Mazda Tribute Complaints (2003)

199 consumer complaints on file.

#10393795March 30, 2011
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING ON OCCASIONS WHEN I STOP AT LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. IT RESTARTS EACH TIME. II TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER. LEFT IT THERE 3-4 DAYS AND THE DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHAT IS WRONG OR FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10386182March 2, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN COLD TEMPERATURES AND WHEN THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND. IN ADDITION, THE ALTERNATOR HAD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BY THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE AND EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS TO 4000. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V583000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CABLES) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE) BUT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376386January 12, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE LX(NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO START HIS VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY EXPLODED BUT DID NOT IGNITE; PARTS FLEW AND PENETRATED THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TYPE OF ENGINE, WHICH WAS CALLED AN "INTERFERENCE ENGINE" AND THE DESIGN OF IT. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT HE REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10376116January 9, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
UPON STARTING, A SEVERE EXPLOSION OCCURRED, DENTING THE HOOD FROM PARTS OF ENGINE. SMOKE POURED OUT FROM HOOD, BUT IGNITED GASOLINE DID NOT LEAVE ENGINE. ENGINE IS AN INTERFERENCE FORD PRODUCT AND SUV HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED. THE SEVERITY OF THE DANGER OF THIS EXPLOSION CANNOT NOR SHOULD BE OVERLOOKED OR DISMISSED. HAD THE HOOD BEEN OPEN, SOMEONE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURY OR POSSIBLY DEATH. I HAVE TRIED TO WORK WITH MAZDA FOR A RESOLUTION IN THIS MATTER AND ALL ATTEMPTS HAVE FAILED. AS A PREVIOUSLY SATISFIED CUSTOMER FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS, I AM FRUSTRATED AND INFURIATED BY THEIR DENIALS TO WORK OUT A RESOLUTION, IN EITHER A NEW ENGINE OR SUBSTANTIAL TRADE ON A NEW VEHICLE. AN ENGINE WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE EXPLODING IS UNHEARD OF AND, CERTAINLY, NOT EXPECTED. MY LETTER TO MAZDA CEO AND PRESIDENT JAMES O'SULLIVAN AND MY MECHANIC'S ASSESSMENT IS AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357925September 27, 2010
AIR BAGS
STARTING IN 7/2009 MY 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE'S AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. REPAIRS INCLUDED REPLACING THE CONNECTOR UNDER THE PASS SEAT. SINCE THEN THE LIGHT HAS COME ON 5 TIMES AND EACH TIME A CONNECTOR KIT WAS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS. EVENTUALLY THE LIGHT BURNED OUT AND COST OVER $200.00 FOR REPAIRS. I CALLED MAZDA AND COMPLAINED. I ALSO FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. WHILE THE LIGHT IS ON OR BURNED OUT ACCORDING TO MECHANICS I HAVE TALKED TO THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10348370August 9, 2010
AIR BAGS
MAZDA TRIBUTE, 2003. AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ILLUMINATED. MAZDA REPAIRED IT 5 TIMES AND STILL IT IS LIT. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY SHOULD I BE IN AN ACCIDENT. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, IT HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND UP TO NOW IT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY $400 TO FIX SOMETHING THEY CAN'T FIX ANYWAY. I FEEL A DEFECT TREND EXISTS WITH THEIR AIRBAGS FROM ALL THAT I'VE READ. IF CARS ARE MANDATED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO HAVE FUNCTIONING AIRBAGS THEN WHY IS MAZDA NOT BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECTS IN THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEM? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10327059April 22, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE JUST RECENTLY BEGAN LOSING POWER. LATE LAST WEEK I NOTICED IT WASN'T GRABBING AS IT SHOULD SHIFTING (AUTOMATIC) BETWEEN THIRD AND FOURTH GEAR. TOOK IT TOOK RECOMMENDED REPAIR SHOW AND THEY ARE INDICATING TRANSMISSION REBUILD IS REQUIRED. I JUST CHECKED THE FLUID LEVEL LAST WEEK AND ABOUT TWO OR THREE WEEKS PRIOR AND ALL WAS WELL THERE. ENGINE BLEW ON SAME VEHICLE AT 70K MILES DESPITE OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES. REPAIR SHOP ESTIMATE: $3500 FOR THE FOLLOWING: FILTER, OVERDRIVE BAND, BUSHING KIT, BEARINGS, DRIVE CHAIN, TORQUE CONVERTER, SOLENOID BLOCK, MLP SWITCH, FORWARD PLANETARY GEAR, AND FLUID. I CANNOT BELIEVE A VEHICLE THIS AGE WITH LESS THAN 80,000 MILES HAS LOST AN ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, WHEN PROPER MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN PERFORMED. CARMAX DID HONOR THE WARRANTY FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE, BUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE ONLY EXTENDS TO 75K. