2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

The contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was shifting erratically and made an abnormal rumbling sound. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to respond and was jerking upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact who is an independent mechanic had replaced the transmission speed sensor, the transmission shift position sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, the shift solenoid block, the transmission fluid, the transmission clutch solenoid, and the wheel speed sensor; however, the failure persisted. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved DTC codes indicating that the ABS wiring was overheating. The contact later became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V016000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer bypassed the ABS module. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH to the residence after the repair, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the recall repair did not involve bypassing the ABS module. The dealer was contacted, but no further assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and several cases were opened; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

Mileage: 162,000

I NOTICED A BRAKE FLUID LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE. AFTER CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD, I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID SPLATTERED AROUND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID,THE TOP WAS LOOSE,AND THE RESERVOIR WAS LOW. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I NOTICED THIS, AND WHEN I CHECKED MY VIN# AGAINST RECALLS, THERE IS NONE FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE. BUT I KNOW THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL IN EFFECT FOR 2001-2002 TRIBUTES FOR THIS PROBLEM PER NHTSA 12V016000. IT SPECIFICALLY REFERENCES THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP, WHICH I THINK MAY BE MY PROBLEM ALSO. *TR

Mileage: 141,300

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR HOUSING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 188,000. *TR

Mileage: 154,000

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE CALLED MAZDA CORPORATION SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE PAST FIVE MONTHS AND ASKED WHAT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN REPAIRING THE ABS RECALL DEFECT. MAZDA INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PURSUANT TO THE RECALL, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AT THIS TIME. MAZDA RECOMMENDED THE CONSUMER PARK HIS VEHICLE AWAY FROM STRUCTURES IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT, THE ABS MODULE DEVELOPED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *JB

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL 6712A CONCERNING ABS SYSTEM REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNTIL SHE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION LETTER SAYING THE PART WAS IN STOCK. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL 6712A CONCERNING ABS SYSTEM REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNTIL SHE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION LETTER SAYING THE PART WAS IN STOCK. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE ). THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN FEBRUARY 2012 HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE TIME FRAME INVOLVED WITH HAVING A RECALL DEFECT REPAIRED WAS UNREASONABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING ODOR WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO BILLOW FROM THE HOOD AREA. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED IN ORDER TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS BUT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIAN ASSURED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE RECALL CONSEQUENCE BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR COULD BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

Mileage: 132,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE.THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE) AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD TAKE THREE MONTHS TO BE MANUFACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIME PERIOD FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNSATISFACTORY. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR MALFUNCTIONED AND AS A RESULT, SHE UNABLE TO UNLOCKED OR OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000. THE CONSUMER STATED BRAKE FLUID LEAKED WHICH CAUSED HER TO NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND HIT A POLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. UPDATED 04/25/12

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ABS PUMP WIRING. THE WIRING WAS MELTED AND THE PUMP WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE ) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

MY SON HAS DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2008, WHEN WE PURCHASED IT FOR HIM TO USE WHILE IN COLLEGE. HE WAS DRIVING ONTO CAMPUS AND WHEN APPROACHING THE PARKING LOT, HE NOTICED ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF ON THE DASHBOARD. AS HE PARKED HE REALIZED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE OPENED THE HOOD, SAW A FIRE, AND CALLED 911 IMMEDIATELY. THEY ARRIVED QUICKLY AND SUCCESSFULLY PUT THE FIRE OUT. FIREMEN TOLD HIM IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL AND HE WAS LUCKY THEY GOT THERE AS QUICK AS THEY DID. INSURANCE CLAIM ADJUSTER TOOK IT TO A FORD SHOP (CLOSEST) WHERE THEY HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND SAID THEY COULDN'T GET PARTS, BUT WERE AWARE OF A RECALL COMING ON THE AREA THE FIRE HAD OCCURRED IN (THE WIRING HARNESS AND ABS MODULE). IT WAS THEN SENT TO A MAZDA DEALER, THAT HAD IT FOR 10 DAYS, AND FINALLY SAID THE NEEDED PARTS WERE OBSOLETE AND THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. CLAIMS ADJUSTER CHECKED WITH ANOTHER FORD AND ANOTHER MAZDA DEALER, GETTING THE SAME ANSWERS FROM BOTH. BY THE WAY, WHEN THEY CHECKED ON THE VIN, THEY SAID IT WAS NOT ON ANY MAZDA RECALLS. THIS WAS AT THE END OF JANUARY/BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY 2012. SO AFTER ALL THIS, THEY HAD TO TOTAL A VEHICLE THAT ONLY HAD ABOUT 77,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION OTHERWISE. THE DAY I GET HOME FROM HAVING DOCUMENTS NOTARIZED FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY, IN MY MAILBOX IS A RECALL FROM MAZDA....THIS VERY ONE 6712A, WHICH I HAD ALREADY FOUND ONLINE DAYS PRIOR TO THE MAZDA DEALERS DENYING OUR VIN WAS INCLUDED. THE RECALL LETTER STATES THE WORK FROM A PRIOR RECALL IN 2007 REGARDING THIS ISSUE HAD BEEN DONE. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL THIS FIRE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR MORE SERIOUS EMERGENCY SITUATION. AND WE ARE GRATEFUL OUR INSURANCE COMPANY ISN'T HOLDING THINGS UP DUE TO MAZDA'S LACK OF HELP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, AND THE ENGINE RELEASED A BURNING ODOR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD THE RADIATOR, HEATER COIL AND THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RELEASE A BURNING ODOR AND THERE WAS A CONTINUAL INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE), BUT NOTICED THAT THE SERVICES WOULD NOT BE PERFORMED UNTIL THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE YEAR. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE AND TO PARK THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM BUILDINGS UNTIL THE REPAIR COULD BE PERFORMED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE TO A SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THE TIME DELAY IN HAVING THE REPAIRS PERFORMED WHEN A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 185,000.

