Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Mazda Tribute, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags35
- Vehicle speed control34
- Structure29
- Power train24
- Engine and engine cooling23
- Service brakes, hydraulic21
- Electrical system15
- Suspension14
- Service brakes10
- Steering9
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 16 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 14 2003 Tribute vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 8 people died inside them, and 4 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Mazda Tribute failed the safety check 2.30% of the time — 9% more often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 146,619 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
45 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 9% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde32
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen23
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect17
- Stofhoes fuseekogel beschadigd en dicht niet af17
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt15
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld13
- Band onvoldoende profiel13
- Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaar9
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
18 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 77 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In New Zealand
84 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 40% arrived as used imports, 58% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 10.6–13.1 L/100 km (about 18–22 mpg US), CO₂ 244–301 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tribute · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.7 | 9.3 | 10.6 |
| Tribute 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.2 | 10.2 | 11.3 |
| Tribute · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 13.8 | 10.2 | 12.2 |
| Tribute 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.7 | 11.1 | 13.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
6 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 Mazda Tribute.
| 2014537 28 Nov 2014 | Structure On certain vehicles registered and operated in areas where road salt is used on the roadways during winter months for extended time periods (Ontario, Quebec, Ne… |
| 2014117 7 Apr 2014 | Suspension On certain vehicles registered and operated in areas where road salt is used on the roadways during winter months for extended time periods (Ontario, Quebec, N… |
| 2012237 27 Jul 2012 | Other On certain vehicles equipped with a 3.0L V6 engine and speed control, inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could … |
| 2007119 16 Apr 2007 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the electrical wiring connector to the ABS module may have been manufactured incorrectly. Over time, contaminants can enter the ABS electr… |
| 2004438 13 Dec 2004 | Other On certain vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines, the accelerator cable's inner liner may, over time, migrate out of the conduit at the dash panel fitting duri… |
| 2004133 14 Apr 2004 | Engine On certain vehicles equipped with a 3.0L V6 engine, during deceleration at vehicle speeds below 64 km/h, the engine may stall due to an excessively rich fuel-ai… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 DURATEC ENGINES , DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mazda told its dealers about the 2003 Mazda Tribute: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 635764 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.0L DURATEC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT ENGINE QUIT CONDITION. *TT |
| 11006987 | In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealers responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mi |
| 11005671 | Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. |
| 11003398 | Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. |
| 10251387 | Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. |
| 10232299 | Speedometer replacement procedure |
| 10226814 | Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines below to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal. |
| 10217209 | In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. |
| 10215274 | This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce unnecessary battery replacement cost. For new vehicles in stock at the dealer, inspect and maintain the battery periodically according to the repair procedure. |
| 10213429 | Paint damage Mazda pocket paint guide |
| 10213425 | Speedometer replacement procedure |
| 10213422 | PROPER USAGE OF DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT. |
| 10213387 | SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES |
| 10213333 | Battery test procedure requirements using the GR81291 |
| 10213332 | Battery Maintenance |
| 10213331 | SULFUR SMELL FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM. |
| 10213326 | Mazda guidelines for factory scheduled maintenance |
| 10213185 | Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines below to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal. |
| 10209778 | The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use the following test procedures in this Service Bulletin to test Mazda vehicle batteries and to generate a Warranty Code. |
| 10209761 | Accessory instructions can be found on OneMazda under Dealer Resources - Parts & Accessories. |
| 10208556 | Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. |
| 10206002 | Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission (A/T) oil cooler and lines must be power flushed completely before an overhauled or replacement A/T is installed (except SKYACTIV-DRIVE). The most common cause of repeat A/T failures is lack of lubrication to the front and rear planetary gears. This is usually caused by an accumulation of metal particles and debris (from a previous A/T failure) on the internal mesh type baffle of the oil cooler. Power flushing will remove the restriction by back flushing, followed by forward flushing to disl |
| 10205994 | Battery Maintenance: This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce unnecessary battery replacement cost. For new vehicles in stock at the dealer, inspect and maintain the battery periodically according to the repair procedure. |
| 10200933 | This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce unnecessary battery replacement cost. For new vehicles in stock at the dealer, inspect and maintain the battery periodically according to the repair procedure. |
| 10200527 | This service bulletin provides information regarding the proper use of the drivers floor mat to avoid any potential interference with the foot pedals. The following are possible causes of floor mat interference, which can be avoided with proper usage. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Stuck Throttle
Cruise Control Cable
Engine Compartment Fire
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation