RoadVitals

2003 Mazda Tribute Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
28
Latest Sep 8, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
14%
of 199 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Mazda Tribute submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 28 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 28, in the owner's own words

EngineSteering
Filed Sep 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUNDS WHEN STARTED AND WHILE DRIVING. THE SOUNDS BEGAN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EXHAUST BOLTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD END WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,685.

NHTSA ID
10631498
Incident
Jul 24, 2014
Mileage
117,685 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jul 29, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10617120
Incident
Jun 1, 2013
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 17, 2014

COIL FAILURE, REPLACED AND SAME COIL FAILURES REOCCUR. PCM FAILURE CAUSING COIL FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10611220
Incident
Jul 8, 2014
Mileage
147,302 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 16, 2013
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FOR UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD TO ALLOW THE SMOKE TO EXIT AND CALLED A TOW TRUNK. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE HOWEVER, WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AND PARKED THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID NOT STATE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO FILE A REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY WOULD NOT TAKE A REPORT UNTIL THERE WAS A FIRE REPORT ISSUED THAT STATED WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE A REPORT OF WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

NHTSA ID
10543849
Incident
Sep 7, 2013
Mileage
139,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 1, 2013

ON JUNE 25, 2013 @ 11:00AM I CALLED MAZDA CORPORATION (REFERENCE CALL NUMBER: [XXX]) ABOUT RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH MY MAZDA TRIBUTE 2003 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALLS WERE NOT ASSIGNED TO THE VIN NUMBER OF MY VEHICLE. THE MAZDA REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT ONLY THE SEAT BEAT ADJUSTMENT HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO MY VEHICLE AND THAT I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. MAZDA WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL. I BOUGHT THE TRIBUTE IN 2010 FROM A DEALERSHIP; THUS, WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALLS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIX IT. I HAVE A 13 AND 14 YEAR OLD GIRLS AND AM A SINGLE PARENT. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE. I CANNOT AFFORD RIGHT NOW TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. I AM ONLY ASKING MAZDA TO HONOR THE RECALLS. PLEASE SEE THE RECALL NOTICE BELOW FROM MAZDA. ITEM AFFECTED: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING DATE ANNOUNCED: 7/27/2012 DESCRIPTION OF RECALL: 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. ACTION NEEDED TO FIX IT: 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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10522653
Incident
Jun 10, 2013
Mileage
261,552 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 16, 2012
Crash reported

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

NHTSA ID
10488931
Incident
Dec 16, 2012
Mileage
112,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 13, 2012

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

NHTSA ID
10470419
Incident
Feb 1, 2011
Mileage
75,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 18, 2012

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

NHTSA ID
10466455
Incident
Jan 14, 2004
Mileage
7,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 8, 2012

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

NHTSA ID
10454470
Incident
Apr 4, 2011
Mileage
55,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 12, 2011

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.

NHTSA ID
10376386
Incident
Nov 18, 2010
Mileage
74,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 9, 2011

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.

NHTSA ID
10376116
Incident
Nov 18, 2010
Mileage
74,351 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Apr 5, 2010

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

NHTSA ID
10323775
Incident
Mar 28, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 25, 2008

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

NHTSA ID
10252790
Incident
Dec 21, 2008
Mileage
89,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 30, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V175000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)). HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ID
10236445
Incident
Feb 9, 2008
Mileage
86,400 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 8, 2007

OIL PAN GASKET IS LEAKING. I CALLED MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE, RECEIVED A FILE #115785220. MY 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE (5 YEARS OLD WITH 35,000 MILES) IS LEAKING OIL FROM THE OIL PAN GASKET. MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE, MAZDA HAS REDESIGNED THE OIL PAN WITH AN EMBEDDED O RING IN LIEU OF A GASKET. THE LOCAL MAZDA SERVICE CENTER (MAZDA 112) DOES NOT REPLACE THE GASKET; THEY FIX THE VEHICLE BY SELLING AND INSTALLING THE REDESIGNED OIL PAN FOR $440 + TAX (MEDFORD, NY). YOU CAN BUY A GASKET FOR THE ORIGINAL PAN AND DO IT YOURSELF OR MAYBE HAVE A LOCAL MECHANIC DO IT (I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S WORTH IT). MAZDA 112 TOLD ME THEY CALLED THE REGIONAL MAZDA REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY WOULD SAVE ME THE PRICE OF THE PARTS BUT THE COST OF REPAIR WILL STILL BE OVER $300. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND MAZDA IS NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE." I HAVE CALLED MAZDA TWICE AND EMAILED THEM. THE REPRESENTATIVES ARE POLITE BUT COULD NOT TELL ME IF THE OIL PAN WAS REDESIGNED BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE??? THEN WHY THE REDESIGN? ON THE INTERNET I HAVE VIEWED MANY COMPLAINTS OF LATE MODEL MAZDA TRIBUTE OWNERS WITH "OIL PAN LEAKS." *TR

NHTSA ID
10208460
Incident
Nov 1, 2007
Mileage
35,438 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 30, 2007
Fire reported

WIFE DROVE 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE TO ARBY'S (I WAS MEETING HER THERE), GOT OUT OF CAR AND WALKED UP TO THE ENTRANCE. AS SHE GOT TO ARBY'S DOOR, SOMEONE OUTSIDE MENTIONED TO HER THAT HER CAR WAS SMOKING. SHE CAME INSIDE TO GET ME AND AS I CAME OUT A LOT OF SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I UNLOCKED THE CAR CRACKED THE HOOD SLIGHTLY WHERE I SAW FLAMES CLOSE TO THE FIREWALL. USED FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT FLAMES. FIRE SEEMED TO ORIGINATE TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE ENGINE CLOSE TO BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. I HAVE MANY PICTURES OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IF NEEDED. SEEMS SIMILAR TO NHTSA ACTION # PE06048. *JB

