Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2003 Mazda Tribute, assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its VIN to decode that exact car, its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment, alongside these records.
Open a VIN recordRecalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Mazda Tribute year.
No EPA fuel-economy match for this model. Naming may differ, or it predates EPA records.
NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this make, model and year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car. A dealer can confirm from the VIN.
Issue: 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.
Risk: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 14V174000
Issue: 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 incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Campaign 15E045000
Issue: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 12V357000
Issue: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 07V157000
Issue: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
Risk: AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION #4.
Campaign 04V583000
Issue: 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 FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Campaign 07E023000
Issue: 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.
Risk: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 04V605000
Issue: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 DURATEC ENGINES , DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
Risk: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 04V175000
6 open NHTSA investigations into this model. Investigations come before recalls, so these are potential defects not yet covered by one.
Rated configuration: 2003 Mazda Tribute 4-DR.
The parts named most often across 200 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this make, model and year.
4 crashes · 3 injured
2 crashes · 2 injured
4 crashes · 3 injured
1 fire
2 fires
2 fires
1 crash · 3 injured
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so read this as where to look rather than as a defect rate.
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)
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.
The sensor does not send the speed to the speedometer
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.
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
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.
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.
I WAS COMING UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND AS I SLOWED DOWN MY 03 MAZDA TRIBUTE STALLED, LEAVING ME STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF 5 LANES. AS THE LIGHT WAS TURNING GREEN & THE CARS NEARING MY REAR, HAD TO SWERVE AROUND TO AVOID A COLLISION. I HAD PLACED MY SHIFTER INTO PARK AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART MY VEHICLE, BUT IT STILL WOULD NOT MOVE AFTER SHIFTING INTO D(DRIVE). SO I SHIFTED INTO ONE OF THE LOWER GEARS, TO SLOWLY GET OFF THE STREET AND INTO THE NEAREST PARKING LOT. I PARKED AND SHUT MY VEHICLE OFF, MADE SURE ALL WAS INTACT THEN RESTARTING MY VEHICLE. I SHIFTED INTO R(REVERSE) AND BACKED UP NORMALLY, I THEN SHIFTED INTO D(DRIVE) BUT MY CAR ONLY ROLLED AS THOUGH IT WAS IN N(NEUTRAL). SO I SHIFTED INTO R(REVERSE), BACKED DIRECTLY INTO MY PARKING SPACE AND CALLED MY ROADSIDE ASSIST. TO BE TOWED HOME.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING EXCESSIVELY TO THE RIGHT AND MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER AND ENGINE CRADLE WERE CORRODED THROUGH. ALSO, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MOUNT WAS DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12237710780. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT WANTED TO KNOW WHY THE MANUFACTURER AND NHTSA DID NOT INCLUDE HIS STATE IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000. *TR*JB
NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FRONT END ISSUES FOR SOME TIME NOW.
Showing 12 of 200 complaints.