2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE VEHICLE SUBFRAME CORROSION RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN EARLY JUNE. HOWEVER, SHE HAD ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. SO, SHE SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT, ALONG WITH A SYNOPSIS OF THE TROUBLE SHE EXPERIENCED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER OF DENIAL FROM MAZDA, STATING THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED OR SERVICE COMPLETED, WERE NOT CONSIDERED COVERED ITEMS UNDER THE SUBFRAME CORROSION RECALL. ON DECEMBER 26, 2012 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONSUMER NOTICED A DECREASED CONTROL OVER THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE FISH-TAILED MULTIPLE TIMES IN LIGHT SNOW, WHICH HAD NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE. DUE TO HER STEERING DIFFICULTIES, SHE DROVE AT 30 MPH, YET STILL SPUN OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND SHE ONLY HIT A MEDIAN WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT AND BODY DAMAGE. AT THE TIME, SHE ATTRIBUTED THE INCIDENT TO WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS. HOWEVER, IT MADE FAR MORE SENSE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RECALL. IN JANUARY 2013, SHE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE STEERING PROBLEMS. SHE ATTEMPTED TO GET AN ALIGNMENT, BUT RAN INTO PROBLEMS DUE TO THE SUBFRAME; WHICH WAS THE FIRST TIME, SHE HEARD OF TROUBLE WITH THE SUBFRAME. ACCORDING TO INVOICE, THE CASTER WAS NOT ADJUSTABLE WITHOUT THE SUBFRAME ADJUSTMENT AND POSSIBLY MORE. IT WAS 0.3 DEGREES FROM ACCEPTABLE RANGE, MAY DEMONSTRATE A SLIGHT LEAD OR PULL. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS. THE BALL JOINT AND RIGHT CONTROL ARM WERE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE CONTROL ARM LOOKED AS IF IT WAS READY TO BREAK OFF, DUE TO CORROSION. ALSO, THE LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM, ALONG WITH THE STRUTS, ROTORS AND BRAKE HOSES, WERE ALL REPLACED. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULD OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,000. *TR

Mileage: 155,000

EMAIL REFERRAL FROM CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY ON BEHALF OF CONSUMER RE: NHTSA RECALL 12V357 / PE12-09. REFERRAL ASSOCIATED AN APRIL 2011 INCIDENT WITH THE RECALL AND INCLUDED A POLICE ACCIDENT REPORT AND TWO PHOTOS *TGW ACCORDING TO THE NARRATIVE FROM THE POLICE REPORT, THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE STATED SHE WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON ROUTE 35, WHEN THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING, WHICH CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT AN INTERSECTION. SHE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A RIGHT RUN FROM ROUTE 35 ONTO A BRIDGE, BUT THE VEHICLE CROSSED ALL THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC AND CRASHED THROUGH A GUARDRAIL AND LANDED AGAINST A TREE. THE VEHICLE THEN BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES.

2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER STATES BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A CRASH AND VEHICLE FIRE *TGW RECALL # 12V357000 WAS REFERENCED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V016000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE IN DECEMBER 2012. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL COULD NOT BE PERFORMED BECAUSE THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A DATE IN WHICH THE PART WAS EXPECTED TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO ADVISED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 12,000

DURING DRIVE HOME FROM WORK INDICATOR FOR BRAKE PROBLEM CAME ON. FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW AGAIN. BRAKE FLUID SEEMS TO BE LOST THROUGH RESERVOIR BREATHER/ FILL CAP. ALOT OF BRAKE FLUID HAS ACCUMULATED ON AND AROUND THE MASTER CYLINDER AND IS DRIPPING ON THE EXHAUST(SMELLS BAD TOO). FOUND THAT A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS BUT MAZDA SAYS MY VIN IS NOT IN THE RECALL RANGE. WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TR

Mileage: 139,533

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF THE TEST RESULTS WERE NOT RELATED TO THE FAILURE, THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

KEYS COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN MY MAZDA TRIBUTE IS NOT IN PARK. I FORGOT TODAY THAT THE FRONT ROTORS ARE REAL BAD AND NEED REPLACED AND I ONLY HAVE 41140 MILES ON MY 2001 TRIBUTE WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM THE MAZDA DEALER IN TOWN. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT DOOR HANDLE TWICE NOW SINCE IT WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE RECALL PART WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2012. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT DID NOT EXPERIENCE FAILURE; HOWEVER EXPRESSED CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR INSPECTION WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE BALL JOINTS WERE DEFECTIVE AND ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE FRACTURED AND SPLIT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,126.

