I filed a complaint yesterday. My complaint # was 10163178. This the dealership has finally diagnosed the problem with the car as a bad alternator. We hope that this will fix the problems we have experienced to date. However, the situation was dangerous, with the car shutting off while running. In all fairness to the dealership, the service technicians have been very nice and they did give us a loaner car. We still have a concern about the electrical system of the car in general (with all the things going wrong at one time). However, we trust that we will not be heading to the dealer any time soon.
2001 Mazda Tribute electrical complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 81, newest first, as owners wrote them.
On july 3, the ignition, steering wheel, and wheels of our 2001 mazda tribute froze when we tried to start the car. The car was towed to senator imports, on florin road, in sacramento, california. On july 7, although the dealership said that the car was fixed, they couldn't get the car to work when we tried to pick it up. On the evening of july 12, we started the car. The light illuminating the gear selection was until, so we couldn't see what gear we were in. On thursday evening, july 13, we started the car and the battery was totally dead. We re-charged the battery, but it was dead again in 2 hours. We took the car in to have the battery professionally charged. The battery was purchased in april of 2005. On thursday, july 20, the car was running and just stopped dead. We again jumped it and took it to our private mechanic. On friday, july 21, our mechanic did a diagnostic test on the car. It came up with a diagnostic test code error that said that the key program code was entered in error. Our mechanic rebooted the computer, to ensure that the problem was not related to a technical service bulletin about the tribute just shutting off. When he tried to restart the car, the car would not start. (long story short, the dealer lost our spare key. We had to come back for it on july 11, and they reprogrammed both our keys to the new ignition.) our mechanic suggested that we have the car towed to the dealership, as he considered it unsafe to drive. Today, july 22, the dealership said that all they could find wrong with the car was a dead battery. We are beginning to lose confidence that they actually know how to fix the vehicle.
The driver side door handle failed, I was trapped inside the car on the driver side. I had to lower the power window, reach outside of the car and open the door. I purchased a handle and paid to have the door handle replaced on 6/29/2005. The passenger side door handle failed , leaving the passenger trapped inside the car on the passenger side. Passengers had to lower the power window, reach outside the car and open the door. I purchased a handle and paid to have the door handle replaced on 3/13/2006. Recently, every time I crank my car a large cloud of gray smoke comes from the tailpipe. Today, 6/16/2006, I went to put the key into the ignition and the key would not go in. After several attempts the key went into the ignition but, the key would not turn. I was unable to start the car. With assistance from a local mechanic, after numerous attempts, the key went in, turned and the car started. It was suggested to me, do not make any stops on the way home that would require turning the car off. Once I arrived at home I turned the car off and attempted to start the car again. The key will go in but, after several attempts, the key will not turn to start the car. With the mazda being my only vehicle I feel this is a safety issue for my son and I. While driving the mazda the rear glass on the hatch opened. I pulled over to close the glass and it would not close and latch. With the help of a local mechanic he was able to close and engage the latch on the glass door. We avoid opening the rear glass but on accident the glass door was opened and it was the same scenario.
The vehicle shut off (engine stopped) when coasting downhill toward construction barrels. Was able to avoid barrels by turning into unoccupied turn lane. Power steering had gone out. Power brakes had gone out. Have owned the car for three weeks. Occurred once. Noticed that a recall (campaign id # 04v175000) that required reprogramming of the PCM module, and the symptoms of which exactly described this problem, existed for this vehicle model year. Made an appointment with dealer to check the car the following day. The dealer told me that there were no open recalls on my vehicle so I decided to pay for a diagnostic test. The test uncovered that the PCM module did need the reprogramming which the dealer did, but they also told me that the car needed additional parts to completely resolve the problem which I had to pay for. From what I can tell the range of my vehicle id does fall within the range of VIN numbers affected by this recall and the assembly date(12/00) also falls within the date range for this recall. I do not understand why the dealer does not see this as a vehicle that should have an 'open recall' and why the entire solution to the problem was not taken care of to remedy this. When the vehicle shuts off the driver has no control and this is an extreme safety issue.
(1) 2001 mazda tribute/dx-v6: normal city/highway driving within past six months (2) car would stall when approaching stop sign/stop light (rpms too low) (3) replaced ignition coil via mazda dealers (seattle, wa, pasenda, md, pensacola, fl).
(1)events leading to failure: during normal driving, pressing the brake pedal, rolling down a window, or using turn signal. (2)failure: engine dies, loss of power steering, power brakes, etc... (3)vehicle has been brought to dealer several times, issue has not been improved/corrected.
Occassionally, while my car is idle both parked but running or while I'm in traffic, the engine accelerates and the RPM gauge races. The engine will not stop racing unless I turn the car off. Also, driver car door does not open from the inside, service dealer says I need to replace entire lock including components not covered under map.
