2003 Mazda Tribute Complaint Log

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE WENT ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER OF ORANGE CA. THEY HAD CLAIMED TO MY FACE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA TRIBUTES LATELY. I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THAT THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING WITH MANY OF THE TRIBUTES NOT JUST MINE. WHY HAS MAZDA NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM IF THEY ARE AWARE OF IT? THEY CLAIMED THAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OF THE SEAT BELTS THAT CONNECTED TO THAT AIR BAG. THE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT LOCK IF WE WERE EVER IN A CRASH. IS THAT SAFE? DOES A DEATH NEED TO HAPPEN TO GET ATTENTION ABOUT THE PROBLEM? BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, I PAID 486.00 OUT OF MY POCKET TO FIX A DEFECT THAT WAS NOT CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. AFTER THE REPAIR THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT GET THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO TURN OFF. I ASKED IF THERE MAY BE A BIGGER PROBLEM THAT WAS OVERLOOKED. THEY SAID NO THE AIR BAG LIGHT STILL PERIODICALLY TURNS ON AND OFF. IF I OR ANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS GETS INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS SAFETY NEGLIGENCE ISSUE, I WILL SUE MAZDA. THIS SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM INJURY.

VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING ON OCCASIONS WHEN I STOP AT LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. IT RESTARTS EACH TIME. II TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER. LEFT IT THERE 3-4 DAYS AND THE DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHAT IS WRONG OR FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE WENT ON. I ASKED THE LOCAL MECHANIC SEE WHY DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. HE SAYS MAZDA HAS A "TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN" OUT FOR WIRING REPAIRS UNDER THE SEAT. HE SAYS THEY KNOW THEY HAVE THIS WIRING PROBLEM. SINCE MY CAR HAS 100,000 MILES MAZDA SAYS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WON'T COVER IT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS THEIR WIRING ISSUE. THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $700 TO FIX THEIR WIRING PROBLEM WHICH IS VERY WRONG. *TR

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 RIDING IN MY CAR. OR WORSE - LURCHING INTO THE GARAGE AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY HOME. OR LURCHING IN A PARKING LOT AND HITTING A PEDESTRIAN/CHILD. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS IN SEVERAL AUTO FORUMS AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH FAR MORE CONSUMERS THAN MAZDA IS WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. IF TOYOTA CAN ADDRESS A STICKY ACCELERATOR PROBLEM, WHY CAN'T MAZDA DO THE SAME? OUR LIVES, AS WELL AS INNOCENT BYSTANDERS, ARE IN DANGER! *TR

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 COMPLAINED. I ALSO FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. WHILE THE LIGHT IS ON OR BURNED OUT ACCORDING TO MECHANICS I HAVE TALKED TO THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A ACCIDENT. *TR

RETAINING CLIP CAME OFF OF THE PIN THAT HOLDS THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR IN THE HINGE, CAUSING THE DOOR TO FALL. THE PIN IS INSERTED FROM THE BOTTOM UP RATHER THAN FROM THE TOP DOWN SO WHEN THE CLIP CAME OFF, THE PIN FELL OUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V157000 AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR OVER FOUR DAYS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE AND WOULD ARRIVE THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE A RENTAL VEHICLE BECAUSE HER WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE DEALER REMOVED THE ABS WIRING HARNESS, BUT COULD NOT INSTALL IT BACK INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 86,000.

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

MAZDA 2003 TRIBUTE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS BEEN STICKING OFF AND ON SINCE MARCH 2009. WHEN THE CAR IS GOING ON HIGH SPEEDS, IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. HAVE TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF. TOOK TO MECHANIC, UNHOOKED CRUISE AND NEW ACCELERATOR CABLE IN 2009. NO CHANGES. TRADED CAR IN FOR A HONDA IN JANUARY, 2010. MAZDA WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. *TR

MAZDA TRIBUTE, 2003. AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ILLUMINATED. MAZDA REPAIRED IT 5 TIMES AND STILL IT IS LIT. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY SHOULD I BE IN AN ACCIDENT. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, IT HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND UP TO NOW IT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY $400 TO FIX SOMETHING THEY CAN'T FIX ANYWAY. I FEEL A DEFECT TREND EXISTS WITH THEIR AIRBAGS FROM ALL THAT I'VE READ. IF CARS ARE MANDATED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO HAVE FUNCTIONING AIRBAGS THEN WHY IS MAZDA NOT BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECTS IN THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEM? *TR

