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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2003 Mazda Tribute Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
24about this part
Share
12%of 199 total for the year
Median mileage
77,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Mazda Tribute, 12% of the 199 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,000 miles. 1 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 was coming up to a stop light and as I slowed down my 03 Mazda Tribute stalled, leaving me stopped in the middle of 5 lanes. As the light was turning green & the cars nearing my rear, had to swerve around to avoid a collision. I had placed my shifter into park and was able to restart my vehicle, but it still would not move after shifting into d(drive). So I shifted into one of the lower gears, to slowly get off the street and into the nearest parking lot. I parked and shut my vehicle off, made sure all was intact then restarting my vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #11319553, filed 2020-03, 149,374 miles

“I was driving around 50mph and comng up to a stop light, as I began to slow down in the left turning lane for the red light going left, my Tribute suddenly stalled.the light then of course turned green and this was not good, cause all the cars coming up from behind me were now intending to no slow down and begin to speed up, to carry on through the very busy intersection. Which almost created a pile up, beginning at my rear bumper, or another sudden collision near by. Luckily all the cars had either swerved around mine, or managed to stop behind me. …”

NHTSA complaint #11365995, filed 2020-10, 140,000 miles

“On feburary 5,2007 the transmission in my Mazda Tribute went. I have only 61,000 miles on the vehicle at the time and have owned the vehicle since 11/2002. The reason for my filing the compliant is the recall shown in data regarding the Tribute transmission. I had to replace the transmission at my own cost. I was never informed about this recall by Mazda.”

NHTSA complaint #10187753, filed 2007-04, 60,000 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

“My 03 Mazda Tribute es ABS light came on at 80k. Upon inspection the left front drive axle ABS speed sensor ring was broken. The ring is not available anywhere and Mazda told me the shaft will have to be replaced. The part alone $325. Plus labor. The Mazda parts people told me it's a shame that you can't just replace the ring. And that there known for braking. It does effect the operation of the brakes. I have not replaced the shaft yet still looking for the ring.”

NHTSA complaint #10260888, filed 2009-03, 80,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20101333%
200939%
20082512%
20061411%
2005246%
2004149%
20032412%
2002359%
20016912%

Other parts of the 2003 Mazda Tribute

Air bags
35 complaintsVehicle speed control
34 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsBody and structure
29 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 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