RoadVitals

2003 Mazda Tribute Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
199
Latest Jul 19, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
26

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Mazda Tribute, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

35
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FRONT END ISSUES FOR SOME TIME NOW.

NHTSA ID 11205991 · filed May 7, 2019

EVERY TIME I START MY 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE AND EVERY 30 MINUTES OF OPERATION THEREAFTER, THE CAR MAKES 5 SETS OF 5 BEEPS. AN INTERNET SEARCH TOLD ME THAT THIS IS BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTIONING INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT TO INDICATE THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE ALSO MALFUNCTIONING. A MAZDA MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. AND EVEN IF I HAVE THE VERY EXPENSIVE JOB DONE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM, THE REPLACEMENT PARTS DON'T WORK EITHER. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR OVER 3 YEARS AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON ALMOST THE ENTIRE TIME. MAZDA NEEDS TO PROVIDE A GOOD WORKING SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AND SOON.

NHTSA ID 11132802 · filed Oct 1, 2018
All 35 reports naming airbags

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

34
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My ABS keeps locking up and Ive almost wrecked multiple times. I changed brakes and rotors and still the problem is on-going. Its dangerous and Ive read others saying the same thing online.

NHTSA ID 11542450 · filed Sep 4, 2023

The sensor does not send the speed to the speedometer

NHTSA ID 11433439 · filed Sep 18, 2021
All 34 reports naming driver assistance

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

32
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My ABS keeps locking up and Ive almost wrecked multiple times. I changed brakes and rotors and still the problem is on-going. Its dangerous and Ive read others saying the same thing online.

NHTSA ID 11542450 · filed Sep 4, 2023

THE ABS MALFUNCTIONED AND THE ABS LIGHT IS ON. WHEN I ENGAGE THE BREAK IT MAKES NOISE INITIAL BEFORE IT WILL START TO ENGAGE PROPERLY, BUT THE ABS LIGHT KEEPS SHOWING STEADILY. THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE REMAINS LOCKED AND CANNOT OPEN. THE LATCH IS NOT BAD.

NHTSA ID 11245355 · filed Aug 20, 2019
All 32 reports naming brakes

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

29
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 search, the contact also discovered that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacture had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA ID 11432893 · filed Sep 14, 2021

DURING A FREE, AAA INSPECTION, THE AUTO SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE VEHICLE IS DANGEOUS DUE TO STRUCTURAL DAMAGE OR BODY DAMAGE. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THIS BEEN A PROBLEM

NHTSA ID 11404928 · filed Mar 25, 2021
All 29 reports naming body & structure

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

28
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 8, 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 · filed Jul 29, 2014
All 28 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. SO I HAD THEM REPLACED. THE CAR RAN FOR ABOUTV10 MINUTRS AND JUST SHUT OFF. WHILE AT THE MACHANICS HE SAID THAT THE WIRE HARNESA IS MELTING AMD THAT I GOT LUCKY NOT TO HAVE A FIRE. THE ABS LIGHT GOAE OFF AND ON TO. I CALLED ABOUT A RECALL I SAW IN 2007 ABOUT THE WIRE HARNESS AND THEY ARE TELLING ME IT IS FIXES. I HAVE PROOF IT IS MELTED AND. WOULD LIKE MY CAR FIXED UNDER THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID 11231621 · filed Jul 13, 2019

STRUCTURE CROSS BRACKET FOR LOWER CONTROL ARM. ACCELERATOR CABLE.CRUISE CONTROL CABLE THROTTLE BODY STICKS EVEN AFTER THE RECALLS THE DRIVER AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK LIGHT ON DASH IT'S THE PLUG AT WIRE HARNESS MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS LOSE BRAKE FLUID ENGINE STALLED WHEN ON HWY105 WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN BUT WHILE TURNING CAR STARTED TO ROUGH IDLE AND STARTED TO DIE AGAIN. IDLED TO A STOP CAR WAS SHAKING AND WOULD RUN. HAD TO SIT AROUND 20 MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD RUN AND STAY GOING. CAR HAS BEEN REGISTERED IN MINNESOTA AND CANADA BOTH HAVE RECALLS FOR THIS CAR.

