VehicleVerdict

2003 Mazda B-Series Truck problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 25 complaints on file for the 2003 Mazda B-Series Truck — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

25

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other B-Series Truck years?

B-Series Truck NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted157 complaints1990: 22 complaints1991: 15 complaints1992: 14 complaints1993: 18 complaints1994: 157 complaints1995: 54 complaints1996: 73 complaints1997: 64 complaints1998: 81 complaints1999: 96 complaints2000: 74 complaints2001: 55 complaints2002: 31 complaints2003: 25 complaints2004: 26 complaints2005: 17 complaints2006: 14 complaints2007: 37 complaints2008: 11 complaints2009: 4 complaints
B-Series Truck NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all B-Series Truck years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Mazda B-Series Truck problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System416%
Transmission312%
Airbags312%
Fuel System312%
Tires & Wheels28%
Lighting28%
Other28%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Brakes14%
Speed Control14%
Steering14%
Body & Structure14%
Suspension14%

Does the 2003 Mazda B-Series Truck have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V414000Speed ControlOctober 23, 2009 · 39,600 units

Defect

MAZDA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 1997 AND MODEL YEAR 2001 THROUGH 2003 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS) AND/OR ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND MANUFACTURED ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 5, 2002. A COMPONENT OF THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY DETERIORATE OVER TIME AND DEVELOP A LEAK. THIS OCCURRENCE COULD CAUSE THE SWITCH TO OVERHEAT, SMOKE OR BURN WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.

Consequence

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Remedy

MAZDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A UNIVERSAL FUSED JUMPER HARNESS ON THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500 OPTION #6.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 27, 2023 · fire

“MY 2003 MAZDA B3000 PICKUP SPONTANEOUSLY SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL INTO REVERSE AND CRASHED THE (DRIVER'S SIDE) OPEN DOOR INTO THE INSIDE WALL OF MY GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AND UNOCCUPIED, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE FORCE OF THE CRASH WAS ENOUGH TO BEND THE DOOR. I CALLED THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 21, 2011 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING INTO THE MOUNTAINS OF NC FROM SC. SMELLED SMOKE. REALIZED IT WAS COMING FROM IN BETWEEN TRUCK CAB AND BED. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT OUT FIRE AS IT HAD STARTED TO MELT THE PLASTIC BED LINER AND PLASTIC GAS TANK. FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A 2 FOOT BY 2 FOOT PIECE OF CARDBOARD THAT HAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 14, 2006 · fire

“I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND MY CAR WENT FLYING INTO THE GUARD RAIL AT ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR HEAD ON AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS SENT TO THE HOSPITAL. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 23, 2006 · crash

“THE TRUCK ONLY HAD APPROX 31000 MILES ON IT OVER 2 YEARS OF DRIVING. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS(MIND YOU THAT ONLY ONE PAD REALLY HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT WAS THE LEFT INNER PAD) AND THE DISCS AS THEY WERE ALREADY OUT OF THE LIMIT FOR RESURFACING.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 23, 2005

2003 Mazda B-Series Truck — common questions

Is the 2003 Mazda B-Series Truck reliable?

The record is thin — 25 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2003 B-Series Truck problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (4 complaints), airbags (3 complaints), fuel system (3 complaints).

Does the 2003 Mazda B-Series Truck have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2003 Mazda B-Series Truck. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Mazda B-Series Truck under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mazda B-Series Truck years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the B-Series Truck years to avoid are 1994, 1999, 1998, 2000, 1996, 1997, 2001, 1995, 2004, 2005. The cleanest record among B-Series Truck years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.