Most common 2003 Mazda Tribute problems
Share of the 199 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda Tribute complaints by model year
Best Tribute years: 2011, 2000, 2009. Years to avoid: 2001, 2002, 2005, 2008. Compare all years →
2003 Mazda Tribute recalls (6)
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, Missouri, New Hampshire, New…
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.
Vehicle speed control › Cables
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Vehicle speed control › Cables
On certain sport utility vehicles, the accelerator cable May prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 6 possible defects involving the 2003 Mazda Tribute:
Engine compartment fire
In letters dated March 30, 2007, Ford motor company (Ford) and Mazda north American operations (Mazda) notified the agency that they will conduct recalls 07v-156 and 07v-157, respectively, to remedy a safety defect that May result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 Ford escape and Mazda tribute vehicles equipped with ABS.the recall campaign prescribes an inspection of the subject…
Stuck Throttle
In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6…
Engine compartment fire
In letters dated March 30, 2007, Ford and Mazda notified NHTSA that they will conduct safety recalls to remedy a safety defect that May result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 Ford escape and Mazda tribute sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS.recall 07v-156 involves approximately 446,450 my 2001-2004 escape vehicles manufactured from October 22, 1999 through January 23,…
Engine Compartment Fire
Ford and Mazda recalled model year (MY) 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape (07V-156) and Mazda Tribute (07V-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.Approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns.
Cruise Control Cable
On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in…
Engine compartment fire
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition dated March 5, 2009 alleging that the petitioner never received the recall remedy for 07v-156 and that, as a result, the petitioner's my2003 Ford escape caught fire at the ABS control module.in response to odi follow-up, the manufacturer verified that the petitioner's vehicle had in fact received service related to safety recall 07V156 - a fact…
What 2003 Mazda Tribute owners say
Air bags all 35 →
Every time I start my 2003 Mazda Tribute and every 30 minutes of operation thereafter, the car makes 5 sets of 5 beeps. An internet search told me that this is because of a malfunctioning instrument panel light to indicate that the airbags are also malfunctioning. A Mazda mechanic informed me that this is a chronic problem with my make and model vehicle. And even if I have the very expensive job done to replace the entire airbag system, the replacement parts don't work either. I have owned this vehicle for over 3 years and this has been going on almost the entire time. Mazda needs to provide a good working solution to this problem and soon.
Structure cross bracket for lower control arm. Accelerator cable.cruise control cable throttle body sticks even after the recalls the driver air bag does not work light on dash it's the plug at wire harness master cylinder leaks lose brake fluid engine stalled when on hwy105 was able to get it started again but while turning car started to rough idle and started to die again. Idled to a stop car was shaking and would run. Had to sit around 20 minutes before it would run and stay going. Car has been registered in minnesota and Canada both have recalls for this car.
Speed control & acceleration all 34 →
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. …
Takata recall, light continues to flash while driving and sitting in park, going down the highway or city streets.driving down the highway the car stopped pulling with traffic speed of 65 MPH had to maneuver off the highway. Wouldn't pull in any gear, shifter only had one gear it would sit in will slide from neutral to drive 2. Cost $224.00 to tow which I had to borrow.
Brakes all 32 →
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 to the vehicle. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control) but did not confirm if the vehicle was included in the recall. The failure mileage was 82,000 and the current mileage was 89,000.
Tl* the contact's son owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. While the contact's son was driving at an unknown speed, the ABS indicator illuminated. While the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to island Mazda (1580 hylan blvd, staten island, ny 10305 [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the ABS module's electrical wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 07V157000 (service brakes, hydraulic), but the dealer stated that the recall was closed on February 8, 2008. The manufacturer was notified at [phone], but the contact was unable to speak with a representative. The approximate failure mileage was 58,899.
2003 Mazda Tribute engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 23 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Mazda Tribute a good car?
Based on 199 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Tribute rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Tribute at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Mazda Tribute?
The air bags — 35 complaints, 18% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the speed control & acceleration (34) and brakes (32).
How many recalls does the 2003 Mazda Tribute have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2003 Mazda Tribute, the most recent from April 4, 2014 (frame and members). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda Tribute?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2000 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2008. See the full Mazda Tribute years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Mazda Tribute problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.