2004 Mazda Tribute Acceleration Problems

Which parts fail

• Cables
  7
• Accelerator pedal
  3

Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  311%
• 25k–50k
  00%
• 50k–75k
  622%
• 75k–100k
  726%
• 100k–150k
  726%
• 150k+
  415%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Mazda Tribute owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would accelerate unintendedly, and the brakes would fail during the unintended acceleration. The ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the code reader was not able to read any codes. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the accelerator and brakes were repaired years prior and would not cover the cost for repair. The failure mileage was 189,000.

I am submitting this formal complaint regarding a potential recall failure involving a 2005 Mazda Tribute driven by my fianc , [redacted], who died following a crash on [redacted]. Mazda has opened Case #[redacted] in response to my inquiry, and I am requesting federal oversight of this investigation. Joey's vehicle may have been affected by NHTSA Recall 12V357000, which addresses throttle body malfunction and unintended acceleration. Service records show that a dealership performed a recall service, but the parts used may have been ineffective or incomplete. The crash sequence-rear-ending a stopped vehicle followed by veering into oncoming traffic-matches known symptoms of this defect. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. After the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V174000 (structure), the technician stated that there was excessive rust on the undercarriage. As a result, the undercarriage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while pulling into the garage at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed into the garage and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained bruising that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V357000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). …

I was slowing down to stop behind another car at a red light and my car slowed down but did not fully stop. I barely bumped the car in front of me at probably less than 5 miles per hour but my air bags went off. There was no damage to my car other than the air bags exploding and my insurance company wants to total my car because of the air bags exploding. I have second degree burns and a cut from the air bag.

Already reported.....this is additional info poor mechanic service had car for month no rental vehicle:2004 trb lx xa safety recall(s) found: 4 special service program (ssp) recall(s) found: 0 last updated: March 11, 2015 Mazda recall #: 6812g NHTSA recall #: 12V357000 recall date recall description repair description recall status 07/26/12 Tribute 3.0l engine cover modification. There May be inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control (sometimes known as cruise control) cable, which could allow the engine to be stuck at full power when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. Safety risk: a throttle that is stuck fully or almost fully open May result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury, or death. …

Tl contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle accelerated over the 55 MPH speed limit and would not stop. The contact depressed the brake pedal, applied the emergency brake, and downshifted the gear, but the vehicle would not stop. She exited off the nearest ramp, turned the vehicle towards an embankment, and then jumped out of the vehicle. The contact sustained head, neck, and back injuries. The vehicle rolled over, struck a tree, and then finally came to a stop. The contact was the only occupant in the vehicle at the time. The police filed a report and the insurance company stated that the vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 03/29/10

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle accelerated even when the brake pedal was depressed numerous times. In order to reduce speed, the gear lever was shifted into the neutral position. The engine revved, but not rapidly. The vehicle resumed normal operation. In 2015, the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 04V583000 (vehicle speed control); however, the failure recurred. The contact mentioned that the remedy was insufficient and failed to correct the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving 10 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle lost power without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and parked the vehicle in a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Tl contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. When she applied pressure to the accelerator pedal it stuck to the floor which caused her to crash into a building. She sustained severe bruising to her body, a broken leg and a foot. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.

In August of 2012 the vehicle started randomly accelerating on its own. Sometimes when coming to a stop in a parking lot it would surge aggressively. Sometimes when stopped at an intersection it would suddenly surge. Took vehicle to dealer for recall in August 2012. Part needed to be ordered. Dealer disconnected cruise control cable and said vehicle would be safe until part could be replaced. Part was not installed yet but cable remains disconnected. Today the vehicle starting behaving like described above. But this time it would not decelerate no matter what you did. My wife was able to control the vehicle enough with the brakes to park it. When I went to inspect the vehicle tonight where it was left it idles at over 3000 RPM as soon as you start it and it will not idle down no matter what. …

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Acceleration complaints in other Tribute years