MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK · model year

2003 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK

25 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003MAZDAB-SERIES TRUCK carries 25 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 4 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 B-SERIES TRUCK is power train:manual transmission with 3 filings, followed by electrical system (3) and air bags:frontal (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 21 investigation files overlapping the 2003 B-SERIES TRUCK, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

25
Complaints
3
Crashes
4
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

25 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
TIRES2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
SUSPENSION1
AIR BAGS1

Recalls (1)

09V41400023/10/2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

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

Recent Complaints

20240123FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 ta

20240123FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

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 ta

20240123FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 ta

20180726ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 98,000

20180726EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

Mileage: 98,000

20170330AIR BAGS

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.

20161231SUSPENSION

WHOLE UNBODY FRAME IS RUSTED

Mileage: 80,000

20161231UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHOLE UNBODY FRAME IS RUSTED

Mileage: 80,000

20160425ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 31,777

20140414EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

Mileage: 170,000

20120804CrashTIRES

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

20110616TIRES

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

Mileage: 15,000

20110124CrashPOWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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 LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY DO NOT ISSUE REPORT NUMBERS FOR MINOR LOSSES INCURRED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. I AM FILING THIS REPORT IN VIEW OF THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS BODILY HARM, DEATH, OR MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE ASSOCIATED WITH A SPONTANEOUS SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL INTO A GEAR, SO THAT THE VEHICLE TRAVELS WITHOUT ANY OCCUPANTS, AND POSES THE RISK OF CRASHING. *TR

Mileage: 70,482

20100324SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE ON THE TRUCK RUPTURED DURING BREAKING. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT, SO THERE WAS NO DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

Mileage: 60,801

20091127POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF CLUTCH FLUID RENDERING VEHICLE INOPERABLE (LOSS OF CONTROL TO GO FORWARD AND GET OUT OF THE WAY) DUE TO AN INABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS. LEAK AT CLUTCH SLAVE CYLINDER IS SUSPECT. FOUND MYSELF TO BE A "SITTING DUCK" AT A TRAFFIC INTERSECTION ALTHOUGH FORTUNATELY, NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

Mileage: 84,146

20061117FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

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 FALLEN DOWN BETWEEN BED AND CAB. IT WAS RESTING ON THE GAS TANK AND LEANING TO THE SIDE ON TOP OF THE MUFFLER. I ASSUME IT CAUGHT FIRE AS WE TRAVELED SLOWLY UP THE WINDING ROAD. (HWY 276) THERE IS NO SHIELD OVER THE MUFFLER. WHEN THE TANK WAS REPLACED IT WAS REPORTED TO ME THAT THE FIRE HAD MELTED THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP AND HAD EXPOSED A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK. I BELIEVE THIS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BY MAZDA. *JB

20060702CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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

Mileage: 61,700

20060521POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

'03 B-3000 DUAL SPORT... 41,XXX MILES... MANUAL TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR, AND GRINDS AGAIN, BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR, THIS HAPPENING AFTER A 10 HOUR TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS AROUND 70-75 MPH. *NM

Mileage: 41,800

20060212ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

12/07/05 ENGINE DIED ON 4 LANE HWY, 42 MILES FROM HOME IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. TOWED TO DEALER, WHO TWO DAYS LATER STATED PROBLEM WAS FUEL PUMP RELAY, AND IT WAS FIXED. 01/25/05 TRUCK DIED IN INTERSECTION AT 4:30 P.M. HUSBAND TAPED WIRES AND WIRE-TIED CONNECTOR TO RELAY. DEALER ORDERED FUEL CUT-OFF SWITCH 01/27/05 AND DID NOT INSTALL UNTIL 02/03/06, BECAUSE WAITING FOR PART. DEALER RELOCATED THE RELAY FROM FLOOR BOARD TO BEHIND THE PASSENGER KICK PANEL AND WIRE-TIED THE CONNECTOR TO THE RELAY AND SWORE THIS WOULD SOLVE PROBLEM. ON 02/10/06 THE ENGINE DIED AT 1:00 P.M., 50 MILES FROM HOME. BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS HISTORY, I MANAGED TO RESET AND CONTINUE HOME AND LEFT MESSAGE WITH SERVICE MANAGER. MY HUSBAND DECIDED TO INSPECT SITUATION, AND DISCOVERED THE WIRE CONNECTOR THAT PLUGS INTO THE RELAY IS BROKEN AND IS THE CAUSE FOR FAILURE. WE BELIEVE THIS DAMAGE WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE ORIGINAL LOCATION OF ASSEMBLY UNDERNEATH PASSENGER FLOOR MAT. PRESENTLY AWAITING CALL BACK FROM SERVICE MANAGE

Mileage: 31,880

20050715UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 31,000

Compare 2003MAZDAB-SERIES TRUCK to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK have?
The 2003 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK has 25 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 4 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK?
Yes, the 2003 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK?
The most-complained component for the 2003 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK is POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 2003 MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.