Mileage: 149,126

I OWN A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE, WHICH I PURCHASED USED IN 2007. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH SIX MASTER CYLINDERS WITHIN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS WE OWNED IT. IT HAS BEEN AN OK CAR, BUT FREQUENTLY AND I MEAN FREQUENTLY VISITS THE MECHANIC TO GET FIXED, WHEREAS MY OTHER (FOREIGN-MADE) VEHICLE RARELY HAS PROBLEMS - I WILL NEVER BUY AMERICAN AGAIN! WEDNESDAY EVENING I PICKED UP MY 2001 TRIBUTE UP AT THE MECHANIC FROM GETTING FOUR NEW ENGINE COILS WHICH HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED TWO YEARS PREVIOUSLY, WHICH MY MECHANIC SAYS SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE BAD. THURSDAY MORNING I HAD MY TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR WHEN I REVERSED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT AT A LOCAL CHURCH WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR! THE CAR KEPT GOING BACK AND I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BREAK TO STOP!!!! LUCKILY I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND NO ONE WAS HURT. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC, WHICH I HAD JUST PICKED IT UP FROM (THIS WAS THE CAR'S 4TH VISIT IN TWO WEEKS FOR BROKEN PARTS). THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED AND THE RIGHT ONE WAS CRACKED, SO BOTH WERE REPLACED. I AM SO THANKFUL THE BRAKES HADN'T FAILED MINUTES LATER WHEN MY FAMILY WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE!!! NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE BY MAZDA FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE SEEN MANY SIMILAR STORIES FROM THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A DISGRACE AND THREAT TO NOT ONLY THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS OF THESE VEHICLES, BUT TO EVERYONE ON THE ROAD!!! I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR, NOT KNOWING IF IT WILL GET ME HOME SAFELY OR EVEN GO. I WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR IF I COULD GO BACK AND ONLY WISH I COULD PURCHASE SOMETHING DIFFERENT NOW. *TR

Mileage: 124,000

ON SATURDAY, MAY 15, MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE TRAVELING IN OUR 2001 MAZDA SE LX. IN ST. PAUL, MN. MY 22-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. WE WERE SITTING AT A STOP-LIGHT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL SLOWLY DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS MINIMAL BRAKING POWER LEFT, BUT ENOUGH TO GET HOME. ON MON, MAY 15, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OUR REPAIR GARAGE AND DIAGNOSED WITH TWO FRONT BRAKE HOSES (ADJACENT TO WHEELS) THAT HAD "EXPLODED " AFTER INVESTIGATION, WE LEARNED THAT BRAKE-HOSE FAILURES OF FORD ESCAPES AND MAZDA TRIBUTES OF THAT ERA WERE EXTREMELY COMMON. IN A 2 - 3 WEEKS, WE'RE REPLACING THE REAR HOSES FOR SAFETY. I DO NOT KNOW WHY MAZDA HAS FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL WITH RESPECT TO THIS ISSUE.. WHILE THE VEHICLE HAS HAD MORE REPAIR ISSUES THAN ANY OTHER I'VE OWNED, THIS ISSUE IS POTENTIALLY LETHAL, PARTICULARLY IF ONE IS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY. A RECALL SHOULD BE REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY ON THESE HOSES. I HAVE ASKED FOR MAZDA'S ASSISTANCE IN ADDRESSING A COMPLIMENTARY REAR-HOSE REPAIR. THEY EXPRESSED DOUBT ABOUT TRYING TO HELP BECAUSE OF VEHICLES AGE AND MILEAGE -- 9 YEARS, 117,000 MILES, HOWEVER VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED. MAZDA CS INDICATED THEY WOULD CONTACT REGIONAL PERSONAL TO PROVIDE ME WITH A RESPONSE BUT WERE NOT OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THEIR RESPONSE. REMEMBER: THIS FAILURE PROBABLY COMMON. OUR BRAKE HOSE RUPTURED AT A STOP LIGHT. HAD IT OCCURRED ROUGHLY FIVE MINUTES LATER, WE MIGHT HAVE RISKED OUR OWN LIVES AS WELL AS THOSE AROUND US. TRIBUTES ARE NO LONGER MANUFACTURED BY MAZDA. MY MODEL HAD AT LEAST 6 RECALLS AND 30+ IN-WARRANTY REPAIRS. *TR