VEHICLE IS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE, WHICH HAD A RECALL 04V583000 FOR VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLES. WAS TOLD THIS RECALL WAS FIXED ON 8/11/2005. THIS VEHICLE HAS HORRIBLE ISSUES WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, IT WILL NOT SLOW DOWN, THE ACCELERATOR IS STUCK WIDE OPEN AND BRAKING WILL NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THESE INCIDENTS HAPPEN AT LEAST THREE TIMES A WEEK, AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS (25 MPH-55MPH), IT CAN SUDDENLY BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD UP TO 85 AND 90 MPH. HAPPENS BOTH IN RURAL AND CITY DRIVING. WAS TOLD BY MAZDA DEALER RECALL IS CLOSED AND WILL NOT CONSIDER THIS AS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. THERE WERE TWO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS ISSUE, AND I FEEL THIS ISSUE IS STILL RELATED TO THE SAME PROBLEM. THE INCIDENT IS ONGOING AND HAS BEEN SINCE FEBRUARY, 2009. *TR

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 THE RING. AND THAT THERE KNOWN FOR BRAKING. IT DOES EFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKES. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE SHAFT YET STILL LOOKING FOR THE RING. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE LX. MY AIRBAG DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG LIGHT IS COMING ON. SOMETIMES IT STAYS ON OTHER TIMES IT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY. MY MAZDA WARRANTY RAN OUT AND I AM TOLD THAT IT WILL COST TO GET THE DIAGNOSIS AND TO HAVE REPAIRED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT COST. I BOUGHT THE MAZDA ON 2006 SO ITS ONLY 2 YEARS THAT I HAVE THE TRUCK. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE LX. MY AIRBAG DRIVERSIDE AIRBAG LIGHT IS COMING ON. SOMETIMES IT STAYS ON OTHER TIMES IT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY. MY MAZDA WARRANTY RAN OUT THIS PAST MAY AND I AM TOLD THAT IT WILL COST TO GET THE DIAGNOSIS AND TO HAVE REPAIRED. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND I AM SINGLE WITH A FIXED INCOME. ARE OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR MAZDA? HELP! *TR

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

I HAVE A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE DX WITH A 4CYLINDER ENGINE AND A 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION. THE ENGINE WILL SURGE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS NOT PRESSED ADDITIONALLY THE ENGINE SURGES WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PRESSED. AFTER CLEANING THE THROTTLE BODY THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINED. FURTHER TROUBLESHOOTING REVEALED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE STICKS. WHILE SEARCHING FOR AN ACCELERATOR CABLE ONLINE I FOUND A RECALL HERE BUT APPARENTLY IT DOES NOT APPLY TO THE 4 CYLINDER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTI LOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). HE WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE ABS. THE MODULAR CONNECTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT LOST CONNECTION WITH THE COMPUTER AND LOCKED THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-45 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FROZE AND SLOWED DOWN THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC REPAIRED THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SPIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO INQUIRE ABOUT A RECALL, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROCESS A REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE HE DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 12/30/08.*LJ UPDATED 01/05/09.*JB

THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES WITHIN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE LAST TIME WAS ON JULY 10, 2008 AT CLIPPINGER MAZDA F, 2539 EAST GARVEY AVENUE NORTH, WEST COVINA, CA 91791. YESTERDAY, JULY 21, THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY ON. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY BECAUSE THE BAG COULD DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY, OR IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. I AM DRIVING A CAR THAT FEELS LIKE HAVING A HAND GRENADE WITH THE PIN PULLED. *TR

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 WAS A RECALL ON ABS BRAKES FOR MY VEHICLE AND IT WAS NEVER BROUGHT IN TO BE SERVICED. I'M THANKFUL NO ONE WAS HURT. I HAD DRIVEN 500 MILES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AT SPEEDS FROM 5-70MPH. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!!!!!! *TR

