Model year record

2003 Mazda Tribute

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 267 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V174000

Structure: frame and members

Component: Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
Vehicles affected: 109,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2014-04-04
Owners notified: 2014-05-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V357000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component: Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer: MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS
Vehicles affected: 217,500
Reported to NHTSA: 2012-07-27
Owners notified: 2012-09-13

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V157000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer: MAZDA MOTOR CORP
Vehicles affected: 95,300
Reported to NHTSA: 2007-04-10
Owners notified: 2007-05-09

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V605000

Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock

Component: Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock
Manufacturer: MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS
Vehicles affected: 49,800
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-12-23
Owners notified: 2005-03-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V583000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component: Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer: MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS
Vehicles affected: 121,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-12-10
Owners notified: 2005-01-28

Defect description

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

Safety risk

AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V175000

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Component: Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Manufacturer: MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS
Vehicles affected: 106,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-04-09
Owners notified: 2004-05-03

Defect description

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

Safety risk

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Air bags	30	89,286 mi
Vehicle speed control	23	94,500 mi
Structure: body	18	95,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	16	39,000 mi
Electrical system	12	98,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	12	82,000 mi
Suspension	11	101,682 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	10	55,913 mi
Service brakes	10	175,900 mi
Power train	8	140,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables	8	58,000 mi
Steering	7	101,682 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	7	20,000 mi
Engine	6	112,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	6	17,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	5	42,000 mi
Unknown or other	5	107,500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	4	104,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	4	32,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	4	48,400 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	3	37,162 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock	3	97,000 mi
Parking brake	3	29,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	3	40,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	3	48,400 mi
Structure	3	138,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	3	112,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	3	142,500 mi
Tires	3	15,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	2	37,162 mi
Equipment	2	29,900 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	2	7,850 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	2	58,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	1	64,755 mi
Electrical system: ignition	1	10,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	1	117,685 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	1	567 mi
Fuel system, other	1	—
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system	1	50,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter	1	87,000 mi
Power train: driveline	1	80,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft	1	567 mi
Power train: manual transmission	1	—
Seat belts	1	90,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust	1	30 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner	1	19,000 mi
Service brakes, electric	1	46,956 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	1	261,550 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device	1	—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	1	117,685 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate	1	—
Structure: body: hood	1	—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	1	98,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	70,495 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber	1	20,000 mi
Tires: sidewall	1	22,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	1	261,548 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages	1	261,548 mi
Wheels	1	166,000 mi

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.