Used 2003 Mazda Tribute Consumer Reviews
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Over 300,000 miles
I bought my Mazda Tribute new in December 2002. I live at 6,000 ft elevation on a mountain. For the first 9 years of owning my Tribute, I commuted 100 miles a day, mountain road all the way. My Tribute had no trouble pulling the grade going up the mountain. It performs great in the snow with snow tires. It is a very stable vehicle. I now have 306,000 miles on my Tribute!! The only major repairs I have done is a new alternator at 175,000 miles, at 280,000 the radiator blew. When having the radiator replaced I had the coil packs and spark plugs replaced since they were still original!!! Other than those repairs it was just the normal stuff .. batteries, brakes and oil changes.
Great little SUV - even after 120K!
I am sad to say that I recently totaled my tribute and am now shopping for a new one. I bought my 03 used with 25k miles on it. I was super impressed with its reliability in the 6 years I owned it. Bought new tires once. Major tuneup before a trip at 100k. Other than that - just oil changes. Ran perfectly. It did have some wind noise which was slightly annoying, but certainly tolerable. Other than that, no complaints. It was the perfect size for our family of four..not too big, not too small. Pretty good mpg. And super fun to drive..very peppy lil guy! I'll miss my trib!
- ES-V6 4dr SUVMSRP: $3,995216 mi away
- ES-V6 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,300223 mi away
- LX-V6 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,749267 mi away
IN balance, best ever
I've owned and driven a lot of vehicles in the past 40 years including a 63 Corvair, 2 67 Corvettes, big Plymouths, Mercurys and Cadillacs, and a Dodge Ram truck. My 2003 Tribute is clearly the best ever on an overall basis. The other ones did some things a lot better than the Tribute, but none did everything to the same good level. It has the most driver leg room of any car I've owned. I have used the temporary 4WD to go through some really hairy places. Put the rear seats down and it can carry a surprising amount of stuff. And it is surprisingly kind of fun to drive in most situations.
Truly the best vehicle I've ever owned!
Truly the best vehicle I've ever owned! If they still made the tribute I would buy one immediately. We have had no problems with this car. We bought it new in 2003. The only problem with it now is that has developed a very slight oil leak; we lose very little oil and never have to replenish it between oil changes every six months. The only reason we are buying a new car is that the safety features of newer cars are important to have.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Solid and Fun to Drive
I bought my 03 Tribute LX 4WD at 95,000 miles and I've been happy with it every single day. It's amazing in the winter and even better in the summer! Everything still works at 106,000 miles a year later. The wheel bearing on the front right passenger side was broken when I bought it, unfortunately, and it wasn't until much later that I found that problem and the dealership paid for it. The crash test ratings are spectacular on this SUV! I was just hit a week ago by a drunk driver going 70 mph and I walked away without a scratch. My Tribute is in great condition save for a few cosmetic repairs. If I had been in a lighter SUV I would have rolled over. Definitely worth every penny.
Pretty good, but many small headaches
Bought my 2003 Tribute FWD LX new and have been pretty pleased overall. 90k miles, still has original tires with plenty of tread. However, have replaced wheel bearings (~$450), brakes and rotors, throttle cable sticks and steering wheel squeaks, even after several attempts to have fixed under warranty. Now, power steering fluid leaks, alternator is going bad (seems to be common problem), and rust is forming on the tailgate (water collects on the window frame). However, gets decent MPG (20 city/ 25 hwy) and drives great, handles snow and ice well with FWD. Comfortable seats and fits my 6ft frame with no problems. Ok overall, but wouldn't buy again compared to others.
Drives like a big truck
My biggest complaint about this SUV is the turning radius. It's very hard to turn into parking stalls or make U turns in tight areas... impossible to do without doing a 3 point turn. The other thing is the road noise. It is very loud while driving. Need to turn the radio up to even hear it. Otherwise it's been a great little vehicle. The gas mileage is all right, averaging 19-20, except now after my tuneup, I'm getting about 15-16.
Transmission problem
Great driving car and reasonable gas mileage. All was fine until 68,000 miles when the auto trans started slipping when shifting into 3'd. Upon disassembly the hub assembly P/N 7G120/a was found to have a cracked weld, unfortunately two new replacement hubs were also bad, took a third one and two weeks to be fixed. Other than this $2200 bump in the road it's been a great ride.
The Best Vehicle I've EVER Owned!
I bought it in Nov. '02. I just cleared 170,000 Miles. Sure! There have been some quirky issues. The most annoying: the illuminating light which shows you what gear you are in went out recently and there is a short in a harness that indicates the status of the airbag. I had my power moon roof switch replaced. Most expensive repair 150,000 mile tune up required the replacement of the "Coil Packs" on all 6 cylinders @ $118 each! With the other routine maintenance I had performed = $1000. Replaced the Battery @ 170,000. Replaced steering linkage arms "clunking" at 125,000. First tires went 70,000. Second set 70,000. Now in only the third set. Brakes, somewhere way back when. Oil! Thats it!
