10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,515 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Mazda Tribute suspension problems

suspension problem

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2003 Mazda Tribute Owner Comments

problem #11

May 152010

Tribute

  • 179,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Nothing happened. I have been experiencing front end issues for some time now.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #10

Oct 052018

Tribute

  • miles
Help please? I purchased my 2003 Mazda Tribute in October, 2016. I recently needed repairs done (new muffler system was installed) but was told my lower control arm assemblies couldn't be replaced because of the huge crack in the sub-frame. The recall on the sub-frame was done in July, 2014 (before my purchase) ' by installing a cross-brace. When Mazda made the recall, owners were informed that the parts to repair the suspension problem were not yet available' and a second letter would be mailed once parts were available. A 'newly designed' reinforcement cross-brace was the fix"... or just a band-aid that delayed the inevitable"... because even with the cross-brace installed, my problem is still here ' my subframe is severely cracked and not safe' it could snap suddenly from something as simple as hitting a pothole. I am attaching pictures to this E-mail of the subframe showing where it is rusted through. You can see how wide that crack is... you can see where the reinforcement cross-brace fix is attached... and why the control arm assembly cannot be replaced. If the pictures aren't acceptable, I would be happy to have the Mazda dealership here in wooster (330) 804-1000 verify my claim. I am 72 and only get $700 a month ss ' which I am barely getting by on. I had to save to get the new muffler and control arms so a mechanic friend could install them. I really need Mazda to cover this expensive repair' and I have asked Mazda for an exception (or extension) to the recall that was done on my car. I contacted Mazda in an email on 10/5/18' and received a reply back the 'same' day assigning me an sr number: 1-1768908199' but I haven't heard from them again. Is there any way your Agency can assist me here"... maybe they'll respond to you" thank you for your time and any efforts on my behalf. (xx) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Wooster, OH, USA

problem #9

Jul 012017

Tribute

  • miles
Airbags sign active

- Oakley, CA, USA

problem #8

Nov 012017

Tribute

  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 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. Mazda issued a recall for this issue (7514D) in may of 2014. The NHTSA campaign no. Is 14V174000. I entered the VIN no. For my car at safer car.gov and it shows 0 recalls. (we were issued a recall notice for a different problem which we did get corrected by Mazda a few years ago.) I was not notified of this recall.

- Hopkins, MN, USA

problem #7

Dec 012016

Tribute

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. While pulling out of a parking space, a screeching noise started. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the vehicle was unable to be driven due to severe rust in the subframe and suspension components. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.

- Ellwood City, PA, USA

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problem #6

Feb 212016

Tribute

  • miles
" takata recall" it happened on the two lane highway on bright sunny day at around 1 pm. Car drifted the middle lane and I couldn't bring it back in the lane. I felt somebody was controlled the steering wheel. I hold the steering wheel with both hands but I couldn't direct the car. It did swing around 4 times and hit the on coming car.

- Waikoloa, HI, USA

problem #5

May 122015

Tribute

  • 112,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2003 Mazda Tribute with a recall that Mazda refused to repair. The vehicle has a recall for corrosion to the sub-frame resulting in separation of the lower control arm increasing the risk of a crash. Instead of replacing recalled sub-frame they put an inexpensive brace underneath the corroded part for the recall. Mazda said if the corroded part hasn't actually snapped in half then they put a cheap brace underneath it. Now 8 months later the corroded part snapped in half and Mazda says they are off the hook since they put a cheap brace under the corroded sub-frame. I have been informed that if the vehicle is driven now the wheels will fall off. How can they justify fixing a recall by installing a meaningless so called brace under the corroded part when it does nothing. Once the sub-frame brakes the lower control arm still separates and you still are in risk of a crash.

- Whitman, MA, USA

problem #4

Feb 222005

Tribute

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 04V583000 (vehicle speed control), but the failure recurred. The contact experienced no failures with the vehicle prior to the recall repair. After the repair, the contact heard an intermittent squeaking sound coming from the steering wheel. In addition, the steering wheel was extremely difficult to turn. The dealer was notified several times and stated that the coil spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired again and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #3

May 262014

Tribute

  • 101,682 miles
Right front wheel folded back and under vehicle. Was able to just get off roadway. Vehicle is now unusable as the front cross member has rusted away and allowed front suspension to collapse (including the engine and transmission).

- Galway, NY, USA

problem #2

Apr 222011

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 84,978 miles
Tires began making extremely loud road noise above 30 mph. I was told at the time that the tires were "cupped" probably the result of defective tires. I had the Mazda 2003 Tribute serviced at the local dealership, "jay Mazda" in columbus, ga and the tires were replaced at approximately 84978 miles on the vehicle on 04-22-11. Around approx 112000 miles on the vehicle I began experiencing the same road noise I had experienced earlier on 04-22-2011. I began hearing the loud road noise again. I again had my Mazda 2003 Tribute serviced at "jay Mazda" in columbus, ga on 08-31-2013 at approximately 114190 miles where I had my oil changed, brakes replaced, & spoke with the Mazda tech about the extremely loud road noise I was again experiencing since I purchased the tires on the vehicle from jay Mazda on 04-22-2011 for the same trouble. Upon picking up my vehicle the technician told me that my tires were again "cupped" and that was what was causing the loud vehicle noise and they were "cupped" due to me not having my tires rotated at the proper interval. I told the technician that I never experienced the noise until sometime after having the tires rotated the 1st time. The technician said he found no problems with the vehicles suspension that "lack" of rotation was the only cause. I believe that there is a problem with the rear suspension that causes the rear tires on Mazda 2003 Tributes to "cup" & that rotation of the tires only worsens the problem. I believe this because the Mazda technician told me that if I had my tires rotated now that the noise would only get "worse".

- Cataula, GA, USA

problem #1

May 142003

Tribute

  • miles
Consumer states that while driving vehicle over a metal bridge vehicle would move left to right. Dealer notified.

- South Bend, IN, USA

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