2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUNDS WHEN STARTED AND WHILE DRIVING. THE SOUNDS BEGAN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE EXHAUST BOLTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIE ROD END WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,685.

Mileage: 117,685

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

ON JUNE 25, 2013 @ 11:00AM I CALLED MAZDA CORPORATION (REFERENCE CALL NUMBER: [XXX]) ABOUT RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH MY MAZDA TRIBUTE 2003 AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALLS WERE NOT ASSIGNED TO THE VIN NUMBER OF MY VEHICLE. THE MAZDA REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT ONLY THE SEAT BEAT ADJUSTMENT HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO MY VEHICLE AND THAT I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. MAZDA WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL. I BOUGHT THE TRIBUTE IN 2010 FROM A DEALERSHIP; THUS, WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALLS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIX IT. I HAVE A 13 AND 14 YEAR OLD GIRLS AND AM A SINGLE PARENT. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE. I CANNOT AFFORD RIGHT NOW TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. I AM ONLY ASKING MAZDA TO HONOR THE RECALLS. PLEASE SEE THE RECALL NOTICE BELOW FROM MAZDA. ITEM AFFECTED: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING DATE ANNOUNCED: 7/27/2012 DESCRIPTION OF RECALL: 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. ACTION NEEDED TO FIX IT: 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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 261,552

MY 2003 TRIBUTE HAS BEEN LEAKING OIL FROM THE OIL PAN GASKET BETWEEN THE OIL PAN AND ENGINE BLOCK. OF COURSE AFTER TIME IT WOULD LEAK BUT I HAVE HEARD THAT THE TRIBUTE HAS A BAD DESIGN WITH THE OIL PAN AND GASKET. THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO SELL ME THE NEW OIL PAN REPLACEMENT FOR THE DEFECTIVE ONE AND THE NEW GASKET REPLACEMENT FOR ALSO THAT DEFECTIVE PART. MAZDA REDESIGNED THE OIL PAN WITH AN EMBEDDED O RING IN LIEU OF A GASKET. THE DEALERS WANT TO SELL THE NEWLY DESIGNED PAN INSTALLED FOR $440 + TAX (MEDFORD, NY). I WOULD THINK THAT IT IS A DEFECT AND WOULD LIKE THIS AGENCIES OPINION. IF THE DESIGN WAS GOOD FROM THE START MAZDA WOULDN'T PUT THE TIME AND MONEY INTO REDESIGNING THE OIL PAN AND GASKET, AND RECOMMENDING THE REPLACEMENT. MAZDA WILL NOT DO THE GASKET REPLACEMENT UNLESS THE NEW DESIGNED PAN AND GASKET WAS USED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 55,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE LX(NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO START HIS VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY EXPLODED BUT DID NOT IGNITE; PARTS FLEW AND PENETRATED THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TYPE OF ENGINE, WHICH WAS CALLED AN "INTERFERENCE ENGINE" AND THE DESIGN OF IT. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT HE REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.

Mileage: 74,000

UPON STARTING, A SEVERE EXPLOSION OCCURRED, DENTING THE HOOD FROM PARTS OF ENGINE. SMOKE POURED OUT FROM HOOD, BUT IGNITED GASOLINE DID NOT LEAVE ENGINE. ENGINE IS AN INTERFERENCE FORD PRODUCT AND SUV HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED. THE SEVERITY OF THE DANGER OF THIS EXPLOSION CANNOT NOR SHOULD BE OVERLOOKED OR DISMISSED. HAD THE HOOD BEEN OPEN, SOMEONE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURY OR POSSIBLY DEATH. I HAVE TRIED TO WORK WITH MAZDA FOR A RESOLUTION IN THIS MATTER AND ALL ATTEMPTS HAVE FAILED. AS A PREVIOUSLY SATISFIED CUSTOMER FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS, I AM FRUSTRATED AND INFURIATED BY THEIR DENIALS TO WORK OUT A RESOLUTION, IN EITHER A NEW ENGINE OR SUBSTANTIAL TRADE ON A NEW VEHICLE. AN ENGINE WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE EXPLODING IS UNHEARD OF AND, CERTAINLY, NOT EXPECTED. MY LETTER TO MAZDA CEO AND PRESIDENT JAMES O'SULLIVAN AND MY MECHANIC'S ASSESSMENT IS AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 74,351