Mileage: 185,000

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS ON MY MAZDA TRIBUTE. IT CONSTANTLY LEAKS AND EVENTUALLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED MAZDA TODAY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT CURRENTLY ON THE LIST OF THE RECALL BUT I REQUESTED A CONFIRMATION # OF MY CALL JUST IN CASE I HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. I TOLD THEM THAT CURRENTLY MY BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE GENTLEMEN ON THE OTHER SIDE STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO NOW BUT THAT I SHOULD PARK MY CAR ON THE OUTSIDE. WHAT KIND OF ANSWER IS THIS? *TR

Mileage: 175,000

LEAKING RESERVOIR CAP ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. I'M AWARE THAT FORD IS RECALLING 01 AND 02 ESCAPES FOR THIS ISSUE. I HAVE A MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT IS IDENTICAL TO THE FORD ESCAPE AND WAS ASSEMBLED IN THE SAME FACTORY AS THE ESCAPE. WILL THE RECALL FOR THE LEAKING RESERVOIR CAP EXTEND TO THE TRIBUTE AS WELL? I FOUND MY RESERVOIR CAP LEAKING A FEW YEARS BACK AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND APPLIED A FIX AT THE TIME WITH CARDBOARD BUT DON'T FEEL THAT IT'S A SAFE FIX. I WOULD HOPE THIS RECALL WILL ALSO EXTEND TO THE 01 AND 02 TRIBUTES AS THEY ARE THE IDENTICAL IN EVERY WAY TO THE FORD EXCEPT FOR A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT BODY STYLE. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE NEW. IN A SEPARATE ISSUE I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEAL LEAKS IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IN BOTH REAR AXLES AND THE PINION SEAL. MY TRIBUTE IS A 4X4. I FEEL THIS IS UNSAFE AS THE LEAKS WERE SEVERE ENOUGH THAT IF THE LEVEL OF FLUID WERE LOW ENOUGH COULD HAVE CAUSED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TO CEASE UP WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE RECENTLY (1\2012) HAD TO HAVE BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS, PINION SEAL AND PINION FLANGE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I ALSO HAD A REAR AXLE SEAL REPLACED BY THE DEALER I HAD ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ABOUT 3.5 YEARS INTO OWNERSHIP. THIS LAST TIME WHEN THE LEAKS OCCURRED IT WAS SPRAYING DIFFERENTIAL FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AND LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED. IF THE FLUID HAD SPRAYED ON A HOT EXHAUST WHILE DRIVING IT CAN ALSO POSE A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND EVERYTIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE STALLED. AFTER LETTING IT SIT FOR 1/2 HOUR, IT RAN FINE. TWO DAYS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND AN INDEPENDANT AUTO SHOP RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THE CAR WAS FINE. IT STALLS LIKE THIS EVERY 3-4 DAYS WITH NO WARNING. YOU WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE TO BRAKE AND IT STALLS COMPLETELY. NO POWER TO STEERING OR ACCELERATION. *TT

