Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
My wife was in the parking lot at church waiting for a car to pull away so she could park. The car started to roll forward so she stepped harder on the brake. The car lurched ahead crashing into the car in front of her. My wife is quite sure she had her foot on the brake. As she told me about this I started remembering an event. This car had belonged to my father who has since passed away. He purchased it new. I'm not exactly sure of the date, but I believe it was in the first year of ownership. He was parking at a hospital when all of a sudden the vehicle was taking off and pushing the car in front of him. I figured he was having a senior moment and had his foot on the wrong pedal. I did some quick research today and found that others have had this problem. Maybe my father was doing all the right things and it really was the cars fault. …
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. …
I was coming up to a stop light and as I slowed down my 03 Mazda Tribute stalled, leaving me stopped in the middle of 5 lanes. As the light was turning green & the cars nearing my rear, had to swerve around to avoid a collision. I had placed my shifter into park and was able to restart my vehicle, but it still would not move after shifting into d(drive). So I shifted into one of the lower gears, to slowly get off the street and into the nearest parking lot. I parked and shut my vehicle off, made sure all was intact then restarting my vehicle. I shifted into r(reverse) and backed up normally, I then shifted into d(drive) but my car only rolled as though it was in n(neutral). So I shifted into r(reverse), backed directly into my parking space and called my roadside assist. To be towed home.
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.
On 8-25-2006 my Tribute was towed to star Mazda of glendale. The PCM was recalled and needed to be repaired, but the battery and alternator where ruined. Roughly two weeks prior to today, these two items had been replaced at a cost of $900. These repairs where made by my mechanic without my authorization, while I was attempting to verify the warranty on the Tribute. Once the vehicle arrived at star Mazda, I was told I needed to authorize an eighty five dollar examination fee because the battery was now dead. An explanation indicated that this fee was applied because the battery was not a Mazda battery and had not been installed by a Mazda mechanic. An employee then proceeded to tell me that although my vehicle was under warranty, I was going to be charged $1,100 to replace both the battery and the alternator. …
On June 25, 2013 @ 11:00 am I called Mazda corporation (reference call number: [redacted]) about recalls associated with my Mazda Tribute 2003 and was told that the recalls were not assigned to the VIN number of my vehicle. The Mazda representative stated that only the seat beat adjustment has been assigned to my vehicle and that I do not qualify for the recall. Mazda will not honor the recall. I bought the Tribute in 2010 from a dealership; thus, was not aware of the recalls. I have been having a lot of problems with the vehicle and have spent a lot of money trying to fix it. I have a 13 and 14 year old girls and am a single parent. According to the recall, the vehicle is not safe. I cannot afford right now to purchase another vehicle. I am only asking Mazda to honor the recalls. …
Vehicle has stalled in major intersections on at least 10 occasions when removing foot from gas. Vehicle has been repaired by dealer on 4 occasions, replacing the iac valve with updated models on at least two separate occasions. NHTSA campaign id numbers: 04V583000 and/or 04V175000 have dealt with similar complaints. Mazda north America is now requiring me to do an "extensive test drive on public roads in vero beach, florida with their representative in order to duplicate my concern". I have informed Mazda north America by mail on two occasions and by telephone on four occasions that this vehicle is inherently dangerous and will cause injury to someone. I hold Mazda north America responsible for any such injuries. Rush d. Lawson. …
After sitting for 2 days in feburary of 2003, my 2001 Mazda Tribute has a hard start and extrame hesitation when driving. Later the engine light came on. I had the vehicle towed to Mazda dealership who said it was caused by busted spark plug. I oked a tune up. In March 2003 after sitting two days, the same problem occurred. I called the dealership and was told they found a callapsed hose. I have not allowed the vehicle to sit for 2 days again but did notice a slight hesitation off and on and it is now December 2003 and the problem has gotten worse. And like other complaints, it starts at elevation between 45-50 MPH. After 55 it's fine. It does this all the time. As of 1-2-04 I have a scheduled appointment to have it checked out. …
My 2003 Mazda Tribute just recently began losing power. Late last week I noticed it wasn't grabbing as it should shifting (automatic) between third and fourth gear. Took it took recommended repair show and they are indicating transmission rebuild is required. I just checked the fluid level last week and about two or three weeks prior and all was well there. Engine blew on same vehicle at 70K miles despite oil changes every 3000 miles. Repair shop estimate: $3500 for the following: filter, overdrive band, bushing kit, bearings, drive chain, torque converter, solenoid block, mlp switch, forward planetary gear, and fluid. I cannot believe a vehicle this age with less than 80,000 miles has lost an engine and transmission under normal wear and tear, when proper maintenance has been performed. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that when driving uphill or approaching a stop sign, the vehicle would stall. The vehicle had been to the dealer several times; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The dealer replaced the battery but to no avail. The contact was able to locate a recall, in which she believed to be directly related to the failure (NHTSA campaign id number 04V175000: power train: automatic transmission: control module TCM, PCM), however her VIN was not included. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage 82,000. Updated 11/03/10 the consumer also stated the vehicle would stall while backing up, and when it stalled, it couldn't be restarted. Updated 11/04/10
Related recalls
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.
Transmission complaints in other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Mazda Tribute, 12% of the model year's 199 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Mazda Tribute transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-175 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Apr 9, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Mazda Tribute transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.