The 2003 Mazda Tribute's elevated safety profile includes 7 recall campaigns and 200 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

Recalls

200

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

15E0450002015-03-06

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.

Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

14V1740002014-04-04

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Tribute vehicles manufactured May 22, 2000, through December 19, 2003, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.

A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

12V3570002012-27-07

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

A stuck throttle 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.

View at NHTSA

View all 7 recalls

07V1570002007-10-04

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.

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.

View at NHTSA

04V5830002004-10-12

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

View at NHTSA

04V6050002004-23-12

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

View at NHTSA

04V1750002004-09-04

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.

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2003 Mazda Tribute has accumulated 200 NHTSA complaints over 1 years, with air bags leading the pack. Know what to look for before you buy.

01Air Bags27

02Structure25

03Vehicle Speed Control24

04Engine And Engine Cooling16

05Power Train14

200 total across 1 model years (2003–2003)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Mazda Tribute Fuel Economy

18–22mpg combined

16-20city

21-25hwy

$3,050-$3,750/yr

With 4 configurations tested, the 2003 Mazda Tribute ranges from 18 to 22 MPG combined. That's a 4 MPG gap that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

By Trim

Tribute 2WD - Manual 5-spd

22mpg

2.0L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

20 city25 hwy~$3,050/yr-1/10 Poor

Tribute 4WD - Manual 5-spd

21mpg

2.0L 4-cyl · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

19 city23 hwy~$3,200/yr-1/10 Poor

Tribute 2WD - Automatic 4-spd

19mpg

3.0L 6-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

17 city23 hwy~$3,550/yr-1/10 Poor

Tribute 4WD - Automatic 4-spd

18mpg

3.0L 6-cyl · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive

16 city21 hwy~$3,750/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2003 Mazda Tribute

13States

42%in top 3

If you're near Texas, you're in luck: 21% of listings are there. But with 13 states represented, there's likely one near you too.

TXTexas

421%

MOMissouri

211%

NCNorth Carolina

211%

FLFlorida

211%

MIMichigan

15%

ILIllinois

15%

VAVirginia

15%

NENebraska

15%

WAWashington

15%

OHOhio

15%

CACalifornia

15%

OROregon

15%

COColorado

15%

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2003.

Buying a 2003 Mazda Tribute?

Answers to common buyer questions

Is the 2003 Mazda Tribute a good car to buy?

The 2003 Mazda Tribute has its strengths and its watch-outs. 7 recalls have been issued, so verify completion with the dealer. Owners report air bags as the area to watch most closely. Check the safety section for recall details and the pricing data to see if the numbers work for you.

Are there recalls on the 2003 Mazda Tribute?

There are 7 documented recalls for the 2003 Mazda Tribute. Don't let that scare you; most are routine. Just make sure they're all resolved before you sign. Details in the safety overview.

What's the gas mileage of the 2003 Mazda Tribute?

You'll get between 18 and 22 MPG combined from the 2003 Mazda Tribute, depending on engine and drivetrain. That's a meaningful difference over time. The fuel economy table shows exactly which configs get what.

What are common problems with the 2003 Mazda Tribute?

Out of 200 owner complaints, air bags issues lead the pack. Get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers this area. The known issues breakdown has all the details.