Corroded Subframe led to almost complete separation of drivers side control arm, 72k original miles, took my problem to Bergery Mazda where no one cared. If the part was already replaced in 2014 how is it possibly broken already.
Mazda Tribute ball joint problems
35 of the 2,102 owner complaints about the Mazda Tribute describe ball joint or control arm failure, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 35
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical mileage
- 115,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 2Power steering loss 2Engine failure 2Grinding brakes 2Adaptive cruise 2Sudden acceleration 1Pulling 1
What owners say
My vehicle took off and accelerated without me depressing the gas pedal and it was very scary and hard to get stopped I was doing almost 80 mph. It had a safety recall for the throttle cable for this but you show no open recalls yet Mazda does and told me if recalls we're taken care of they would show up on the car fax which they do not my vehicle is a 2002 but this doesn't mean it was ever fixed has several other issues also the front lower control arm which is also on a recall and does not show on the car fax the entire front end on the passenger side sounds like it's really loose and could break and my tire come loose as others have reported when filing same complaint. This has happened more than once to me. I call it now a death trap I need help to get this safe to drive thank you.
The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact had taken his vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that there was severe corrosion on the lower control arm. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V174000 (Structure) which he linked to the failure. After performing a VIN search, the contact also discovered that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacture had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Driving the vehicle down a city street the steering became extremely loose. Upon inspection we found that the front subframe had rusted/broken and the lower control arm had separated from it. After a search we discovered that this issue is covered under the 7514d recall. A VIN search confirmed that this was an open recall on this vehicle. We towed the vehicle to the nearest mazda dealer to have the recall completed. After about 1 week, the service advisor called and told me that mazda was refusing to repair the vehicle. I called mazda customer service to get an explanation and was told that the recall only involves installing a "reinforcement" bracket, not replacing the subframe. I informed them that I have copies of both the owner letter and the entire recall procedure which both clearly state that if the lower control arm has become separated due to corrosion the subframe must be replaced at no cost to the owner. They tried to tell me that "corrosion" does not mean "rust" and there is nothing more they could do for me. The vehicle is still at the dealership, mazda of wooster in wooster, ohio.
I brought this car front the dealer and didn't know about the recall on the control arm and no one told me it is now 17 years old and I only had it for a year
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda tribute. The contact stated that the vehicle was pulling excessively to the right and made a grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger side subframe crossmember and engine cradle were corroded through. Also, the front lower control arms mount was detached and needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that the front driver's side was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 12237710780. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency. The contact wanted to know why the manufacturer and the federal safety agency did not include his state in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v174000 (structure). The approximate failure mileage was 146,000. *tr
Help please? I purchased my 2003 mazda tribute in october, 2016. I recently needed repairs done (new muffler system was installed) but was told my lower control arm assemblies couldn't be replaced because of the huge crack in the sub-frame. The recall on the sub-frame was done in july, 2014 (before my purchase) ' by installing a cross-brace. When mazda made the recall, owners were informed that the parts to repair the suspension problem were not yet available' and a second letter would be mailed once parts were available. A 'newly designed' reinforcement cross-brace was the fix?... Or just a band-aid that delayed the inevitable?... Because even with the cross-brace installed, my problem is still here ' my subframe is severely cracked and not safe' it could snap suddenly from something as simple as hitting a pothole. I am attaching pictures to this e-mail of the subframe showing where it is rusted through. You can see how wide that crack is... You can see where the reinforcement cross-brace fix is attached... And why the control arm assembly cannot be replaced. If the pictures aren't acceptable, I would be happy to have the mazda dealership here in wooster (330) 804-1000 verify my claim. I am 72 and only get $700 a month ss ' which I am barely getting by on. I had to save to get the new muffler and control arms so a mechanic friend could install them. I really need mazda to cover this expensive repair' and I have asked mazda for an exception (or extension) to the recall that was done on my car. I contacted mazda in an email on 10/5/18' and received a reply back the 'same' day assigning me an sr number: 1-1768908199' but I haven't heard from them again. Is there any way your agency can assist me here?... Maybe they'll respond to you? Thank you for your time and any efforts on my behalf. (xx) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
Structure cross bracket for lower control arm. Accelerator cable.cruise control cable throttle body sticks even after the recalls the driver air bag does not work light on dash it's the plug at wire harness master cylinder leaks lose brake fluid engine stalled when on hwy105 was able to get it started again but while turning car started to rough idle and started to die again. Idled to a stop car was shaking and would run. Had to sit around 20 minutes before it would run and stay going. Car has been registered in minnesota and canada both have recalls for this car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mazda tribute. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the subframe of the vehicle was rusted and corroded, which nearly damaged the lower control arm. The vehicle was taken to jack sweeney mazda in cincinnati, oh where it was diagnosed that the entire subframe would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously repaired in 2014 per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v174000 (structure). The failure mileage was 210,000.
Ignition switch not working. Transmission 2nd and 5th gear not working and control arms for all 4 wheels seem to be going bad
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Mazda Tribute ball joint
Which Mazda Tribute years have ball joint or control arm failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (10 complaints), 2001 (8 complaints) and 2003 (7 complaints).
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