Mileage: 75,000

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE{THE TOP PORTION} WHEN IT BROKE IT BLEW OUT MY TIRE AND LODGED A PIECE OF IT IN BETWEEN THE BRAKE ROTOR SOME HOW TEARING THE TIRE TO BITS. AND THEN APX A MONTH AFTER THAT THE OTHER ONE BROKE LUCKILY IT DI NOT DO THE SAME DAMAGE AS THE FIRST TIME. SO BECAUSE OF THE CHEAPLY MADE AND WRONGFULLY HEAT TREATED METAL THE SPRING BROKE. WHICH COST ME A TIRE OF 165.00 AND TO REPLACE THE SPRING AT THE COST OF 273.69 THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE AFTER LOOKING IN TO IT FORD EXPLORER,AND THE ESCAPE WHICH IS THE EXACT SAME AS THE MAZDA I FOUND THIS HAS BEEN A ISSUE FOR ALOT OF PEOPLE. A SPRING OF ALL PARTS OF A CAR SHOULD NEVER BREAK LIKE THIS. THIS COULD HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY NOT OVER HEATING THE STEEL THAT THE SPRING WAS MADE OUT OF THE IS CLEARLY NEGLECT ON FORD MANUFACTURING AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER MY CAR SO I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY.... *TR

Mileage: 71,540

I STARTED MY CAR AND THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT FLASHED ON-AND-OFF. THINKING IT WOULD GO AWAY, I DROVE TO ROUTE 3 IN SOUTH SHORE, MA. ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE LIGHT DID NOT STOP FLASHING, SO I PULLED OVER. THIRTY SECONDS AFTER PULLING OVER IN A REST AREA, WHITE SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. 10 SECONDS LATER, BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM THE HOOD WHICH WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH A BURNING SMELL. LUCKILY, SOMEONE FROM MASSDOT WAS IN THE REST AREA AND WE DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A CAR FIRE. WE PROCEEDED TO STEP BACK AND CALL 911 FROM A SAFE DISTANCE. THE ENGINE AREA OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

MY 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE'S ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I NOTICED A PULSATING IN THE BRAKE THAT GOT WORSE FAIRLY QUICKLY. THE SENSOR RING FOR THE ABS, LOCATED ON THE AXLE, WAS CRACKED. FIRST ONE SIDE, AND WITHIN A FEW MONTHS, THE OTHER SIDE DID THE SAME THING. NOT A CHEAP FIX CONSIDERING THE COMPLETE AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. I REALLY LIKE MY TRIBUTE, SO MUCH SO, I INSISTED MY MOTHER BUY ONE WHEN SHE WAS LOOKING FOR A NEW VEHICLE. SHE OPTED FOR A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. LOW AND BEHOLD, SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM! *KB

Mileage: 60,000

INTERMITTENT ABS LIGHT, SOMETIMES WITH BRAKE LIGHT. NOTICED A LOW HUM FROM ENGINE ONE NIGHT, CHECKED FOR ANYTHING LEFT ON, DECIDED IT WAS PROBABLY NORMAL NOISE I HADN'T NOTICED BEFORE. THE NEXT MORNING,I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK DOORS, THEN TRIED TO START ENGINE. ENGINE TURNED OVER THEN ALL LIGHTS WENT OFF. TRYING TO START ENGINE FAILED AND I HAD TO LOCK DOOR MANUALLY. GOT A JUMP START AND WAS FINE RUNNING LOCAL ERRANDS, BUT THAT HUM WAS ALWAYS THERE WITH ENGINE OFF. THE NEXT DAY, SAME SCENARIO. GOT JUMP AND WENT TO MAZDA DEALER. TOLD NO RECALLS FOR THAT YEAR EXCEPT SEATBELTS, WAS NEVER ASKED FOR VIN. A TECH OFFERED TO LOOK AND I EXPLAINED WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM AND THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ABS. HE DISAGREED AND LOOKED AROUND THE ENGINE. EVENTUALLY HE SAID HE HAD TO "EAT HIS WORDS", THAT IT WAS THE ABS PUMP STAYING ON. I ASKED IF I COULD PULL THE ABS FUSE AND NOT AFFECT ANY OTHER SYSTEMS SINCE IT WASN'T WORKING ANYWAY. HE SAID IT WAS FINE, AND TOOK IT OUT FOR ME. I NEVER HAD ANY OTHER BRAKE-RELATED PROBLEMS. WHEN MY CAR STARTED IDLING LOW AND LOSING POWER AT LOW SPEED, I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE COMPUTER REPORTED A SLIGHTLY OFF FUEL MIX AND CYLINDER 5 MISFIRING. THEY SAID THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL, BUT I WASN'T CONFIDENT THEY FELT CERTAIN THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I GAVE MYSELF A CRASH COURSE IN ENGINES AND REALIZED THE NUMBER OF THINGS IT COULD BE WAS HUGE. I AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR, BUT WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. THAT WAS WHEN I REALIZED MY CARFAX REPORT, AND THE DEALER HAD CONCEALED RECALLS. I WASN'T CERTAIN MY VIN WAS INCLUDED UNTIL I PICKED UP MY CAR AND THE TECH HELPED ME LOOK AROUND THE ENGINE. RIGHT THERE, IN BRIGHT BLUE, WAS A STICKER FOR THE ABS RECALL CAMPAIGN. AT THE VERY LEAST, I SHOULD HAVE HAD THAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THE MAZDA TECH COULD NOT HAVE MISSED THE STICKER, NOR THE 5 OR SO RECALLS, ASSUMING HE LOOKED THEM UP. HOPING THAT NO FUSE MEANS NO FIRE RISK. *TR

