VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
2003 Mazda B-Series Truck
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Mazda B-Series Truck, most frequently naming the electrical, transmission and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 108 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 2003 | 1 | 1 |
| Jun 2003 | 1 | 2 |
| Feb 2004 | 1 | 3 |
| Dec 2004 | 1 | 4 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 5 |
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 6 |
| Feb 2006 | 1 | 7 |
| May 2006 | 1 | 8 |
| Jul 2006 | 1 | 9 |
| Nov 2006 | 1 | 10 |
| Nov 2009 | 1 | 11 |
| Mar 2010 | 1 | 12 |
| Jan 2011 | 1 | 13 |
| Jun 2011 | 1 | 14 |
| Aug 2012 | 1 | 15 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 16 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 17 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 18 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 19 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 20 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 21 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical417.4%
- Transmission313.0%
- Airbags313.0%
- Fuel system313.0%
- Exterior lighting28.7%
- Tires & wheels28.7%
- Brakes14.3%
- Steering14.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERATIVE
THIS PE WAS OPENED BASED ON TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) #05-6-19 ISSUED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND SERVICE BULLETIN #09-008/5 ISSUED BY MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OF THE CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LIGHT (CHMSL) WIRING HARNESS CHAFFING. THE TSB'S AFFECTED THE FORD SUPER CAB AND MAZDA CAB PLUS VEHICLES ONLY.SERVICE TECHNICIANS CONTACTED THE FORD HOTLINE BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR THE TECHNICIANS TO DIAGNOSE AND LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE INOPERATIVE BRAKE LIGHTS.FORD AND MAZDA ISSUED THE TSB'S TO AID TECHNICIANS IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND REPAIR OF THE WIRE CHAFE CONDITION.OF ALL WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED TO FORD FOR BRAKE LAMP FAILURE, FORD IDENTIFIED ONLY 120 THAT WERE RELATED TO WIRE CHAFE NEAR THE CHMSL, AND MOST (115 OF THE 120) WERE REPORTED FOR THE SUPER CAB CHMSL. ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S WARRANTY CLAIMS AND COMPLAINT DATA REVEALS A DECLINING TREND FOR THE SUPER CAB AND THAT TREND CLOSELY PARALLELS THE TREND FOR THE STANDARD CAB AS WELL.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
My truck sat for a while I charged the Batt. I drove to the landfill in Tehachapi Ca. It ran fine. I unloaded the trash the engine idled for 30+min. The landfill had debris on the ground. The truck ran fine back to town. I had 3/4 fuel. I decided to fill up at the Loves gas station I filled it all the way 2 clicks I think. I started up the truck after fueling it ran terribly I had a flashing check engine light. I drove home 2milles when home the truck was on 🔥 FIRE!! I turned off engine. Put lots of h20 on fire. Disconnected Batt put more h20. I don't know if it started at gas station or in between. I can ask neighbors. The fire was under the driver's seat underneath the truck. I don't know if it was damaged by debris at the dump there was lots of [XXX] on the ground. It has not been inspected yet. I have not started any repairs. No police report. No damage to any one or property (except my truck). It is in my driveway and can be inspected there or towed. No pictures but I can take some. I am glad it didn't cause the gas station to go up in flames. Yes I have it insurance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11567241
- Incident
- Dec 27, 2023
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING, TURNING OFF AIR CONDITIONER, RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AND TURN INDICATOR. THE DASH LIT UP ABS, AIRBAG, AND CRUISE CONTROL INDICATORS. WHEN I STOPPED, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND TURNED THE KEY TO POWER WITHOUT STARTING ENGINE AND FOUND THE ELECTRICAL WORKING AGAIN. I TRIED DRIVING AGAIN AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WORKED FOR A SHORT TIME AND WENT OFF AGAIN. WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A CITY STREET
- NHTSA ID
- 11113986
- Incident
- Jul 25, 2018
- Mileage
- 98,000 mi