NHTSA ID 11071847 · filed Feb 8, 2018
All 17 reports naming electrical

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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: 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE RECALL ITEM AFFECTED: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) DATE ANNOUNCED: 4/14/2004 DESCRIPTION OF RECALL: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 DURATEC ENGINES , DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL. ACTION NEEDED TO FIX IT: 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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10522667 · filed Jul 1, 2013

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

NHTSA ID 10394430 · filed Apr 6, 2011
All 16 reports naming transmission

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FRONT END ISSUES FOR SOME TIME NOW.

NHTSA ID 11205991 · filed May 7, 2019

HELP PLEASE? I PURCHASED MY 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE IN OCTOBER, 2016. I RECENTLY NEEDED REPAIRS DONE (NEW MUFFLER SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED) BUT WAS TOLD MY LOWER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES COULDN'T BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE HUGE CRACK IN THE SUB-FRAME. THE RECALL ON THE SUB-FRAME WAS DONE IN JULY, 2014 (BEFORE MY PURCHASE) ' BY INSTALLING A CROSS-BRACE. WHEN MAZDA MADE THE RECALL, OWNERS WERE INFORMED THAT THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE SUSPENSION PROBLEM WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE' AND A SECOND LETTER WOULD BE MAILED ONCE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. A 'NEWLY DESIGNED' REINFORCEMENT CROSS-BRACE WAS THE FIX?... OR JUST A BAND-AID THAT DELAYED THE INEVITABLE?... BECAUSE EVEN WITH THE CROSS-BRACE INSTALLED, MY PROBLEM IS STILL HERE ' MY SUBFRAME IS SEVERELY CRACKED AND NOT SAFE' IT COULD SNAP SUDDENLY FROM SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS HITTING A POTHOLE. I AM ATTACHING PICTURES TO THIS E-MAIL OF THE SUBFRAME SHOWING WHERE IT IS RUSTED THROUGH. YOU CAN SEE HOW WIDE THAT CRACK IS... YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE REINFORCEMENT CROSS-BRACE FIX IS ATTACHED... AND WHY THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CANNOT BE REPLACED. IF THE PICTURES AREN'T ACCEPTABLE, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO HAVE THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP HERE IN WOOSTER (330) 804-1000 VERIFY MY CLAIM. I AM 72 AND ONLY GET $700 A MONTH SS ' WHICH I AM BARELY GETTING BY ON. I HAD TO SAVE TO GET THE NEW MUFFLER AND CONTROL ARMS SO A MECHANIC FRIEND COULD INSTALL THEM. I REALLY NEED MAZDA TO COVER THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR' AND I HAVE ASKED MAZDA FOR AN EXCEPTION (OR EXTENSION) TO THE RECALL THAT WAS DONE ON MY CAR. I CONTACTED MAZDA IN AN EMAIL ON 10/5/18' AND RECEIVED A REPLY BACK THE 'SAME' DAY ASSIGNING ME AN SR NUMBER: 1-1768908199' BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THEM AGAIN. IS THERE ANY WAY YOUR AGENCY CAN ASSIST ME HERE?... MAYBE THEY'LL RESPOND TO YOU? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ANY EFFORTS ON MY BEHALF. (XX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11139903 · filed Oct 12, 2018
All 14 reports naming suspension

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR STALLED WHEN SLOWING TO STOP IN LEFT TURNING LANE DOING AROUND 45MPH, APPROACHING THE LIGHT IN A BUSY INTERSECTION AND VEHICLES APPROACHING MINE FROM BEHIND. IT WOULD NO LONGER START IN PARK OR MOVE IN DRIVE, TO GET OUR OF THE WAY AND OFF THE STREET I HAD TO WAIT AND THE MOVE IT IN REVERSE. GOT TOWED HOME AND IT STILL SITS.

