2002 Mazda Tribute complaints

FRONT AXLE ABS SENSOR RING IS BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES. THIS CAUSES THE ABS TO FALSELY ACTIVATE AT 25 TO 35 MPH, WITH VERY HARSH FORCE, ON ABOUT 10% OF BRAKING APPLICATIONS. IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT VEHICLE INSTABILITY AND SOME PULLING AND IS CONSIDERED TO BE A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND OR CORRECT PROBLEM ON 4 REPEATED VISITS. LOCAL SHOP THEN FIXED ON FIRST TRY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. THE NOISE OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. THE NOISE BEGAN INFREQUENTLY, BUT IS NOW HEARD AT LEAST FOUR TIMES PER DAY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE GRINDING NOISE HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AND LOUDER. UPDATED 08/14/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER PAYING FOR THE REPAIR, HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE STATING THAT HE COULD BE REIMBURSED ONCE THE PROPER PAPERWORK WAS MAILED. MAZDA DID NOT COMPLY WITH THAT REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 57,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,690.

I WAS STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. I WENT TO PROCEED TRHOUGH THE INTERSECTION WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE CAR WAS ACTING LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. I HAD TO PUSH DOWN HARD ON THE ACCELERATOR TO GET THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER SAFELY. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE, EXCEPT TO GO IN REVERSE. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT SOMETHING WAS GOING WRONG WITH MY CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP, WHERE IT WA S GOING TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. *AK

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW IN FEB. OF 2002 FOR MY WIFE TO DRIVE WITH OUR CHILDREN. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS MY WIFE TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE. I DROVE THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL DEALER AND THEY FOUND THE RETAINING BOLT LOOSE. THEY SAID THAT IT MUST NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED CORRECTLY FROM THE FACTORY, AND SAID THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS THEY COULD SEE. IN MARCH 2007 MY WIFE CALLED AGAIN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND AGAIN THEY FOUND THE RETAINING BOLT LOOSE. I TALKED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THIS AND SHE COULD NOT OFFER ANY ADVISE SO SHR REFERRED ME TO THERE MASTER TEC. HE ASSURED ME THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS AND THAT HE PERSONALLY WORKED ON THE CAR. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE BOLT WAS LOOSE AND HE TIGHTENED IT TO SPEC. AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE AND PROBLEMS. NOW IT IS MAY 2007 AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE AGAIN. WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MADZA TRIBUTE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 49000. THREE RECALLS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FOR THE VEHICLE AND IT IS BECOMING AN INCONVENIENCE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE IS DISAPPOINTING TO THE CONTACT. IT IS THE FACT THAT HER VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY BEING RECALLED THAT IS UPSETTING AND FRUSTRATING.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE COMPLETELY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE FAILURE HAS PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED AT LEAST 5 TIMES , AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED TO INDICATE A MALFUNCTION. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A LEAK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER SEAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NEITHER WEATHER NOR SPEED WERE FACTORS. ON MARCH 20, 2007, A MECHANIC FLUSHED THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. NO BRAKE FAILURES WERE REPORTED SINCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 70000.*AK UPDATE 5/5/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN THOUGH IT STOPS VERY SLOWLY/GRADUALLY TO THE POINT OF BEING DANGEROUS IT FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES ARE FAILING. UPDATED. 05/05/08 *JB

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE BADLY DETERIORATED. NO LIGHTS CAME ON AND NO SQUEAKING OCCURRED TO NOTIFY ME OF THIS OCCURRENCE. THE ONLY INDICATION WAS A BAD GRINDING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. REPLACEMENT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $450. PEOPLE AT RISK BECAUSE OF MAZDA'S NEGLIGENCE: A MOM, DAD, AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN. *JB

AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATES SERVICE BULLETIN:0800205 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER:10017557. *NM

I READ IN THE PAPER THAT NHTSA WAS INVESTIGATING ABS MODULE FIRES ON FORD ESCAPES AND MAZDA TRIBUTES. I AM REPORTING THAT MY 2002 TRIBUTE'S ABS MODULE ALSO CAUGHT FIRE! *NM MY 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE STARTED HAVING ABS PROBLEMS AROUND APRIL OF 2004. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WOULD ACTIVATE INTERMITENTLY, SOMETIMES STAYING ON FOR SEVERAL DRIVING CYCLES BEFORE CLEARING. SOME TIME THEREAFTER, THE MOTOR ON TOP OF THE ABS ASSEMBLY WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY START RUNNING WITH THE ENGINE OFF, KEY REMOVED, PARKED IN THE GARAGE! I DISCOVERED THIS MOTOR RUNNING BECAUSE OF THE NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. ON TWO OCCASIONS, I WAS ABLE TO RESET IT TO A NORMAL CONDITION BY DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY FOR A PERIOD. THE THIRD TIME THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING, IT WOULD NOT RESET FOLLOWING A BATTERY DISCONNECTION, BUT WOULD RESUME RUNNING WITH RESTORATION OF POWER. THIS WAS IN FEBRUARY 2005, AT WHICH TIME I DISCONNECTED THE ABS MOTOR'S ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FROM THE CONTROL MODULE UNDERNEATH IT. THEREAFTER, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON (AS WOULD BE EXPECTED.) IN MARCH 2005, WITH ABOUT 50,000 MILES SHOWING, MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE ABS MODULE AS BAD, BUT I CHOSE NOT TO REPLACE IT IMMEDIATELY DUE TO THE VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR ESTIMATE. IN JULY 2005, THIS MODULE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN MY GARAGE, FILLING THE SPACE WITH SMOKE. UPON DISCOVERY OF THE SMOKE, MY WIFE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR FEAR THE HOUSE WAS ON FIRE. THE MAZDA DEALER REFUSED TO WORK ON THE CAR DUE TO THE FIRE DAMAGE, AND DIRECTED ME

CLOCK/RADIO DOES NOT WORK UNTIL CAR IS RUNNING UP TO 30 MINUTES OR MORE. DEALER REPLACED ENTIRE UNIT WHICH WORKED APPROX. 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE ISSUE RE-APPEARED. RECENTLY CLOCK/RADIO HAS NOT WORKED FOR MORE THAN 1 WEEK. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR MORE THAN 1 YEAR WITH THE DEALER DENYING ANY ELECTRICAL ISSUE. AS OF TODAY, VEHICLE AT DEALER AGAIN WHO NOW SAYS IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THE IGNITION COILS WERE BURNT OUT. THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED.

I HAVE A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT I NEED NEW FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER GARAGE, AND THEY SAID THAT THE MAZDA TRIBUTE WAS BUILT WITH SUB-STANDARD ROTORS THAT WEAR OUT QUICKLY. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET, AND I HAVE FOUND OTHER MAZDA TRIBUTE OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. IF THIS IS A SYSTEMATIC ENGINEERING DEFECT IN AN IMPORTANT SAFETY SYSTEM, THEN I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE SECOND GARAGE SAID THAT IF THE ROTORS GET TOO THIN, WHICH THEY ARE PRONE TO DO, THAT THE BRAKE CALIPERS CAN COME OUT, LEADING TO A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO.*JB

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. ON 10/12/2006 WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE MENTIONED VEHICLE IT ACCELERATED BY ITSELF TO SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 55 MILES PER HOUR, WHILE SHE WAS IN A TARGET STORE PARKING LOT. IT DID NOT BRAKE OR STOP UNTIL IT HIT AN STOP SIGN AND MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. THE POLICE DEPT. OF THE CITY OF DAVIE WAS CALLED, THEY VERIFIED IT WAS SOME MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR. NO TICKETS WERE ISSUED. WE CALLED THE AAA AND THE DRIVER INFORMED US THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS STUCK AND THAT PRODUCED THE ACCELERATION. WE CALLED THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE AND TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE. MY WIFE AND SON BROUGHT THE CAR IN UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY SAID WHEN THE CAR WAS READY IT COST $157.20 AND IT HAD TO BE PAID OR THE CAR WOULD NOT BE RELEASED. SAID THAT MY SON AUTHORIZED THE CHARGE. HAD TO PAY TO HAVE CAR RELEASED. MAZDA SHOULD PAY. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING IN HOT WEATHER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK, AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF, THEN TURNED ON. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE FUEL PUMP AND CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/30/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSISTENTLY AND FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED UPON INVESTIGATION THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEATBELTS WERE AFFECTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION.

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE ON THE HIGHWAY, A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE CAR - WE SUDDENLY NOTICED ENGINE STARTED TO STUTTER AND THEN SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE CAR AND THEN THE EXHAUST PIPE FELL OUT OF THE REAR. WITHIN A MINUTE OR SO AS WE WERE TRYING TO PULL OVER, BOTH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKE FAILED. WE FINALLY BROUGHT THE CAR TO STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE EXIT RAMP CLOSE BY, BY DECELERATING AND USING THE PARKING BRAKE. WHEN WE GOT OUT, WE SAW ACTIVE FIRE UNDER THE CAR TOWARD THE BACK. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BY A PERSON WHO STOPPED TO HELP US WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. ALL OF THIS TOOK LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. THE FIRE MEN WHO ARRIVED AT THE SCENE WITHIN MINUTES OPENED UP THE HOOD AND SAID THERE WAS NO ENGINE OIL. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AT THE SCENE. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW 4 YEARS AGO AND WE'VE HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS FOR THE LAST 55,000 MILES. THE ENGINE OIL WAS FILLED 5 DAYS BEFORE THAT AND THE CAR RAN FINE FOR THE 450 MILE TRIP RIGHT UP TO THAT POINT. THE LOW ENGINE OIL WARNING LIGHT DID NOT COME ON UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. AAA ADJUSTER SUSPECTED AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND HIS THEORY WAS THAT ENGINE SHAFT BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE OIL PAN FROM INSIDE BUT NO FORENSIC INSPECTION WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MAZDA DEALER SHOP FOR INSPECTION AT OUR REQUEST BUT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO OFFER A CONCLUSIVE EXPLANATION OR CARRY OUT A FORENSIC INSPECTION. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED THERE AND IT

TRAVELING ON JULY 3, 2006 ON A RETURN TRIP TO VERMONT WITH 3 GRANDCHILDREN . I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 55/60 MPH ON AN UPGRADE AND ATTEMPTED TO PASS IN THE PASSING LANE, MY CAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO PASSING GEAR, THE RPM REVVED UP AND THE MOTOR WAS RACING , THERE WAS NO MORE POWER THE CAR COULD OFFER ME. I PULLED BACK IN THE RIGHT LANE AND WAS APPROACHING A FLAT STRETCH, THE CAR SEEMED OKAY. LATER ON AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AGAIN ON AN SLIGHT UPGRADE THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR, AGAIN THE MOTOR WAS RACING, ONCE AGAIN AS I GOT ON A FLAT STRETCH THE CAR SEEMED OKAY, I COULD SMELL A BURNING ODOR AND PASSED IT OFF THAT THE CAR AHEAD OF ME WAS CAUSING IT. A FEW TIMES ON THIS TRIP I FELT THE CAR WAS IN A WRONG GEAR. IT DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT ON JULY 5TH, THEY TESTED THE CAR AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ADVISED ME IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR BACK HOME. MY WARRANTY WAS 36 MONTHS OR 50,000 MILES, I NEVER PULLED ANYTHING WITH THE CAR AND TOOK VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I WAS QUITE UPSET WITH THIS NEWS AND AS A "GOOD WILL GESTURE" MAZDA OFFERED TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE TRANSMISSION, STILL LEAVING ME WITH A BALANCE OF $2,100.00,. WHEN I FURTHER COMPLAINED AT A NUMBER I CALLED IN CALIFORNIA, THEY APOLOGIZED FOR MY PROBLEM AND OFFERED TO PAY FOR MY RENTAL CAR UNTIL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. I AM BAFFLED I HAVE SUCH A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE. I WOULD BE

THE ROTORS AND BRAKES FAILED AGAIN FOR THE 2ND TIME WITH ONLY 75K MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER IS GOING TO REPLACE THE ROTORS USING A DSA CREDIT, I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THE BRAKES. DEALER SAID MAZDA IS AWARE THAT BRAKING SYSTEM IS UNDERSIZED FOR VEHICLE, BUT MAZDA WOULD RATHER REPLACE ROTORS USING A DSA CREDIT THAN DO A FULL SCALE REDESIGN AND RECALL. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES PULSATED AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED BOTH FRONT BRAKES ROTORS WERE WARPED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WARE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 17,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS THE SECOND SET OF ROTOR THAT WERE REPALCED. UPDATED 06/20/06. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE AN IN AUGUST 2005 THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK AND THEN REMAINED ON. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE THE PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED, THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THE PART HAD TO BE SHIPPED VIA GROUND SERVICE DUE TO (EXPLOSIVE) MATERIALS CONTAINED IN THE PART I WAS TOLD I COULD PICK UP MY CAR. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT I SHOULD NOT WORRY ABOUT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING ON ITS OWN BUT THAT IF I WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT THAT IT MAY NOT DEPLOY. AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR 10 DAYS THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED AND I GOT MY CAR BACK. FAST FORWARD TO MAY 2006, MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THE AIRBAG BUT THIS TIME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD FLAT OUT THAT MY AIR BAG MAY NOT WORK IF I WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT. WHAT IS EVEN MORE CONCERNING IS THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY NOT THE FIRST ISSUE LIKE THIS AND FORD ESCAPE CARS IN THE SAME MAKE YEAR HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES. *NM

MAKE : MAZDA MODEL : TRIBUTE YEAR : 2002 MANUFACTURER : MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V605000 RECALL DATE : DEC 22, 2004 COMPONENT: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED : 49800 I CONTACTED MAZDA ABOUT THE RECALL STATED ABOVE. MY REAR LATCH DOES NOT LOCK WITH THE KEYLESS REMOTE AS WELL AS WHEN I START THE CAR. ALL OTHER LOCKS ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. MAZDA SEARCHED IN THEIR DATABASE USING MY VIN NUMBER AND REPLIED WITH MY VEHICLE NOT HAVING THE RECALL. MY COMPLAINT IS THE REAR LATCH OF MY VEHICLE IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY WITH A CONSEQUENCE IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH. IF MY VEHICLE HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED AND POTENTIAL DANGERS, MAZDA SHOULD REPLACE DEFECT. PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH YOUR ADVICE. *JB

AFTER 3 YRS AND 30K MILES THE TRANSMISSION WOULD VIBRATE(TORQUE CONVERTER) WHEN SHIFTING TO OVERDRIVE. DEALERSHIP : TRANNY FLUID OXIDIZED AND SHOULD CHANGE SINCE 30K THOUGH MANUAL STATED CHANGE EVERY 30K UNDER EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS, AND 3 YRS 30K DOESN'T QUALIFY. SO FAR SO GOOD AT 40K BUT MAZDA FORUMS SHOW MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS. *NM

AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT KEEPS STAYING ON. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ABS ACTIVATES INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE ACTIVATION EXTENDS THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE GEAR RING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXEL IS BROKEN. THE BROKEN GEAR RING CAUSES THE ABS SENSOR TO OBTAIN AN IMPROPER READING. THE AXEL IS GOING TO BE REPLACED.

MY MECHANIC FOUND THESE PROBLEMS FOR ME WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR OIL CHANGE, SO FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. HERE IS A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED TO ME: 1) FAILURE OF MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. IT WAS SPEWING BRAKE FLUID. THIS WOULD HAVE LED TO FULL FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. BOTH THE MASTER CYLINDER AND RIGHT FRONT HALF-SHAFT WERE REPLACED. 2) RIGHT FRONT KNUCKLE HOLDING WHEEL TO AXLE WAS UNSAFE. THERE WAS A FRACTURE OF THE METAL HOLDING THE PINCH BOLT THAT IS USED TO FASTEN THE WHEEL TO THE LOWER BALL JOINT. A RUPTURE OF THIS FRACTURE WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE WHEEL TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE BALL JOINT. MY MECHANIC FELT LIKE THIS WAS MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY THE FACTORY TIGHTENING THE PINCH BOLT TOO MUCH WHEN ASSEMBLED. THE KNUCKLE WAS REPLACED. IT WAS ALSO MENTIONED TO ME THAT A SIMILAR MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER PROBLEM WAS REPORTED ON A FORD ESCAPE WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME VEHICLE AS MY MAZDA TRIBUTE.*JB

AT 50,089 MILES, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED; MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE TORQUE CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED RESULTING IN TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE -- I HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, AND MAY HAVE TO DO SO AGAIN AT 52,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE STARTING, THE BRAKES AREN'T VERY RESPONSIVE, AND I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH AN UNATTRACTIVE AND IMPRACTICAL REPLACEMENT, BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT THE TYPE THAT CAME WITH MY VEHICLE WASN'T AVAILABLE. THE REAR WINDOW HAS LEAKED. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE WARRANTY EXPIRED JUST BEFORE MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATE THE GEAR SHIFT POSITION INDICATOR STUCK IN REVERSE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER STATED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NOISE FROM FRONT END THOUGHT TO BE FROM BRAKES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE 2003. EVENTUALLY BECAME WORSE DURING SUMMER OF 2005. FINALLY DIAGNOSED AS RIGHT FRONT DRIVE AXLE - EITHER BENT OR MISALIGNED. WHEN FINALLY FOUND VEHICLE WAS 'OUT OR WARRANTY. *JB

EGR VALVE BLEW OUT, REPLACED, REPLACEMENT VALVE BLEW OUT WITHIN 24 HOURS OF REPAIR AND WITHIN 30 TOTAL MINUTES OF VEHICLE OPERATION FROM REPAIR. *NM

THERE IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IN MY MAZDA, TRIBUTE CAR. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED AT 23854 MILES. THE MAZDA DEALER LOOKED INTO IT AND STATED ON ITS REPORT "CHECKED AND FOUND WIRE HARNESS GOING TO SEAT BELT PRETENSIONS BUCKLE BROKEN-WIRE YELLOW AND RED STRIPE LOCATED AT H15". THE PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED AT THE TIME. HOWEVER, THE CAR NOW REACHED 38,000 MILES AND THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN. MY CAR IS OUT OF MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY NOW AND THE DEALER REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE, THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND MUST BE FIXED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MANUFACTURER. ESPECIALLY, WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED DURING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE. AS YOU AWARE, A MALFUNCTION OF AIRBAG SYSTEM CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH IN CASE OF A COLLISION. AS PER MY LOCAL FORMER MAZDA DEALER, MAZDA KNOWS ABOUT EXISTENCE OF THIS AIRBAG ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN IGNORED AND NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN INDICATED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *JB

DT: THE CONSUMER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER THAT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. A MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL . THE DEALER SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THE DEALER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT SHE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK. *AK (12/01/05) THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A NOISE WHEN BEING DRIVEN UP TO 40 MPH AND A LOUD HISSING NOISE WOULD BECOME NOTICEABLE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. *SC

1). THREE RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE: 1ST - POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE RE-CALIBRATION RECALL 1904D. 2ND - B4000 DPFE SENSOR WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM (SSP) 59. 3RD - ACCELERATOR CABLE RECALL 2704L. COMPLETED ALL RECALLS; LAST ON 3/2/05. 2). 2/2005 I STARTED EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE: - THE CAR STOPS RUNNING USUALLY WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. THE CAR HAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, IN THE HEIGHT OF RUSH HOUR. THE CAR STOPPED EXITING A POST OFFICE BACKING UP TRAFFIC CAUSING MOTORIST TO SEEK ANOTHER EXIT. HAVE HAD VARIOUS OTHER STOPS BUT HAVE BEEN LUCKY NOT TO CAUSE ANY ACCIDENTS. - THE CAR WILL NOT START; USUALLY UPON SHORT TRIPS. AFTER WAITING 3 - 5 MINUTES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS NUMEROUS TIMES. I LIMIT DRIVING AT NIGHT DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABILITY AND LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN MY VEHICLE. 3) I HAVE HAD MY CAR SERVICE AT OAKLAND MAZDA (510)893-7282 (3/2/05-RECALL, 4/9/05, 4/19/05, 5/11/05, & 6/20/05) AND HAVE DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH THE SERV ADVISOR, KEN MILLER & SERVICE MANAGER. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THEY THOROUGHLY CHECKED-OUT MY CAR EACH TIME THEY SERVICED IT. THEY HAVE REPEATED THE RECALL WHICH MOSTLY DESCRIBES MY SYMPTOMS (RE-CALIBRATION RECALL 1904D) AT LEAST TWICE. THEY ALSO CONTACTED THE MAZDA HEADQUARTERS SERVICE CENTER FOR DOCUMENTATION ON HOW TO CHECK OUT MY VEHICLE. I ALSO CONTACTED THE MAZDA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT (800)222-5500 IN MAY OF 2005, THEY