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 EXPLAINED THAT TO THE SERVICE PERSON. THE MANAGER CAME OUT TO SPEAK WITH ME AND SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. BECAUSE I HAD GEICO INSURANCE, THE MANAGER SAID THAT THERE WAS AN ADJUSTER ACROSS THE STREET FROM THEIR BLDG. BY THIS TIME IT WAS 17:45. I RENTED A VEHICLE TO GET MY FAMILY HOME AND CALLED THE CARMAX THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM. I SPOKE WITH LAURIE DOOLITTLE, THE MANAGER OF CARMAX IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA, SHE ADVISED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THAT SHE COULD DO BUT SHE WOULD CHECK WITH SOMEONE HIGHER THAN HER. SHE CALLED ME BACK AROUND 1805 AND SAID THAT IT IS UNFORTUNATE WHAT HAPPENED, HOWEVER "THE ABS MODULE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BEING DRIVABLE". I WAS IN SHOCK. ME AND MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! WE ONLY HAD THE TRUCK 5 DAYS! I CALLED THAT MORNING BEFORE ACCIDENT TO GET A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH LOWER MILES AND LOWER PRICE TRANSFERRED IN TO THE CARMAX IN CHARLOTTESVILLE! AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO CARMAX'S CUSTOMER SVC (HEADQRTR) REPEATEDLY HEARING THAT I WAS AT FAULT FOR THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE I DID NOT REGISTER THE VEHICLE WITH MAZDA. WENT TO CHVILLE CARMAX TO SPEAK W/LAURIE DOOLITTLE IN PERSON. I ASKED HER TO REBUY THE CAR. LAURIE SAID NO. I HAD AN APPLICATION FROM CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND STARTED TO FILL IN THE BLANKS AND NOTED THE TIME AND DATE OF THE REQUEST TO REBUY THE CAR DUE TO THE RECALLS THAT WERE ON MY VIN. (07/07/08 TIME 17:05) TODAY 07/08/08, GEICO STILL WORKING ON IT! *TR

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.

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

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.

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

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

(1) AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE DASHBOARD DURING RETURN TRIP HOME FROM FAMILY GATHERING. (2) TROUBLE CODES IDENTIFIED AT MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED: B1994 DRIVER-SIDE SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CIRCUIT RESISTANCE HIGH B1998 PASSENGER-SIDE SIDE AIR BAG MODULE CIRCUIT RESISTANCE HIGH INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THAT AIRBAGS MAY DEPLOY AT ANY TIME OR MAY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF A COLLISION. REPAIRS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIRBAG FUNCTION. (3) AS PER TSB 0800205 AND SERVICE KIT 1L84-14293-AA PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY DEALERSHIP TECHNICIAN AND AIRBAG LIGHT NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. CHARGE $338.37 PARTS AND LABOR. MAZDA AND IT'S DEALERSHIPS HAVE PROFITED BY REPAIRING, WITH MAZDA CERTIFIED PARTS, A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD ENDANGER THE LIVES AND SAFETY OF MAZDA OWNERS AND THEIR PASSENGERS IF NOT ADDRESSED. THERE IS A TSB AND SERVICE KIT DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THIS INDICATES MAZDA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IS PREPARED TO REPAIR IT AT THE COST OF IT'S CUSTOMERS. WHEN BUYING A PRODUCT (A VEHICLE ESPECIALLY) SAFETY IS ASSUMED. WHEN THERE IS A KNOWN SAFETY HAZARD CAUSED BY THE PRODUCT, DUE TO MALFUNCTION OR NEGLIGENCE, IT IS THE MANUFACTURER'S TO CORRECT THE HAZARD. NOT THE CUSTOMER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD VIBRATING SOUND AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DRIVESHAFT WILL SPIT IN HALF. THE FINAL ASSESSMENT WAS THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

WHENEVER I DRIVE MY VEHICLE FOR ANY EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME IT SMELLS AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS BURNING WHEN I STOP. THE SMELL SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM AROUND THE FRONT WHEELS. THE SMELL IS ESPECIALLY STRONG ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE EARLIER ON THIS YEAR FOR A FAULTY BRAKE/ABS SWITCH. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO A LOCAL MAZDA DEALER WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE HENCE THEY REPLACED NOTHING. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT AS THERE MIGHT BE OTHERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE AIR BAGS BECAUSE THE INDICATOR LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE BELIEVES THIS FAILURE IS SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE STATED IN THE RECALL. THE MAZDA DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER MUST ISSUE THE RECALL. MAZDA WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL UNLESS THEY ARE PRESSURED TO DO SO BY NHTSA. THE CONTACT HAS TO PAY $375 FOR THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS. WHEN THE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY DUE TO THE FAILED CONNECTION. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.

