2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would accelerate unintendedly, and the brakes would fail during the unintended acceleration. The ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the code reader was not able to read any codes. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the accelerator and brakes were repaired years prior and would not cover the cost for repair. The failure mileage was 189,000.

Mileage: 189,000

BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) FAILED (I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE OR MYSELF) NO BACK PRESSURE GOING UP HILLS RESULTING IN FAILING SUSPENSION ALL FRONT END HAS FAILED ALL DOOR LATCHES FAILED I'M TERRIFIED TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE!!!!! RECALL NOTICES WHERE NEVER SENT TO ME AND MODERN MOTORS ONLY COMPLETED RECALL NUMBERS 7514D AND 6812G WHY IS IT THAT RECALLS ARE CLOSED WHEN I OBVIOUSLY HAD ISSUES AND I NEVER RECEIVED NOTICES? I PURCHASED MY MAZDA TRIBUTE 2004 AT MODERN MOTORS IN 2008 AS THE SECOND OWNER. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THESE RECALLS AND I THINK IT'S ONLY FAIR THAT THEY SHOULD BE DONE AT NO CHARGE. REPORT RECEIPT DATE: DEC 10, 2004 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V583000 COMPONENT(S): VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL REPORT RECEIPT DATE: DEC 23, 2004 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V605000 COMPONENT(S): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (MY REAR GLASS LATCHES HAVE BEEN BROKEN/DEFECT) REPORT RECEIPT DATE: MAR 29, 2007 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07E023000 COMPONENT(S): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC REPORT RECEIPT DATE: APR 10, 2007 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V157000 COMPONENT(S): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC REPORT RECEIPT DATE: JUL 27, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V357000 COMPONENT(S): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL REPORT RECEIPT DATE: APR 04, 2014 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 COMPONENT(S): STRUCTURE SINCE I WAS THE SECOND OWNER WHY WASN'T I INFORMED OF SUCH DEFECTS/RECALLS??? THIS IS WHAT MODERN MOTORS HAS TYPED ON MY WORK ORDER THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. GASKET IS LEAKING, FRONT AXLE SEALS ARE LEAKING, FRONT AND REAR PINION SEALS ARE LEAKING, REAR SHOCKS ARE LEAKING, FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS HAVE PLAY, FRONT AND REAR MOLDED RUBBER BRAKE HOSE ARE CRACKED. EXHAUST HANGER IS BROKEN, GAS TANK STRAP HAS BEEN MODIFIED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO HOLDER TO HOLD THE TANK UP AND ON. NEEDS TIRES AND ALIGNMENT WHICH I CAN DO. *TR

Mileage: 161,094

ALREADY REPORTED.....THIS IS ADDITIONAL INFO POOR MECHANIC SERVICE HAD CAR FOR MONTH NO RENTAL VEHICLE:2004 TRB LX XA SAFETY RECALL(S) FOUND: 4 SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM (SSP) RECALL(S) FOUND: 0 LAST UPDATED: MARCH 11, 2015 MAZDA RECALL #: 6812G NHTSA RECALL #: 12V357000 RECALL DATE RECALL DESCRIPTION REPAIR DESCRIPTION RECALL STATUS 07/26/12 TRIBUTE 3.0L ENGINE COVER MODIFICATION. THERE MAY BE INADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ENGINE COVER AND THE SPEED CONTROL (SOMETIMES KNOWN AS CRUISE CONTROL) CABLE, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE ENGINE TO BE STUCK AT FULL POWER WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS FULLY OR ALMOST-FULLY DEPRESSED. SAFETY RISK: A THROTTLE THAT IS STUCK FULLY OR ALMOST FULLY OPEN 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. THIS RISK EXISTS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT CRUISE CONTROL IS USED. THE DEALER WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE COVER TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE FOR THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE, FREE OF CHARGE. INCOMPLETE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS REGARDING A MAZDA RECALL OR SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MAZDA DEALER OR CONTACT MAZDA. MAZDA RECALL #: 7514D NHTSA RECALL #: 14V174000 RECALL DATE RECALL DESCRIPTION REPAIR DESCRIPTION RECALL STATUS 04/04/14 TRIBUTE LOWER CONTROL ARM CORROSION. VEHICLES OPERATED IN AREAS WHERE SALT IS USED TO ON ROADWAYS DURING WINTER MONTHS MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION AT THE ATTACHMENT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. SAFETY RISK: A SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED REINFORCEMENT CROSS-BRACE, FREE OF CHARGE. INCOMPLETE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS REGARDING A MAZDA RECALL OR SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MAZDA DEALER OR CONTACT MAZDA. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND DAMAGED THE EGR VALVE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 04/09/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME A PROBLEM OCCURRED, HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE EGR VALVE, HAD A HOLE IN IT. TEN DAYS LATER, HIS DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AND ONCE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WA TAKEN BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD MOST LIKELY DEVELOPED AN OBSTRUCTION THAT CAUSED A LARGE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE BACK IN TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED ANOTHER HOLE TO BLOW OUT THE EGR VALVE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE OF $2500 FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM.

