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#BS-2003-MAZTRI-51BA2003 Mazda Tribute
Based on reports from 266 owners and 8 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 266 complaints, 22 crashes, 11 fires, and 8 recalls.
Top reported problems
alternator stopped working
2 complaints • Severity 9/10
engine misfire
2 complaints • Severity 9/10
vehicle has burned out 3 alternators
1 complaints • Severity 8/10
Preview: What's in your full report
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
30 owners reported airbags issues — failures commonly reported around 77K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (43 reports) • Median: 77K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Airbags (30 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2003 Mazda Tribute: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2003 Mazda Tribute, with 30 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 77,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 77K-mile mark.
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2003 Mazda Tribute, with 25 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to brakes-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Speed Control Issues
Speed Control complaints account for 9% of all reports filed for the 2003 Mazda Tribute, with 23 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to speed control-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2003 Mazda Tribute, with 22 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2003 Mazda Tribute. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (8 recalls)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 DURATEC ENGINES , DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
+ 3 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Mazda Tribute is the 2001 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2003 Mazda Tribute vs. Class Average (Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD)
This vehicle
266
Class avg
343
Complaint volume is roughly in line with other sport utility vehicle - 2wd vehicles from 2003.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 266 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 8 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Mazda Tribute Model Years
View all Mazda Tribute years →2003 Mazda Tribute: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Mazda Tribute?
Is the 2003 Mazda Tribute reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2003 Mazda Tribute problems?
Does the 2003 Mazda Tribute have any recalls?
What mileage do Mazda Tribute problems start?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
What if the report isn’t useful?
Get the Full 2003 Mazda Tribute Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 266 owner reports. Know before you buy.