Tires making an increasing loud "helicopter" type sound. According to dealer the vehicle was not out of alignment.

- N. Royalton, OH, USA

I have Firestone wilderness ht P235/70R16 104T M+S tires which came with my 2001 Mazda Tribute SUV upon purchase in November of 2000. Recently, with 30,000 miles on the vehicle, I noticed a crack running along the side circumference of all four tires. The crack runs on the side of the tread where I believe the tread is bonded to the tire. I am concerned that the P235 / 70R16 model has not been identified under your consumer advisory of 1 September, 2002 or in any recall and may be a safety hazard. I have digital photos clearly showing the cracking which I have sent to your web master email. I can resend them at your request. Nlm

- Wharton, NJ, USA

When the tires were inspected it was pointed out that another tire was beginning separation also. These tires were balanced and rotated one week prior to the failure.

- Killeen, TX, USA

Flying debris (sand, gravel, stones etc.) from front tires do fly at several speeds towards the body of the vehicle and damage the cladding seriously. Furthermore because of this design the bigger objects can fly further into incoming and passing traffic and damage and endanger life and property. To avoid this usually the car manufacuturer installs or offers to install mud flaps or splash guards to the vehicles. Unfortunately there are hundreds of reports that the Mazda Tribute does not offer this safety advise and does not make it available to Mazda Tribute owners. Damage on the cars is ignored, but proof exists that Mazda is well aware of this problem but does not do anything for these vehicles on the market. But Mazda confirms that the design will be changed from the 2004 model on, but they do not know if that far away improvement will be comaptible to the Tributes now on the market. Approached almost every after market producer of mud flaps everyone is unable to supply front mud flaps for this vehicle. Even warnings take place N O T to use other mudflaps as they have to be installed on the fiberglass cladding and that can produce flying fiberglass parts off the vehicle from torn cladding. There is not solution on the market and the safety is besides the damage on the brandnew vehicles a big concern. Mazda offered myself to install mudflaps from the brother model Ford escape but after trying to install those ones stopped this attempt after admitting that they do not fit! lots of unsatisfied and worried Tribute customers waiting for a solution which was declined with E-mail from Mazda as they do not care about the damage and safety in this regard.

- Ft. Myers Beach, FL, USA

Vehicle would wander while driving at any speed, a loud squealing sound would come from steering wheel or column when making a turn, on cold mornings, there is an exhaust leak noticed from the underside center, Continental tires size #16, dot #A3084531901, wearing on the inside edges. Dealer notified. Dealer replaced the steering rack, however steering continues to be loose.

- Odenton, MD, USA

Tires on vehicle do not have good traction in wet weather or snow. Contacted Goodyear. Original equipment for a 2001, Mazda, Tribute. Tire size P215/70R12 and dot # E13027888.

- Omaha, NE, USA

On October 12, 2001, I was traveling North on interstate 95 through North Carolina in my mazada Tribute 2001. This was a sunny day so the road was dry and I was traveling 70 mph with cruise control. I was approaching the exits for the rocky mount area when my entire car started shaking furiously. Then the whole left side of my car seemed to suddenly drop. I immeadiately pulled over. When I got out of the car to take a look, I noticed that it was not just a flat, but that the entire tread had seperated from the sidewalls. I took the tire into a Firestone dealer where they proceeded to tell me that tires always respond this way when they go flat and charged me for a new tire. They did not seem concerned at all. After they had finished replacing the tire, I asked for the original tire which they told me was already destroyed and that I could not have it back. This was a wilderness ht P235/70R16 but when Firestone replaced it they used a wilderness ht II. (tiresize: P235/70R16)

- Wilson, NC, USA

There were 2 separate tire defects that after goin from 1 Mazda dealer to 1 Firestone dealer back to a second Mazda dealer then finally had the problem tire replaced fee of charge by a second Firestone dealer. The defective tire first dropped a 2inch by 2inch section of tread right off of the tire. It was located on the inside tread section and only in one spot. While I waited for the replacement tire to be ordered and received and guaranteed by the Firestone dealer(2210 w ridge rd rochester NY 14626)that the tire was safe to drive on and no other problems should arise the tire began to rip along a seam on the sidewall directly opposite from the missing section of tread. This obviously could of lead to a tire failure or worse. The dealer appologized and quickly replaced the tire with a similiar tire except the new one has white outlined letters as per Firestone dealer originals don't and they are only avalable from the Mazda/Ford factory"??" (dot number: 0211224 tiresize: P235/70R16)

- Rochester, NY, USA