Model year
2003 Mazda Tribute
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 199 complaints for the 2003 Mazda Tribute (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (30), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (23), STRUCTURE:BODY (18). NHTSA lists 6 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 18–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,050–$3,700, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 563 complaints
- 2002 384 complaints
- 2003 199 complaints
- 2004 157 complaints
- 2005 377 complaints
- 2006 130 complaints
- 2008 202 complaints
- 2009 35 complaints
- 2010 39 complaints
- 2011 7 complaints
Recalls
14V174000 · Apr 4, 2014
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Tribute vehicles manufactured May 22, 2000, through December 19, 2003, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,…
12V357000 · Jul 27, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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…
07V157000 · Apr 10, 2007
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.
04V605000 · Dec 23, 2004
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…
04V583000 · Dec 10, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
04V175000 · Apr 9, 2004
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.
Complaints
199 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 17, fire flag on 9, injury field 16, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE06048 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE; SERVICE BRAKES,… | Oct 30, 2006 | Apr 17, 2007 |
| DP09003 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | Apr 14, 2009 | Apr 15, 2009 |
| RQ09002 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | Apr 15, 2009 | Jan 15, 2010 |
| EA10002 | Engine Compartment Fire · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | Jan 14, 2010 | Feb 29, 2012 |
| DP12005 | Cruise Control Cable · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL; VEHICLE… | Jul 17, 2012 | Jul 17, 2012 |
| PE12019 | Stuck Throttle · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | Jul 17, 2012 | Feb 21, 2013 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribute 2WD · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Tribute 2WD · 3L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Tribute 4WD · 2L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 23 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Tribute 4WD · 3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 21 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Mazda Tribute at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.