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

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.*AK

MAZDA TRIBUTE 2003 ONLY 30,300. MILES TOOK IN FOR GENERAL SERVICE TO BE INFORMED MY BRAKES & ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT ONCE COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE. ROTORS HAD UNUSUAL WEAR PATTERN & PADS WERE WORN SMOOTH. I UNDERSTAND THE TWO MATERIALS ARE NOT WORKING TOGETHER AND PADS ARE HARDER THAN ROTOR MATERIAL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE OR FIRE. *JB

ON FEBURARY 5,2007 THE TRANSMISSION IN MY MAZDA TRIBUTE WENT. I HAVE ONLY 61,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME AND HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 11/2002. THE REASON FOR MY FILING THE COMPLIANT IS THE RECALL SHOWN IN DATA REGARDING THE TRIBUTE TRANSMISSION. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT MY OWN COST. I WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THIS RECALL BY MAZDA.*AK

JUST BOUGHT A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE FROM TOYOTA OF NICHOLASVILLE 3 WEEKS AGO. WENT OUT TO THE GARAGE TO START IT THIS MORNING AND THE THING CAUGHT FIRE. PUT IT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE AIR FILTER AREA IS BURNED AND MELTED. MY WIFE NO LONGER FEELS SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE(ISN'T REPAIRED YET), WITH OUR YOUNG CHILD STRAPPED IN THE CAR SEAT. I SUSTAINED SMALL BURNS TO MY HANDS PUTTING THE FIRE OUT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR HATCH, THE LIFT GATE WAS DIFFICULT TO LOCK INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THE LIFT GATE LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V605000, REGARDING THE LIFT GATE LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ONLY OCCUR IN COLD TEMPERATURES AND WHEN THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND. IN ADDITION, THE ALTERNATOR HAD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BY THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE AND EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS TO 4000. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V583000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CABLES) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE) BUT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 175,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE ES (AWD & 4WD) WITH 100,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY FORWARD GEAR. ONLY REVERSE WAS FUNCTIONAL AND APPARENTLY NOT AFFECTED BY FAILURE. HAD SUV HAULED ON FLAT-BED TO DEALER WHO INITIALLY INDICATED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE LINKAGE, BUT THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO SHIFT INTO ANY FORWARD GEAR EITHER (ONLY REVERSE). UPON FURTHER INSPECTION DEALER INDICATED TRANSMISSION WAS BLOWN, REQUIRING A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT, COSTING ALMOST $4K. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A HUMMING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE FOR TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT BEARINGS.

ON 8-25-2006 MY TRIBUTE WAS TOWED TO STAR MAZDA OF GLENDALE. THE PCM WAS RECALLED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED, BUT THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WHERE RUINED. ROUGHLY TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO TODAY, THESE TWO ITEMS HAD BEEN REPLACED AT A COST OF $900. THESE REPAIRS WHERE MADE BY MY MECHANIC WITHOUT MY AUTHORIZATION, WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO VERIFY THE WARRANTY ON THE TRIBUTE. ONCE THE VEHICLE ARRIVED AT STAR MAZDA, I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO AUTHORIZE AN EIGHTY FIVE DOLLAR EXAMINATION FEE BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS NOW DEAD. AN EXPLANATION INDICATED THAT THIS FEE WAS APPLIED BECAUSE THE BATTERY WAS NOT A MAZDA BATTERY AND HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED BY A MAZDA MECHANIC. AN EMPLOYEE THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, I WAS GOING TO BE CHARGED $1,100 TO REPLACE BOTH THE BATTERY AND THE ALTERNATOR. ON TOP OF THAT I WAS TOLD THAT THE PCM WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNTIL THE NON-MAZDA PRODUCTS WERE REMOVED AND REPLACED. FOLLOWING THAT LAST BIT OF NEWS, I WAS INFORMED THAT I WAS NOT ENTITLED TO A RENTAL. I AM OUTRAGED OVER THE FACT THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY WEST COVINA MAZDA OF THESE RECALLS! THEY ARE CLEARLY SERIOUS DEFECTS AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE FAULTY PCM DESTROYED A BRAND NEW ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS. *JB