Mileage: 117,075

WAS STOPPED AT LIGHT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKES WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. TESTED BRAKES WHEN LIGHT CHANGED AND NO BRAKES AT ALL. HAD JUST RECENTLY BEEN DRIVING ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR. DROVE VERY SLOW INTO PARKING SPACE AND FOUND OUT BRAKE HOSE HAD BROKE. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE TO WORK ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH. TRAFFIC WAS SLOWING AHEAD AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES. A SECOND AFTER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I LOST ALL BRAKE OPERATION. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND DOWNSHIFT THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT CAME TO A STOP. IF I WAS NOT IN THE FAR LEFT OR FAR RIGHT I WOULD HAVE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH BECAUSE I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SAFELY VEER OFF THE ROAD. I GOT THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE HOSE BURST, CAUSING A TOTAL LOSS OF HYDRAULIC PRESSURE. I SAVED THE PARTS IF A REVIEW IS REQUIRED. *TR

Mileage: 122,000

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SPACE TO FILE MY WHOLE COMPLAINT HERE, I WILL WORK WITH WHAT I HAVE. THE RECALL PART ON MY 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE FOR THE ABS MODULE WAS NOT IN STOCK AFTER WAITING 1 HOUR AFTER SCHEDULING 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE THE RECALL APPOINTMENT. SO MY DAUGHTER HAD TO DRIVE AWAY WITH THE SAME FAULTY FIRE SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THEM KNOWING IT AND US RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE BY SETTING APPOINTMENT FOR THE RECALL PART TO BE CHANGED. NOW FOR THE BEST PART TO THIS ONGOING PROBLEM IS THE FILLING YOU IN ON THE PREVIOUS PROBLEM. THIS SAME 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE'S ABS MODULE RECALL PART CAUGHT THIS SAME MAZDA TRIBUTE ON FIRE AROUND 4 YEARS AGO WHILE PARKED IN MY PARKING LOT FOR HOURS. IF A NEIGHBOR WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN OUTSIDE AND SAW SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPT. THERE IS NO TELLING HOW BAD THIS COULD HAVE TURNED OUT EVEN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE APARTMENT NEXT TO THE SUV. AFTER INSURANCE MONIES & OUT OF POCKET MONIES OF OVER $3500 AND ALMOST A MONTH WITHOUT A VEHICLE IN THE SERVICE DEPT. WAITING ON A PART FROM CHINA WHILE THE $300 PAYMENT HAD TO BE MADE TO MACDILL CREDIT UNION, BEING TREATED RUDELY AND TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT MAZDA'S FAULT OR PROBLEM, TOO BAD SO SAD ATTITUDE, WARRANTY IS UP AND THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO FOR YOU IS WHAT I HEARD ON TOP OF SHIFTING BLAME. ALSO TRYING TO GET BACK & FORTH TO WORK FOR WEEKS BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD A RENTAL CAR AND TO MAKE THE CAR PAYMENT FOR THE CAR I DID NOT HAVE (THIS WAS SUCH A NIGHTMARE THAT AT ONE POINT I WALKED FROM THEIR LOT TO A RESTAURANT CRYING TO CALL FOR A RIDE HOME). AND NOT EVEN AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT FROM MAZDA TO THIS PREVIOUS PROBLEM AND TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT, AND NOW I HEAR THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME PART THAT CAUGHT IT ON FIRE. I ALSO NOW OWN A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT I AM MAKING PAYMENTS ON AND TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, I WISH THAT I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS BEFORE I PURCHASED THE NEW ONE. I'M OUT OF ROOM BUT WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN GIVE. THE DEALER IS FERMAN MAZDA. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE WITHIN 200FT, STARTED AS A REGULAR BRAKING BUT ONLY SLOWED, APPLIED FULL FORCE AND HELD FOOT PRESSURE. NO PULSATING AND SLOWED TO APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. TURNED CAR RIGHT TO AVOID CAR AND BUMPED HIS RIGHT BACK BUMPER WITH MY LEFT FRONT BUMPER. MINIMAL DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLE. MY BUMPER HAS A 3 INCH RIP IN BUMPER. ROAD WAS DRY BUT IT ACTED LIKE THE BRAKES WHERE WET, MAZDA RECALLED ABS IN MARCH 2007 BY NHTSA RECORDS, I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL ON THIS ! CAN YOU HELP, BRAKE PADS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 12,000 MILES AGO. *TR

