive, the power train failed. They then decided it was the PCM. After they replaced that, on the first test drive, the RCM failed, along with the power windows, all the bulbs in the head lamps and the air conditioning blower.
General Comments:
The Mazda6 is a very comfortable, smooth ride and it has a spacious interior. However, those are the only good things I can say about this car. I have had nothing, but problems with this car in the 2 years I've owned it, each one more substantial, and more costly than the next. Every time I bring it to Mazda for a repair, they can't find anything wrong and fix whatever seems to be the best bet. This, invariably, causes more serious problems with the car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 3rd August, 2006
4th Oct 2006, 15:10
Maybe not strictly relevant to Mazdas, but when I worked for BAE Systems they used to have many company Rovers and they had an appalling reliability record when serviced by a Rover main dealer.
This changed when a former employee who had retrained and become a mobile car mechanic started doing the servicing for about 2/3 of the labour cost. In fact the Rovers were regarded as being as reliable as any mass produced car.
The only problem is that if you do this with a new car you clobber the warranty and this will make the car difficult to sell on.
3rd Jan 2007, 08:49
Sorry to hear about the problems with your 6. I own a 2003 Mazda 6 (automatic) myself, and iam quite pleased with the performance. I have a friend who owns a 2003 6, manual transmission and has similar issues with the vehicle. He is so fed up of making trips to the service center. Now he is banging his head, thinking as to why he didn't go for an automatic. You may have got a lemon, hope things work out for you.
5th Aug 2006, 11:53
Since your 6 is out of warranty, I assume because of your mileage, take it somewhere else. Dealerships are famous for "fixing" cars and charging an arm and a leg for it. Go to one of those guaranteed national shops for a change. They do work right, usually the first time, because if they mess up the first time, they have to repair it again at no charge (only if they guarantee their work). The 6 is a durable little car, as long as it's not being "fixed" by the dealer. My buddy's RX-8 has been to the dealer 6 times and had 2 engines put in it. Finally, after being smart, he went somewhere else and no problems since.