2003 Mazda Tribute: jerking or lurching

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 Mar 2, 2011 · Acceleration, Brakes · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda tribute. The contact was driving at an unknown speed when the vehicle began jerking abnormally. The contact stated that the failure would only occur in cold temperatures and when there was snow on the ground. In addition, the alternator had failed and was replaced three times by the local dealer. The vehicle would also abnormally accelerate and exhibit an unusual increase in engine rpms to 4000. The contact believed the vehicle to be involved in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v583000 (vehicle speed control: cables) and the federal safety agency campaign id number: 07v157000 (service brakes, hydraulic: antilock: control unit/module) but was informed by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in either recall. The vehicle was not. The current mileage was 175,000 and the failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Feb 1, 2010 · Acceleration · 60,000 miles · CA

Sticky accelerator sticks when gas pedal is pressed (from a full stop). Stickiness increases with colder weather. Causes a lurching action even when adding minimal pressure on the accelerator pedal. I'm worried that if the problem persists or gets worse with the colder weather, it may cause whiplash to any children riding in my car. Or worse - lurching into the garage and causing damage to my home. Or lurching in a parking lot and hitting a pedestrian/child. I have researched this in several auto forums and this has been an issue with far more consumers than mazda is willing to acknowledge. It is a serious issue. If toyota can address a sticky accelerator problem, why can't mazda do the same? Our lives, as well as innocent bystanders, are in danger!

Filed Jan 31, 2006 · Acceleration · 61,000 miles · NC

Dt*: the contact stated while the cruise control is engaged, if the accelerator is gently applied the pedal pulled down to the floor. The vehicle suddenly lurched forward. The contact pulled over and placed the vehicle in neutral. With the acceleration subdued, the engine was turned off and on, but the accelerator pedal remained on the floor. The vehicle was seen by a dealer, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was seen by a secondary dealer. Although the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem as well, the dealer replaced the accelerator cable and cruise control. The vehicle has not been driven to determine if this repair remedied the problem.

Filed May 3, 2004 · Seats · 19,000 miles · MD

While driving/braking driver's seat lurched forward/backward 1 1/2 inches. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Nov 20, 2003 · Acceleration · 10,500 miles · MI

Accelerator pedal is sticky right from the start of depressing the pedal. Once the resistance is overcome the vehicle lurches forward. Dealer claims carbon build up (contamination) on or near the throttle plate is causing initial resistance. Two occurrences (approximately 5,000 and 10,000 miles) have resulted in dealer cleaning area to remove contamination.

Filed Nov 7, 2003 · Acceleration · 7,200 miles · NJ

When it is cold the accelerator sticks after going about an inch. When the accelerator becomes unlocked it causes the vehicle to lurch forward. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who informed the consumer that there was a carbon buildup on the cable. This incident occurred at least twenty five times. The manufacturer was aware of the problem.