10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,369 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Mazda Tribute seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2003 Mazda Tribute Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

May 152010

Tribute

  • 179,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Nothing happened. I have been experiencing front end issues for some time now.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #29

Jun 012015

Tribute

  • 64,000 miles
Every time I start my 2003 Mazda Tribute and every 30 minutes of operation thereafter, the car makes 5 sets of 5 beeps. An internet search told me that this is because of a malfunctioning instrument panel light to indicate that the airbags are also malfunctioning. A Mazda mechanic informed me that this is a chronic problem with my make and model vehicle. And even if I have the very expensive job done to replace the entire airbag system, the replacement parts don't work either. I have owned this vehicle for over 3 years and this has been going on almost the entire time. Mazda needs to provide a good working solution to this problem and soon.

- Verona, PA, USA

problem #28

Jul 012017

Tribute

  • miles
Airbags sign active

- Oakley, CA, USA

problem #27

Jun 112018

Tribute

  • 135,440 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall, light continues to flash while driving and sitting in park, going down the highway or city streets.driving down the highway the car stopped pulling with traffic speed of 65 mph had to maneuver off the highway. Wouldn't pull in any gear, shifter only had one gear it would sit in will slide from neutral to drive 2. cost $224 to tow which I had to borrow.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #26

Jul 012012

Tribute

  • 104,000 miles
Structure cross bracket for lower control arm. Accelerator cable.cruise control cable throttle body sticks even after the recalls the driver air bag does not work light on dash it's the plug at wire harness master cylinder leaks lose brake fluid engine stalled when on hwy105 was able to get it started again but while turning car started to rough idle and started to die again. Idled to a stop car was shaking and would run. Had to sit around 20 minutes before it would run and stay going. Car has been registered in Minnesota and Canada both have recalls for this car.

- Veneta, OR, USA

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problem #25

Jun 222016

Tribute

  • miles
I start my car up an I see the air bag light flashing

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #24

Jun 152016

Tribute

  • 160,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Wife had an accisdent with substantial front end damage. No air bags deployed she was injured hit a tree

- Trumbull, CT, USA

problem #23

Feb 012016

Tribute 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2003 Mazda Tribute both airbags went out. The consumer stated only the passenger air bag was replaced.

- Great Neck, NY, USA

problem #22

Oct 092013

Tribute

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. While starting the vehicle, the air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer on numerous occasions to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be determined. The contact stated that a seat belt connection was repaired to rectify the situation; however, the air bag light illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Petersburg, VA, USA

problem #21

Sep 012015

Tribute 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Mazda Tribute. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle airbag issues. The consumer wanted to know if his vehicle was on the recall list.

- Malone, NY, USA

problem #20

Jun 052015

Tribute

  • 202,654 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. While driving at approximately 55 mph, the brakes failed and the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was merged over to side of the road. The contact was aware that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V157000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 202,654.

- Rockytop, TN, USA

problem #19

Sep 302014

Tribute 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Mazda Tribute air bag light came on and would not go out. The dealer informed the consumer, the connectors under the passenger seat were bad and needed to be replaced. Several weeks later, the air bag light illuminated again and it would not go out. The consumer returned to the dealer, where he was informed the connectors under the driver' seat were bad.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #18

Jan 122015

Tribute

  • 75,000 miles
The air bag light is staying on, first blinking, and then it stays on for all of car's operation. I feel unsafe in the car, not knowing whether it will deploy when needed or when not needed. The car is in fine shape, no accidents, and there appear to be a number of complaints about this issue, as well as frustration with the inadequate and expensive repairs people have had to do to get their air bag light issue addressed. Shouldn't this be a formal recall to coincide with the bulletin issued relating to it?

- Charleston, SC, USA

problem #17

Oct 012012

Tribute

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Salesville , OH, USA

problem #16

Dec 072013

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 112,734 miles
The airbag alert light comes on once engine is started. It flashes up to six flashes and then remains on in a steady manner.

- Bear, DE, USA

problem #15

Oct 102013

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 115,797 miles
Shortly after starting my Mazda 2003 Tribute on 10-10-2013 at approximately:30 pm, after about 1 mile of traveling, my air bag indicator light began to flash on the dashboard & shortly thereafter stayed on solid without flashing. Each time I have used my vehicle since that date I experience the same trouble with the air bag indicator light initially flashing and then staying on steady throughout the duration traveling from location to location.

- Cataula, GA, USA

problem #14

Jun 062012

Tribute

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that after starting the ignition, the air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously until the engine was turned off. Whenever the engine was operable the failure occurred. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The failure mileage was unavailable.

- Maiden, NC, USA

problem #13

Aug 062012

Tribute

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and was told that the spring tensioner for the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 110,000.

- Owgeo, NY, USA

problem #12

Jul 152009

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
Starting in 7/2009 my 2003 Mazda Tribute's air bag light came on. Repairs included replacing the connector under the pass seat. Since then the light has come on 5 times and each time a connector kit was needed for repairs. Eventually the light burned out and cost over $200 for repairs. I called Mazda and complained. I also found numerous other owners complaining of the same problem on the internet. While the light is on or burned out according to mechanics I have talked to the air bag will not deploy in the event of a accident.

- Hollywood, SC, USA

problem #11

Mar 032009

Tribute

  • miles
Mazda Tribute, 2003. Airbag light stay illuminated. Mazda repaired it 5 times and still it is lit. Have been told by the dealer that the airbag will not deploy should I be in an accident. I bought the car new, it has not been in an accident and up to now it was covered by warranty. Now they want me to pay $400 to fix something they can't fix anyway. I feel a defect trend exists with their airbags from all that I've read. If cars are mandated by the government to have functioning airbags then why is Mazda not being held accountable for the serious safety defects in their airbag system?

- Danbury, CT, USA

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