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Electrical systemPart report

2003 Mazda Tribute Electrical system Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
8%of 199 total for the year
Median mileage
64,950miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Mazda Tribute, 8% of the 199 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,950 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While I was driving the car just shut off. I was told it was the battery and alternator. So I had them replaced. The car ran for aboutv10 minutrs and just shut off. While at the machanics he said that the wire harnesa is melting amd that I got lucky not to have a fire. The ABS light goae off and on to. I called about a recall I saw in 2007 about the wire harness and they are telling me it is fixes. I have proof it is melted and. Would like my car fixed under the recall.”

NHTSA complaint #11231621, filed 2019-07, 180 miles

“Just bought a 2003 Mazda Tribute from toyota of nicholasville 3 weeks ago. Went out to the garage to start it this morning and the thing caught fire. Put it out with fire extinguisher. The air filter area is burned and melted. My wife no longer feels safe driving this vehicle(isn't repaired yet), with our young child strapped in the car seat. I sustained small burns to my hands putting the fire out.”

NHTSA complaint #10175677, filed 2006-12, 37,162 miles

“Every time it rains really hard or there's flooding in the streets the car starts showing the battery light like it is going to die on me and as a precaution I try to pull out of the street to any place and while turning the steering wheel the car looses power and the wheels won't turn. Driving no more than 5mph while slowing down from a normal 35mph without warning my engine shut off and I lost power to my steering wheel and brakes. I was able to get the car to off the road after applying all my weight to the brakes and steering wheel. I missed an oncoming car and a tree by an inch. …”

NHTSA complaint #10474091, filed 2012-09, 112,345 miles

“Purchased Mazda Tribute new november 2003. Two months afterward the car stalled and the electrical system closed down. I had difficulty turning the key in the ignition, it locked. After four efforts to crank the car, the ignition unlocked and the engine started. I noticed that the clock had stopped. The dealership stated that they could not tell what the problem was unless it happened with them. Since november 2003 this has happened four times. The season nor weather conditions do not appear to matter. The latest incident was in august 2005 it was the worst. …”

NHTSA complaint #10136410, filed 2005-09, 2,500 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11071847, filed 2018-02, 104,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2011114%
201038%
200939%
2008157%
2006108%
2005195%
200432%
2003158%
20024111%
20018114%

Other parts of the 2003 Mazda Tribute

Air bags
35 complaints
Vehicle speed control
34 complaints
Brakes
32 complaints
Body and structure
29 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
24 complaints
Engine cooling
23 complaints
Suspension
14 complaints
Fuel system
9 complaints
Steering
9 complaints
Engine
6 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Equipment
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Mazda Tribute

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology