Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Mazda Tribute owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
After finishing a road trip, we parked the car and the rpms began to move higher and higher. We put the vehicle in neutral, but the rpms began to drastically rise. The vehicle was then put into park and once again the RPM's continued to rise. We then turned the vehicle off and the problem stopped.
While driving 40 MPH vehicle accelerated. As a result, consumer's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. No injuries reported. Consumer stated two weeks later a recall for the accelerator pedal was issued.
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.
I have a 2003 Mazda Tribute. I received a recall notice in late February just before going on a business trip about an "accelerator cable" problem. Shortly after I returned frommy trip and before I could bring this vehicle to the dealer I experienced this problem while on the highway at 65 MPH !!!!!! It was icy and snowy and in traffic !!! The car would not slow down. I honked the horn, put on flashers and waived people out of my way, got to the side of the road, slammed on the brakes and when I got slow enough, threw it in park and pulled the key. Mazda roadside assistance towed the car, gave me a rental and fixed the problem, but I could have died! This was bad - really bad! I am so thankful that my wife was not driving the car !!!! I understand that since they sent a recall noptice out, they feel there is nothing more that could have been done, but I disagree !!! …
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced in November 2012 under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V357000 (speed control) however, prior to the repair, the contact had no issues with sudden acceleration. The contact was traveling at an unknown speed with the cruise control activated. The brakes were depressed and the cruise control activation light was turned off however, the vehicle did not decelerate. The contact mentioned that with the brakes still depressed, he was able to move into the emergency lane and stop the vehicle. The engine rpms continued to excessively fluctuate as if the contact was still driving and at rapid speeds. The contact powered the vehicle on and off several times before it would perform normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was told that the dealer could not duplicate the failure. …
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.
Related recalls
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
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…
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…
Acceleration complaints in other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2003 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2003 Mazda Tribute, 17% of the model year's 199 complaints. The component named most often is cables (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Mazda Tribute acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-357 (cables, Jul 27, 2012); NHTSA recall 04V-583 (cables, Dec 10, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Mazda Tribute acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.