Mileage: 126,500

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE ANTILOCK BRAKE MODULE CONNECTOR WHICH RESULTED INTO A FIRE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AND WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. ALSO, AFTER THE SECOND OCCURRENCE THERE WAS A DISCONNECTION OF THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY, ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PRIOR RECALL REMEDY PERFORMED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. A RECALL WAS ORDERED BY NHTSA ON 95,000 VEHICLES. MAZDA RECALL #07V15700 IN APRIL 2007. THE RECALL, ACCORDING TO MAZDA DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN#. HOWEVER THE CAUSE OF THE RECALL HAS PLAYED OUT WITH MY DAUGHTERS VEHICLE AND NOW IT APPEARS THAT I AM GOING TO BE STUCK FOR THE COST TO REPAIR. THE RESULT OF THIS EQUIPMENT FAILURE DID NOT RESULT IN BODILY HARM BUT IT WILL RESULT IN OVER $2,000 IN REPAIR COSTS. HOW DID NHTSA ARRIVE AT THE CONCLUSION THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RESOLVED BY THE MANUFACTURER? WHY WOULD MY DAUGHTERS VEHICLE NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROL MODULE FAILS RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF THE CARS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE ANTI-LOCK BANKING SYSTEM. THE SAME SMOKING AND ELECTRICAL DRAW THAT NECESSITATED THE RECALL REFERENCED ABOVE WAS OBSERVED BY MY MECHANIC. WE LIVE IN A FAIRLY RURAL AREA AND THIS DEFECT WHICH LED TO A FAILED BATTERY AND A FAILED ALTERNATOR COULD EASILY HAVE PLACED MY DAUGHTER IN A BAD SITUATION. MAZDA DENIED THAT THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS MODULE CONNECTION IS CORRODED AND CAUSING NO ABS BRAKES AND THE WARNING LIGHTS STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY UNDER RECALL NHTSA# 07V157000, COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF $125 TO CHECK THE VEHICLE AND IF IT IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL HE WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE TO A COST OF $1,200. CONTACT HAS NOT CALL THE MAZDA MANUFACTURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 70,000. UPDATED 1/11/09 *CN THE ABS AND SERVICE SERVICE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON. UPDATED 01/14/10

Mileage: 55,000

I OWN A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH ONLY 47,475 MILES ON IT. IN THE PAST 6 WEEKS I HAVE NOTICED WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT THE ANTILOCK BRAKES KICK IN AND THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR UNLESS I PUMP THEM. THIS HAS BECOME VERY DANGEROUS AS IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I HAD MY SON LOOK AT THE BRAKES TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T THE PADS AND HE FOUND A BROKEN TOOTH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT ABS RING WHICH IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB TO FIND IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS AND FOUND NO RECALLS FOR THIS TROUBLE BUT I DID FIND OTHERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR SERVICED AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $800.00. I FEEL THAT THIS MUST BE A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. A CAR WITH 47,475 MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE TO HAVE MAZDA COVER THIS COST OR IF I HAVE ANY OTHER RECOURSE. *TR

Mileage: 47,405

I OWN A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH ONLY 47,475 MILES ON IT. IN THE PAST 6 WEEKS I HAVE NOTICED WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT THE ANTILOCK BRAKES KICK IN AND THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR UNLESS I PUMP THEM. THIS HAS BECOME VERY DANGEROUS AS IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I HAD MY SON LOOK AT THE BRAKES TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T THE PADS AND HE FOUND A BROKEN TOOTH ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT ABS RING WHICH IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB TO FIND IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS AND FOUND NO RECALLS FOR THIS TROUBLE BUT I DID FIND OTHERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR SERVICED AT AN APPROXIMATE COST OF $800.00. I FEEL THAT THIS MUST BE A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. A CAR WITH 47,475 MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE TO HAVE MAZDA COVER THIS COST OR IF I HAVE ANY OTHER RECOURSE. *TR

