2003 Mazda Tribute Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 5%of 199 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Mazda Tribute, 5% of the 199 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 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.
“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“The transmission failed with less than 600 miles on the car due to a hose clamp not being secured during manufacture. Ever since then I have had problems with the car hesitating and almost stalling when accelerating from a stop just after starting the car. It also happens more often if the car is not level at the time, either on an incline or decline. If I let the car warm up for a few minutes, I generally do not have this problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10090701, filed 2004-09, 567 miles“After sitting for 2 days in feburary of 2003, my 2001 Mazda Tribute has a hard start and extrame hesitation when driving. Later the engine light came on. I had the vehicle towed to Mazda dealership who said it was caused by busted spark plug. I oked a tune up. In march 2003 after sitting two days, the same problem occurred. I called the dealership and was told they found a callapsed hose. I have not allowed the vehicle to sit for 2 days again but did notice a slight hesitation off and on and it is now december 2003 and the problem has gotten worse. …”
NHTSA complaint #10051474, filed 2004-01, 50,000 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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10154879Mar 20, 2019In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose Diagnostic Leak Detector beginning March, 2019. Training videos will be posted to MGSS…
- 10013938Jun 1, 2004Fuel tank gauge.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 14% |
| 2010 | 6 | 15% |
| 2009 | 4 | 11% |
| 2008 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 18 | 14% |
| 2005 | 20 | 5% |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 7 | 2% |
| 2001 | 33 | 6% |
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 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 30, 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