Mileage: 114,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND DAMAGED THE EGR VALVE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATELY FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 04/09/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME A PROBLEM OCCURRED, HIS DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND SHE NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE EGR VALVE, HAD A HOLE IN IT. TEN DAYS LATER, HIS DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AND ONCE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WA TAKEN BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD MOST LIKELY DEVELOPED AN OBSTRUCTION THAT CAUSED A LARGE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE BACK IN TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH CAUSED ANOTHER HOLE TO BLOW OUT THE EGR VALVE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE OF $2500 FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SYSTEM.

Mileage: 114,000

2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE, 6 CYLINDER. THE ENGINE EXPLODED UPON STARTING, SPECIFICALLY THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. UPON STARTING, AN EXTREMELY LOUD EXPLOSION OCCURRED, THE HOOD WAS RAISED ABOUT AN INCH AND SMOKE AND FLAME POURED OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE SMOKED SUBSIDED AND PLASTIC PARTS WHERE SCATTERED ABOUT THE PARKING LOT. TOWED THE TRIBUTE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BLEW UP AND IT WOULD COST OVER $1000 TO REPAIR WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE ENGINE IS NOT DAMAGED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NO CLUE WHAT CAUSED THE EXPLOSION. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE CAR WAS PARKED AND THAT MY CHILD WAS NOT NEAR THE CAR, OTHERWISE THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AN DEADLY INCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO A TRAFFIC SIGN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND MISFIRE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE COIL PACK, SPARK PLUGS AND BY PASSED THE WIRING HARNESS. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL INJECTION WAS CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE WIRING HARNESS AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1,300. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE WIRING HARNESS TERMINAL REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS MILEAGE 107,000.

Mileage: 100,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECREASED SPEED AND FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS LOSING POWER. THE SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE ABOVE 5 MPH AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND IT WOULD TAKE 1-3 MONTHS TO RECEIVE THE PART. AFTER 4 WEEKS, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, WHEN THE SHIFTING GEARS FROM PARK, REVERSE, AND DRIVE SHE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THERE WAS ALSO LITTLE OR NO RESISTANCE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE MAKING RIGHT AND LEFT TURNS. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07E023000 IS RELATED TO THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V583000 IS RELATED TO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 53,000.

Mileage: 53,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. DURING THE 2007 WINTER SEASON, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND WAITED A FEW SECONDS; HOWEVER, THE ISSUE RECURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES. AFTERWARDS, THE FAILURE CEASED. IN JANUARY OF 2008, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN BEGAN TO REV. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A TOTAL OF TWO TIMES; HOWEVER, SHE NEVER NOTICED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING BACKWARDS OR FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,350 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. UPDATED 3/11/09 *CN UPDATED 03/16/09. *JB

Mileage: 55,000

ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO STARTED TO HEAR A TICKING NOISE WHEN STARTING, GETTING WORSE CHECKED OIL AND WAS DOWN ABOUT 1/2 LITER TOPPED UP OIL. WENT TO A GARAGE TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A CONNECTOR ROD PROBLEM THIS PROGRESSED RAPIDLY WITHIN TWO DAYS IT WONT START. I HAVE 109000 K/M , THERE WAS NO WARNING NO OVER HEATING, NO WARNING LIGHTS . NOW I NEED A NEW ENGINE. *TR

Mileage: 109,856

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE TURNING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER CAN REV THE ENGINE TO KEEP IT RUNNING. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE IS REVVING UP TO 3,000 RPMS. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. A CRASH COULD OCCUR IF THE CONTACT'S FOOT IS NOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE TIME. THE FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE REVS UP TO 1,000 RPMS AND OTHER TIMES UP TO 3,000 RPMS. THE DEALER FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AND DESIGNED TO PERFORM IN THAT MANNER. THE FAILURE HAS SINCE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY LOCATED. THE CONTACT IS ATTEMPTING TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,000.