Mileage: 47,405

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES PULSATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 15 MPH. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES MADE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND WHEN APPLIED. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH DID NOT PRODUCE ANY ERROR CODES. THE CONTROL MODULE AND ALL THE SENSORS WERE CHECKED, BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED AND A THOROUGH INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 95,000. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER TRADED THE VEHICE. UPDATED 07/31/09.*JB

Mileage: 95,000

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE 6 CYL. ABS BRAKE FAILURE AND FIRE. BRAKE FLUID FROM MASTER CYL DRIPPED ON ABS PUMP WIRE CONNECTOR. ALL WIRES FOR ABS AND CRUISE BURNT FROM CONNECTOR BACK ABOUT 10". REPLACED MASTER CYL. A LOT OF REWIRING IS YET TO BE DONE. *TR

Mileage: 210,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FAILS TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07E023000. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

Mileage: 35,000

2002 TRIBUTE FROM THE FIRST WEEK THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS. 1ST THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE STOPPED WORKING. PLASTIC PIECE THAT ALLOWS HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR HAD BROKEN. REPAIRED $$$ PAID! 2ND THE DRIVER SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRED $$$ PAID! *** WE ARE NOW FACED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE NOT WORKING, THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, AN ISSUE WITH THE 5 AND 6 SPARK PLUGS FALLING OUT FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 4 MONTHS, THE BATTERY CABLES STAYING CORRODED AND SLOW TO START, THERE IS SOME SORT OF KNOCKING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. I HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS AND HAD OTHER SIMILIAR ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICAL THAT SEEM TO BE VERY COMMON PROBLEMS. I HAVE SPENT THE LAST 4 HOURS DOING MY RESEARCH AND SEE THAT THERE ARE COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME NATURE ON ALMOST EVERY WEB SITE. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THE AVERAGE PERSON WILL WAIT ON AN 'ISSUE' TO BECOME A RECALL. I DON'T HAVE THE PATIENCE TO UNROLL THE WINDOW EVERY TIME I WANT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. NOT TO MENTION HAVING TO ASK MY PASSENGER TO LET THEMSELVES OUT IN THE SAME MANNER. I AM NOT GOING TO PAY ANOTHER PENNY ON FIXING THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE PAID FOR SO MANY MAINTENANCE ISSUES THAT NOW THAT I THINK MAZDA SHOULD HAVE FIXED. WHEN DO THESE COMPLAINTS BECOME RECALL REALITY? WHAT IS MY NEXT OPTION? I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW BAD IT WOULD BE TO HAVE MY FAMILY IN THE CAR, THE ENGINE FOULS OUT BECAUSE OF THE SPARK PLUG ISSUE, THE BRAKES WON'T WORK BECAUSE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAK, THE BATTERY CABLES CORRODED AND PREVENTING THE WINDOWS BEING ABLE TO LET DOWN TO OUT. I WILL CONTACT MY DEALER TOMORROW AND WORK OUT THE RECALLS I WAS NOT AWARE OF, HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET OUR DOOR LOCKS FIXED TOO! *TR

Mileage: 1

PURCHASED 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. HAS BEEN DRIVEN RESPECTFULLY WITH ON HARSH DRIVING CONDITIONS AS WELL AS HAVING REGULAR MAINT. PERFORMED AT SUGGESTED INTERVALS. ORIGINAL ROTORS HAVE WARPED THROUGH NORMAL DRIVING. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY THE BRAKES FELT OR THE EVENTUAL FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH DUE TO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A FLAPPING SOUND THAT ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. SHE THEN NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. RECALL NUMBER 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE) WAS REFERENCED. THE INSURANCE INSPECTOR STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS DUE TO THE RECALLED ITEM. HOWEVER, THE INSPECTOR IS WAITING FOR A SECOND OPINION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 47,000.

Mileage: 47,000

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

Mileage: 50,500

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

Mileage: 70,000

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

Mileage: 84,000

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 TO AN AUTO ELECTRIC SHOP. THE SHOP EVENTUALLY REPAIRED THE WIRE HARNESS AND REPLACED THE MODULE WITH A NEW UNIT THAT I PURCHASED FROM THE DEALER. IT HAS SINCE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. I ESTIMATE THAT THIS DEFECTIVE BRAKE MODULE ULTIMATELY COST ME VERY CLOSE TO $1,000 AND A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF FUSS AND INCONVENIENCE, INCLUDING LOSS OF USE OF MY CAR FOR OVER A WEEK. I DO NOT HAVE THE ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE PART.

