How many recalls does the 2003 Mazda Tribute have?

The 2003 Mazda Tribute has 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2003 Mazda Tribute has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2003 Mazda Tribute?

Of 266 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is air bags.

2003 Mazda Tribute Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2003 Mazda Tribute has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 698,600 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 266 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STRUCTURE 14V174000 2014-04-04 109,000 affected

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Tribute vehicles manufactured May 22, 2000, through December 19, 2003, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New…

Consequence

A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 29, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7514D.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12V357000 2012-07-27 217,500 affected

Defect

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. 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. …

Consequence

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.

Remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 07V157000 2007-04-10 95,300 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

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. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE ABS MODULE FOR MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 9, 2007. …

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 04V605000 2004-12-23 49,800 affected

Defect

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, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING…

Consequence

IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 04V583000 2004-12-10 121,000 affected

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Consequence

AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION #4.

POWER TRAIN 04V175000 2004-04-09 106,000 affected

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 DURATEC ENGINES , DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.

Consequence

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WITH THE APPROPRIATE CALIBRATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

STRUCTURE:BODY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

232

SUSPENSION

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

SERVICE BRAKES

POWER TRAIN

Total complaints266

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“My abs keeps locking up and ive almost wrecked multiple times. I changed brakes and rotors and still the problem is on-going. Its dangerous and ive read others saying the same thing online.”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2023-09-04

“My abs keeps locking up and ive almost wrecked multiple times. I changed brakes and rotors and still the problem is on-going. Its dangerous and ive read others saying the same thing online.”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2023-09-04

“Nhtsa report 7.19.2015 july 19, 2025 nhsta report this is what happened to me [xxx]: I was at an off ramp stop waiting for cars to pass. I eased forward to see if everyone had passed. The car accelerated on its own and I tried to stop. When I braked it accelerated faster. I had both feet on the…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2023-06-17

“The contact owns a 2003 mazda tribute. The contact had taken his vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that there was severe corrosion on the lower control arm. Upon investigation, the contact discovered nhtsa campaign number: 14v174000 (structure) which he linked to the failure.…”

STRUCTURE · reported 2021-08-17

“During a free, aaa inspection, the auto shop told me that the vehicle is dangeous due to structural damage or body damage. I don't know how long this been a problem”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2021-03-24

“The sensor does not send the speed to the speedometer”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2020-09-21

“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…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2020-05-01

“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…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2020-05-01

Defect investigations

Investigation DP09003 Opened 2009-04-14 · closed 2009-04-15

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION DATED MARCH 5, 2009 ALLEGING THAT THE PETITIONER NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY FOR 07V-156 AND THAT, AS A RESULT, THE PETITIONER'S MY2003 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE AT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE.IN RESPONSE TO ODI FOLLOW-UP, THE MANUFACTURER VERIFIED…