KnownCarProblems2003 Mazda Tribute Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 199 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mazda Tribute, most often about the air bags (18% of complaints, typically around 72,000 miles). It is 5th of 12 Tribute model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2003 Mazda Tribute problems
Air bags
35 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
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…
The air bag light is staying on, first blinking, and then it stays on for all of car's operation. I feel unsafe in the car, not knowing whether it will deploy when needed or when not needed. The car is in fine shape, no accidents, and there appear to be a number of complaints about this issue, as well as frustration…
Speed control
34 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: cables, accelerator pedal, cruise 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…
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…
Brakes
31 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Catastrophic front disc brake failure on 2003 Mazda Tribute after only 56,651 miles, requiring complete replacement of both front disc pads and both front rotors. Dealer indicated that they were seeing excessive wear, and frequent replacement on front disc brakes, which indicated that they were under designed by Mazda…
I had to stop sudden...no skid...and brakes were spongy and had to use emergency brake to insure stop in time to prevent a fender bender. Stopping is not great and stick for a second or two at stop signs.
Body and structure
29 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 130,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per a recall pertaining to the subframe. While driving, the frame fractured on the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…
The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact had taken his vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that there was severe corrosion on the lower control arm. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 14v174000 (structure) which he linked to the failure. After performing a VIN…
Engine
28 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
: the contact stated while driving about 30 MPH, with accelerator pressure applied, the accelerator pedal pulled to the floor without warning. The vehicle accelerated at a high speed onto the highway. The contact attempted to disengage the accelerator pedal by pumping the pedal several times without success. The…
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…
Transmission
24 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual 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…
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…
Electrical
15 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
The contact's son owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. While the contact's son was driving at an unknown speed, the ABS indicator illuminated. While the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to island Mazda (1580 hylan blvd, staten island, ny 10305 ([phone]) where it was…
2003 Mazda Tribute caught on fire while parked in front of house. It had not been driven since the night before. Damage was limited to engine compartment. It appeared to have originated from the anti-lock braking electonic control module directly below the power steering reservoir. The car horn/alarm started beeping…
Suspension
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 96,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and repaired. The diagnostic results were unknown. The failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil from the lower control arm and…
While driving my 2003 Mazda Tribute I heard a few strange sounds. Several times the car suddenly pulled to the right. There was also a sound of something rubbing that got faster and faster as I accelerated. Then when the car pulled suddenly to the right my son and I heard a loud sound. Fortunately, I was fairly close…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Mazda Tribute recalls
Body and structure: frame and members
Risk: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on may 29, 2014. Owners may contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7514d.
Full defect summary
Mazda north american operations (mazda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 tribute vehicles manufactured may 22, 2000, through december 19, 2003, originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
Speed control: cables
Risk: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on september 13, 2012. Owners may contact mazda customer assistance center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.
Full defect summary
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An electrical short might cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition could occur either when the vehicle ignition switch is in the off position or while the vehicle is being operated.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the ABS module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate. The dealer will also inspect the connector on the ABS module and replace it if it is found to be corroded or damaged. The recall began on may 9, 2007. Owners may contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS), the ABS module connector may have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could allow contamination to enter the module connector, creating a potential for an electrical short.
Doors and locks: lock
Risk: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utility vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components.' the rear liftgate latching system does not meet the inertia load requirement in one direction.
Speed control: cables
Risk: An unexpected increase in engine idle speed may increase stopping distance and may result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The recall began on january 28, 2005. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500, option #4.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.
Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk: Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the power control module (PCM) with the appropriate calibration. The recall began on may 3, 2004. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 duratec engines , during deceleration, the engine can stall.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Cruise control cable
Summary
On july 8, 2012, the center for auto safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on model year (my) 2002 ? 2004 ford escape and mazda tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.the center for auto safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether ford motor company (ford) and mazda north american operations (mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain ford escape and mazda tribute vehicles.the petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.odi ids referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 1
Stuck throttle
Summary
In a letter dated july 25, 2012 ford motor company (ford) submitted a defect information report (dir), NHTSA recall no. 12v-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.the vehicles involved are model year (my) 2001 through my 2004 ford escape vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines and speed (cruise) control.a redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in my 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.similarly on july 26, 2012 mazda north american operations (mazda) on behalf of mazda mot
Engine compartment fire
Summary
Ford and mazda recalled model year (my) 2001 through 2004 ford escape (07v-156) and mazda tribute (07v-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns. The campaigns addressed potentially damaged, missing or misplaced seals in the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector that could allow brake fluid to enter the connector, possibly resulting in corrosion, short-circuit, melting, smoke and/or fire.since the recall, the agency is aware of 260 subject
Engine compartment fire
Summary
In letters dated march 30, 2007, ford motor company (ford) and mazda north american operations (mazda) notified the agency that they will conduct recalls 07v-156 and 07v-157, respectively, to remedy a safety defect that may result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 ford escape and mazda tribute vehicles equipped with ABS.the recall campaign prescribes an inspection of the subject components, which shall be repaired or replaced only if necessary.if the subject vehicle passes the visual inspection then the recall instructs the technician to apply electrical grease (ford part number xg-12) to the ABS module connector and verify system operation.to date, appr
Engine compartment fire
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition dated march 5, 2009 alleging that the petitioner never received the recall remedy for 07v-156 and that, as a result, the petitioner's my2003 ford escape caught fire at the ABS control module.in response to odi follow-up, the manufacturer verified that the petitioner's vehicle had in fact received service related to safety recall 07v156 - a fact later corroborated by the petitioner.circumstances of the fire experienced in the petitioner's remedied vehicle indicate that the remedy was ineffective.additional review by odi identified an additional 6 similar (alleged to have originated in the engine compartment at or near the AB
Engine compartment fire
Summary
In letters dated march 30, 2007, ford and mazda notified NHTSA that they will conduct safety recalls to remedy a safety defect that may result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 ford escape and mazda tribute sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS.recall 07v-156 involves approximately 446,450 my 2001-2004 escape vehicles manufactured from october 22, 1999 through january 23, 2004.recall 07v-157 involves approximately 95,300 my 2001-2004 tribute vehicles manufactured from april 17, 2000 through december 19, 2003. According to the manufacturers, the electrical wiring connectors to the ABS electronic control module were manufactured with wire seals missing
Questions about the 2003 Mazda Tribute
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mazda Tribute?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (35 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles); speed control (34 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); brakes (31 complaints, typically around 65,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Mazda Tribute have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 4, 2014 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Mazda Tribute?
- It is 5th of 12 Tribute model years by number of complaints, with 199 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.