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323775April 5, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING UPHILL OR APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL, IN WHICH SHE BELIEVED TO BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V175000: POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: CONTROL MODULE TCM, PCM), HOWEVER HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 82,000. UPDATED 11/03/10 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE BACKING UP, AND WHEN IT STALLED, IT COULDN'T BE RESTARTED. UPDATED 11/04/10*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322877March 30, 2010
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE WENT ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER OF ORANGE CA. THEY HAD CLAIMED TO MY FACE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA TRIBUTES LATELY. I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THAT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING WITH MANY OF THE TRIBUTES NOT JUST MINE. WHY HAS MAZDA NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM IF THEY ARE AWARE OF IT? THEY CLAIMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OF THE SEAT BELTS THAT CONNECTED TO THAT AIR BAG. THE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT LOCK IF WE WERE EVER IN A CRASH. IS THAT SAFE? DOES A DEATH NEED TO HAPPEN TO GET ATTENTION ABOUT THE PROBLEM? BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, I PAID 486.00 OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX A DEFECT THAT WAS NOT CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. AFTER THE REPAIR THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT GET THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO TURN OFF. I ASKED IF THERE MAY BE A BIGGER PROBLEM THAT WAS OVERLOOKED. THEY SAID NO THE AIR BAG LIGHT STILL PERIODICALLY TURNS ON AND OFF. IF I OR ANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS GETS INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS SAFETY NEGLIGENCE ISSUE, I WILL SUE MAZDA. THIS SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM INJURY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10312464February 21, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MAZDA 2003 TRIBUTE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS BEEN STICKING OFF AND ON SINCE MARCH 2009. WHEN THE CAR IS GOING ON HIGH SPEEDS, IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. HAVE TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF. TOOK TO MECHANIC, UNHOOKED CRUISE AND NEW ACCELERATOR CABLE IN 2009. NO CHANGES. TRADED CAR IN FOR A HONDA IN JANUARY, 2010. MAZDA WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10303731February 1, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
STICKY ACCELERATOR STICKS WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED (FROM A FULL STOP). STICKINESS INCREASES WITH COLDER WEATHER. CAUSES A LURCHING ACTION EVEN WHEN ADDING MINIMAL PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I'M WORRIED THAT IF THE PROBLEM PERSISTS OR GETS WORSE WITH THE COLDER WEATHER, IT MAY CAUSE WHIPLASH TO ANY CHILDREN RIDING IN MY CAR. OR WORSE - LURCHING INTO THE GARAGE AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY HOME. OR LURCHING IN A PARKING LOT AND HITTING A PEDESTRIAN/CHILD. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS IN SEVERAL AUTO FORUMS AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH FAR MORE CONSUMERS THAN MAZDA IS WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. IF TOYOTA CAN ADDRESS A STICKY ACCELERATOR PROBLEM, WHY CAN'T MAZDA DO THE SAME? OUR LIVES, AS WELL AS INNOCENT BYSTANDERS, ARE IN DANGER! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294932December 8, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE IS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE, WHICH HAD A RECALL 04V583000 FOR VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLES. WAS TOLD THIS RECALL WAS FIXED ON 8/11/2005. THIS VEHICLE HAS HORRIBLE ISSUES WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, IT WILL NOT SLOW DOWN, THE ACCELERATOR IS STUCK WIDE OPEN AND BRAKING WILL NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THESE INCIDENTS HAPPEN AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK, AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS (25 MPH-55MPH), IT CAN SUDDENLY BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD UP TO 85 AND 90 MPH. HAPPENS BOTH IN RURAL AND CITY DRIVING. WAS TOLD BY MAZDA DEALER RECALL IS CLOSED AND WILL NOT CONSIDER THIS AS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. THERE WERE TWO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS ISSUE, AND I FEEL THIS ISSUE IS STILL RELATED TO THE SAME PROBLEM. THE INCIDENT IS ONGOING AND HAS BEEN SINCE FEBRUARY, 2009. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10279195August 3, 2009
