My 2001 tribute has stalled twice in the last yar. It seems to be related to hills. This life threatening situation could result in a crash because power steering fails, and there is no engine power. Mazda must recall for this issue before someone is hurt.
2001 Mazda Tribute steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 35 of 35, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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?!!
While driving the steering wheel locked up and engine shuts off. The dealer was notified. *ak this problem occurred intermittently and the dealer has not been able to correct the problem. *scc
The steering wheel wandered which caused the vehicle to change lanes at high and low speeds. *ak ph. The emission light illuminated and the problem was repaired twice. The steering problem was repaired 6 times.
When consumer depressed brake pedal there was no steering power, and vehicle stalled. Dealership replaced air flow sensor. Please provide more details.*jb...
Engine periodically shuts down at low rpms. Power steering and power brakes fail when engine shuts down and, as a result, the tribute is difficult to steer and stop. Shutdowns have happened at least eleven times - always at low rpms (1000 RPM or less). Each shut down occurred when I was coasting downhill. Generally, I was also braking at the same time. The dealership's service department has been extremely diligent in their efforts but so far mazda has been unable to provide the technical assistance needed to resolve the problem. I bought the tribute in jan 2001 and expericed the first failures before the first 3000 mile servicing. The first dealer resolution attempt was not documented. The technician queried the onboard computer but there was no code indicating any failure. On 4/28/02, after more failures, the problem was diagnosed as a wiring problem and "fixed". Three more falilures occurred before the tribute reached 6000 miles. The dealer could not duplicate but on 8/8/01 advised mazda. No repairs were made. Engine shutdowns continued and on 10/09/01 at 7,639 miles, the dealer removed the bypass air control valve and cleaned the passageway - as advised by mazda technical assistance. The tribute then ran fine for eight months. Then in june 2002, the problem reoccurred and the dealer was contacted. Dealer still had seen nothing further from mazda concerning resolution of the problem and contacted them once more for assistance. Suggestion was to "re-program" the onboard computer the next time the car is brought in for servicing. This is a dangerous situation and will utlimately result in an accident. So far, shutdowns have occurred while I was in an uncongested area but that is simply luck. Mazda and ford have a really dangerous situation that needs immediate attention and resolution. So far I have received nothing from mazda letting me know there is a problem with the tribute. Guess they feel it is not a problem as long as it can be ignored.
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.
While I was driving the car lost powersteering and power brakes, I pulled over to avoid a crash.
Vehicle would wander while driving at any speed, a loud squealing sound would come from steering wheel or column when making a turn, on cold mornings, there is an exhaust leak noticed from the underside center, continental tires size #16, dot #a3084531901, wearing on the inside edges. Dealer notified. *ak dealer replaced the steering rack, however steering continues to be loose.
This type of failure could very easily lead to a crash, thankfully it did not in this instance. However, my wife is somewhat anxious behind the wheel after this incident. The dealer did adjust the idler and replaced a control module, but they also acknowledged that this problem is apparently somewhat of a mystery for the manufacturer. Please notify me if there is a recall or definite fix found for this problem.
While attempting to make a turn while traveling 15mph steering locked up, causing vehicle to loose control and rollover. *akthere were no injuries and no other vehicle was involved, after the vehicle was released from the body shop, the consumer drove about 20 miles when an engine rod failed, the mechanic believes that this may have been the cause of the original accident.
Steering wheel is very hard to turn, and brake pedal gets stuck. Please provide any further information.
I bought my tribute in august and just had the first service done recently so when I was driving on friday, november 16, 2001, I was not expecting any problem. I was going about 45 MPH and all of a sudden I couldn't steer the car. The power steering had ceased and I believe the brakes also. I veered off the side of the road and stopped the car. I proceeded to find a phone to call for assistance and when I got the car towed to ridgefield mazda I spoke with the service manager. We had a conversation about what the problem could be and he was almost certain he knew what the problem was. He told me mazda had gotten several tributes come in for the same problem which is the ignition fails and everything goes out like the steering etc. Just what happened to me. Obviously, mazda knew of the problem, and I questioned how they could not notify other drivers of this malfunction. He told me it wasn't considered a recall as of yet even though they had several customers come in with the same problem. I believe this is a major problem with the vehicle and it should be recalled. The tribute is a new vehicle and I understand there may still be kinks/bugs to work out with a new vehicle but this isn't a minor problem. I would like this checked into and if possible, make it a recall so this won't happen to other drivers. Luckily, I was able to steer the car to a safe location, but it could have been worse. I would not want to see this happen to someone else. Thank you..
I had the same exact problem with my vehicle for two occurrences. Each time I was coming down a hill and then all of my dash lights came on (check engine, oil, etc.). I was unable to steer or give it gas easily. Each time I was not in a safe location, so I turned off the engine and the car restarted fine. I have had the car at the dealer I purchased it from since it occurred the 2nd time which was over a month and a half ago. They have told me numerous times that it is not doing it for them. The service manager caused me two weeks ago and told me the mazda manufacturer was in their office and he was aware of two similar problems in two other mazda tributes. I just wanted your office to be aware of this. I am very concerned because I was unable to get off the road on the 2nd occurrence and it was very scary. I just hope it can be fixed so I do not hurt myself or anyone else due to this problem. Thank you for your help!!
While driving vehicle stalls and I lose power/steering. After safely getting my car to the side of the road I am able to restart the car. The dealer has seen my car twice now and finds nothing wrong with it, and expects me to drive the defective vehicle. This stalling has happened twice now.
Vehicle has lost steering and brake power on hills at speeds around 30-35 MPH. The only way to regain power is to cut the ignition. This is an extreme health hazard: occurrences are numerous and the dealer has been notified.
The vehicle was on local road and steering and brakes wern't responding. Was able to coast all the way down the hill. Once consumer came to a complete stop, vehicle started up. Dealership was aware of problem.*ak
Steering shut down, car die out at 45mph and car stalled.
While driving steering locked up with little prior warning. Consumer pulled over and waited which allowed steering to comeback. On april 26, 2001 began having problems starting up. Dealer has had vehicle for about a week, and has not been able to provide remedy.
Power steering tensioner belt broke. Dealer hasvehicle and is waiting for parts.
Consumer was traveling at approximately 45 MPH on a flat/ straight and paved road when a loud noise came from vehicle. Consumer lost all power assisted steering control, but no crash occurred. Dealership stated that power steering tensioner broke for an unknown reason. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Steering wheel will lock into one position during normal operation of vehicle. Wheel will turn to right, but cannot be turned any more to left. Steering wheel will lock up at low speeds. So far has not happened at high speeds. This event has happened three times, dealership witnessed this defect. Dealership was trying to determine cause of defect. *ak a bolt was found inside the steering rack cover and was removed.
While pulling off road, and shutting off vehicle consumer heard a loud noise. Then got out of vehicle to check what it was, a toweing truck came, and informed driver that three pieces of sttering linkage fell off, and it would affect steering. Vehicle was towed to dealership, and dealership told consumer that it was okay that pieces fell off because they were hand made parts. Consumer still had three pieces that fell off , and a vidieo of the pieces.
When making a left turn vehicle completley loses all power steering control, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
While driving at about 50 MPH and coming to a fork in the road, as soon as consumer merged to right steering wheel got very stiff. Then, whole dash lit up. Consumer put on brakes/ put in park, and went to a mazda dealer. Dealer could not find anything. At another day while driving at 60 MPH consumer was bearing over, steering wheel got tight again, and vehicle cut off.
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