Mileage: 66,000

VEHICLE EXHIBITED EXTENDED CRANK PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. AS IT WAS NEARING 30K MILE SERVICE, WE DECIDED TO WAIT AND HAVE DEALER INSPECT AT THAT TIME. BEFORE THE CAR WENT IN FOR MAINTENANCE, IT SHUT DOWN GOING UPHILL. ALTHOUGH IT WOULD RESTART, IT RAN ROUGH AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. #3 IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED THAT THAT VISIT. THE CAR BEGAN STARTING HARD AGAIN IN LATE 2007 AND WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN - THIS VISIT, THEY REPLACED THE IDLE AIR VALVE, HOPING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT CONTINUED TO START HARD AND 2 WEEKS LATER IT RAN VERY ROUGH AGAIN ON STARTUP. THIS VISIT HAD THE DEALERSHIP REPLACE THE #2 IGNITION COIL. THE CAR CONTINUED TO START HARD, WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE #4 IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED. HARD START CONTINUED, CAR BACK TO DEALER AGAIN, FUEL PUMP REPLACED. THIS BRINGS US TO TODAY - THE CAR HAS BEEN OUT OF THE SHOP FOR 6 DAYS AND IS STARTING WORSE THAN IT HAD BEEN PRIOR TO THE LAST VISIT. NOTE: WARRANTY RAN OUT ON THE VEHICLE ON 4/2 AND THE DEALER AND MAZDA WOULD LIKE ME TO START PAYING FOR REPAIR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE CAR SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. ON TOP OF THAT, THE FRUSTRATION OF HAVING TO GO BACK AND FORTH FROM THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN AWFUL. ALSO, NOTE: THE HARD START WAS EASIEST TO DUPLICATE AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN AND WARMED UP, RESTED OFF FOR ~ 1 HOUR, THEN RESTARTED (LIKE WHEN YOU GOT OT THE GROCERY STORE). *TR

Mileage: 35,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE FAILED ON TWO OCCASIONS ,AND APPEARED AS IF IT WOULD FAIL MORE FREQUENTLY. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS ON APRIL 27, 2007. THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL BUT IT DID NOT APPLY TO THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE VIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 95,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. *AK

Mileage: 88,000

AT 39720 MILES I BROUGHT MY 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE IN FOR A PROBLEM THAT TURNED OUT TO BE LEAKS IN THE TRANSFER CASE AND TIMING CHAIN COVER WHICH WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AT THAT TIME, THE MAZDA SERVICE CENTER (#1) TOLD ME THAT THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS HAD WORN BELOW MINIMUMS, COULD NOT BE RESURFACED AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THE PADS WERE AT THEIR MINIMUM THICKNESS AND SHOULD ALSO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS AFTER HAVING TAKEN THE SAME CAR TO A DIFFERENT MAZDA DEALER'S SERVICE CENTER (#2) ONE WEEK EARLIER AND BEING TOLD THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE OK (5/32 ON PADS; 2/32 BEING THE LEGAL LIMIT) AND COULD PROBABLY GO FOR ANOTHER YEAR BEFORE NEEDING TO BE CHANGED. THAT TECHNICIAN (#2 DEALER) DIDN'T SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS. I WAS TOLD BY THE #1 DEALER THAT THE ROTORS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE MAZDA WARRANTY - THIS WAS CONSIDERED A NORMAL WEAR ITEM. HOWEVER, MAZDA'S OWN NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AGREED WITH ME THAT ROTORS ARE TECHNICALLY NOT A "WEAR" ITEM. THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND TIME IN 30 YEARS OF DRIVING CARS WITH DISC BRAKES THAT I HAVE EVER HAD TO REPLACE A ROTOR; THE LAST TIME THE CAR HAD 90,000 MILES ON IT. ROTORS GENERALLY DON'T WEAR AT ANYWHERE NEAR THE SAME RATE AS PADS. ALSO, THERE WAS NO WARNING TO ME WHILE DRIVING THAT I WAS GETTING TO A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE BRAKES APPEARED TO WORK FINE, DID NOT PULL TO ONE SIDE OR MAKE ANY KIND OF SQUEALING OR METAL-ON-METAL SOUNDS. THIS IS A SERIOUS CONDITION WORTHY OF A RECALL! IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE A WHILE AGO AS I HAVE HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW! THE FACT THAT TWO MAZDA TRAINED TECHNICIANS CAME UP WITH TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ASSESSMENTS OF MY BRAKES IS ALSO CAUSE FOR CONCERN. *NM