Mileage: 77,900

THE BRAKE ROTORS WEAR OUT WITHIN 20K MILES. THEY CANNOT BE RESURFACED EVEN ONCE, TOO THIN, OTHER TRIBUTE OWNERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM. OTHER OWNERS STATE THAT AFTER MARKET ROTORS LAST 3 TIMES AS LONG. (THE ROTORS ON MY TOYOTA LASTED OVER 100K MILES.) I HAD THE MAZDA ROTORS REPLACED THREE MONTHS AGO, BUT NOT THE BRAKE PAD. THE BRAKE PADS OUTLIVE THE ROTORS. THE BRAKES ALMOST FAILED YESTERDAY AND TODAY, THEY DID NOT CATCH AND THE CAR SHIMMIED ALL OVER THE ROAD. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

ON 2 SEPERATE OCCASSIONS THE BRAKE LINES FAILED DUE TO CRACKING IN THE BRAKE LINE NEAR THE FRONT TIRES.ON BOTH OCCASSIONS I WAS GOING SLOW AT THE TIME AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. IF I HAD ANY SPEED GOING THERE FOR SURE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC CRASH. THE BRAKES ON BOTH OCCASIONS FAILED WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT ON BOTH OCCASIONS. *TR

Mileage: 195,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS. AS OF OCTOBER 9, 2007, THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 73,000. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. CHARLESTON POLICE REPORT. UPDATED 10/31/07 *TR

Mileage: 73,000

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS 2 TIMES IN 4 YEARS (75,000K MI.) MAZDA CHANGES THE OIL AND ROTATES THE TIRES AND WAS NOT TOLD THAT THE PADS WERE WEARING DOWN. I HAVE NEVER NEEDED ROTORS REPLACED THIS FREQUENTLY BEFORE. *JB