2002 MAZDATRIBUTE MANUAL DRIVER DOOR HANDLE CEASED TO WORK. ONLY WAY TO OPEN DRIVER DOOR FROM INSIDE WAS TO OPEN POWER WINDOW AND PULL OUTSIDE HANDLE. DEALER SAID THEY'D HAD SEVERAL LIKE THIS. IF A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM, POSES SAFETY HAZARD. IN EVENT OF EMERGENCY, IF CAR IS NOT RUNNING, WINDOWS CANNOT BE OPENED. DRIVER COULD BE TRAPPED AND UNABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE.

CONSUMER STATES SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER NOTICE IN THE MAIL IN 1-05 REGARDING THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THERE WAS NO RECALL # AVAILABLE. SHE TOOK IT IN TO A DEALER AND THEY EITHER REPLACED/OR REPAIRED THE CABLE, SHE WAS NOT SURE. SHE HAS NOTICED AN EXTREME CHANGE IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SINCE THEN. THE GAS PEDAL SEEMS TO BE TOO LOSE; SHE SAYS THERE SEEMS TO BE NO TENSION IN THE PEDAL. SHE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD HER THAT WAS NORMAL; THAT THERE WAS A DIFFERENT CABLE IN THE CAR AND THAT WAS WHAT SHE WAS FEELING. SHE DOES NOT AGREE. SHE HAS NOT YET REPORTED THIS TO THE MANUFACTURER. SHE WANTS THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE CABLE THEY SAY THEY REPLACED. *JB

CONSUMER SUGGESTION FOR SAFETY FOR ALL VEHICLES.*MR THE CONSUMER SUGGESTED THE BRAKE LIGHTS SHOULD BE CONNECTED TO THE SIDE OF BOTH FENDERS. *JB

WHILE BACKING OUT DRIVER HEARD A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE MOVED, AND THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK CONSUMER'S VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY, DO TO DELAYED SHIFTING. GAS MILEAGE HAVE BEEN OFF FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND IS MAKING THE VEHICLE SLUGGISH.*SB

DT: CONTACT STATES THE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION,, HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SWAY BAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. ALSO, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.*AK

CONTACT STATES: THE ACCELERATOR IS STICKING. RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, AND TOOK THE LETTER TO THE DEALER, WHO DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ACCELERATOR STICKS MAINLY IN THE WINTER...WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF THE PEDAL FOR A FEW SECONDS AND TRYING TO HIT THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN VEHICLE SPEEDS UP AND IT JUMPS. *AK *JB

DT: VEHICLE SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY DURING MOVEMENT. IT ALSO SPEEDS UP WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. ALSO, TRANSMISSION DOES NOT CHANGE GEARS.*AK

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK *NM

PURCHASED NEW IN 2002-WITH 85000 HIGHWAY MILES-TRANSMISSION FAILED- WHILE DRIVING ON I-84 IN CONNECTICUT-VEHICHLE WENT INTO THE PASSING GEAR ON ITS OWN THEN STOPPED -MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. IT WAS OUR LUCK HE WAS PAST THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE AND HE WAS GOING DOWN HILL. THERE WAS NO PRIOR NOTICE THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL.*AK

I HAD SEVERAL EMMISION REPAIRS DONE WITHIN 60 HIGHWAY MILES ON MY MAZDA TRIBUTE 2002. NOW HAVE A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE NEEDA NEW TRANSMISSION. AND ONLY HAVE 65 000HIGHWAY MILAGE. NWORSW VECHILE I HAD MY VECHILE KEEP LOOSING POWER AND JUMP INTO OVER DRIVE SUDDENLY ONTHE FREEWAY I HAD TO PUT MY FLASSHER AND EXITED. 3 DAYS AGO

NHTSA RECALL 04V583000 ON THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AFTER HAVING THE ACCELERATOR CABLE REPLACED THE PROBLEM RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED INTO A LIGHT POLE. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *JB THE BATTERY WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO A BROKEN CABLE AND A FRAYED MAIN BELT HAD COME OFF AND THE STEERING WAS IMPAIRED. *SC *JB

