Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Was driving on large blvd thru town at approx. 45+ mpg, the car all of a sudden quit accelerating, the wrench light came on, all power to car was essentially loss and it began convulsing abruptly as a I maneuvered it off the road to a safe stopping spot. I called aaa and had it towed to dealer. Dealer had the car for 3 days, could never find anything or get it to reproduce what I experienced, so I was charged the $120 diagnostic fee without it being fixed and sent home with my fingers crossed. The car behaved for awhile, but then it started doing it again on and off over the next 6 months. Because of the $120 fee for nothing I had been hesitant to go back until recently when I was on the freeway (a couple of times) and the car did the same thing! Luckily I was in the slow lane and could pull over quickly, turn off the car, count to 10 and then start it up again and go. …
First occurrence was while backing out of a parking spot and put the vehicle into drive. I accelerated and the car hesitated, chugged, the wrench light on dash illuminated with very slow forward momentum. Turned vehicle off and back on with no problem until the end of the parking row when I stopped for traffic, it chugged and wouldn't accelerate, wrench indicator on again. Turned vehicle off and coasted to a parking spot. Restarted a few minutes later with no problems for almost a week. Next time it happened I accelerated from a stop sign and only had crawling speed no matter what I did with the gas pedal. The wrench light was again on with the vehicle chugging and hesitating. Due to parked vehicles I had to drive almost the length of the block in this condition before having a place to pull over and move out of the long line of traffic I had created. …
AutoZone said that the part is called steering angle sensor and is locking up my car I am not able to press the gas as it only accelerates the engine and nothing else and the steering wheel lock I usually have my car turn on in the middle of traffic the part number they gave me is SU14859
Electronic throttle body failure. The SUV considers the throttle body to be closed. Its clean as a whistle and can be moved without any problems. Ford escapes have this problem and use the same part. Its covered under a warranty. This problem causes the car to go into limp mode and lose all power while traveling at any speed. Could be dangerous for me and my family.
I'm driving down the road and when trying to ride in 5th gear since its a manual transmission it keeps popping out of 5th gear every time I'm driving down highway no matter what I'm doing I go to put in 5th gear and it pops back out every time unless I hold the gear shift in place....I just had bought this vehicle t swartz auto sales in harrisonburg va and I brought it to their attention for which they're not wanting to help on this issue even though I have just gotten it literally last week n only have put maybe 250 miles and not only that the first day I bought it brought it up home washed it up I then realized that the tires are dry rotted which I have attached pictures it has an inspection sticker stating its good til March 18 not sure how these tires even passed inspection I took to my regular mechanic and he advised me that they shouldn't have been passed. …
While driving I stopped at a stop sing, when I went to take off the vehicle started rolling backwards. I stopped turned off the car. Then when I started it again and put it in reverse it went forwards. When I put it in drive it was in neutral, and natural was reverse. After turning it off again and restarting it all gear positions did not function and acted as if they were in neutral. Now every time I try to put it in a gear it May be the right gear and sometimes its not and some times it jumps to neutral out of no where. There is a recall on this exact issue, when I contacted Mazda I was informed that my car was not covered in the recall and there was nothing they would about it.
This involves my drivers side door that can no longer be opened by my remote..it all started after getting a new battery installed..all the other doors on my SUV open and lock with the remote. The drivers side door is the only door that I have to use my car key to open. There must be some defect. I've read that others who have Mazda tributes have the same problem after a new battery is installed.
2006 Mazda Tribute s 3.0l 6 cyl. 4x4 received the dreaded news a p0740 code along with 4 others all dealing with the transmissiono. Driving my car came to a red light and vehicle would then only go 30 miles an hour. Plus would not go in reverse anymore. P0740 deals with a torque converter clutch system malfunction, p0720 output shaft sensor circuit malfunction and some others dealing with a speed cable, etc.... Appears Mazda Tribute's have this know problem and Mazda is doing nothing about it. This needs to be investigated more and a recall issued by Mazda for all years on this vehicle. Maintenance would done on the transmission at the right intervals and this shouldn't have happen. Transmission fluid was check by the repair shop and they said nothing is wrong with the fluids. Notice Mazda issued a recall for this vehicle but only for 2000 - 2003 years I believe. …
Related recalls (2)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2008 Tribute vehicles manufactured February 9, 2007 to April 22, 2008. The affected vehicles have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission and if necessary tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda Tribute years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (69), 2002 (35), 2008 (25), 2003 (24) and 2005 (24) model years. Transmission complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Mazda Tribute transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 15V-677 (floor shift, Oct 19, 2015); 04V-175 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Apr 9, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mazda Tribute transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles; 46% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (86 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (23).
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.