2003 Mazda B3000

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The 2003 Mazda B3000 was a compact pickup truck offered with two engine options: a 2.3-liter inline-four and a 3.0-liter V6. The 2.3-liter engine produced 147 horsepower and 160 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.0-liter engine produced 170 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were mated to a five-speed manual transmission, with a four-speed automatic transmission available as an option.

The B3000 was praised for its affordability, reliability, and capable handling. However, it was criticized for its lack of power and refinement compared to its competitors.

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Engine

2.3-liter Inline-Four Engine

• Head Gasket Failure
  • Symptoms: Coolant leaks, overheating, white smoke from exhaust
  • Solution: Replace head gasket
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

3.0-liter V6 Engine

• Timing Belt Failure
  • Symptoms: Engine stalls, no power, check engine light
  • Solution: Replace timing belt
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $600 - $1,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

5-Speed Manual Transmission

• Gear Grinding
  • Symptoms: Difficulty shifting gears, grinding noise
  • Solution: Replace or repair transmission
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

4-Speed Automatic Transmission

• Slipping Gears
  • Symptoms: Transmission hesitates or slips when shifting
  • Solution: Repair or rebuild transmission
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Front Suspension Wear
  • Symptoms: Excessive tire wear, poor handling
  • Solution: Replace worn suspension components
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Alternator Failure
  • Symptoms: Dim headlights, difficulty starting, battery warning light
  • Solution: Replace alternator
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $600+
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Tailgate Handle Failure
  • Symptoms: Tailgate handle breaks or becomes loose
  • Solution: Replace tailgate handle
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200+
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Dashboard Cracking
  • Symptoms: Cracks develop on dashboard
  • Solution: Replace dashboard
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2003 Mazda B3000 is a reliable and affordable compact pickup truck. However, it has some common issues, such as head gasket failure, timing belt failure, and suspension wear. These issues can be costly to repair, but they are not severe and do not affect the overall reliability of the vehicle.