TAKATA RECALL IS NOT BEING DONE FAST ENOUGH. THIS RECALL BEGAN OVER A YEAR AGO IN JANUARY 2016. WE HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A LETTER TELLING US TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIR. THE RECALL SAYS IT IS DANGEROUS AND TO HAVE IT DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE YET ACCORDING TO THEIR SCHEDULE...WE ARE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING ABLE TO DO IT IN OVER A YEAR. WE NEED TO GET TO WORK IN THIS VEHICLE EVERY DAY. UNACCEPTABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10969625
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2016
WHOLE UNBODY FRAME IS RUSTED
- NHTSA ID
- 10938887
- Incident
- May 15, 2008
- Mileage
- 80,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH WAS INSTALLED AND THE FAILURE PROGRESSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,777. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
- NHTSA ID
- 10861183
- Incident
- Mar 25, 2016
- Mileage
- 31,777 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA B3000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10579710
- Incident
- Apr 14, 2014
- Mileage
- 170,000 mi
15" DUNLOP TIRE, LOOKED LIKE IT WAS BARLEY USED STILL HAD THE NUMBS ON IT. MIDDLE OF TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF, SENDING THE BACK END OF OUR TRUCK SIDEWAYS THEN ROLLING IN A DEEP EMBANKMENT. TRUCK TOTALED. WILL GIVE MORE INFO. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10469174
- Incident
- Jul 6, 2012
BF GOODRICH P225/70/R15 BLEW OUT ON THE SIDEWALL, TOTALLY SEPARATING FROM WHEEL. CONTACTED BFG ONLY TO BE TOLD TIRE IS ON BACKORDER, CALLED 3 MONTHS LATER WAS TOLD TIRE IS DISCONTINUED. I HAVE FULL WARRANTY ON TIRE BUT BFG REFUSES TO HONOR THEIR OBLIGATION. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10407145
- Incident
- Feb 10, 2011
- Mileage
- 15,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE; POWER TRAIN; SERVICE BRAKES
This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Refer to the applicable Workshop Manual or Owner's Manual for vehicle -specific manufacturer scheduled maintenance. Workshop Manual - Refer to section 00-00 SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. Owner's Manual - Refer to section 8 Maintenance and Care. b. Note: Please refer to the information below outlining the services not included in Mazda's Factory Scheduled Maintenance: IMPORTANT: Recommending fluid flushes when not necessary can lead to customer confusion and dissatisfaction. Fluid flushing for preventive maintenance purposes is strongly discouraged, unless otherwise specified in a published procedure (Owner’s Manual, Workshop Manual, Technical Service Bulletin, etc.).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer’s responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the “Speedometer Replacement Label”. Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda’s vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service. With the use of SPECMO’s services, it is possible that the odometer will be set between 10 to 31 miles over the odometer mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs. Please make sure that the customer is aware that there may be a slight variance to the odometer, in which case the customer may have to accept the slightly higher mileage. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after- warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.
Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; STEERING; TIRES; WHEELS
Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
Speedometer replacement procedure
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 4 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 55.3 |
| 2007 | 37 | 3 | 0 | 50.2 |
| 2006 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 43.2 |
| 2005 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 59.3 |
| 2004 | 24 | 3 | 3 | 61.9 |
| 2003Viewing | 21 | 1 | 1 | 50.9 |
| 2002 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 50.3 |
| 2001 | 37 | 3 | 0 | 45.1 |
| 2000 | 58 | 3 | 0 | 52.3 |
| 1999 | 78 | 4 | 0 | 53.6 |
| 1998 | 67 | 5 | 0 | 50.7 |
| 1997 | 52 | 2 | 0 | 47.9 |
| 1996 | 55 | 2 | 0 | 44.2 |
| 1995 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 52.0 |
| 1994 | 122 | 6 | 3 | 60.1 |
| 1993 | 9 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1992 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 61.2 |
| 1991 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 63.2 |
| 1990 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 46.6 |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.