Is the 2003 Mazda Tribute a bad year?
198 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Tribute years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2003 Mazda Tribute are in line with other Tribute years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2003 Tribute owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 72,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 35 (18%) | 50k–113k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 34 (17%) | 33k–106k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 30 (15%) | 47k–122k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 26 (13%) | 14k–82k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 24 (12%) | 30k–85k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 15 (8%) | 25k–110k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 29 (15%) | 92k–146k miles · ahead | — |
| Suspension | 14 (7%) | 95k–154k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Fuel system | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 72,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 198 complaints: 17 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 13 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jul 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Vehicle is sometimes hard to start and it stalls frequently in traffic. A tune-up was done, fuel system parts replaced.
My 2003 tribute has been leaking oil from the oil pan gasket between the oil pan and engine block. Of course after time it would leak but I have heard that the tribute has a bad design with the oil pan and gasket.
Intermittently, the vehicle hesitates before starting when the keys are turned in the ignition. Also, the vehicle loses power while driving.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 72,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2003 Mazda Tribute: 8
The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width. Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm. A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used. A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS), the ABS module connector may have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could allow contamination to enter the module connector, creating a potential for an electrical short. An electrical short might cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire.
Certain cardone master cylinders with part numbers 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, and 11-3156, and with date codes lower than DCA7078 sold as replacement equipment for use on the vehicles listed above. Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utility vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206… If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.
On certain sport utility vehicles, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position. An unexpected increase in engine idle speed may increase stopping distance and may result in a vehicle crash.
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 duratec engines , during deceleration, the engine can stall. Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mazda: 76
Repair instructions Mazda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2003 Mazda Tribute. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission…
On some vehicles, a sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor may be noticed coming from the exhaust system
Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing ATF
Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
NHTSA defect investigations: 6
Stuck Throttle
Cruise Control Cable
Engine Compartment Fire
Engine compartment fire
Engine compartment fire
Neighbouring years
2002 Tribute: 384 complaints, consider selling · 2004 Tribute: 157 complaints, keep it.
Every Mazda Tribute year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · All Tribute years side by side
Other Mazda models: Mazda 626 · Mazda B-Series Truck · Mazda CX-30 · Mazda CX-5 · Mazda CX-50 · Mazda CX-7 · Mazda CX-9 · Mazda CX-90 · Mazda MPV · Mazda MX-5 · Mazda Mazda3 · Mazda Mazda5 · Mazda Mazda6 · Mazda Protege · Mazda RX-8. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2003 Mazda Tribute a bad year?
198 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Tribute years. At 72,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mazda Tribute?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (35), speed control (34), brakes (30), engine (26), transmission and drivetrain (24).
How many recalls does the 2003 Mazda Tribute have?
8 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 15E045000), Body structure (NHTSA 14V-174), Speed control (NHTSA 12V-357), Brakes (NHTSA 07V-157) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.