2001 Mazda Tribute: won't start

Filed Sep 17, 2013 · Fuel system · 150,000 miles · IN

Wife stopped at gas station to fill up. Car would not start after fillup. Had car towed home. Determined it was a bad fuel pump. Replaced fuel pump. Should have been a simple repair, but it was anything but simple. Completed fuel pump replacement, with no further problems. About two weeks after replacing the fuel pump, my wife and I started smelling fuel outside of the car. I removed the cover over the fuel pump, but could not find a leak. I looked under the car, and observed a gas spot on the ground just forward of the fuel tank, but still can't find the leak. Car runs fine, but the gas mileage has dropped to about 10 to15 mpg, from 20 to 25mpg. There are no caution/warning lights on the dash. Had an ase certified mechanic friend of mine look at it. He could not find the leak. Does not leak all the time, and when it does, it appears to be only a few drops. Mechanic recommended a fuel filter change, and perhaps a dye test to make the leak easier to see. We have had this car since feb. 2013, and the fuel pump is the only major problem we have had, not counting the four new 16 inch tires we had to replace at the time of sale. I still love this car, v6, awd, sunroof, leather seats, ice cold air, cruise, tilt, power windows, locks, seat, ect.ect. Have had people swore it was a new car. They could not believe it is 12 years old. I take real good care of my cars. Wife swares I love it more than her. I have had my wife for over 20 years, and don't plan to trade her, or the car, in anytime soon.

Filed Aug 30, 2006 · Engine, Fuel system · 91,185 miles · CA

On 11/07/05 vehicle was brought in due to stalling when slowing and stopping. The engine sensor was replaced. On 11/08/05 vehicle was bought back still stalling. Ac gasket and idle valve were replaced. We were told our engine was damaged and dealer would not fix. The day I picked up the vehicle it stalled at 60 MPH. Three days later it would not start. Brought vehicle to local mechanic, fuel pump had to be replaced. The vehicle is undrivable. This is the second time I have filed a complaint about this vehicle.

Filed Jul 22, 2006 · Electrical · CA

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.

Filed Jun 24, 2003 · Electrical · 8,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed May 6, 2002 · Brakes, Electrical · FL

Electrical system works intermittently. Dealership is aware of problem.*ak consumer stated that the vehicle dies at 40-45 MPH while driving. Also, vehicle would not start after sitting for several hours. Brakes and steering failed and it was hard to control the vehicle.

Filed Feb 5, 2002 · Engine · PA

Engine failed while traveling approximately 35 miles per hour down a curved incline. Was able to get vehicle to come to a stop along side of road. Turned ignition to off and tried to restart vehicle. Would not start. Turned ignition to off again and waited a few seconds. Vehicle restarted on second attempt.

Filed Jan 17, 2002 · Electrical · FL

After the vehicle sits for a period of 5-8 hours, it will not start up. It takes several times to get the vehicle started. It was taken to the dealer, where they could not replicate the problem. The vehicle seems to do this only if it is parked outside for long periods of time. When it is parked in the garage, it does not have any problems starting up, no matter how long it sits. If the vehicle is parked outdoors for several hours, it will not start easily.

Filed Aug 24, 2001 · Engine · NC

3.0l engine, at 45mph vehicle stalled without warning, dealer has inspected vehicle and could not duplicate or correct the problem. *ak the vehicle would not start but after it was started, it would hesitate while driving (2694 miles).

Filed Feb 25, 2001 · Body · MI

My new car is currently in the garage/dealer while the service manager is trying to attain additional help to solve the problem of my vehicle not starting on a consistant basis. Originally the problem started when the dealer programmed a newly purchased spare key in december. Programming for the key had to be done more than once while my husband waited an additional hour and viewed the service personal push our vehicle back into the service bay. He was told there was a problem programming the new key. Later in the month, the car would not start (2 incidents-6 trys). On the next trip to the dealer to have other warranty work done, I waited five and a half (5 1/2) hours overall and was informed that they could duplicate the problem with all three (3) keys. Later I was told that the problem was corrected and I soon returned home. About one and a half (1 1/2) hours after the fix, the car would not start again for 15 hours (various trys). The dealer arranged a free rental car and was to have my car towed that monday morning. The keys were left in the ignition over night and the car started the next morning. I agreed to try a temporary fix suggested to the dealer by mazda tech support. Three (3) weeks later, the car started having the same problems and the temporary fix did not work. What did get the car to work was the opening and closing of the driver door or unlocking and locking with keyless entry. I recorded (35 witnessed) malfunctions. The car was taken back to the dealer last monday for a new mazda tech suggested reprogramming of the keys. Upon my return thursday while waiting for the twice requested written documentation about the temporary fix and the new reprogramming the running car was brought to the service entrance. When tested it went dead again. Service manager and I both witnessed. The vehicle was kept and tested for electrical shorts-none found. In conclusion my car has not started consistantly over a span of three months.