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2003 Mazda Tribute transmission problems

24 complaints (12% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 77,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
24
of this car's complaints
12%
typical mileage
77,000
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    10
  • Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
    4
  • Manual transmission
    1
  • Driveline: driveshaft
    1
  • Driveline
    1
  • Automatic transmission: torque converter
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Mazda Tribute transmission problems in other years

2001200220032004200520062007200820092010

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Mazda Tribute transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 7Hesitation 5Transmission failure 5

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported April 9, 2004 · 106,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 duratec engines , during deceleration, the engine can stall.
Risk
Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will reprogram the power control module (PCM) with the appropriate calibration. The recall began on may 3, 2004. Owners should contact mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500.

Recall number 04V175000 · Recall details

What 2003 Mazda Tribute owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 23, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · CA

Car stalled when slowing to stop in left turning lane doing around 45mph, approaching the light in a busy intersection and vehicles approaching mine from behind. It would no longer start in park or move in drive, to get our of the way and off the street I had to wait and the move it in reverse. Got towed home and it still sits.

Filed Oct 23, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 140,000 miles · CA

I was driving around 50mph and comng up to a stop light, as I began to slow down in the left turning lane for the red light going left, my tribute suddenly stalled.the light then of course turned green and this was not good, cause all the cars coming up from behind me were now intending to no slow down and begin to speed up, to carry on through the very busy intersection. Which almost created a pile up, beginning at my rear bumper, or another sudden collision near by. Luckily all the cars had either swerved around mine, or managed to stop behind me. I then put mine in park and tried to start it, the engine started but I was unable to shift out of park. So I shut it off, put it in neutral and tried starting it, it started and shifted out of park but would not move while in drive. So I tried in one of the lower gears and it very slowly, about 5 MPH began to move, getting me off the major st and on to a side street. I then checked reverse, which worked just fine and allowed me to pull into a nearby store to wait for a tow truck. I put it in park and shut it off, too wait for it to be towed home. The next day I tried to use it, but still nothing in drive, no check engine light and its been parked ever since, about 5 months now.

Filed Mar 27, 2020 · Transmission · 149,374 miles · CA

I was coming up to a stop light and as I slowed down my 03 mazda tribute stalled, leaving me stopped in the middle of 5 lanes. As the light was turning green & the cars nearing my rear, had to swerve around to avoid a collision. I had placed my shifter into park and was able to restart my vehicle, but it still would not move after shifting into d(drive). So I shifted into one of the lower gears, to slowly get off the street and into the nearest parking lot. I parked and shut my vehicle off, made sure all was intact then restarting my vehicle. I shifted into r(reverse) and backed up normally, I then shifted into d(drive) but my car only rolled as though it was in n(neutral). So I shifted into r(reverse), backed directly into my parking space and called my roadside assist. To be towed home.

Filed Jul 29, 2018 · Acceleration, Airbags · 135,440 miles · TX

Takata recall, light continues to flash while driving and sitting in park, going down the highway or city streets.driving down the highway the car stopped pulling with traffic speed of 65 MPH had to maneuver off the highway. Wouldn't pull in any gear, shifter only had one gear it would sit in will slide from neutral to drive 2. Cost $224.00 to tow which I had to borrow.

Filed Jul 17, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 147,302 miles · FL

Coil failure, replaced and same coil failures reoccur. Pcm failure causing coil failure.

Filed Jul 1, 2013 · Transmission · 261,556 miles · GA

On june 25, 2013 @ 11:00am I called mazda corporation (reference call number: [xxx]) about recalls associated with my mazda tribute 2003 and was told that the recalls were not assigned to the VIN number of my vehicle. The mazda representative stated that only the seat beat adjustment has been assigned to my vehicle and that I do not qualify for the recall. Mazda will not honor the recall. I bought the tribute in 2010 from a dealership; thus, was not aware of the recalls. I have been having a lot of problems with the vehicle and have spent a lot of money trying to fix it. I have a 13 and 14 year old girls and am a single parent. According to the recall, the vehicle is not safe. I cannot afford right now to purchase another vehicle. I am only asking mazda to honor the recalls. Please see the recall notice below from mazda: 2003 mazda tribute recall item affected: power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM, PCM) date announced: 4/14/2004 description of recall: on certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 duratec engines , during deceleration, the engine can stall. Action needed to fix it: dealers will reprogram the power control module (PCM) with the appropriate calibration. The recall began on may 3, 2004. Owners should contact mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 16, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 112,000 miles · IA · crash

My wife was in the parking lot at church waiting for a car to pull away so she could park. The car started to roll forward so she stepped harder on the brake. The car lurched ahead crashing into the car in front of her. My wife is quite sure she had her foot on the brake. As she told me about this I started remembering an event. This car had belonged to my father who has since passed away. He purchased it new. I'm not exactly sure of the date, but I believe it was in the first year of ownership. He was parking at a hospital when all of a sudden the vehicle was taking off and pushing the car in front of him. I figured he was having a senior moment and had his foot on the wrong pedal. I did some quick research today and found that others have had this problem. Maybe my father was doing all the right things and it really was the cars fault. I also see that there have been recalls on this matter. I'm not sure if any of these issues were addressed when my father had the car, but I will be checking it out. I hope you will be continuing to follow up on this. This is a scary and dangerous issue that deserves your attention. When things start effecting your driving record, insurance costs, and make you pay deductibles when it is not your fault something needs to change!

Filed Jul 18, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 7,000 miles · GA

The RPM on this vehicle jumps even if I am at a full stop sometimes it races even if the car is in park took the car to several shops had severely parts replaced.

Filed Apr 6, 2011 · Transmission · 55,913 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda tribute. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was defective and would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 55,913. Updated 5/9/11 *cn the transmission was replaced. Updated 05/16/11

Filed Mar 30, 2011 · Transmission · VA

Vehicle stalls without warning on occasions when I stop at lights or stop signs. It restarts each time. Ii took my car to the dealer. Left it there 3-4 days and the dealer could not explain what is wrong or fix the problem.

Questions about the 2003 Mazda Tribute transmission

Does the 2003 Mazda Tribute have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 24 complaints about the transmission of the 2003 Mazda Tribute, 12% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Mazda Tribute transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 77,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Mazda Tribute transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 04V175000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Mazda Tribute have bad transmission?

The Mazda Tribute model years with the most transmission complaints are 2001 (69 complaints), 2002 (36 complaints) and 2008 (25 complaints).

Other 2003 Mazda Tribute problems

Airbags 35Acceleration 34Brakes 32Body 29Engine 28Electrical 15Suspension 14Fuel system 9Steering 9Tires 4Locks 3Seats 2Seat belts 1Visibility 1Wheels 1

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