AT 38,800 MILES, I HAD TO REPLACE MY BRAKES PAD AND ROTORS, NOW AT 49,785 I WILL NEED TO REPLACED MY ROTORS AGAIN. I BELIEVE THESE ROTORS ARE DEFECTED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. *JB

I HAVE HAD MY FRONT BRAKES REPLACED 3 TIMES AND ROTORS ONCE IN 50K MILES. IT STARTED AROUND 15K MILES WITH LOAD RUBBING NOISE WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. *JB

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

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

2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE 2WD V6 - BRAKES WORN AND AND ROTERS WORN AND RIPPLED BEYOND REPAIR AT 30,000 MILES. PER DEALER REP, THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON MANY MAZDA TRIBUTES. DEALER REP STATED IF NOT REPLACED, HIGH POTENTIAL FOR BRAKES HEATING AND CAUSING FIRE. VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ABOUT 60% CITY DRIVING AND ABOUT 40% HIGHWAY DRIVING. *NM

MY CAR HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AT AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF 36 MPH AND THE FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN. *JB

2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE RAN HEAD ON INTO A TELEPHONE POLL AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED, IF THE ACCELERATOR IS GENTLY APPLIED THE PEDAL PULLED DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. WITH THE ACCELERATION SUBDUED, THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND ON, BUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL REMAINED ON THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER, BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A SECONDARY DEALER. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AS WELL, THE DEALER REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN TO DETERMINE IF THIS REPAIR REMEDIED THE PROBLEM.

DURING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE VISIT, I REQUESTED THAT THE FRONT DISC BRAKES BE INSPECTED AND SERVICED IF DEEMED NECESSARY ON THIS VEHICLE. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME WAS 38,400 AND THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS BY THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH IT WAS PURCHASED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR CALLED ME TO INFORM ME THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WORN AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED TO ENSURE THE VEHICLE REMAINED SAFE TO OPERATE. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS ALONE. WHEN I RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE (WITHOUT THE BRAKES BEING SERVICED), I INSPECTED THE ROTORS TO FIND A VERY UNUSUAL WEAR PATTERN ON THE ROTORS. THE PADS (WHICH HAD SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES LEFT TO GO) HAD "CUT" A PERFECTLY SMOOTH/FLAT GROOVE INTO THE ROTOR SURFACES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WIDTH OF THE PAD SURFACE - LEAVING A RAISED EDGE ON THE INNER AND OUTER EDGES OF BOTH SIDES OF THE ROTORS ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. IT APPEARS THAT THE BRAKE PAD MATERIAL IS HARDER THAN THE ROTOR MATERIAL AND THE WEAR ON THE ROTOR WAS EQUIVALENT TO THE WEAR OF THE PADS. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HOME AT 25 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE ENGAGED AND THE KEYS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE ENGINE REVVED TO THE MAXIMUM RPMS. AFTER FIVE MINUTES THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND IT OPERATED NORMALLY. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME IT WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR STARTED THE VEHICLE HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE REVVING TO THE MAXIMUM RPMS. AT THE DEALERSHIP THE MECHANIC ALSO OBSERVED THE ENGINE REVVING AT THE HIGHEST RPMS. THIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V583000 CONCERNING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN MARCH 2005. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT RECALL REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. *AK

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE LX AWD - PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM ROTO MAZDA OF ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL. ALL SERVICES LIKE REGULAR OIL CHANGES WERE DONE WITHIN THE RECOMMENDED TIME. COMPLAINT: THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT ANY WARNING. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FEW TIMES WHILE IT WAS IN WARRANTY (LESS THAN 36000 MILES). THE DEALER ASSURED THAT THE SAFETY RECALL FOR MAZDA TRIBUTE IS ALREADY IN PLACE. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE SUV. THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN YESTERDAY WHILE I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY (ON REVERSE) IT CAME TO A STOP AND DIED.(THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN LAST SIX MONTHS) I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR. IT STARTS IMMEDIATELY. IT STALLED TODAY. I WAS WAITING AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, I STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND IT DIED. (THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES IN LAST SIX MONTHS) I AM AFRAID THAT ONE OF THESE DAYS I AM GOING TO GET REAR ENDED. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY THING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. DO I HAVE A LEMON? DID YOU RECEIVE SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ? MY CAR HAS 36300 MILES NOW AND OTHERWISE EXCELLENT CONDITION. THANK YOU.*JB