BRAKE CONTROL MODULE FAILED CAUSING WIRING FIRE. *NM

Mileage: 112,000

NOVEMBER 2, 2006 MAZDA NORTH AMERICA OPERATIONS ATTN: CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER PO BOX 19734 IRVINE, CA 92623-9734 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: OUR SERVICE ADVISORS TONY AND BRIAN, AGAIN AT EL CAJON MAZDA, DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE ONLY FACTORY ROTORS FOR THE MAZDA TRIBUTE ARE THROW-AWAY. OTHER THAN BUYING AFTERMARKET PARTS, WHICH WE PREFER NOT TO DO, WE WOULD HAVE THIS THROW-AWAY DILEMMA. MY HUSBAND CALLED MAZDA NORTH AMERICA AND SPOKE WITH TODD IN CUSTOMER SERVICE. HE TOOK THE INFORMATION AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED US BACK. (I HAD ALREADY TRIED DOING WHAT MY HUSBAND DID, SPOKE WITH BRUCE, AND WAS TOLD TO GO TO ANOTHER MAZDA DEALERSHIP FOR A SECOND OPINION, THERE WAS NOTHING MAZDA COULD DO.) TODD SEEMED TO UNDERSTAND OUR FRUSTRATION WITH THIS WHOLE SITUATION AND CALLED TONY AT EL CAJON MAZDA AND AUTHORIZED FOR OUR ROTORS TO BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE, WE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PADS AND LABOR AGAIN. SO OUR BRAKES ARE NOW REPLACED, BUT WE ARE STILL FEELING A LITTLE FUNNY ABOUT THE WHOLE SITUATION. WE WERE TOLD THAT IF THE PADS ARE CHANGED WITH 50% LIFE LEFT ON THEM, THEN THE ROTORS MAY BE ABLE TO BE TURNED. WELL, THAT SEEMS PRETTY CRAZY TO US TO HAVE TO GET NEW PADS WHEN THEY ARE STILL HALF THERE! WE REALLY WANT TO STICK WITH GENUINE MAZDA PARTS, BUT IN THE FUTURE FEEL THAT FINANCIALLY WE MAY BE BETTER OFF JUST BUYING AFTERMARKET SO WE DON'T HAVE TO REPLACE THE ROTORS EVERY 3 YEARS! NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE ARE SOMEWHAT FRUSTRATED WITH THE APPARENT DESIGN FLAW OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON OUR 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE, AND CERTAINLY HOPE WE DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS WITH OUR 2005. HOPEFULLY THIS SYSTEM HAS BEEN IMPROVED UPON. *JB

2001 TRIBUTE RACK AND PINION AND SHAFT BROKE INTO PIECES MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR CONSUMER TO STEER. *TS THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO AN IRREPARABLE LEAK. *NM

Mileage: 39,893

FRONT DISK ROTORS ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT, ALTHOUGH THE PADS ARE IN GREAT SHAPE (NOT WORN OUT). MILEAGE IS UNDER 50,000 MILES.

Mileage: 35,000

AT 40000 MILEAGE MY ROTORS WERE REPLACED WHEN THE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS CAUSED BY HARD PADS. @ 65,000 MY BRAKE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED WHICH I CAMPLAINED FOR 1 YEAR ABOUTA HIGH PITCHED NOISE. THREE WEEKS AGO THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THAT BOOSTER WITH ANOTHER, BECASUE THAT BOOSTER FAILED. NOW THIS PAST WEEK THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER BECAUSE IT FAILED. MY ROTORS AT 79,000 ARE WORN OUT AGAIN BUT MAZDA WILL NOT REPLACE THEM THIS TIME. I FEELL THAT BECAUSE THE COMPONENTS WERE FAILING FOR A LONG TIME AND THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, MAZDA SHOULD HAVE TOTALLY REBUILT THE BRAKING SYSTEM INSTEAD OF BANDAIDING IT. ALSO THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER WILL NOT APPROVE REPLACING THE ROTORS BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE, YET I HAVE HAD THESE CONTINUING PROBLEMS.*AK

AT 40000 MILEAGE MY ROTORS WERE REPLACED WHEN THE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS CAUSED BY HARD PADS. @ 65,000 MY BRAKE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED WHICH I CAMPLAINED FOR 1 YEAR ABOUTA HIGH PITCHED NOISE. THREE WEEKS AGO THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THAT BOOSTER WITH ANOTHER, BECASUE THAT BOOSTER FAILED. NOW THIS PAST WEEK THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER BECAUSE IT FAILED. MY ROTORS AT 79,000 ARE WORN OUT AGAIN BUT MAZDA WILL NOT REPLACE THEM THIS TIME. I FEELL THAT BECAUSE THE COMPONENTS WERE FAILING FOR A LONG TIME AND THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, MAZDA SHOULD HAVE TOTALLY REBUILT THE BRAKING SYSTEM INSTEAD OF BANDAIDING IT. ALSO THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER WILL NOT APPROVE REPLACING THE ROTORS BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE, YET I HAVE HAD THESE CONTINUING PROBLEMS.*AK

AT 40000 MILEAGE MY ROTORS WERE REPLACED WHEN THE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS CAUSED BY HARD PADS. @ 65,000 MY BRAKE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED WHICH I CAMPLAINED FOR 1 YEAR ABOUTA HIGH PITCHED NOISE. THREE WEEKS AGO THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THAT BOOSTER WITH ANOTHER, BECASUE THAT BOOSTER FAILED. NOW THIS PAST WEEK THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER BECAUSE IT FAILED. MY ROTORS AT 79,000 ARE WORN OUT AGAIN BUT MAZDA WILL NOT REPLACE THEM THIS TIME. I FEELL THAT BECAUSE THE COMPONENTS WERE FAILING FOR A LONG TIME AND THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, MAZDA SHOULD HAVE TOTALLY REBUILT THE BRAKING SYSTEM INSTEAD OF BANDAIDING IT. ALSO THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER WILL NOT APPROVE REPLACING THE ROTORS BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE, YET I HAVE HAD THESE CONTINUING PROBLEMS.*AK

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PADS WERE CAUSING THE PEDAL TO BE HARD WHEN DEPRESSING. ALSO, ROTORS OVERHEATEDD INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 22,000

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAD REACHED THE 20% POINT OF FRICTION MATERIAL REMAINING AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE BRAKES AND/OR PADS WERE MADE FROM INADEQUATE MATERIALS. *JB

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE WORN BEYOND REPAIR BEFORE THE BRAKE PADS. SINCE THESE ROTORS CANNOT BE REPAIRED, I ASSUME THAT THE BRAKES ARE UNSAFE. THE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AGREED TO REPLACE THE ROTORS ONLY IF I PURCHASE $500 WORTH OF OTHER SERVICES AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THIS APPEARS TO ME TO BE EXTORSION. THEY AGREE THE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE, BUT REFUSE TO REPLACE THEM WITHOUT MY BUYING ADDITIONAL SERVICES (TRANSMISSION AND DIFFERENTIAL FLUID REPLACEMENT, ETC.). *NM

Mileage: 53,800

BRAKE ROTORS KEEP WARPING.

Mileage: 9,000

1.THE FIRST PROBLEM I HAD WITH MY TRIBUTE WAS ALL THE POWER STEERING FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT, SO THEY REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION. 2.THE SECOND, WHEN GOING FOR MY FIRST BRAKE JOB I'M INFORMED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS ARE TOO THIN AND UNDER SPECS. AND NEED TO BE REPLACED (A $700 JOB) SO, I WENT TO MAZDA AND THEY SAID THE BRAKE PADS ARE TOO HARD FOR THE ROTORS ARE ARE UNUSUALLY WEARING SO, THEY REPLACED MY ROTORS. 3.THE THIRD, A WEEK LATER I'M STRAINED, BECAUSE THE STARTER STUCK AND BURNED ITSELF OUT, THEY TOWED THE CAR AND REPLACED THE STARTER. 4.THE FOURTH, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD LEAKAGE SO, I HAD TO HAVE THEM FIX THAT. 5.THE FIFTH, NOW I AM CURRENTLY DEALING WITH A SPUTTERING OR CLUNCKING NOISE THAT OCCURS UPON SLOW ACCELERATION OF 40 MPH WITH PEDAL VIBRATION AND ALSO OCCURS SOMETIMES AT 60 MPH NOW. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT AND FIX THIS PROBLEM YET. BUT, THOUGHT THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY FOUND A BUSHING NEAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED SO, THEY REPLACED THAT. UNTIL NEXT TIME.....

Mileage: 34,343

THE MADZA TRIBUTE 2001 STALLS WITHOUT WARNING, AT VARYING SPEEDS. BOTH THE BRAKES AND THE STEERING SYSTEM ARE INOPERABLE. THE CAR STARTS AGAIN AFTER THIS OCCURS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES! LUCKILY, MY SON WHO DRIVES THIS CAR HASN'T BEEN INJURED. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT TIME? WHAT IF HE IS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 55 OR 65 MILES AN HOUR? CAN MAZDA ASSURE ME THAT HE WON'T BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED? THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS OFFERED SEVERAL EXPLANATIONS AFTER VERIFYING THAT THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE AIR INTAKE VALVE STICKS WHEN CARBON BUILDS UP ON IT. NOW WE ARE TOLD IT IS A FLAW IN THE COMPUTER. CLEARLY THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW WHICH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR. THIS CAR IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN! HOW CAN I POSSIBLY ALLOW MY SON TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE?!! *LA