Mileage: 50,000

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

Mileage: 29,152

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

Mileage: 17,000

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

Mileage: 70,400

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

Mileage: 50,000

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

BRAKES WERE SHAKING AND MAKING NOISE WHEN BEING APPLIED. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE ROTORS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR INSPECTION. DEALER WILL REPAIR AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK

I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO YEARS, IT CURRENTLY HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON IT TWICE NOW, AND THIS TIME WHEN I WENT TO DO THE BRAKES THERE WAS NO WEAR ON THE SHOES AND NO GROOVES IN THE DRUMS ON EITHER SIDE. THESE ARE THE ORIGONAL SHOES. I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE GRAND PRIX. I HAVE TESTED THE BRAKES WITH THE DRUMS OFF AND IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THEY WOULD ASSIST, BUT BY THE AMOUNT OF WEAR PRESENT I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT ALL OF MY BREAKING IS COMING FROM THE FRONT. I TOOK PICTURES OF THE DRUMS AND THE SHOES AND IT IS CLEAR THERE IS NO WEAR. THERE WASN'T EVEN ANY DUST.*AK

Mileage: 45,350

WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD IN ORDER TO STOP AND A SQUEAKING NOSE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK ON 02/04/03 THE BRAKES, ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED 11 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, 03/10/04 THE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPAIRED A YEAR LATER, 05/27/04 BRAKE SQUEALING 2 MONTHS AFTER REPAIR THE FRONT ROTORS WERE REPLACED AND PADS SANDED, 06/13/04. *SC *JB

FRONT DISC BRAKES - ALLEGEDLY WORN OUT AT 22,000 MILES AND NOW AT 34,000 MILES. 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS HAVE LOOKED AT PROBLEM AND DECLINED TO MAKE A WARRANTY CLAIM. NOW BEING TOLD BY 2ND DEALER THAT ROTORS ARE "THROW AWAY" AND NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH DISC PADS. I'VE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES ON ANY CAR WITH LESS THAT 60,000 MILES. *LA

Mileage: 22,000

FRONT DISC BRAKES - ALLEGEDLY WORN OUT AT 22,000 MILES AND NOW AT 34,000 MILES. 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS HAVE LOOKED AT PROBLEM AND DECLINED TO MAKE A WARRANTY CLAIM. NOW BEING TOLD BY 2ND DEALER THAT ROTORS ARE "THROW AWAY" AND NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH DISC PADS. I'VE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES ON ANY CAR WITH LESS THAT 60,000 MILES. *LA

Mileage: 22,000

I OWN A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE AND UPON TAKING MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION IT WAS NOTED THAT MY BRAKES AND ROTORS WOULD NOT PASS. I THEN BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO MAZDA FOR INSPECTION AND THEY AGREED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE WOR, YET NOT COMPLETELY GONE, BUT MORE SERIOUSLY THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. OUR SERVICE REP STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON MANY TRIBUTES, YET MAZDA HAS NOT AUTHORIZED THEM TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. IN ALL MY YEARS OF CAR OWNERSHIP AND WITH EVERYONE I HAVE TALKED TO, ROTORS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON A TWO YEAR OLD CAR.*AK

Mileage: 39,570

WITHIN MONTHS OF BUYING THE SUV WE HAD IT BACK TO CRYSTAL AUTO MALL, GREEN BROOK, NJ THE PROBLEM...THE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE, IT WOULD SHIFT AROUND AS YOU DROVE DOWN THE ROAD! THIS WAS A QUICK REPAIR. STARTING ON SEPT 18,2002 WE TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER FOR THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMING ON, THEY REPLACED THE OIL SENDER UNIT, TOTAL $69.52, WHICH WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. ON OCT 14 BACK FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY KEPT IT UNTIL OCT 17, REPLACING ALL KINDS OF PARTS, OIL PUMP, OIL GASKET FOR A TOTAL OF $924.65, AGAIN COVERED BY WARRANTY. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IT HOME FROM THIS ROUND OF REPAIRS AND THE SAME PROBLEM LIT ITSELF UP AGAIN! HE WAS ALMOST HOME APPOX.30 MILES FROM THE DEALER, HE CALLED ON HIS CELL PHONE SAID HE WAS COMING RIGHT BACK, THIS TIME THEY HAD IT FROM OCT 18 TO OCT 31, 2002. WHAT A SURPRISE WHEN I HEARD THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE MOTOR FOR A TOTAL OF $4,511.17, AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY. STRANGE THING WAS THAT THEY WOULD NOT EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE NEW MOTOR BEYOND THE ORIGINAL GUARANTEE FOR THE TRUCK. NOW YOU TELL ME IS THIS RIGHT? THAT'S NOT THE END OF IT, ON JUNE 21, 2003, WE BROUGHT IT IN FOR A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END THEY KEPT IT OVER THE WEEKEND UNTIL JUNE 23 AND TOLD US IT NEEDS BREAKS AND ROTORS AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHICH OF COURSE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY!!! ONLY 24000 MILES ON THIS SUV AND NOTHING BUT HEADACHES

