KnownCarProblems2004 Mazda Tribute Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 157 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Mazda Tribute, most often about the suspension (31% of complaints, typically around 140,500 miles). It is 6th of 12 Tribute model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2004 Mazda Tribute problems
Suspension
49 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 140,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear.
While on highway, loud thump. Upon inspection, passenger side wheel well is rusted through. Damage is very significant. Shock absorber mount is separated from the frame. Driver side does not show damage, at least from outside inspection. The car is not safe to drive. Have not called the dealer yet, but messages about…
The rear passenger wheel well has excessive corrosion through the frame of my vehicle. The corrosion has split my frame in half and left wholes surrounding the split. My shock tower is exposed and corroded making it unsafe to drive. The rear driver side is splitting in the same exact place.this is a serious safety…
Body and structure
45 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 136,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact mentioned a burning odor inside the vehicle. The contact pulled over and discovered that…
Right rear shock mount has rusted completely through. This may result in suspension failure and possible loss of control of vehicle. Photos of extensive rust condition widely available on the internet.
Speed control
34 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: cables, accelerator pedal.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle accelerated over the 55 MPH speed limit and would not stop. The contact depressed the brake pedal, applied the emergency brake, and downshifted the gear, but the vehicle would not stop. She exited off the nearest ramp, turned the vehicle towards…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. Whenever the vehicle comes to a stop and the contact depresses the clutch, the engine revs. It feels as if the vehicle will accelerate instead of coming to a stop. The failure occurs daily and was recently noticed while driving 15 MPH. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they…
Air bags
22 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that her air bag light illuminated, which indicated a failure with the system. She took the vehicle to a dealer on six occasions for the same failure. The first time the dealer replaced a wiring harness, the second time they replaced a seat module, the third…
Front air bag sensor keeps going off factory wont claim defect parts paying costly out of pocket repairs still under warranty "just not those parts".
Engine
22 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the vehicle failed when driving at 40 MPH. The vehicle failed on two occasions ,and appeared as if it would fail more frequently. The most recent occurrence was on april 27, 2007. There was a safety recall but it did not apply to this vehicle due to the…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving approximately 45 MPH on normal road conditions; proceeding to a traffic sign the engine began to hesitate and misfire. An independent mechanic replaced the coil pack, spark plugs and by passed the wiring harness. In addition, the fuel injection was cleaned. The…
Transmission
14 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
Complete transmission failure on 2004 Mazda Tribute while stopped in traffic! Very high RPM's without pushing on gas pedal. Mileage is under 55,000.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decreased speed and felt as though it was losing power. The speed would not increase above 5 MPH and the brakes would not engage properly. The mechanic stated that the problem was due to the catalytic converter and it would take 1-3…
Wheels and tires
12 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 137,000 miles.
The right wheel well is completely rusted through including the rear shock mounts. The only thing holding the metal together was the outer undercoating spray. My 18 year old son was driving on the interstate in this condition. I searched the internet and see that other Mazda Tribute and ford escape owners have the…
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving at 35 MPH over a bump in the road, the vehicle made a loud abnormal sound. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the passenger side rear wheel well and the shock tower were corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was…
Brakes
10 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly decreased speed and felt as though it was losing power. The speed would not increase above 5 MPH and the brakes would not engage properly. The mechanic stated that the problem was due to the catalytic converter and it would take 1-3…
2004 Mazda Tribute frost builds up on the brake pads when it is cold-causing the vehicle not to stop properly. This has happened 2 times and we had the brakes checked out at 2 separate places plus called the Mazda dealership and were told that the problem is frost on the brake pads. Very dangerous! Our collage age son…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 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.
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
Questions about the 2004 Mazda Tribute
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mazda Tribute?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (49 complaints, typically around 140,500 miles); body and structure (45 complaints, typically around 136,000 miles); speed control (34 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Mazda Tribute have?
- 5 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 2004 a bad year for the Mazda Tribute?
- It is 6th of 12 Tribute model years by number of complaints, with 157 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.