Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel veered to the right causing the vehicle to crash into a curb. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side subframe fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V174000 (structure) but the remedy failed to prevent the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,800. Ma 10/25/15
While driving my 2003 Mazda Tribute I heard a few strange sounds. Several times the car suddenly pulled to the right. There was also a sound of something rubbing that got faster and faster as I accelerated. Then when the car pulled suddenly to the right my son and I heard a loud sound. Fortunately, I was fairly close to our mechanic so I slowly drove the car there. Upon inspection the mechanic found the sub frame of my 2003 Mazda Tribute was completely corroded and is now deemed unsafe to drive. The cost to repair it was estimated at $5,000.00 plus. The car has approximately 95,000 miles on it and has been otherwise a trouble-free vehicle that was routinely maintained. I am very fortunate that my son and I were not injured in an accident caused by the sudden veering of the car ' or by the front end frame completely collapsing from beneath us as we were driving. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. While driving approximately 20 MPH, a loud booming noise suddenly came from the front of the vehicle and the vehicle abruptly stopped. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the front passenger side suspension was severely damaged due to rust and corrosion of the subframe. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V174000 (suspension). The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 35,000.
I had a noise begin all of the sudden on the rear right side. Thought it was the muffler or shock and I was correct. Took it to a Mazda dealership and they said the body rusted through at the strut tower contact and the shock/strut was completely unattached. It started while I was on the highway. This becomes a dangerous situation and they say they can't do anything about it. This is a manufacturer issue and I attempted to have it fixed. This should be addressed on all these vehicles. I was told I need to go and try to find a body shop see if they can fix this. I find this unacceptable from the manufacturer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for brake service. The mechanic noticed that the front passenger side subframe corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The contact also stated that the vehicle was previously serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V174000 (structure); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 87,402. Updated 11/06/17 the vehicle was repaired. Updated 09/05/17
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while traveling 20 MPH, the rear of the vehicle was crashed into by another vehicle. Upon impact, the hatch opened inadvertently. The contact sustained neck and back injuries. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V605000 (latches/locks/linkages). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per a recall pertaining to the subframe. While driving, the frame fractured on the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that they were required to perform the recall repair one time. The NHTSA campaign number was not provided. The failure mileage was 130,000. Updated 07/12/17
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. While driving approximately 25 MPH over a bump, a loud noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was noticed that the front subframe exhibited excessive rust and corrosion. In addition, the front passenger side wheel was partially detached from the vehicle due to rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,000.
Related recalls
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.
Body complaints in other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2003 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the body & structure of the 2003 Mazda Tribute, 15% of the model year's 199 complaints. The component named most often is body (18 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Mazda Tribute body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-174 (frame and members, Apr 4, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Mazda Tribute body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to body & structure 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.