NHTSA ID 11365999 · filed Oct 23, 2020

I WAS DRIVING AROUND 50MPH AND COMNG UP TO A STOP LIGHT, AS I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN IN THE LEFT TURNING LANE FOR THE RED LIGHT GOING LEFT, MY TRIBUTE SUDDENLY STALLED.THE LIGHT THEN OF COURSE TURNED GREEN AND THIS WAS NOT GOOD, CAUSE ALL THE CARS COMING UP FROM BEHIND ME WERE NOW INTENDING TO NO SLOW DOWN AND BEGIN TO SPEED UP, TO CARRY ON THROUGH THE VERY BUSY INTERSECTION. WHICH ALMOST CREATED A PILE UP, BEGINNING AT MY REAR BUMPER, OR ANOTHER SUDDEN COLLISION NEAR BY. LUCKILY ALL THE CARS HAD EITHER SWERVED AROUND MINE, OR MANAGED TO STOP BEHIND ME. I THEN PUT MINE IN PARK AND TRIED TO START IT, THE ENGINE STARTED BUT I WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. SO I SHUT IT OFF, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND TRIED STARTING IT, IT STARTED AND SHIFTED OUT OF PARK BUT WOULD NOT MOVE WHILE IN DRIVE. SO I TRIED IN ONE OF THE LOWER GEARS AND IT VERY SLOWLY, ABOUT 5 MPH BEGAN TO MOVE, GETTING ME OFF THE MAJOR ST AND ON TO A SIDE STREET. I THEN CHECKED REVERSE, WHICH WORKED JUST FINE AND ALLOWED ME TO PULL INTO A NEARBY STORE TO WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. I PUT IT IN PARK AND SHUT IT OFF, TOO WAIT FOR IT TO BE TOWED HOME. THE NEXT DAY I TRIED TO USE IT, BUT STILL NOTHING IN DRIVE, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ITS BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE, ABOUT 5 MONTHS NOW.

NHTSA ID 11365995 · filed Oct 23, 2020
All 10 reports naming powertrain (other)

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NHTSA report 7.19.2015 July 19, 2025 NHSTA Report This is what happened to me [XXX]: I was at an off ramp stop waiting for cars to pass. I eased forward to see if everyone had passed. The car accelerated on its own and I tried to stop. When I braked it accelerated faster. I had both feet on the brakes and tried to stop, but each time the car accelerated. It accelerated three times until I crashed. I crashed into a utility trailer and the wheel well of the trailer caught on my front left bumper on the driver's side. I was drug along the road around 60 miles per hour until the bumper bent and I could pull over onto the side of the road. The car was a total loss. The attached notice from Mazda matches the uncontrollable acceleration of my car. I contacted Mazda Corporation on the same day ([XXX]) and was told there is no VIN record of the car since I owned it. Additionally, they told me it was repaired in 2005 as a throttle recall. But there is a subsequent notice attached dated July, 2012 and no record of that recall repair. I called WA state Dept of Licensing to see if there is a new owner. They do not have a record of such. I contacted Copart in Arlington WA today to find out if the car was there for parts so nobody would buy the accelerator cable. Copart told me today they sold the car in 2024 but cannot release the name of whoever bought it. They said my insurance company would know. Whoever owns the car now needs to know there is a faulty accelerator cable causing a accident and they need to have it examined and replaced correctly. Please help find who owns this car and remedy a potential crash. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11674766 · filed Jul 19, 2025

THE ACCELATOR IS STUCK AT 4,000 RPM. JUST ARRIVED IN DRIVEWAY AND PUT IN PARK.

NHTSA ID 11097980 · filed May 25, 2018
All 9 reports naming fuel system

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FRONT END ISSUES FOR SOME TIME NOW.

