Mazda Tribute Complaints (2003)
199 consumer complaints on file.
- #10498252February 15, 2013AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SPRING TENSIONER FOR THE AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10498267February 15, 2013STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I HAVE A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE V6. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL, THEY NOTICED THAT MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED. THE DRIVERS SIDE IS FINE. THE EXHAUST GOES THRU THAT AREA - IT APPEARS THAT THE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST CAUSED THE PAINT ON THE SUBFRAME TO 'BURN' OFF AND THUS ALLOW IT TO BE EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS AND ROT. I HAVE READ OTHER CASES OF THIS SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS VEHICLE. THERE ARE OTHER MANUFACTURERS WHO HAVE RECALLS ON THIS SAME ITEM FOR THEIR VEHICLES - WHY DOESN'T MAZDA? IT IS NOT AN EASY OR CHEAP FIX! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10489005December 17, 2012SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 1/29/13 *CN THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS RE-FILLED. A NEW BRAKE RESERVOIR CAP WAS PURCHASED FROM THE MAZDA DEALER. THE ORIGINAL CAP WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING. UPDATED 02/06/13
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10488931December 16, 2012POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
MY WIFE WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AT CHURCH WAITING FOR A CAR TO PULL AWAY SO SHE COULD PARK. THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD SO SHE STEPPED HARDER ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR LURCHED AHEAD CRASHING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE IS QUITE SURE SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AS SHE TOLD ME ABOUT THIS I STARTED REMEMBERING AN EVENT. THIS CAR HAD BELONGED TO MY FATHER WHO HAS SINCE PASSED AWAY. HE PURCHASED IT NEW. I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE OF THE DATE, BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. HE WAS PARKING AT A HOSPITAL WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKING OFF AND PUSHING THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. I FIGURED HE WAS HAVING A SENIOR MOMENT AND HAD HIS FOOT ON THE WRONG PEDAL. I DID SOME QUICK RESEARCH TODAY AND FOUND THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. MAYBE MY FATHER WAS DOING ALL THE RIGHT THINGS AND IT REALLY WAS THE CARS FAULT. I ALSO SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON THIS MATTER. I'M NOT SURE IF ANY OF THESE ISSUES WERE ADDRESSED WHEN MY FATHER HAD THE CAR, BUT I WILL BE CHECKING IT OUT. I HOPE YOU WILL BE CONTINUING TO FOLLOW UP ON THIS. THIS IS A SCARY AND DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT DESERVES YOUR ATTENTION. WHEN THINGS START EFFECTING YOUR DRIVING RECORD, INSURANCE COSTS, AND MAKE YOU PAY DEDUCTIBLES WHEN IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE! *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10482922November 1, 2012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DURING THE RECALL REPAIRS, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS DAMAGED. WHEN I REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER REPLACE THE CABLE CAUSED BY THE HOLDING BRACKET AS COVERED UNDER MAZDA RECALL DATED 7/12 I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE ONLY REPLACING THE HOLDING BRACKET AND NOT THE CABLE EVEN THOUGH THE CABLE WAS DAMAGED BY THE DEFECTIVE HOLDING BRACKET. SO, WHAT GOOD IS THE RECALL? I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME APPROXIMATELY $100 PLUS TO GET IT REPLACED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10474091September 6, 2012SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
EVERY TIME IT RAINS REALLY HARD OR THERE'S FLOODING IN THE STREETS THE CAR STARTS SHOWING THE BATTERY LIGHT LIKE IT IS GOING TO DIE ON ME AND AS A PRECAUTION I TRY TO PULL OUT OF THE STREET TO ANY PLACE AND WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR LOOSES POWER AND THE WHEELS WON'T TURN. DRIVING NO MORE THAN 5MPH WHILE SLOWING DOWN FROM A NORMAL 35MPH WITHOUT WARNING MY ENGINE SHUT OFF AND I LOST POWER TO MY STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO OFF THE ROAD AFTER APPLYING ALL MY WEIGHT TO THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL. I MISSED AN ONCOMING CAR AND A TREE BY AN INCH. I DECIDED TO DO SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH A MAZDA TRIBUTE 2003. I AM VERY WORRIED BECAUSE IT HURRICANE SEASON HERE IN FL AND THE RAIN IS NOT SOMETHING I CAN PREDICT, BESIDES IT SEEMS ABSURD THAT I WOULD EVEN HAVE TO WATCH THE WEATHER TO SEE IF I SHOULD OR NOT DRIVE THE CAR. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN!! I DRIVE MY 2 YEAR OLD EVERY DAY AND IT IS NOT RIGHT THAT MAZDA WOULD HAVE CARS WITH THIS ISSUES OUT IN THE STREET. IF FEELS LIKE BY SIGNING A PURCHASE CONTRACT ON IT. I HAD SIGNED A DEATH WITH IT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. I HAVEN'T FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10470419August 13, 2012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES, ENGINE
THE FIRST 2 TO 4 TIMES THE ACCELERATOR IS USED (NOT PUSHED HARD), THE CABLE STICKS. WE HAVE TO PUSH HARDER ON THE PEDAL, THEN IT SUDDENLY RELEASES. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO JUMP IN THE DIRECTION CHOSEN. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SMOOTHLY BACK OUR OF THE GARAGE OR PARKING SPACE. THEN THE ACCELERATOR IS SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE. IT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE AS RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN #04V583000 FOR 2004 TRIBUTES, BUT OUR VEHICLE WAS BUILT AT THE END OF 2003. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10467681July 25, 2012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY REPEATED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOP AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10466455July 18, 2012ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
