The Lemon Index
200320051st generation
About average · most complaints: speed control
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
31 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Toyota RAV4 382004 Honda CR-V 1152004 Ford Escape 51
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 Mazda Tribute
- Rust / frame corrosion53 complaintsmostly at 95,000–154,000 miles (153,000–248,000 km)
- Struts / shocks17 complaintsmostly at 112,000–169,000 miles (180,000–272,000 km)
- Engine stalling9 complaintsmostly at 25,000–80,000 miles (40,000–129,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 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 4,500 and 40,000 miles (7,200–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 21 complaints, of all 31 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 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Mazda sent dealers 129 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing atf”?
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 31 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 4K to 39K miles (7K to 64K km) on the car (21 of all 31 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
During a frontal collision front air bags did not deploy.
2004 Mazda Tribute owner · NHTSA complaint 10057721
More owner reports
Dt: the contact stated the driver's side and passengers side air bags did not deploy. There was no prior warning. She contacted the dealer, they referred her to the insurance company.
NHTSA complaint 10144013
Pulling into a parking spot and the car surged forward at a high rate. Resulting in $2,206.79 in damage the dealer said that is not possible and said that has never happened before.
NHTSA complaint 10082337
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 129 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing atf
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- 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 7 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.
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. 2004 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=2004" 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/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Mazda Tribute reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Mazda Tribute reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew somewhat fewer complaints than the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 89; 100 is average, lower is better). 2004 is one of the better years of a model that draws 3× the average car's complaints.
What are the most common 2004 Mazda Tribute problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (26%), airbags (23%) and transmission & drivetrain (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Mazda Tribute have?
7 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 2004 Mazda Tribute get?
18 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Mazda Tribute problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,500 and 40,000 miles (7,200–64,000 km) (the middle half of the 21 complaints, of all 31 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 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 2004 Mazda Tribute have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 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 2004 Mazda Tribute have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Mazda Tribute year than the 2004?
Not nearby: the 2004 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Mazda Tribute years within 3 model years of it.
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