Mileage: 39,720

2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE SUV COMPLETELY STALLED DRIVING 35 MPH, THIS IS THE FOURTH SUCH INCIDENT IN 2 YEARS OF ENGINE STALL, DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE ISSUE "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE". THIS INCIDENT RESULTED IN NEAR REAR END COLLISION BY AN 18 WHEEL TRUCK. DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL BEARING ALSO FAILED AT 50,000 MILES. *JB

Mileage: 25,000

2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS. NO WARNING LIGHTS, CAR JUST DIES AND COASTS TO A COMPLETE STOP. LOSE STEERING CAPABILITY. DIES IN A MATTER OF 5 SECONDS AND SOME TIMES DO NOT EVEN HAVE TIME TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. USUALLY RESTARTS AFTER 5-10 MINUTES OF TRYING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES IN THE PAST 3-4 WEEKS. *JB

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP ON TWO OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK *TS

Mileage: 4,000

THIS IS BASICALLY A DESIGN FLAW. OUR 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE SUFFERED "HYDRO-LOCK" AFTER TRAVERSING A FLOODED PAVED ROAD DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD CROWN. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE SUCH THAT THE CENTER YELLOW LINE WAS VISIBLE THROUGH THE MUDDY WATER AND THE WATER LEVEL WAS BELOW THE RUNNING BOARDS. THE VEHICLE STALLED NEAR THE END OF THE FLOODED CONDITION AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART SEVERAL TIMES BUT WOULD STALL AGAIN. WHILE STALLED IN THE FLOODED ROADWAY, SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES INCLUDING PASSENGER CARS (CHEVY MALIBU, NISSAN MURANO) PAST BY OUR STALLED TRIBUTE ON THE LEFT SIDE IN DEEPER WATER. THE TRIBUTE FINALLY STARTED UP AND WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE OFFICE. THE MAZDA DEALER WHERE PURCHASED ADVISED IT BE TOWED TO THEIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED WATER HAD ENTERED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND CAUSED A "HYDRO-LOCK" (DAMAGED PISTON ROD). IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE (~APPROX. $5,000). A REASONABLE PERSON SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPECT A SUV TO HANDLE ROAD OBSTACLES SUCH AS WATER OF THE CONDITION DESCRIBED ABOVE, THAT WERE EASILY MANAGED BY SMALLER VEHICLES, WITHOUT THIS LEVEL OF DAMAGE. INSPECTION OF THE AIR INTAKE REVEALS IT IS DIRECTED TO THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEREAS MOST OTHER VEHICLES HAVE IT DIRECTED TO THE SIDE UNDER A FENDER TO PROTECT IT FROM WEATHER CONDITIONS. IN ADDITION THE BRACKET SECURING THE INTAKE ENTRY ABOUT MID WAY DOWN THE FRONT GRILLE DOES NOT ALLOW MUCH AIR FLOW FROM ABOVE. MOST OF ENTERING AIR COMES FROM BELOW THE ENTRY POINT EXPOSING IT TO SPLASH CONDITIONS THAT WOULD NOT BE ENCOUNTERED IF THE INTAKE WAS DIRECTED TO THE NEAREST FENDER WELL AS WITH MOST OTHER VEHICLES I'VE SEEN. THIS IS THE SAME ENGINE AND AIR INTAKE CONFIGURATION AS WITH A FORD ESCAPE WHICH, PER THIS WEB SITE, HAS HAD AT LEAST 8 REGISTERED COMPLAINTS REGARDING ENGINE STALLS. NO WEATHER OR ENVIRONMENT CONDITIONS WERE DESCRIBED WITH THESE COMPLAINTS HOWEVER.*AK

Mileage: 4,500