THE RPM ON THIS VEHICLE JUMPS EVEN IF I AM AT A FULL STOP SOMETIMES IT RACES EVEN IF THE CAR IS IN PARK TOOK THE CAR TO SEVERAL SHOPS HAD SEVERELY PARTS REPLACED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10466501July 18, 2012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE ENTERING PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF BUILDING, ACCELERATOR RACED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT CONCRETE POLE IN FRONT OF BUILDING. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE ACCELERATOR RACED LIKE THIS; ONCE AT A RED LIGHT, WHERE I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, AND ONCE AT A STOP SIGN WHERE FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10457004May 1, 2012SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUNE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP, THE BRAKE LINE FAILED. THE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED AND ALL OF THE FLUIDS LEAKED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE BRAKE LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10455537April 17, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE WAS RECALLED IN MAY 2007 FOR ABS VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL. I TOOK IT IN THAT SAME MONTH AND THE DEALER DETERMINED MODULE CONNECTOR DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. ON MARCH 15, 2012 ABS LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND STAYED ON FOR AN HOUR. TOOK IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED ON MARCH 17, CODE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. UPON INSPECTION EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD THE ABS LIGHT COME ON AGAIN. TWO DAYS LATER, ON MARCH 19, 2012 I HAD BEEN AT WORK FOR AN HOUR WITH MY CAR PARKED WHEN I WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED DUE TO THE FIRE. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL OF MAY 2007, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION WHICH WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS LIGHT AND COULD RESULT IN "BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED." MY CAR WAS OFF WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I BELIEVE THAT HAD THE MODULE CONNECTOR BEEN REPLACED IN 2007 WHEN I TOOK IT IN UNDER THE SAFETY RECALL, THIS FIRE WOULDN'T HAVE OCCURRED. *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10454470April 8, 2012ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2003 TRIBUTE HAS BEEN LEAKING OIL FROM THE OIL PAN GASKET BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND ENGINE BLOCK. OF COURSE AFTER TIME IT WOULD LEAK BUT I HAVE HEARD THAT THE TRIBUTE HAS A BAD DESIGN WITH THE OIL PAN AND GASKET. THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO SELL ME THE NEW OIL PAN REPLACEMENT FOR THE DEFECTIVE ONE AND THE NEW GASKET REPLACEMENT FOR ALSO THAT DEFECTIVE PART. MAZDA REDESIGNED THE OIL PAN WITH AN EMBEDDED O RING IN LIEU OF A GASKET. THE DEALERS WANT TO SELL THE NEWLY DESIGNED PAN INSTALLED FOR $440 + TAX (MEDFORD, NY). I WOULD THINK THAT IT IS A DEFECT AND WOULD LIKE THIS AGENCIES OPINION. IF THE DESIGN WAS GOOD FROM THE START MAZDA WOULDN'T PUT THE TIME AND MONEY INTO REDESIGNING THE OIL PAN AND GASKET, AND RECOMMENDING THE REPLACEMENT. MAZDA WILL NOT DO THE GASKET REPLACEMENT UNLESS THE NEW DESIGNED PAN AND GASKET WAS USED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10450758March 8, 2012SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE WHEN THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE AND DECLARED AS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTI LOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE ) IN WHICH THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED SIMILAR SYMPTOMS AS THAT WHICH WAS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10443687January 13, 2012SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE WIRING. THE CONTACT COULD ALSO SMELL A BURNING ODOR FROM THE ENGINE WHEN DRIVING. THE BATTERY AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKE FLUID CAP REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10420955August 22, 2011ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD START AFTER BEING JUMP STARTED BUT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR IMMEDIATELY AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE HAD TO REPLACED THE SAME PARTS TWICE BEFORE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10413665July 19, 2011VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
DRIVING 65MPH ON FREEWAY WENT TO SWITCH LANES AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL FELL COMPLETELY TO FLOORBOARD. IMMEDIATELY PUT ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND PUMPED BRAKES INTO EMERGENCY LANE. UPON INSPECTION SHOWED THROTTLE CABLE JUST SNAPPED CLEAN. *KB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10409386June 29, 2011VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V583000(VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10398211April 29, 2011SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE LINE FAILING, DURING A NORMAL STOP ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURE. TWO OTHERS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POOR CONDITIONS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10394430April 6, 2011POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,913. UPDATED 5/9/11 *CN THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 05/16/11
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0