Mileage: 24,000

I HAVE A MAZDA TRIBUTE WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM MAZDA AND I JUST HAD TO PUT NEW PLATES ON, SO IT IS EXACTLY 1 YEAR OLD IN DRIVING TIME. MY PROBLEM IS THAT AT 16,000 MILES THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT I WOULD SOON NEED NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS I THOUGHT THAT WAS STRANGE AS I HAVE OWNED A NUMBER OF NEW CARS AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE MY ROTORS AND NEVER NEEDED BRAKES ON ANY CAR THIS EARLY. NOW AT 20,000 MILES THEY ARE SAYING THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND MY HUSBAND LOOKED AND SAID THE ROTORS ARE ALL WORN BUT THAT MY BRAKES HARDLY LOOK WORN AT ALL. MAZDA DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS A COMMON SITUATION WITH THIS PARTICULAR CAR. MY HUSBAND AND I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THIS BECAUSE IF A PERSON WERE TO BE DRIVING THIS MAKE AND MODEL AND NOT BE TAKING IT IN REGULARLY FOR THE WARRENTY CHECKS THE ROTORS COULD GO OUT AND CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS.*AK

Mileage: 16,000

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS TESTED AND SOME WIRING HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO STATED THAT SHE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE ROTORS. WHILE DRIVING SHE HEARD A REAL LOUD NOISE METAL TO METAL NOISE, AND WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP THE ROTORS WERE COMPLETELY WOREN OUT. DEALER HAD NO EXPLANATION AS WHY IT HAPPENED.*AK *CB

Mileage: 13,112

SINCE I PURCHASED THE AUTO IN APRIL 2002, THERE HAS BEEN A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE. EVERY TIME I TOOK THE AUTO IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE (EVERY 3000 MILES) I ASKED THEM TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ENGINE BECAUSE OF THE SMELL AND EVERY TIME THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING EXCEPT EXCESS OIL ON THE ENGINE. IF IT IS A BRAND NEW AUTO WHY IS THERE OIL ON THE ENGINE?? NO ANSWER FROM THE SERVICE DEPT. FINALLY AFTER A YEAR OF COMPLAINING THEY ACTUALLY LOOKED AT THE ENGINE AND FOUND A CRACKED BLOCK. THE SERVICE DEPT SAID IT MUST OF HAPPENED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS FACTORY INSTALLED. I WAS TOLD IT WAS STILL OK TO DRIVE. THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME WHEN THE "PART" WAS IN. ALSO THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE ME THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. ONCE AGAIN EVERYTIME I TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE I TOLD THEM THE BRAKES DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. I WOULD HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP SOMETIMES AND OTHER TIMES SITTING A LIGHT THEY WOULD DEPRESS TO THE FLOOR. SURPRISING NOTHING WAS FOUND UNTIL THE SERVICE DEPT ACTUALLY DRIVE THE AUTO AROUND (FOR THE ABOVE PROBLEM) DID THEY DISCOVER THAT I NEEDED A NEW MASTER CYLINDER!!! THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE, I HAVE HAD BOTH PROBLEMS SINCE THE AUTO WAS PURCHASED. LUCKILY IT NEVER STALLED ON ME. WHAT THE HECK IT UP WITH THIS MODEL YEAR??? *AK

THE VEHICLES BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *NLM

MY 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE SEEMS TO HAVE AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST. WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL ON THE TRIBUTE BY THE DEALER. HOWEVER, WE HAVE TO CLEAN THE FRONT WHEELS CONSTANTLY BECAUSE THEY ARE BLACK WITH HEAVY DUST WITHIN ONE WEEK OF WASHING. WE HAVE NOTICED OTHER NEW VEHICLES DO NOT APPEAR TO GET AS MUCH BRAKE DUST IN A SHORT TIME PERIOD. WE ARE WONDERING IF LARGE AMOUNTS OF BRAKE DUST IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE OR IF THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *NLM

Mileage: 9,500

THE BRAKES FAILED ON 11/22/02 AT 16,714 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER AS DEFECTED. ON 1/03/03 AT 19,632 MILES THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. AGAIN THE DEALER CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER AS DEFECTIVE. I QUESTIONED WHETHER THIS WAS THE CAUSE SINCE IT HAPPENED TWICE AND DIDN'T FEEL THIS WAS THE ROOT CAUSE. ON 1/10/03 AT 20,634 MILES THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. IN ALL THREE CASES THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND WILL NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DAELERSHIP NOW SAYS ITS AN ABS PROBLEM. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE EITHER.

