Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda tribute. While pulling out of a parking space, a screeching noise started. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the vehicle was unable to be driven due to severe rust in the subframe and suspension components. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.
2003 Mazda Tribute body complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 29 of 29, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Vehicle has so much frame rot that it will not pass state inspection. 200k miles, unacceptable for a 13 year old car. I purchased brand new in '03 and have always taken steps to get salt, etc., off the undercarriage.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda tribute. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v174000 (structure). To replace the part, the dealer would need to maneuver other components to access the location necessary to replace the part. Some parts could potentially fracture to complete the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified and provided no solution other than to cover the remedy in the recall repair. The contact had already experienced the subframe cracking due to extensive rust and corrosion shortly after receiving notification of the recall. The dealer was aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda tribute. The contact stated that the entire frame on the vehicle was completely corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was deemed as unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda tribute. While driving approximately 25 MPH over a bump, a loud noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was noticed that the front subframe exhibited excessive rust and corrosion. In addition, the front passenger side wheel was partially detached from the vehicle due to rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda tribute. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v174000 (structure) however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavialbe. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda tribute. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel veered to the right causing the vehicle to crash into a curb. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side subframe fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v174000 (structure) but the remedy failed to prevent the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,800. Ma 10/25/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda tribute. The contact stated that the subframe fractured. The vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v177000 (exterior lighting). The contact felt that the recall remedy failed to prevent the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda tribute. While driving at an unknown speed, the front passenger side subframe disengaged from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the control and subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda tribute. The contact was informed by the dealer that the entire front end of the vehicle needed to be replaced due to corrosion. The contact stated that the failure caused more damage to the vehicle that is not covered by the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v174000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
The subframe on my 2003 mazda tribute v6 rotted through on the passenger side. I was coming to a stop at an intersection and the subframe broke, sending the passenger front wheel against the back of the wheel well. The tribute was undriveable and I had to get it towed to a repair shop. The mechanic said that with the low number of miles and condition of my car, that the subframe should not have rotted through like this. The subframe also holds up the engine of the vehicle. This should not have to be replaced on a 10 year old car.
My front side passenger subframe must have been rotted as opposed to rusted. Please voice your complaint if anyone else has had a similar issue. My previous complaint was the same issue as ... Date complaint filed: 02/15/2013 component(s): structure date of incident: 11/14/2012 the federal safety agency id number: 10498267 all products associated with this complaint vehicle makemodelmodel year(s) ?mazdatribute2003 details 0 associated documents ?crash:no ?fire:no ?number of injuries:0 ?number of deaths:0 manufacturer: mazda motor corp vehicle identification no. (VIN): not available summary: I have a 2003 mazda tribute v6. After taking the vehicle in for a recall, they noticed that my front passenger side subframe was rotted. The drivers side is fine. The exhaust goes thru that area - it appears that the heat from the exhaust caused the paint on the subframe to 'burn' off and thus allow it to be exposed to the elements and rot. I have read other cases of this same thing happening to other people with this vehicle. There are other manufacturers who have recalls on this same item for their vehicles - why doesn't mazda? It is not an easy or cheap fix!
My 2003 mazda tribute subframe snapped after 9-10 years of owning the vehicle. When that happened my wife immediately pulled into a merlin and they informed her we cannot drive the vehicle out of there or it would break all the way through. We were informed we have until the end of the upcoming monday to have it towed out of there. We had it towed and were given $220 dollars for the tribute. The subframe completely snapped all the way through while the tow truck employee turned the wheel. I'm concerned because my wife was driving my tribute with my son in the car. It seems dangerous having the subframe would rust and break within a timeframe that someone would typically own a vehicle. Especially with my wife and son in the vehicle. Is this a freak of nature incident or is this something that would be considered manufacturer error.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda tribute. The contact stated that while traveling 20 MPH, the rear of the vehicle was crashed into by another vehicle. Upon impact, the hatch opened inadvertently. The contact sustained neck and back injuries. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v605000 (latches/locks/linkages). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
I have a 2003 mazda tribute v6. After taking the vehicle in for a recall, they noticed that my front passenger side subframe was rotted. The drivers side is fine. The exhaust goes thru that area - it appears that the heat from the exhaust caused the paint on the subframe to 'burn' off and thus allow it to be exposed to the elements and rot. I have read other cases of this same thing happening to other people with this vehicle. There are other manufacturers who have recalls on this same item for their vehicles - why doesn't mazda? It is not an easy or cheap fix!
Retaining clip came off of the pin that holds the front driver door in the hinge, causing the door to fall. The pin is inserted from the bottom up rather than from the top down so when the clip came off, the pin fell out.
While driving, the cargo carrier slid out over the roof, front windshield and hood. *ph
While driving in inclement weather a leak occurred through the hood. Driver took the vehicle to dealer for analysis. Mechanic could not duplicate the leak.
My mother just bought a 2003 mazda tribute (5/3/03). Today (5/4/03) she slammed the rear door (cargo "trunk" hatch) and as it slammed, a space was briefly created between the rear window and the window frame. Then the window was tight in its frame again. I think it does that to let some of the air pressure escape as you slam the door. Her hand was near enough to the window, when this happened, her right pinkie finger went into that space and was crushed. She is currently in the emergency room having x-rays performed, and having the end of her finger (hopefully) sewn back on.
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