2003 Mazda Tribute Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 15%of 199 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 130,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Mazda Tribute, 15% of the 199 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had a noise begin all of the sudden on the rear right side. Thought it was the muffler or shock and I was correct. Took it to a Mazda dealership and they said the body rusted through at the strut tower contact and the shock/strut was completely unattached. It started while I was on the highway. This becomes a dangerous situation and they say they can't do anything about it. This is a manufacturer issue and I attempted to have it fixed. This should be addressed on all these vehicles. I was told I need to go and try to find a body shop see if they can fix this. …”
NHTSA complaint #11154822, filed 2018-11, 221,800 miles“The subframe on my 2003 Mazda Tribute v6 rotted through on the passenger side. I was coming to a stop at an intersection and the subframe broke, sending the passenger front wheel against the back of the wheel well. The Tribute was undriveable and I had to get it towed to a repair shop. The mechanic said that with the low number of miles and condition of my car, that the subframe should not have rotted through like this. The subframe also holds up the engine of the vehicle. This should not have to be replaced on a 10 year old car.”
NHTSA complaint #10536975, filed 2013-08, 94,782 miles“I have a 2003 Mazda Tribute v6. After taking the vehicle in for a recall, they noticed that my front passenger side subframe was rotted. The drivers side is fine. The exhaust goes thru that area - it appears that the heat from the exhaust caused the paint on the subframe to 'burn' off and thus allow it to be exposed to the elements and rot. I have read other cases of this same thing happening to other people with this vehicle. There are other manufacturers who have recalls on this same item for their vehicles - why doesn't Mazda? It is not an easy or cheap fix!”
NHTSA complaint #10498267, filed 2013-02, 151,000 miles“My 2003 Mazda Tribute subframe snapped after 9-10 years of owning the vehicle. When that happened my wife immediately pulled into a merlin and they informed her we cannot drive the vehicle out of there or it would break all the way through. We were informed we have until the end of the upcoming monday to have it towed out of there. We had it towed and were given $220 dollars for the Tribute. The subframe completely snapped all the way through while the tow truck employee turned the wheel. I'm concerned because my wife was driving my Tribute with my son in the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10525636, filed 2013-07, 142,500 miles“Vehicle has so much frame rot that it will not pass state inspection. 200k miles, unacceptable for a 13 year old car. I purchased brand new in '03 and have always taken steps to get salt, etc., off the undercarriage.”
NHTSA complaint #10926581, filed 2016-11, 200,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V174000Apr 4, 2014Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Tribute vehicles manufactured May 22, 2000, through December 19, 2003…Covers: Mazda Tribute 2001–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10154139Dec 11, 2018If a vehicle has body vibration or steering wheel shimmy while driving and the root cause is determined to be tire balance, re-balance the tires using a Hunter GSP9700 or…
- 10148068Oct 10, 2018When encountering a vehicle with paint damage, refer to the "Mazda Pocket Paint Guide" to determine cause, prevention, remedy, and warranty coverage (if applicable). Copies of…
- 10134702Mar 22, 2018When encountering a vehicle with paint damage, refer to the "Mazda Pocket Paint Guide" to determine cause, prevention, remedy, and warranty coverage (if applicable).
- 10013931Jun 1, 2004Pop/snap noise while driving.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 14% |
| 2010 | 2 | 5% |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 13 | 10% |
| 2005 | 126 | 33% |
| 2004 | 45 | 29% |
| 2003 | 29 | 15% |
| 2002 | 26 | 7% |
| 2001 | 45 | 8% |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2003 Mazda Tribute
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
34 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsEngine cooling
23 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