I bought a 2001 mazda tribute (used) in march 2003. About a month later, it began stalling frequently - mostly when I was backing out of a driveway/parking spot. I took it to the local mazda dealership in july 2003 and they looked it over and could find no explanation, but they did a PCM update on it anyway. It continued stalling intermitently - no pattern to the stalling. I took it back in december 2003 and they again looked it over and could find no reason for it to be stalling. Since december, I've taken it to the dealership in april and twice in may 2004. In may, when mazda recalled the tribute for the stalling issue, I took it in for the recall - the stalling became 10 times worse, now stalling at stop lights and at random times driving down the road. We've replaced the idle speed motor, this did not help. I've contacted mazda directly and explained to them, in exacting detail, the issues I've been having. Their suggestion was to take it to the same dealership that has already tried to fix it 5 times. The warranty is no longer in effect and the dealership charges me when I bring it in, although this problem was presented well before the end of the warranty date. I love the tribute, but would love it more if I could get the stalling fixed.
The vehicle has been back to the dealer 5 times due to the horn blowing on its on accord. Unable to stop it from blowing. The horn was blowing on its own again today. Today, the vehicle has started on its own accord 2 times sitting in the driveway without any personal intervention.
This vehicle has stalled on numerous ocassions when being driven, this usually occurs when being driven below 35 miles per hour driving down a hill. Each time the vehicle has stalled it has caused my husband and I to have no control of the vehicle at all.
Upon starting the vehicle, the keys failed to turn in the ignition. The vehicle will be towed to a dealership.
Long crank time at cold start.
2001 mazda tribute 4wd dx 4 cyl. Manual transmission. Driving about 30 MPH, starting turn. All power shut off. Lost power steering, instrument panel, engine. Engine restarted from motion of car when car was put back into gear.
Electrical system is dangerous. Key ignition problem - back twice to dealer to fix this. Stalled during a turn - whole car died, had to use the emergency break to stop and then put into neutral to restart. Pcm died totally and had to be replaced - had to be towed from my driveway (thank god or I might be dead) to nearest dealer - I am awaiting response on full correction to problem. I believe the federal safety agency would be doing a disservice to american consumers for not pressing the manufacturer to recall, due to the life threatening situations regarding the electrical system of the 2001 tribute. Does someone have to have a 10 car pile up on a freeway or hwy before they believe the urgency of this problem?
The madza tribute 2001 stalls without warning, at varying speeds. Both the brakes and the steering system are inoperable. The car starts again after this occurs. This has happened 5 times! Luckily, my son who drives this car hasn't been injured. But what about the next time? What if he is driving on the expressway at 55 or 65 miles an hour? Can mazda assure me that he won't be seriously injured or killed? The service department has offered several explanations after verifying that this is a on going problem with this vehicle. We have been told that the air intake valve sticks when carbon builds up on it. Now we are told it is a flaw in the computer. Clearly there is a serious design flaw which the service departments have been unable to repair. This car is a disaster waiting to happen! How can I possibly allow my son to drive this vehicle?!!
Mazda tirbute esv6 has lost all power under normal driving conditions; no power steering or brakes and all indicator lights came on. Which is very difficult to steer out of oncoming traffic to get out to safety. The mechanic from jim ellis mazda at marietta, ga told that this case already happened twice (one from a different car). In addition, it was reported that the valve gets "carbed up." this occurs when a driver is coasting between accelerating and braking. Also, the transmission and electrical systems are already going haywire on this vehicle with no wipers, airbag light constantly on or blinking, transmission slipping and grinding.
On august 29th, 2003 I was driving in my 2001 mazda tribute. As I slowed down to make a turn, the car suddenly had a total loss of power. I had no steering and no brakes and I was quickly headed into oncoming traffic with no control of the car. Luckily I was able to react in time and pull up the emergency brake. Once I regained my composure, I was able to put the car into neutral and then restart the car. The only time I have driven it since is to take into the dealership. They were very sympathetic to my situation and later advised me that a technical bulletin had been issued for this issue and they were able to fix it. They explained there was no recall issued for this situation. On september 5th, 2003 I called mazda customer care and explained what had happened. They informed me that mazda is aware of the situation and they do not feel it is a safety issue. They also indicated it only happens in less than 1% of all of their vehicles and they did not want to cause "panic" amongst their car owners. I feel I was lucky to escape without injury or without getting into a serious accident. I feel other mazda owners should be aware of this situation. Thank you for your time. Lewis paskin.
All power cuts off when coasting down a hill. Loss of brakes and steering results. This is the second time this has happened.