TURNING THE WHEEL, PARTICULARLY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE, RESULTS IN A SQUEALING NOISE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE LEFT RACK AND PINION AND THAT IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. HE ALSO STATED THAT "IT MAY WORK ITSELF OUT" OR YOU CAN HAVE IT REPAIRED FOR $810. SEVERAL DAYS LATER I RECEIVE THIS "SPECIAL SERVICE REMINDER" REQURING MY IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND SAYING THAT THE "FOLLOWING REPAIR AND/OR SERVICE NEEDS TO BE PERFORMED ON YOUR VEHICLE." A COUPLE OF WEEKS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE DEALER HAD PERFORMED A RECALL TO REPLACE THE CRUISE CABLE.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT- THE "TRIB" HAS BEEN TO 2 DEALERS 3 TIMES FOR THE AIRBAG LIGHT; IT WILL GO IN FOR THE 4TH TIME TO ONCE AGAIN GET "BAND-AIDED". EACH TIME THEIR ANSWER WAS TO SHOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE WIRE BACK UNDER THE SEAT. I'VE BEEN TOLD IT IS DUE TO ME STORING THINGS UNDER THE SEAT, WHICH I AM NOT, THAT IS MAKING THE WIRE COME DOWN. I ASSUME WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THAT EITHER THE FORCE OF SOMEONE SITTING DOWN IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, OR IF A PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT KICKS THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WHILE GETTING IN OR SITTING, IT WILL EVENTUALLY MAKE THE WIRE COME OFF OF THE SEAT RESULTING IN THE AIRBAG ERROR. I AM ABLE TO & HAVE PUT THE WIRE BACK UP UNDER THE SEAT APPROX. 4 TIMES MYSELF, BUT WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO KEEP DOING THIS? A WEEK AGO, I WAS CLEANING THE INTERIOR LISTENING TO A CD WITH THE MOTOR OFF. WHEN I PULLED DOWN THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW, THE MUSIC STARTED GOING ON AND OFF (LOSING POWER). IF I ROLLED THE WINDOW UP IT WAS FINE, AS SOON AS IT WAS PARTIALLY DOWN, IT INTERMITTENTLY LOST POWER AGAIN. THE TRIB ENDED UP LOSING ALL POWER & UNFORTUNATELY, I DIDN'T HAVE A BATTERY TESTER TO TEST THE BATTERY. I DECIDED TO PUT A BATTERY CHARGER ON IT, AND AFTER 10 MINUTES I TRIED TO START IT AND IT TURNED OVER. I WISH I DID HAVE SOMETHING TO TEST THE BATTERY TO SEE IF IT WAS THE BATTERY OR A SHORT. I HAVE NO CLUE IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT, BUT IT HAPPENED AT THE SAME TIME. I AM GUESSING THAT THERE IS PERHAPS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, SINCE IT REALLY MAKES NO SENSE

APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AND A HALF AFTER HAVING THE THROTTLE CABLE SERVICED ON A RECALL, WAS TRAVEL AT 75 MPH WHEN THE VEHCILES RPMS STARTED TO REVVING AT A HIGH RPM, BUT NO INCREASE IN SPEED. VEHCILES ENGINE SHUT OFF AND I MANAGED TO PULL THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER HAVING THE WEHCILE TOWED TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM, VEHCILE WAS 4 MONTHS OUT OF WARRENTY, WITH 34,700 MILES. MAZDA ONLY HELPING WITH A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE REPAIR BILL OF APPROX. $ 5,500.00. HAVE HAD NO LUCK IN CONTACTING ANYONE AT MAZDA WHO CAN HELP. I'M CONVINCED THAT THE REPLACED THROTTLE CABLE FAILED OR BECOME STUCK, BUT THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT HAPPENED. UNTIL THIS HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. *AK

2002 MADZA TRIBUTE WITH 68,000 NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. JUST HAD A VALUE JOB DONE ON THE ENGINE APPROX. 4 MONTHS AGO. MADZA WARRANTY- INCLUDING DRIVE TRAIN - UP AT 50,000 MILES. *JB

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V583000 CONCERNING ACCELERATOR CABLE. OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT PARTS NEEDED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. OWNER LATER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK

HEADLIGHTS GO OUT. *AK