2001 Mazda Tribute: complete transmission failure

Filed Feb 28, 2010 · Transmission · 39,000 miles · CA

This complain concerns the powertrain - automatic transmission. The car, was parked during the day in a standard parking spot. When I later tried to back up, it would not go into reverse. It had worked perfectly that morning! The car was brought to a local mechanic. They stated that reverse, drive and second did not function. This is the second transmission which had been installed by this mechanic in this tribute! It had only 39,000 miles. It was installed in 2007. The first transmission failed at 110,000 miles. The mazda corporation would not admit to a problem with their transmissions at the time the second one (a mazda transmission bought directly from a mazda dealer)was installed). The mechanic, in good consciousness, will not replace this a third time. So we are left with a perfectly good body, new tires, and a car that is junk. The mechanic said this transmission is poorly designed. All we can do not is donate it or part it out. We bought the car, used, from carmax in roseville, ca, in 2006.

Filed Oct 2, 2009 · Transmission · 93,732 miles · CA

On july 9, 2007, I paid to have my transmission rebuilt after a transmission failure in our 2001 mazda tribute, (es-v6 4wd), resulted in stranding my wife and young daughter on a busy roadside, 45 miles from home, in san leandro. At the time of the transmission failure the car had 93,782 miles on it. I purchased the mazda new in 2001 from the almaden mazda dealership in san jose. (now capitol mazda). The transmission repair involved towing the car to a shop and rebuilding the automatic transmission. The rebuild included replacing the torque converter, solenoids, direct drum, shell, pistons, and a valve body upgrade among other parts. The repair cost was $3085.00 plus towing charges. The incident also resulted in the loss of use of the car for 1 week. At the time of the failure the car was out of warranty, and I considered myself an unfortunate victim of unusual circumstances. However, since that time I've learned that transmission failures in the 2001 mazda tribute and the cd4e automatic transmission are an all too common occurrence and that my experience is not rare at all. In fact, reports on the internet suggest that the occurrence of similar transmission failures at relatively low mileage, between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, is alarmingly common in the mazda tribute.

Filed May 2, 2007 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · MN

I have a 2001 mazda tribute. Had been faithful in doing regular maintenance of the vehicle. The car had 84,000 currently and had the transmission fluid flushed at 60,000 miles. The transmission fluid was filled every 5,000 miles whenever I had a oil change. All of a sudden on april 30, 2007, the car could not be shifted into rear gear and the dealer indicated I need to replace the transmission.

Filed Oct 12, 2006 · Transmission · 56,500 miles · CT

Starting 2006 couldn't get truck into reverse and it was hard to find third gear and would be stuck winding between gears on the road and on highway causing possibility of being struck from suddenly being unable to accelerate. Dealer had car for over a week and finally ended up replacing a cable for the cost of $760.00. Two weeks later the truck is popping out of third gear while driving causing the vehicle to de-accelerate quickly while struggling to find the gear or next gear. Brought truck back in they said it needs a whole new transmission for $5,800.00 because it would be cheaper than taking it apart and fixing individual gears. Total new value of vehicle 19,700 before taxes. Kelly blue book value on this year in excellent condition only 5,700. The truck only has 57,000 miles on it now. Just made last payment two weeks before problem started.

Filed Aug 17, 2006 · Transmission · 29,000 miles · NC

Shutter of the transmission/torque converter when traveling around 45 MPH. Problem first reported on the vehicle around 30,000 miles at which time the dealer flushed the transmission fluid per tech assistance ref. 272101. Dealer determined "no problem found" when the shutter was reported again at 48,000 miles. When the problem was reported at 51,000 miles, dealer again flushed the transmission and reflashed the PCM. The problem occurred again at 56,000 miles at which time the dealer determined the transmssion needed to be replaced. Transmission was replaced at 58,500 miles. Problem discovered again around 88,000 miles; again, dealer flushed the transmission. Problem occurred again at 98,500 miles at which time the dealer replaced the torque converter.

Filed May 2, 2006 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · MA

Automatic transmission failure.

Filed Dec 30, 2004 · Transmission · 34,495 miles · NY

Known problem in transmissions used in ford escapes and mazda tributes. Problem with torque converter lock not operating properly. Ford issued oasis fix and tsb but refuses to acknowledge problem when vehicles off warranty. Has existed and been unofficially acknowledged by ford since 2001. Has resulted in complete transmission failure of vehicles being operated at highway speeds. Personally, problem has returned for 2nd time in 7,000 miles after factory "fix".

Filed Dec 22, 2004 · Transmission · 61,000 miles · IN

Tribute would make slipping noise when on a hill. It would also shutter when I first took off. I called the dealership about the problem. They thought it was the transmission, but couldn't look at the car until after the first of the year. About 2 weeks later, I took off and the car surged. I pulled off the road and when I put the car back into drive, it wouldn't move. It was towed to the mazda dealership where it still sits. I was told it needed a new transmission that would cost $2900+. The district manager was notified. They took $1000.00 off the price. Which leave me paying only $1900+ the other $900. I've put in this car since july 04. I had a full circle service inspection done on oct.25 ,2004. The transmission condition was good at that time, just 2 months earlier.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Transmission · 15,860 miles · MD

At 15,860 (8/31/2001) the transmission was replaced on my 2001 mazda tribute. The transmission is still unstable and hesitates and makes noise. I'm at 58,000 miles and out of warranty. The car was returned once to the dealer and was not fixed. If I take the car back to the dealership, they will charge to look at. I have had numerous problems - including a defective master cylinder, headlamp and other issues and recalls. This is the worst automobile I have ever purchased and I think mazda and it's dealerships no this. I'm very persistant individual and I feel the average person would have had to pay out of pocket for some of the repairs I had done to my mazda tribute.

Filed Oct 27, 2003 · Transmission · 44,460 miles · CA

2001 mazda tribute transmission failure. This has occ'd twice. Last winter on an los angeles freeway in the middle of the night and last week on a mountain road. This is the second transmission failure. Both times it was replaced under warranty but I am afraid it will occur again.

Filed Oct 27, 2003 · Transmission · 44,460 miles · CA

2001 mazda tribute transmission failure. This has occurred twice. Last winter on an los angeles freeway in the middle of the night, and last week on a mountain road. This is the second transmission failure. Both times it was replaced under warranty, but I am afraid it will occur again.

Filed Jul 7, 2003 · Electrical, Transmission · 36,000 miles · MO

At 36000 miles automatic transmission failed, at 4500 miles automatic transmission failed. At 45k000 miles altenator failed.