2003 Mazda Tribute Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 3%of 199 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 125,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Mazda Tribute, 3% of the 199 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 125,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The first 2 to 4 times the accelerator is used (not pushed hard), the cable sticks. We have to push harder on the pedal, then it suddenly releases. This causes the vehicle to jump in the direction chosen. It is very difficult to smoothly back our of the garage or parking space. Then the accelerator is slow to return to idle. It appears to be the same issue as recall NHTSA campaign #04v583000 for 2004 tributes, but our vehicle was built at the end of 2003.”
NHTSA complaint #10470419, filed 2012-08, 75,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10488931, filed 2012-12, 112,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10466455, filed 2012-07, 7,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, smoke was seen coming for under the hood. The contact opened the hood to allow the smoke to exit and called a tow trunk. The tow truck driver stated that the vehicle was safe to drive however, when the contact started the vehicle, the check engine and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle and parked the vehicle again. The vehicle was on fire and destroyed the vehicle. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10543849, filed 2013-09, 139,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory…
- 10060875Nov 18, 2014Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10059870Dec 19, 2012Summary to be provided on a future date.
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Mazda Tribute
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
34 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsEngine cooling
23 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSteering
9 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