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING UPHILL OR APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL, IN WHICH SHE BELIEVED TO BE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V175000: POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: CONTROL MODULE TCM, PCM), HOWEVER HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 82,000. UPDATED 11/03/10 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE BACKING UP, AND WHEN IT STALLED, IT COULDN'T BE RESTARTED. UPDATED 11/04/10*JB

Mileage: 60,000

DRIVING 70 MPH. VEHICLE BEGAN ACCELERATING WITHOUT FOOT ON GAS PETAL. HAD TO HOLD FOOT ON BRAKE TO KEEP BELOW 70. WHEN FINALLY GOT TO EXIT AND STOPPED IDLING AT 4000 RPM AND VIBRATION SO BAD HAD TO SHUT CAR OFF. THROTTLE BODY AND A CABLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 89,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V175000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)). HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 86,400

OIL PAN GASKET IS LEAKING. I CALLED MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE, RECEIVED A FILE #115785220. MY 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE (5 YEARS OLD WITH 35,000 MILES) IS LEAKING OIL FROM THE OIL PAN GASKET. MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE, MAZDA HAS REDESIGNED THE OIL PAN WITH AN EMBEDDED O RING IN LIEU OF A GASKET. THE LOCAL MAZDA SERVICE CENTER (MAZDA 112) DOES NOT REPLACE THE GASKET; THEY FIX THE VEHICLE BY SELLING AND INSTALLING THE REDESIGNED OIL PAN FOR $440 + TAX (MEDFORD, NY). YOU CAN BUY A GASKET FOR THE ORIGINAL PAN AND DO IT YOURSELF OR MAYBE HAVE A LOCAL MECHANIC DO IT (I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S WORTH IT). MAZDA 112 TOLD ME THEY CALLED THE REGIONAL MAZDA REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY WOULD SAVE ME THE PRICE OF THE PARTS BUT THE COST OF REPAIR WILL STILL BE OVER $300. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND MAZDA IS NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE." I HAVE CALLED MAZDA TWICE AND EMAILED THEM. THE REPRESENTATIVES ARE POLITE BUT COULD NOT TELL ME IF THE OIL PAN WAS REDESIGNED BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE??? THEN WHY THE REDESIGN? ON THE INTERNET I HAVE VIEWED MANY COMPLAINTS OF LATE MODEL MAZDA TRIBUTE OWNERS WITH "OIL PAN LEAKS." *TR

Mileage: 35,438

WIFE DROVE 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE TO ARBY'S (I WAS MEETING HER THERE), GOT OUT OF CAR AND WALKED UP TO THE ENTRANCE. AS SHE GOT TO ARBY'S DOOR, SOMEONE OUTSIDE MENTIONED TO HER THAT HER CAR WAS SMOKING. SHE CAME INSIDE TO GET ME AND AS I CAME OUT A LOT OF SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I UNLOCKED THE CAR CRACKED THE HOOD SLIGHTLY WHERE I SAW FLAMES CLOSE TO THE FIREWALL. USED FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT FLAMES. FIRE SEEMED TO ORIGINATE TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE ENGINE CLOSE TO BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. I HAVE MANY PICTURES OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IF NEEDED. SEEMS SIMILAR TO NHTSA ACTION # PE06048. *JB

Mileage: 39,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH, WITH ACCELERATOR PRESSURE APPLIED, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL PULLED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DISENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BY PUMPING THE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE VEHICLE SLOWLY RESPONDED TO BRAKE PRESSURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK. WHILE PARKED, THE ENGINE REVVED UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CASING ON THE CRUISE CONTROL CRACKED WHICH CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE TO STICK, ALTHOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED AT THAT TIME. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL CASING AND CABLES WHICH CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE VALVE COVER AND GASKET WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 07/07/06

Mileage: 58,000

VEHICLE IS SOMETIMES HARD TO START AND IT STALLS FREQUENTLY IN TRAFFIC. A TUNE-UP WAS DONE, FUEL SYSTEM PARTS REPLACED. DEALER RECENTLY REPROGRAMMED THE PCM WITH NO CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE. NEAR ACCIDENT THIS MORNING WITH A SCHOOL BUS. VEHICLE JUST CUT OFF AS I SLOWED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. *JB

Mileage: 77,000

ENGINE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

Mileage: 25,000

INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE HESITATES BEFORE STARTING WHEN THE KEYS ARE TURNED IN THE IGNITION. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND PERFORMED THE REPAIRS INDICATED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE DIDN'T OCCUR IN THEIR PRESENCE SO THEY ARE REFUSING TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. *LA *SC