Due to a computer failure, the vehicle shuts itself off while driving. I was told by the service department at quirk mazda in quincy, ma that they have seen "at least a half dozen" of this problem, mazda knows about it, however there has been no recall. I was driving along I-93 in boston at rush hour at approximately 45 MPH when the car died. After a few attempts it started back up but did not register a 'check engine' light on the dashboard. The computer did not detect that there was ever a problem. Quirk mazda's solution was to "reprogram PCM" and install updated software. Luckily I was not only going 45 MPH, or I could have been seriously injured. Please demand that mazda issues a recall for this safety hazard.
At 36000 miles automatic transmission failed, at 4500 miles automatic transmission failed. At 45k000 miles altenator failed.
I have a 2001 mazda tribute. I couldn't turn my key to start the car. After calling the dealership, they said it was a common problem with thsi car. They said there would be no recall because it wasn't a safety issue. They also said the ford model (the escape) also was having this problem. They are aware of the problem, but yet I had to pay to get this fixed. It is a known defect by ford/mazda.
Vehicle had a no-start condition 4 times, and a near-stalling condition one time with the check engine light on and the car backfiring and misfiring. All five occurrences were related to a faulty wire/pin in the steering column which kept becoming loose or disconnected. The first three time the vehicle left me stranded, the 4th time it died in the dealers own parking lot after an alleged repair. Vehicle officially became a lemon after the 5th breakdown. All incidents occurred between 6-16 months of ownership. After 25 months of ownership and much hassle and legal involvement, I received a settlement and a buy-back from mazda.
My 2001 tribute 4x4 has stalled twice while in motion going downhill. This has resulted in very difficult braking and steering making for a dangerous situation.
2001 mazda tribute, died while driving at 35 miles per hour. No breaks, no steering, no control. This is the 3rd time and clearly the most dangerous as it was life threatening. Mazda is unresponsive and not honoring my buy back request. They said the problem has been fixed, but they said they fixed it previously and it wasn't so I have no faith I am not willing to risk my life again. Why hasn't there been a recall? I have seen dozen of others with the same problem.
Engine suddenly cuts off, leaving driver with no power steering. Remedied by putting car into neutral while still driving and turning ignition on. However, somewhat scary if it happens while cornering. Occurs about once a month.
Vehicle stalled while driving, no steering. Everything electrical stopped working. This is the second time this incident has taken place. Any suggestions on how to resolve this problem? Is ford/mazda going to recall these vehicles (escape/tribute) and fix them?
Owned my tribute for a year before the problems began. On 3/15/02 I took it in because the low coolant light kept coming on. The dealership couldn't find a problem, but I had them do a 30k mile service and check everything from front to back. Had a rental for two days. On 6/10/02 I took it in because it suddenly started stalling dead at stops and yields. I almost wrecked due to this. Cause: internal failure. The dealership replaced the control unit, idle air valve, coolant fan relay. I had a rental for three days. On 8/5/02 it had to be towed because the ignition switch completely locked up and wouldn't turn. Dealership put in a new ignition switch and cylinder. My keys had to be reprogrammed. I had a rental for two days. On 11/13/02 I took it in because the check engine light kept coming on and the engine did not idle smoothly. The dealership could not duplicate the problem and I used their rental for three days. On 12/24/02 the engine light came back, the engine idled rough and the entire vehicle was visibly shaking. The dealership told me that one of the six coils was bad and needs to be replaced or one wrong spark could ruin the whole engine. Looks like I have the rental for at least a week. It just went over 50k miles, so my basic warranty is up, however the emisions conrol system (engine) is warranted until 80k miles. It seems a shame that mazda would put out such poor quality and problematic vehicles to their loyal customers. Maybe they should add that to their "zoom, zoom" commercials.
Engine stalled twice in 3 days, once while I was slowing to make a turn and a second time when I was just coasting without steping on the gas pedal. I was able to restart the engine okay right afterwards. I have taken the car to the dealer who said there was tsb for this problem. The fix was to reprogram the computer. If this is the case, why don't they do a recall and reprogram all of the tributes if this is such a wide spread problem? I think this a very dangerous situation to have your car stall while you are turning/stopping/coasting. If this does not fix the problem, I will file another report with you. Nlm
Vehicle will shut down while being driven with no warning. Dealership has made three attempts to correct failure, but stalling still persists. Please describe details.
My mazda tribute stalls at high speeds. Most recently, going downhill at 45 MPH. Engine died, battery lights and oil lights turned on... No warning at all. I lost power to the steering wheel and brakes. Very dangerous because it happened so suddenly, and there was no safe place to get off the road. This is the third incident with this car, the second stalling. My car only has 21,000 miles.
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