Worst 2003 Mazda Tribute Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
STRUCTURE:BODY
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Mazda Tribute.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 30 | 2 | — | 95,945 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 23 | 3 | — | 101,085 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 18 | 2 | — | 120,340 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 16 | — | 1 | 58,596 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 12 | — | 2 | 71,504 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 12 | 2 | 3 | 76,500 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 11 | 1 | — | 102,951 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 10 | — | — | 49,728 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 10 | — | — | 163,271 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 8 | 1 | — | 136,096 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES | 8 | 1 | — | 78,901 mi | |
| STEERING | 7 | — | — | 108,838 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 7 | 1 | — | 45,132 mi | |
| ENGINE | 6 | 1 | 1 | 123,642 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 6 | — | — | 35,940 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 5 | 3 | — | 42,738 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 | — | — | 95,669 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) | 4 | — | — | 95,889 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 4 | — | — | 47,919 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 3 | 1 | 2 | 62,305 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3 | 1 | — | 119,000 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK | 3 | — | — | 143,519 mi | |
| PARKING BRAKE | 3 | 1 | — | 32,800 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | 3 | — | — | 150,774 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 3 | — | — | 48,117 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 3 | — | — | 138,000 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 3 | — | — | 121,000 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS | 3 | — | — | 129,427 mi | |
| TIRES | 3 | — | — | 34,426 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 2 | — | 2 | 54,081 mi |
Recalls for 2003 Mazda Tribute
3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~544,000 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
Other Mazda Tribute Years
Wider context: See the full Mazda Tribute reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Mazda Tribute
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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