Mileage: 10,000

DROVE MY 03 MAZDA TRIBUTE IN TYPICAL FLORDA AFTERNOON RAINSTORM VEHICLE STALLED IN MIDDLE OF ROAD ALMOST CAUSING VEHICLES FOLLOWING TO CRASH FROM BEHIND LUCKILY I COASTED OFF TO THE SIDE QUICKLY AFTER FEW TRIES RESTARTED VEHICLE HOWEVER AFTER RESTARTED VEHICLE NOW MAKING LOUD RATTLING SOUND FROM ENGINE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE REST OF WAY HOME-ABOUT A MILE FROM WHERE STALLED PRIOR TO PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY LOUD POP & GRINDING FROM ENGINE COASTED INTO DRIVEWAY & REALIZED ENGINE BLOWN-OIL POURING OUT UNDERNEATH THINKING THIS WAS WARRANTY ISSUE (VEHICLE WELL MAINTAINED & ONLY YEAR OLD) TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL MAZDA DEALER FOR REPAIR AFTER HAVING VEHICLE 3 WEEKS THEY NOW TOLD ME THAT CAUSE OF STALL & BLOWING OF ENGINE WAS WATER FROM RAIN OR PUDDLES SPLASHING UP GOT INTO AIR INTAKE OF ENGINE WATER WAS PULLED INTO CYLINDERS WHERE IT CANT BE COMPRESSED & PISTON RODS BENT & BROKE UNTIL THEY PUNCTURED THROUGH BLOWING ENGINE DEALERS SERVICE DEPT STATED AIR INTAKE FOR VEHICLE IS LOCATED BEHIND FRONT GRILLE ABOUT HEADLIGHT LEVEL RIGHT WHERE MOST RAIN & SPLASHING WOULD END UP AT FRONT OF VEHICLE-SO NOT VERY WELL PROTECTED-WOULD NOT TAKE MUCH FOR WATER TO GET INTO CAUSING FAILURE MAZDA WOULD NOT REPAIR VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY-RECOMMENDED MY AUTO INS WOULD PAY FOR REPAIR I FEEL THIS IS SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW WITH VEHICLE ESP CONSIDERING MANY SMALLER VEHICLES WERE DRIVING AROUND IN SAME CONDITIONS WITHOUT INCIDENT & IF THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ME IN THE CONDITIONS & SPEEDS I WAS DRIVING I WOULD THINK IT COULD BE POTENTIAL CAUSE OF FUTURE ACCIDENTS FROM THESE VEHICLES STALLING IN WET CONDITIONS NOT ONLY IS IT SAFETY CONCERN-ALSO WOULD BE CONSUMER CONCERN BECAUSE IT CAN BLOW ENGINE & IF MAZDA WONT REPAIR VEHICLES WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE WILL BE MANY UPSET CONSUMERS MAZDA TRIBUTE & FORD ESCAPE ESSENTIALLY SAME VEHICLE SO THIS WOULD APPLY THERE ALSO I FEEL BOTH FORD & MAZDA SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES & EITHER RELOCATE OR BETTER PROTECT AIR INTAKE SO THIS KIND OF THING SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. *AK

Mileage: 17,000

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V175000 CONCERNING ENGINE STALLING. THREE WEEKS AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED AND WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE FIRST HESITATED AND THEN ACCELERATED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM

Mileage: 6,657

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

Mileage: 12,000

WHILE DRIVING 100 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BUCK. *NLM

Mileage: 3,942

WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *NLM

VEHICLE STALLED FOUR TIMES IN THE TIME I HAVE HAD IT SINCE JUNE OF 2002. THE CD PLAYER ALSO QUIT WORKING, BUT MY MAIN CONCERN WAS THE STALLING WHILE DRIVING , USUALLY AROUND 30-35 MPH, GOING DOWNHILL, EACH TIME. I WILL GIVE THE MOST RECENT DATE OF THE STALL. *NLM

Mileage: 7,850

VEHICLE STALLED FOUR TIMES IN THE TIME I HAVE HAD IT SINCE JUNE OF 2002. THE CD PLAYER ALSO QUIT WORKING, BUT MY MAIN CONCERN WAS THE STALLING WHILE DRIVING , USUALLY AROUND 30-35 MPH, GOING DOWNHILL, EACH TIME. I WILL GIVE THE MOST RECENT DATE OF THE STALL. *NLM

Mileage: 7,850