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE WENT ON. I ASKED THE LOCAL MECHANIC SEE WHY DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. HE SAYS MAZDA HAS A "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN" OUT FOR WIRING REPAIRS UNDER THE SEAT. HE SAYS THEY KNOW THEY HAVE THIS WIRING PROBLEM. SINCE MY CAR HAS 100,000 MILES MAZDA SAYS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WON'T COVER IT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS THEIR WIRING ISSUE. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $700 TO FIX THEIR WIRING PROBLEM WHICH IS VERY WRONG. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275381June 30, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
RETAINING CLIP CAME OFF OF THE PIN THAT HOLDS THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR IN THE HINGE, CAUSING THE DOOR TO FALL. THE PIN IS INSERTED FROM THE BOTTOM UP RATHER THAN FROM THE TOP DOWN SO WHEN THE CLIP CAME OFF, THE PIN FELL OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274349June 19, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V157000 AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR OVER FOUR DAYS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE AND WOULD ARRIVE THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE A RENTAL VEHICLE BECAUSE HER WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE DEALER REMOVED THE ABS WIRING HARNESS, BUT COULD NOT INSTALL IT BACK INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 86,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10260888March 5, 2009
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
MY 03 MAZDA TRIBUTE ES ABS LIGHT CAME ON AT 80K. UPON INSPECTION THE LEFT FRONT DRIVE AXLE ABS SPEED SENSOR RING WAS BROKEN. THE RING IS NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE AND MAZDA TOLD ME THE SHAFT WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE PART ALONE $325. PLUS LABOR. THE MAZDA PARTS PEOPLE TOLD ME IT'S A SHAME THAT YOU CAN'T JUST REPLACE THE RING. AND THAT THERE KNOWN FOR BRAKING. IT DOES EFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKES. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE SHAFT YET STILL LOOKING FOR THE RING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254946January 14, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I HAVE A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE LX. MY AIRBAG DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG LIGHT IS COMING ON. SOMETIMES IT STAYS ON OTHER TIMES IT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY. MY MAZDA WARRANTY RAN OUT AND I AM TOLD THAT IT WILL COST TO GET THE DIAGNOSIS AND TO HAVE REPAIRED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT COST. I BOUGHT THE MAZDA ON 2006 SO ITS ONLY 2 YEARS THAT I HAVE THE TRUCK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253401December 31, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I HAVE A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE LX. MY AIRBAG DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG LIGHT IS COMING ON. SOMETIMES IT STAYS ON OTHER TIMES IT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY. MY MAZDA WARRANTY RAN OUT THIS PAST MAY AND I AM TOLD THAT IT WILL COST TO GET THE DIAGNOSIS AND TO HAVE REPAIRED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND I AM SINGLE WITH A FIXED INCOME. ARE OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR MAZDA? HELP! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252790December 25, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DRIVING 70 MPH. VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING WITHOUT FOOT ON GAS PETAL. HAD TO HOLD FOOT ON BRAKE TO KEEP BELOW 70. WHEN FINALLY GOT TO EXIT AND STOPPED IDLING AT 4000 RPM AND VIBRATION SO BAD HAD TO SHUT CAR OFF. THROTTLE BODY AND A CABLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251168December 9, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTI LOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). HE WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE ABS. THE MODULAR CONNECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT LOST CONNECTION WITH THE COMPUTER AND LOCKED THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FROZE AND SLOWED DOWN THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC REPAIRED THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SPIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE ABOUT A RECALL, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROCESS A REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE HE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 12/30/08.*LJ UPDATED 01/05/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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