Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Mazda Tribute
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Mazda Tribute has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 199 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15E045000 Front Wheel Bearing has Wrong Dimensions NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V174000 Lower Control Arm Corrosion-Regional Recall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V357000 Speed Control Cable Connector Interference NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V157000 ABS MODULE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E023000 MASTER CYLINDER LEAK NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V605000 MAZDA/FMVSS 206/LIFTGATE LATCH NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V583000 MAZDA/ACCELERATOR CABLE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V175000 MAZDA/PCM/ENGINE STALLING NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 35 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 34 complaints
- Structure 29 complaints
- Power Train 24 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 23 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 21 complaints
Of the 199 complaints on file, 17 report a crash and 9 a fire; across all 199 complaints, owners report 16 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Mazda Tribute has a below-average reliability rating due to significant complaints and recalls. Frequent issues include airbags, speed control, and structural problems. The presence of 199 complaints and 8 recalls indicates notable concerns. However, data on specific mileage or cost details are limited.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | Unknown | $800–$1,500 | common |
| Speed Control | Unknown | $500–$1,000 | common |
| Structure | Unknown | $300–$800 | occasional |
| Braking System | Unknown | $400–$900 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspections and replacements
- Tire rotations and alignment
- Coolant system flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Battery replacement
- Belt and hose inspection
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Airbag warning light
- Unresponsive throttle
- Unusual braking noises
- Transmission hesitation
- Structural rust or wear
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Mazda Tribute at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.