2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE

266 complaints filed with NHTSA.

266
Complaints
22
Crashes
11
Fires
20
Injuries
0
Deaths

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS30
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL23
STRUCTURE:BODY18
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC12
SUSPENSION11
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION10
SERVICE BRAKES10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES8
POWER TRAIN8
STEERING7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE6
ENGINE6

Recalls (8)

07E02300029/03/2007

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAI

12V35700027/07/2012

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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-ful

04V60500023/12/2004

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

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 L

04V58300010/12/2004

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

07V15700010/04/2007

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

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.

04V17500009/04/2004

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 DURATEC ENGINES , DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.

14V17400004/04/2014

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

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, M

15E04500003/06/2015

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have

Recent Complaints

20250719CrashFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 bump

20160616CrashAIR BAGS

WIFE HAD AN ACCISDENT WITH SUBSTANTIAL FRONT END DAMAGE. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SHE WAS INJURED HIT A TREE

Mileage: 160,000

20160308CrashSUSPENSION

" TAKATA RECALL" IT HAPPENED ON THE TWO LANE HIGHWAY ON BRIGHT SUNNY DAY AT AROUND 1 PM. CAR DRIFTED THE MIDDLE LANE AND I COULDN'T BRING IT BACK IN THE LANE. I FELT SOMEBODY WAS CONTROLLED THE STEERING WHEEL. I HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL WITH BOTH HANDS BUT I COULDN'T DIRECT THE CAR. IT DID SWING AROUND 4 TIMES AND HIT THE ON COMING CAR.

20150824CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VEERED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CURB. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE) BUT THE REMEDY FAILE

Mileage: 91,800

20140409FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR 15 MINUTES, SHE DROVE IT INTO A DRIVE WAY AND AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND BACK TO PARK TO SEE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD RESET ITSELF BUT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR 3 SECONDS AND SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE

Mileage: 147,000

20130916FireENGINE

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.

Mileage: 139,000

20130411CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE HATCH OPENED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V605000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT

Mileage: 87,000

20121216CrashPOWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 112,000

20121216CrashENGINE

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.

Mileage: 112,000

20120718CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 VEHICLES AROUND. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

20120417FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE WAS RECALLED IN MAY 2007 FOR ABS VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL. I TOOK IT IN THAT SAME MONTH AND THE DEALER DETERMINED MODULE CONNECTOR DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. ON MARCH 15, 2012 ABS LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND STAYED ON FOR AN HOUR. TOOK IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED ON MARCH 17, CODE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. UPON INSPECTION EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD THE ABS LIGHT COME ON AGAIN. TWO DAYS LATER, ON MARCH 19, 2012 I HAD BEEN A

20120417FireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE WAS RECALLED IN MAY 2007 FOR ABS VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL. I TOOK IT IN THAT SAME MONTH AND THE DEALER DETERMINED MODULE CONNECTOR DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. ON MARCH 15, 2012 ABS LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON AND STAYED ON FOR AN HOUR. TOOK IT TO HAVE IT CHECKED ON MARCH 17, CODE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. UPON INSPECTION EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD THE ABS LIGHT COME ON AGAIN. TWO DAYS LATER, ON MARCH 19, 2012 I HAD BEEN A

20120308FireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE WHEN THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE AND DECLARED AS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTI LOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE ) IN WHICH THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED SI

Mileage: 100,000

20120113FireSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE WIRING. THE CONTACT COULD ALSO SMELL A BURNING ODOR FROM THE ENGINE WHEN DRIVING. THE BATTERY AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, BUT THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKE FLUID CAP REPLACED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS

Mileage: 82,000

20080708CrashSERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

BOUGHT MAZDA TRIBUTE 2003 FROM CARMAX ON 06/26/08. MOTHER WAS DRIVING TRUCK W/MY DAUGHTER (6), WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED AND COLLIDED W/VAN IN FRONT OF HER. TWO HRS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE LOCAL CARMAX. EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND ASKED WERE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THE TRUCK. THE LADY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID SHE DID NOT KNOW AND GAVE ME THE TOLL FREE NUMBER TO MAZDA. I CALLED FROM THEIR FACILITY AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE ABS MODULE. I EX

Mileage: 46,956

20080708CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

BOUGHT MAZDA TRIBUTE 2003 FROM CARMAX ON 06/26/08. MOTHER WAS DRIVING TRUCK W/MY DAUGHTER (6), WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED AND COLLIDED W/VAN IN FRONT OF HER. TWO HRS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE LOCAL CARMAX. EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND ASKED WERE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THE TRUCK. THE LADY IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID SHE DID NOT KNOW AND GAVE ME THE TOLL FREE NUMBER TO MAZDA. I CALLED FROM THEIR FACILITY AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE ABS MODULE. I EX

Mileage: 46,956

20080702CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I PURCHASED A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE ON JUNE 26, 2008. THE CAR WAS WRECKED TODAY 7/1/08. THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF A VAN IN FRONT OF US. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE AUTO DEALER, EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED ( I HAD A 5 DAY RETURN POLICY) I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO RETURN BECAUSE IT WAS WRECKED. THE DEALER ALSO SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY FACTORY RECALLS. THE DEALER GAVE ME THE TOLL FREE NUMBER TO CALL MAZDA. IT TURNS OUT THAT THERE

Mileage: 47,500

20080702CrashPARKING BRAKE

I PURCHASED A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE ON JUNE 26, 2008. THE CAR WAS WRECKED TODAY 7/1/08. THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF A VAN IN FRONT OF US. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE AUTO DEALER, EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED ( I HAD A 5 DAY RETURN POLICY) I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO RETURN BECAUSE IT WAS WRECKED. THE DEALER ALSO SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR ANY FACTORY RECALLS. THE DEALER GAVE ME THE TOLL FREE NUMBER TO CALL MAZDA. IT TURNS OUT THAT THERE

Mileage: 47,500

20070330FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 B

Mileage: 39,000

20070320FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

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, AND OWNER OF CAR RESPONDED TO SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. OWNER OPENED THE HOOD AND OBSERVED FIRE FROM THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS IMMEDIATELY CALLED.*A

Mileage: 71,000