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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (6)
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 29, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7514D.
Vehicle speed control: cables
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE ABS MODULE FOR MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Vehicle speed control: cables
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
Risk and remedy
Risk: AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION #4.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WITH THE APPROPRIATE CALIBRATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Canadian recalls (6)
Show 6 Canadian recalls
Structure
2014-11-28 · campaign 2014-537
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, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland-Labrador), the forward attachment point for the lower control arm may separate from the vehicle's subframe. This could affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace. Note: this is an expansion of recall 2014-117.
Suspension
2014-04-07 · campaign 2014-117
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, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland-Labrador), the forward attachment point for the lower control arm may separate from the vehicle's subframe. This could affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace.
Other
2012-07-27 · campaign 2012-237
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 result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to slow or stop the vehicle if the transmission is not shifted into neutral. This could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the rear engine cover fastener, which will raise the cover in the area of the speed control cable to provide adequate clearance between the cover the speed control cable connector.
Brakes
2007-04-16 · campaign 2007-119
On certain vehicles, the electrical wiring connector to the ABS module may have been manufactured incorrectly. Over time, contaminants can enter the ABS electrical connector interface and corrode the terminals. This could cause the ABS warning indicator to illuminate, an open fuse, and in some instances, smoking, melting or burning of the electrical connector, with the potential for a fire while the vehicle is unattended. In addition, ABS function may be lost. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if required, repair the wiring connector.
Other
2004-12-13 · campaign 2004-438
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 during vehicle operation. The liner may migrate to the point that it contacts the accelerator pedal arm. Under these conditions the liner may prevent the pedal from fully returning, which may not allow the throttle body to fully return to the "idle" position. Typically the condition results in a progressive increase in the "idle" speed if liner migration continues over time, but may cause a more sudden increase if a greater portion of the cable moves at one time. An unexpected increase in "idle" speed may result in longer than expected stopping distances, which could potentially lead to a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable.
Engine
2004-04-14 · campaign 2004-133
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-air mixture. Correction: Dealer will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module.
Owner complaints (199)
Owners filed 199 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mazda Tribute (17 crashes, 9 fires, 16 injuries reported). Among 12 model years of this model, it ranks #5 for the most complaints (median 157).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Air bags | 35 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 34 | |
| Structure | 29 | |
| Power train | 24 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 23 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 21 | |
| Electrical system | 15 | |
| Suspension | 14 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Mazda Tribute.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2003 Mazda Tribute 4-DR. | – | – | – | 3★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2003 Mazda Tribute version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Tribute 2WD 2.0 L Manual 5-spd | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Tribute 2WD 3.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Tribute 4WD 2.0 L Manual 5-spd | 19 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Tribute 4WD 3.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.