NHTSA ID 11205991 · filed May 7, 2019

DRIVING IN GREEN BAY WI 2/17/2019 AND WENT THROUGH A ROUNDABOUT, FELT SOMETHING GIVING OUT IN STEERING? PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT NEAR BY AND HAD NO CONTROL OVER CAR? FOUND OUT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE MAZDA TRIBUTE SUBFRAME WHICH GETS CORRODED WITH SALT AND RUSTS OUT? MAZDA FIXED THIS RECALL ON THIS CAR 12/18/2015 AND PERFORMED THE SUBFRAME RECALL ON THIS CAR. NOW THE PARTS GAVE OUT AGAIN AND BROKE SO THE PARTS DO NOT LAST LIKE THEY THINK THEY DO? PEOPLE WILL PROBABLY DIE IN THIS CAR, THINKING THESE PARTS ARE MADE TO LAST AND THEY DONT.? THIS VEHICLE IS A DANGER TO ALL WHO DRIVE IT THIS WAY, NOT KNOWING THE PARTS WILL NOT LAST? MAZDA CLAIMS THEY FIXED IT, IT LASTED 40,000 MILES, WONT FIX IT AGAIN, BUT HOW LONG DOES A RECALL PART LAST? ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOOK CARE OF THIS CAR, WENT THROUGH ALL THE NECESSARY REPAIRS AND THEN WE LOST STEERING AND HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS WAS A SEVERE DANGER? WE ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. IF THIS HAPPENS ON A FREEWAY THIS CAR CAN ROLL AND PEOPLE WILL BE KILLED, NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE PARTS FAILURE? PLEASE HELP, WE HAVE NO CAR FOR WORK AND ARE SCARED TO EVEN FIX IT? IT ONLY HAS 160,000 MILES ON IT? I HONESTLY NEED THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO EXAMINE THIS? I DONT HAVE A PICTURE YET, BUT WOULD GLADLY PROVIDE THEM WHEN YOU CONTACT ME WITH A CASE NUMBER AND WHAT WE CAN DO? YIKES THANKS FOR THE HELP?

NHTSA ID 11181291 · filed Feb 20, 2019
All 9 reports naming steering

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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: 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE RECALL ITEM AFFECTED: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK DATE ANNOUNCED: 12/23/2004 DESCRIPTION OF RECALL: 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. ACTION NEEDED TO FIX IT: 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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10522671 · filed Jul 1, 2013

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK. HE MADE SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO LOCK THE REAR HATCH. HE CALLED THE MAZDA DEALER IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V605000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK) AND THEY STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID 10231636 · filed Jun 19, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TIRE FAILURE AT 75 MPH - COOPER DISCOVERER CTS 215/70R16 RADIAL MOUNTED ON A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE DX. THE TIRE DISINTEGRATED WITHIN A COUPLE OF SECONDS AFTER PROLONGED DRIVING AT 70 TO 75 MPH ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE. THE TIRE HAD ONLY 15,000 MILES - DURING WHICH THE TIRE WAS PROPERLY INFLATED AND ROTATED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10562271 · filed Jan 30, 2014