Mileage: 16,714

THE BRAKES FAILED ON 11/22/02 AT 16,714 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER AS DEFECTED. ON 1/03/03 AT 19,632 MILES THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. AGAIN THE DEALER CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER AS DEFECTIVE. I QUESTIONED WHETHER THIS WAS THE CAUSE SINCE IT HAPPENED TWICE AND DIDN'T FEEL THIS WAS THE ROOT CAUSE. ON 1/10/03 AT 20,634 MILES THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. IN ALL THREE CASES THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND WILL NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DAELERSHIP NOW SAYS ITS AN ABS PROBLEM. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE EITHER.

Mileage: 16,714

THE BRAKES FAILED ON 11/22/02 AT 16,714 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER AS DEFECTED. ON 1/03/03 AT 19,632 MILES THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. AGAIN THE DEALER CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER AS DEFECTIVE. I QUESTIONED WHETHER THIS WAS THE CAUSE SINCE IT HAPPENED TWICE AND DIDN'T FEEL THIS WAS THE ROOT CAUSE. ON 1/10/03 AT 20,634 MILES THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. IN ALL THREE CASES THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND WILL NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DAELERSHIP NOW SAYS ITS AN ABS PROBLEM. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE EITHER.

Mileage: 16,714

WITHOUT WARNING MY BRAND NEW MAZDA TRIBUTE STALLED ON 5 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING BOTH GO OUT CAUSING IT TO BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STOP AND PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO THE SERVICE CENTER TWO TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY TELL ME THAT THEY'RE PRETTY SURE THEY HAVE IT TAKEN CARE OF THIS TIME. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO TOLD ME THAT "MAZDA IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM." MAZDA IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THEY ARE UNWILLING TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THEY FIND A DEFINATE FIX. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT I BELIEVE MAZDA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBLITY FOR BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED FROM THEIR CARELESS WAYS. MR

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE WHOLE SYSTEM FAILED. ALL LIGHTS ON DASH LIGHT, LOST BRAKES AND STEERING. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.

WHILE DRIVING AT 30-40 MPH VEHICLE SHUT OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKE SYSTEM TO FAIL. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK *YH

THE LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING A DOOR IS OPEN COMES ON BY ITSELF ANYTIME IT'S HOT OUTSIDE. I AM UNABLE TO KEEP THE OVERHEAD INTERIOR LIGHTS ON IN THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE ATTEMPTS TO FIX THIS. THE MASTER CYLINDER CLUTCH HAS ALSO GONE BAD AT 8K MILES...

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING 40MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE STALLED, AND ELECTRICAL POWER BRAKES/ STEERING , AND LIGHTS WERE LOST. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

ON NOVEMBER 2 DRIVING 40MPH WITH NO WARNING MY ENGINE SHUT OFF AND I LOST POWER TO MY STEERING AND BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER APPLYING ALL MY WEIGHT TO THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL. I MISSED AN ONCOMING CAR AND A TREE BY LUCK. I TOOK THE TRIBUTE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THEY WERE GOING TO PUT ME BACK IN THE TRIBUTE UNTIL MONDAY WHEN THEY HAD AN OPENING. I REQUESTED A RENTAL CAR BECAUSE I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR UNTILL THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. THE MANAGER ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE TRIBUTES THAT HAVE BEEN REPAIRED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT PORBLEMS. I RETURNED HOME AND CALLED THE MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. THEY ASSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT AND GET BACK WITH ME, THIS NEVER HAPPENED. ON NOVEMBER 6TH I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT MY CAR WAS READY. I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH THE SEVICE MANAGER WHO INFORMED ME THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND I COULD PICK UP MY CAR. I TOLD HIM I WOULD NOT PICK UP THE CAR UNTIL THERE WAS A SOLUTION TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. HE INFOMED ME THAT HIS HANDS WERE TIED AND TO CONTACT MAZDA. I CONTACTED MAZDA AND THEY CONTACTED THE SEVICE MANAGER WHO HAD ALREADY CONTACTED THE REGIONAL MANAGER. I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CONTACTED BY HIM TOMORROW NOVEMBER 7TH. I HAVE A 15 YEAR OLD SON WHO HAS HIS LEARNERS PERMIT AND WHO I STRONGLY BELIEVE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT. THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP. MY TRIBUTE IS THE FIRST 2002 THAT THEY HAVE SEEN WITH THE PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY THIS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS CONTINUES.*AK