2003 Mazda TRIBUTE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
199 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
74,676 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 150 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 199 complaints (15.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 55 | 27.6% |
| Engine operation | 24 | 12.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 7.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 14 | 7.0% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 5.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 30 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 23 |
| Structure:Body | 18 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 16 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 |
| Suspension | 11 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 10 |
Air Bags: 30; Vehicle Speed Control: 23; Structure:Body: 18; Engine And Engine Cooling: 16; Electrical System: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 12; Suspension: 11; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 27 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 23 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 25 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 25 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 32 |
| 150,000 and above | 18 |
Under 25,000: 27; 25,000 to 49,999: 23; 50,000 to 74,999: 25; 75,000 to 99,999: 25; 100,000 to 149,999: 32; 150,000 and above: 18
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (32). 49 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 19 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 16 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 11 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 20 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 11 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2003: 19; 2004: 15; 2005: 13; 2006: 16; 2007: 8; 2008: 11; 2009: 6; 2010: 7; 2011: 9; 2012: 13; 2013: 20; 2014: 11; 2015: 11; 2016: 12; 2017: 7; 2018: 8; 2019: 5; 2020: 3; 2021: 3; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 55 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 24 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10017301 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042407 · 2003-10-06 (October 6, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. STEERING LOCKED/ BRAKES FAILED, AND HEADLIGHTS WERE FLICKERING ON AND OFF. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND WENT INTO A FENCE, CAUSING A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO THE HOSPITAL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010755 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
VEHICLE STALLED FOUR TIMES IN THE TIME I HAVE HAD IT SINCE JUNE OF 2002. THE CD PLAYER ALSO QUIT WORKING, BUT MY MAIN CONCERN WAS THE STALLING WHILE DRIVING , USUALLY AROUND 30-35 MPH, GOING DOWNHILL, EACH TIME. I WILL GIVE THE MOST RECENT DATE OF THE STALL. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 7,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010756 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
VEHICLE STALLED FOUR TIMES IN THE TIME I HAVE HAD IT SINCE JUNE OF 2002. THE CD PLAYER ALSO QUIT WORKING, BUT MY MAIN CONCERN WAS THE STALLING WHILE DRIVING , USUALLY AROUND 30-35 MPH, GOING DOWNHILL, EACH TIME. I WILL GIVE THE MOST RECENT DATE OF THE STALL. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 7,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013681 · 2003-03-30 (March 30, 2003)
#1-TRANSMISSION FAILURE @ 3617 MILES. VEHICLE 3 MONTHS OLD. MFG SOLUTION/REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION VS NEW..#2-REQUESTED REPAIR OF SMART UNLOCKING FEATURE AS STATED IN OWNERS MANUAL ON PAGE 70 OF PART #9999-95-014C-03..MFG SOLUTION/WILL CORRECT OWNERS MANUAL..SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT WITH THESE SOLUTIONS..SERVICING DEALER HAS DONE EVERYTHING IN IT'S POWER TO CORRECT TO CORRECT THESE ISSUES & MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONS..MAZDA MFG IS RELUCTANT TO MOVE BEYOND THESE SOLUTIONS...... *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 3,617 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013681 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090701 · 2004-09-09 (September 9, 2004)
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH LESS THAN 600 MILES ON THE CAR DUE TO A HOSE CLAMP NOT BEING SECURED DURING MANUFACTURE. EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR HESITATING AND ALMOST STALLING WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP JUST AFTER STARTING THE CAR. IT ALSO HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IF THE CAR IS NOT LEVEL AT THE TIME, EITHER ON AN INCLINE OR DECLINE. IF I LET THE CAR WARM UP FOR A FEW MINUTES, I GENERALLY DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL FEELING LIKE IT STICKS OR IS CATCHING ON SOMETHING, I HAVE NOTICED TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 567 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090701 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136410 · 2005-09-13 (September 13, 2005)
PURCHASED MAZDA TRIBUTE NEW NOVEMBER 2003. TWO MONTHS AFTERWARD THE CAR STALLED AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CLOSED DOWN. I HAD DIFFICULTY TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT LOCKED. AFTER FOUR EFFORTS TO CRANK THE CAR, THE IGNITION UNLOCKED AND THE ENGINE STARTED. I NOTICED THAT THE CLOCK HAD STOPPED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT TELL WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS UNLESS IT HAPPENED WITH THEM. SINCE NOVEMBER 2003 THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES. THE SEASON NOR WEATHER CONDITIONS DO NOT APPEAR TO MATTER. THE LATEST INCIDENT WAS IN AUGUST …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136410 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166652 · 2006-08-27 (August 27, 2006)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017300 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WENT OUT. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017300 at NHTSA ↗