TIRES BEGAN MAKING EXTREMELY LOUD ROAD NOISE ABOVE 30 MPH. I WAS TOLD AT THE TIME THAT THE TIRES WERE "CUPPED" PROBABLY THE RESULT OF DEFECTIVE TIRES. I HAD THE MAZDA 2003 TRIBUTE SERVICED AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, "JAY MAZDA" IN COLUMBUS, GA AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY 84978 MILES ON THE VEHICLE ON 04-22-11. AROUND APPROX 112000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE I BEGAN EXPERIENCING THE SAME ROAD NOISE I HAD EXPERIENCED EARLIER ON 04-22-2011. I BEGAN HEARING THE LOUD ROAD NOISE AGAIN. I AGAIN HAD MY MAZDA 2003 TRIBUTE SERVICED AT "JAY MAZDA" IN COLUMBUS, GA ON 08-31-2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 114190 MILES WHERE I HAD MY OIL CHANGED, BRAKES REPLACED , & SPOKE WITH THE MAZDA TECH ABOUT THE EXTREMELY LOUD ROAD NOISE I WAS AGAIN EXPERIENCING SINCE I PURCHASED THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE FROM JAY MAZDA ON 04-22-2011 FOR THE SAME TROUBLE. UPON PICKING UP MY VEHICLE THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT MY TIRES WERE AGAIN "CUPPED" AND THAT WAS WHAT WAS CAUSING THE LOUD VEHICLE NOISE AND THEY WERE "CUPPED" DUE TO ME NOT HAVING MY TIRES ROTATED AT THE PROPER INTERVAL. I TOLD THE TECHNICIAN THAT I NEVER EXPERIENCED THE NOISE UNTIL SOMETIME AFTER HAVING THE TIRES ROTATED THE 1ST TIME. THE TECHNICIAN SAID HE FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLES SUSPENSION THAT "LACK" OF ROTATION WAS THE ONLY CAUSE. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION THAT CAUSES THE REAR TIRES ON MAZDA 2003 TRIBUTES TO "CUP" & THAT ROTATION OF THE TIRES ONLY WORSENS THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS BECAUSE THE MAZDA TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT IF I HAD MY TIRES ROTATED NOW THAT THE NOISE WOULD ONLY GET "WORSE". *TR

NHTSA ID 10547842 · filed Oct 14, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH OVER A BUMP, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS PARTIALLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

NHTSA ID 10821261 · filed Jan 20, 2016

2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE, PURCHASE NEW. ABS LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING AND THEN STAYS ON AND THEN GOES OFF. THREE SEPARATE TRIPS TO WHITE PLAINS MAZDA AT A GOOD COST TO US AND TELLING US IT WAS CORRECTED - DRIVE A 1/2 MILE FROM THE DEALER AND THE LIGHT GOES ON AGAIN. CORRECTED AGAIN AND A WEEK LATER IT GOES ON AGAIN! ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE AN INCIDENT IN A PARKED POSITION WITH MOTOR RUNNING (10/13/08) WHERE THE CAR'S RPM JUMPED TO 7,000, THE CAR RUMBLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. CAR COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AT A SUBSTANTIAL COST TO ME INCLUDING A SEPARATE CHARGE TO TRY AND JUMP THE CAR AND NOW IS AT MAZDA WHITE PLAINS AGAIN. PLEASE CONTACT ME. I HAVE CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND THEY ARE TO BE IN TOUCH WITH MY DEALER. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10245411 · filed Oct 14, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT LATCH. ADDITIONALLY, THE SEAT BELT COULD NOT BE UNLATCHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. *TR

NHTSA ID 10508786 · filed Apr 19, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ON MAY 11, 2013 MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING DURING RAINY STORMING DAY. AT FIRST THE WIPERS SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD MOVE EVERY 5 TO 10 MINUTES; THUS, THEY STOPPED COMPLETELY. I HAD A HOUR AND HALF COMMUTE HOME BEFORE I COULD PARK THE VEHICLE. THINKING THAT IT WAS THE WIPER THAT NEED TO BE REPLACED, I HAD A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT; HOWEVER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE WAS BROKEN IN HALF. I CALLED MAZDA ABOUT THE RECALL ON IT THE ITEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VIN NUMBER. MAZDA WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE RECALL WAS FOR 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE HOWEVER MAZDA STATES THAT IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY 2003 VIN NUMBER. PLEASE ASSIST. ITEM AFFECTED: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES DATE ANNOUNCED: 11/29/2000 DESCRIPTION OF RECALL: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE CAN DISENGAGE DUE TO A BROKEN BALL SOCKET. ACTION NEEDED TO FIX IT: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MODULE.01. *TR

NHTSA ID 10521674 · filed Jun 25, 2013

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