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Engine coolingPart report

2003 Mazda Tribute Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
23about this part
Share
12%of 199 total for the year
Median mileage
47,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Mazda Tribute, 12% of the 199 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“Vehicle stalled four times in the time I have had it since june of 2002. The cd player also quit working, but my main concern was the stalling while driving , usually around 30-35 MPH, going downhill, each time. I will give the most recent date of the stall.”

NHTSA complaint #10010755, filed 2003-03, 7,850 miles

“Vehicle stalled four times in the time I have had it since june of 2002. The cd player also quit working, but my main concern was the stalling while driving , usually around 30-35 MPH, going downhill, each time. I will give the most recent date of the stall.”

NHTSA complaint #10010756, filed 2003-03, 7,850 miles

“Wife drove 2003 Mazda Tribute to arby's (I was meeting her there), got out of car and walked up to the entrance. As she got to arby's door, someone outside mentioned to her that her car was smoking. She came inside to get me and as I came out a lot of smoke was coming out of the engine compartment. I unlocked the car cracked the hood slightly where I saw flames close to the firewall. Used fire extinguisher to put out flames. Fire seemed to originate towards the back of the engine close to brake master cylinder. I have many pictures of the engine compartment if needed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10186604, filed 2007-03, 39,000 miles

“Drove my 03 Mazda Tribute in typical florda afternoon rainstorm vehicle stalled in middle of road almost causing vehicles following to crash from behind luckily I coasted off to the side quickly after few tries restarted vehicle however after restarted vehicle now making loud rattling sound from engine proceeded to drive rest of way home-about a mile from where stalled prior to pulling into driveway loud pop & grinding from engine coasted into driveway & realized engine blown-oil pouring out underneath thinking this was warranty issue (vehicle well maintained & only year old) took vehicle to…”

NHTSA complaint #10083023, filed 2004-07, 17,000 miles

“Driving 70 MPH. Vehicle began accelerating without foot on gas petal. Had to hold foot on brake to keep below 70. When finally got to exit and stopped idling at 4000 RPM and vibration so bad had to shut car off. Throttle body and a cable had to be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10252790, filed 2008-12, 89,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200821%
200654%
200521%
20041711%
20032312%
200212432%
200116730%
2000360%

Other parts of the 2003 Mazda Tribute

Air bags
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
34 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEquipment
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