NHTSA ID
10186604
Incident
Mar 30, 2007
Mileage
39,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jun 16, 2006

DT*: 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 VEHICLE SLOWLY RESPONDED TO BRAKE PRESSURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK. WHILE PARKED, THE ENGINE REVVED UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CASING ON THE CRUISE CONTROL CRACKED WHICH CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE TO STICK, ALTHOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED AT THAT TIME. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL CASING AND CABLES WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE VALVE COVER AND GASKET WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/07/06

NHTSA ID
10160004
Incident
May 2, 2006
Mileage
58,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 16, 2006

VEHICLE IS SOMETIMES HARD TO START AND IT STALLS FREQUENTLY IN TRAFFIC. A TUNE-UP WAS DONE, FUEL SYSTEM PARTS REPLACED. DEALER RECENTLY REPROGRAMMED THE PCM WITH NO CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE. NEAR ACCIDENT THIS MORNING WITH A SCHOOL BUS. VEHICLE JUST CUT OFF AS I SLOWED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10157658
Incident
May 16, 2006
Mileage
77,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 16, 2005

ENGINE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10115224
Incident
Nov 1, 1993
Mileage
25,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 29, 2004

INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE HESITATES BEFORE STARTING WHEN THE KEYS ARE TURNED IN THE IGNITION. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND PERFORMED THE REPAIRS INDICATED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE DIDN'T OCCUR IN THEIR PRESENCE SO THEY ARE REFUSING TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. *LA *SC

NHTSA ID
10076254
Incident
Nov 15, 2003
Mileage
10,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 30, 2004

DROVE MY 03 MAZDA TRIBUTE IN TYPICAL FLORDA AFTERNOON RAINSTORM VEHICLE STALLED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD ALMOST CAUSING VEHICLES FOLLOWING TO CRASH FROM BEHIND LUCKILY I COASTED OFF TO THE SIDE QUICKLY AFTER FEW TRIES RESTARTED VEHICLE HOWEVER AFTER RESTARTED VEHICLE NOW MAKING LOUD RATTLING SOUND FROM ENGINE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE REST OF WAY HOME-ABOUT A MILE FROM WHERE STALLED PRIOR TO PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY LOUD POP & GRINDING FROM ENGINE COASTED INTO DRIVEWAY & REALIZED ENGINE BLOWN-OIL POURING OUT UNDERNEATH THINKING THIS WAS WARRANTY ISSUE (VEHICLE WELL MAINTAINED & ONLY YEAR OLD) TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL MAZDA DEALER FOR REPAIR AFTER HAVING VEHICLE 3 WEEKS THEY NOW TOLD ME THAT CAUSE OF STALL & BLOWING OF ENGINE WAS WATER FROM RAIN OR PUDDLES SPLASHING UP GOT INTO AIR INTAKE OF ENGINE WATER WAS PULLED INTO CYLINDERS WHERE IT CANT BE COMPRESSED & PISTON RODS BENT & BROKE UNTIL THEY PUNCTURED THROUGH BLOWING ENGINE DEALERS SERVICE DEPT STATED AIR INTAKE FOR VEHICLE IS LOCATED BEHIND FRONT GRILLE ABOUT HEADLIGHT LEVEL RIGHT WHERE MOST RAIN & SPLASHING WOULD END UP AT FRONT OF VEHICLE-SO NOT VERY WELL PROTECTED-WOULD NOT TAKE MUCH FOR WATER TO GET INTO CAUSING FAILURE MAZDA WOULD NOT REPAIR VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY-RECOMMENDED MY AUTO INS WOULD PAY FOR REPAIR I FEEL THIS IS SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH VEHICLE ESP CONSIDERING MANY SMALLER VEHICLES WERE DRIVING AROUND IN SAME CONDITIONS WITHOUT INCIDENT & IF THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ME IN THE CONDITIONS & SPEEDS I WAS DRIVING I WOULD THINK IT COULD BE POTENTIAL CAUSE OF FUTURE ACCIDENTS FROM THESE VEHICLES STALLING IN WET CONDITIONS NOT ONLY IS IT SAFETY CONCERN-ALSO WOULD BE CONSUMER CONCERN BECAUSE IT CAN BLOW ENGINE & IF MAZDA WONT REPAIR VEHICLES WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE WILL BE MANY UPSET CONSUMERS MAZDA TRIBUTE & FORD ESCAPE ESSENTIALLY SAME VEHICLE SO THIS WOULD APPLY THERE ALSO I FEEL BOTH FORD & MAZDA SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES & EITHER RELOCATE OR BETTER PROTECT AIR INTAKE SO THIS KIND OF THING SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10083023
Incident
Jul 11, 2004
Mileage
17,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 29, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V175000 CONCERNING ENGINE STALLING. THREE WEEKS AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED AND WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10080170
Incident
Jun 18, 2004
Engine
Filed Jun 22, 2004

WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE FIRST HESITATED AND THEN ACCELERATED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10071658
Incident
Mar 17, 2004
Mileage
6,657 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 17, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10063393
Incident
Jan 24, 2004
Mileage
12,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 16, 2003

WHILE DRIVING 100 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BUCK. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10020018
Incident
Mar 16, 2003
Mileage
3,942 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .