The Lemon Index
200220041st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: speed control
Better years to buy
63 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Toyota RAV4 352003 Honda CR-V 1302003 Ford Escape 106
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2003 Mazda Tribute
- Engine stalling30 complaintsmostly at 17,000–98,000 miles (27,000–158,000 km)
- Rust / frame corrosion20 complaintsmostly at 102,000–160,000 miles (164,000–257,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 199 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Mazda Tribute (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 10,000 and 44,000 miles (16,000–71,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 63 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 15E045000 (suspension), 14V174000 (body structure) and 12V357000 (engine) done? It has 8 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Mazda sent dealers 135 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent engine quit condition”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mazda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 63 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 43K miles (16K to 71K km) on the car (44 of all 63 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Accident involving Mazda Tribute wherein the accelerator became stuck.
2003 Mazda Tribute owner · NHTSA complaint 10119157
More owner reports
Engine would intermittently stall while in stop and go traffic. Vehicle was taken to the dealer on four separate occasions, and they could not duplicate the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10115224
Accelerator pedal gets stuck in idle position. By applying force, then accelerator pedal moves but vehicle takes off erratically. It happens when engine is cold and hot.
NHTSA complaint 10106829
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 135 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent engine quit condition
- Intermittent engine quit condition
- Tappet (tick) noise from engine
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 8
- Suspension · recall issued 2015
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.
- Body structure · recall issued 2014
These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
- Engine · recall issued 2012 3.0L engines only
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.
Show all 8 recalls
- Brakes · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS.
- Brakes · recall issued 2007
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 EQUI…
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2004
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 …
- Speed control · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2004 3.0L engines only
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 DURATEC ENGINES , DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedCruise control cable2012
- ClosedStuck throttle2012–2013
- ClosedEngine compartment fire2010–2012
- ClosedEngine compartment fire2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,750–$3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Mazda Tribute year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-tribute/?y=2003" title="Mazda Tribute reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mazda-tribute/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Mazda Tribute reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Mazda Tribute reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 156; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mazda Tribute year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2004.
What are the most common 2003 Mazda Tribute problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (24%), engine (19%) and transmission & drivetrain (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Mazda Tribute have?
8 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mazda Tribute get?
18 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Mazda Tribute problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 10,000 and 44,000 miles (16,000–71,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 63 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Mazda Tribute have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Mazda Tribute cost in fuel a year?
About $2,750 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Mazda Tribute have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Mazda Tribute year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works