Mileage: 19,200

PROBLEMS WITH FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO WARNING FROM THE BRAKE SENSORS. *SCC *JB

I WAS CONSTANTLY HAVING PROBLEMS STOPPING ON ICE/SNOW. IT SEEMED THAT NO MATTER HOW I BRAKED MY ABS SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL THROUGH STOP LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BRAND OF TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE TRIBUTE, SO PURCHASE A NEW SET OF GOODYEAR SNOW AND MUD TIRES AFTER ONLY 12,000 AT A COST OF $300. BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED THE NEXT WINTER. THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO FINALLY TAKE IT TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER CAP WAS CRACKED AND THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE NOT BEING USED HARDLY AT ALL. NEARLY ALL OF THE BRAKING FORCE ON MY VEHICLE WAS BEING DONE BY THE FRONT BRAKES. THIS WOULD EXPLAIN WHY I WAS HAVING SUCH DIFFICULTIES STOPPING ON ICE AND SNOW. TO NO SURPRISE, MY FRONT BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT ONLY 26,000 MILES AND IT COST ME $130. I DID GET THE MASTER CYLINDER CAP REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT YOU MIGHT WANT TO WATCH THIS IN THE FUTURE. I HOPE YOU CAN SEE HOW THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE.

ENGINE PERIODICALLY SHUTS DOWN AT LOW RPMS. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAIL WHEN ENGINE SHUTS DOWN AND, AS A RESULT, THE TRIBUTE IS DIFFICULT TO STEER AND STOP. SHUTDOWNS HAVE HAPPENED AT LEAST ELEVEN TIMES - ALWAYS AT LOW RPMS (1000 RPM OR LESS). EACH SHUT DOWN OCCURRED WHEN I WAS COASTING DOWNHILL. GENERALLY, I WAS ALSO BRAKING AT THE SAME TIME. THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DILIGENT IN THEIR EFFORTS BUT SO FAR MAZDA HAS BEEN UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I BOUGHT THE TRIBUTE IN JAN 2001 AND EXPERICED THE FIRST FAILURES BEFORE THE FIRST 3000 MILE SERVICING. THE FIRST DEALER RESOLUTION ATTEMPT WAS NOT DOCUMENTED. THE TECHNICIAN QUERIED THE ONBOARD COMPUTER BUT THERE WAS NO CODE INDICATING ANY FAILURE. ON 4/28/02, AFTER MORE FAILURES, THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A WIRING PROBLEM AND "FIXED". THREE MORE FALILURES OCCURRED BEFORE THE TRIBUTE REACHED 6000 MILES. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE BUT ON 8/8/01 ADVISED MAZDA. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. ENGINE SHUTDOWNS CONTINUED AND ON 10/09/01 AT 7,639 MILES, THE DEALER REMOVED THE BYPASS AIR CONTROL VALVE AND CLEANED THE PASSAGEWAY - AS ADVISED BY MAZDA TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. THE TRIBUTE THEN RAN FINE FOR EIGHT MONTHS. THEN IN JUNE 2002, THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED AND THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. DEALER STILL HAD SEEN NOTHING FURTHER FROM MAZDA CONCERNING RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM AND CONTACTED THEM ONCE MORE FOR ASSISTANCE. SUGGESTION WAS TO "RE-PROGRAM" THE ONBOARD COMPUTER THE NEXT TIME THE CAR IS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND WILL UTLIMATELY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. SO FAR, SHUTDOWNS HAVE OCCURRED WHILE I WAS IN AN UNCONGESTED AREA BUT THAT IS SIMPLY LUCK. MAZDA AND FORD HAVE A REALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND RESOLUTION. SO FAR I HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING FROM MAZDA LETTING ME KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRIBUTE. GUESS THEY FEEL IT IS NOT A PROBLEM AS LONG AS IT CAN BE IGNORED.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DIES AT 40-45 MPH WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER SITTING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED AND IT WAS HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *YH

WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR LOST POWERSTEERING AND POWER BRAKES, I PULLED OVER TO AVOID A CRASH.*AK

BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARE DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED DRIVER CAN VERY EASILY HIT GAS PEDAL AS WELL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

STEERING WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN, AND BRAKE PEDAL GETS STUCK. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

I BOUGHT MY TRIBUTE IN AUGUST AND JUST HAD THE FIRST SERVICE DONE RECENTLY SO WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2001, I WAS NOT EXPECTING ANY PROBLEM. I WAS GOING ABOUT 45 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I COULDN'T STEER THE CAR. THE POWER STEERING HAD CEASED AND I BELIEVE THE BRAKES ALSO. I VEERED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED THE CAR. I PROCEEDED TO FIND A PHONE TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE AND WHEN I GOT THE CAR TOWED TO RIDGEFIELD MAZDA I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER. WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE AND HE WAS ALMOST CERTAIN HE KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE TOLD ME MAZDA HAD GOTTEN SEVERAL TRIBUTES COME IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH IS THE IGNITION FAILS AND EVERYTHING GOES OUT LIKE THE STEERING ETC. JUST WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. OBVIOUSLY, MAZDA KNEW OF THE PROBLEM, AND I QUESTIONED HOW THEY COULD NOT NOTIFY OTHER DRIVERS OF THIS MALFUNCTION. HE TOLD ME IT WASN'T CONSIDERED A RECALL AS OF YET EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD SEVERAL CUSTOMERS COME IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE TRIBUTE IS A NEW VEHICLE AND I UNDERSTAND THERE MAY STILL BE KINKS/BUGS TO WORK OUT WITH A NEW VEHICLE BUT THIS ISN'T A MINOR PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE THIS CHECKED INTO AND IF POSSIBLE, MAKE IT A RECALL SO THIS WON'T HAPPEN TO OTHER DRIVERS. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO A SAFE LOCATION, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. I WOULD NOT WANT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. THANK YOU.. *AK

BRAKES HAVE FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, ABS LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ON, HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER 4 TIMES. I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN CAR FOR 2 DAYS IN CLOSE TO 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. I HAVE DEMANDED A REFUND OF PURCHASE BASED ON LEMON LAW WITH NO RESPONSE FROM DEALER OR MAZDA.. I DO NOT HAVE THE MAZDA OR EVEN A LOANER AT THIS TIME. CAR HAS NOW BEEN IN SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH THIS 4TH TIME.

VEHICLE STOPPED & COULD NOT ACCELERATE. DASH PANEL LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. I WAS GOING SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL & ALSO CAR WOULD NOT BRAKE, SO HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHEN I MANAGED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT/SIDE IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE.*AK

VEHICLE HAS LOST STEERING AND BRAKE POWER ON HILLS AT SPEEDS AROUND 30-35 MPH. THE ONLY WAY TO REGAIN POWER IS TO CUT THE IGNITION. THIS IS AN EXTREME HEALTH HAZARD: OCCURRENCES ARE NUMEROUS AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

WHILE DRIVING AN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WILL STALL. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT.*AK

THE VEHICLE WAS ON LOCAL ROAD AND STEERING AND BRAKES WERN'T RESPONDING. WAS ABLE TO COAST ALL THE WAY DOWN THE HILL. ONCE CONSUMER CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE STARTED UP. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *SLC

NEW MASTER CYLINDER WAS INSTALLED 7/24/2001, AND STILL HAVING BRAKE FAILURE/ABS LIGHT ON. *AK

NEW MASTER CYLINDER WAS INSTALLED 7/24/2001, AND STILL HAVING BRAKE FAILURE/ABS LIGHT ON. *AK

VEHICLE WAS GOING 10-15MPH AND STEPPED ON GAS TO GO 20-25MPH. AND RPMS WERE STICKING,AND BRAKING MADE IT 80-85% LESS EFFECTIVE. DEALER IS CONVINCED THE PROBLEM IS THE FLOOR MATS.