Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
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.
I purchased a 2003 Mazda Tribute on June 26, 2008. The car was wrecked today 7/1/08. The brakes failed to operate and ran into the back of a van in front of us. I took the vehicle back to the auto dealer, explained what happened ( I had a 5 day return policy) I was told the vehicle is no longer able to return because it was wrecked. The dealer also said that they were not liable for any factory recalls. The dealer gave me the toll free number to call Mazda. It turns out that there was a recall on ABS brakes for my vehicle and it was never brought in to be serviced. I'm thankful no one was hurt. I had driven 500 miles prior to the accident at speeds from 5-70mph. We could have been killed!!!!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in a residential garage when the contact heard an explosion. The contact then noticed that the vehicle was in flames and the fire department was contacted to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure and declared as destroyed. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 07V157000 (service brakes, hydraulic:anti lock:control unit/module ) in which the contact had experienced similar symptoms as that which was described in the recall but the vehicle was not included in the recall. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the brakes failed and the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was merged over to side of the road. The contact was aware that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V157000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 202,654.
Right front brake hose ruptured when pulling into a parking spot (parking lot), resulting in full loss of brakes. Inspection revealed excessive wear of both front brake hoses (from line to caliper), particularly in the region around the crimped metal fittings.
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.
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. …
Every time it rains really hard or there's flooding in the streets the car starts showing the battery light like it is going to die on me and as a precaution I try to pull out of the street to any place and while turning the steering wheel the car looses power and the wheels won't turn. Driving no more than 5mph while slowing down from a normal 35mph without warning my engine shut off and I lost power to my steering wheel and brakes. I was able to get the car to off the road after applying all my weight to the brakes and steering wheel. I missed an oncoming car and a tree by an inch. I decided to do some online research and it seems I am not the only one with this problem with a Mazda Tribute 2003. …
My 2003 Mazda Tribute was recalled in May 2007 for ABS voluntary safety recall. I took it in that same month and the dealer determined module connector did not need to be replaced. On March 15, 2012 ABS light came on for no reason and stayed on for an hour. Took it to have it checked on March 17, code could not be determined. Upon inspection everything looked fine. I was instructed to take it to the dealership should the ABS light come on again. Two days later, on March 19, 2012 I had been at work for an hour with my car parked when I was notified that my car was on fire. The car was totaled due to the fire. According to the recall of May 2007, an electrical short could cause an ABS malfunction which would illuminate the ABS light and could result in "burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. …
Related recalls
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.
NHTSA investigations
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…
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.
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…
Brake complaints in other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Mazda Tribute, 16% of the model year's 199 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Mazda Tribute brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-157 (control unit/module, Apr 10, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Mazda Tribute brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries to brakes 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.