Mazda Tough, Mazda Reliable
Rough, reliable sporty. The best SUV. An all rounder. Very very reliable.
transmission trouble 3 times
I love this car but at 22,000 miles the transmission leaked; dealership put in a new transmission. Almost a year to the day the 2nd transmission with only 14,000 miles now has to be replaced again. The dealership is very rude and has an "oh well this happens" attitude. Very frustrating because what's to stop it from happening again next year? Mazda customer service is not much better. Accused me of not taking care of the car. Now the front wheel bearings are to be replaced. Haven't had much satisfaction from anyone. Am going to try Attorney General's office next.
Five stars for 147,000 miles after that One star
2003 Mazda LX six cylinder 201 hp was a fantastic vehicle for 17 years. With the seats folded down I got 24 8 foot two by fours and close the doors and hatch. It was one of very few vehicles on the road and every blizzard we had- One of those when only snowmobiles are going. I hauled generators, washing machines, dryers, ladders, kids, teenagers, baseball gear, sleds, and etc. Forded more than one stream. Off road mild trails was outstanding. This was the best car I ever owned until I bought a 2008 Honda pilot. Catalytic converter blocked up overheating the engine, frying lifters and valve seats. Just junked it. Doesn’t owe me a darn thing.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great SUV!
I bought this 2003 Tribute for my daughters who are competitive surfers as it has adequate room and a very good reputation. However, I like driving it so much they have to fight me to use it. I LOVE this little vehicle. It's just a blast to drive and it gets GREAT gas mileage. It's not the quality of my 2003 Toyota 4Runner, but it's more fun to mess around in and I'm not so burdened my the 4Runner's weight and size.
Love my Tribute
We truly enjoy our new Tribute. It is very comfortable and so much fun to drive. We have 2 grandchildren and feel completely safe having them in the car with us. I thought I would miss my sporty coupe when I traded it in-but I love this vehicle-highly recommend to anyone looking for a reliable SUV.
tribute
awesome vehicle.....happy that i made this purchase
Save Your Money
Buyer beware... save your money. This was the first car I bought new and was in love with it until the second day I had it and it wouldn't start. The car went back to the dealrship 5 times for this problem and they had no idea what was wrong, just started to change wires to play guess and check. My car shut down on the highway because the alternator went at 30,000 miles. Then my transmission went at 50,000 (no longer under warranty). Mazda won't do anything to rectify the piece of junk they sold me! They are not helpful and said these problems were my fault. 2 days old and broken... not my fault. This car is a heap of junk for all the problems it caused.
New 2003 Mazda Tribute
This is my firstg SUV and I decided on it after extensive research, including Edmunds online owner comments, and test drives of a number of compact SUVs. I love the performance and handling of the car. The six cyl. engine is very peppy. The size of the Tribute is perfect for my needs, which do not include much off-road driving. I paid $500 over the published invoice.
I LOVE MY TRIBUTE
I initially wanted to buy a Nissan Xterra for about the same price i got my tribute, i would have a lower model (no leather etc.) Test drove the Xterra and steering was wtiff. Test drove cars like Santa Fe and Tribute and i loved the Tribute the best. I am enjoying this truck: nice looks, nice feel, looks expensive. Great Everything!
The SUV I Always Wanted
I love my Tribute. I wanted a smaller SUV and looked at several makes (Jeep, Ford, etc.) before deciding on the Tribute. It has great cargo space and the area around the driver is comfortable and very well laid out. The gear shift is on the steering column which took a little getting used to but now I love it. It opens up the console as more usable space. There are plenty of well designed cup holders and a flat floor across the back seat, making this the perfect ride for roadtrips. Even with 5 adults it's comfy.
Excellent Vehicle
Bought a 2003 Tribute a month ago and I absolutely love it!!!!! It handles exceptionally well. Visibility is great!!! It has plenty of room and I love the sound system. I would definetely recommend this vehicle to anyone that is looking for a stylish, comfortable and reliable SUV.
Tribute Will Tow
Researched and test drove alot of midsize SUV's. Really am pleased with the Tribute. (Wife drives Highlander) Mileage 22 combo city/highway. I also use it to tow my 18 ft bass boat. Vehicle has tow package. I get 18-20 mpg when towing the boat. As my 5 year old says it has alot of zoom zoom dad.
Great SUV
Have owned this vehicle for the past 5 years and love it. After 110,000 miles, it just got its 3rd set of tires (originals lasted 64,000 mi) and only other maintenance was oil changes. It snows here practically daily from Dec-Apr and my Tribute gets through all of it with no problem. Have another, larger SUV in the household, but take the Tribute when it snows. Gas mileage is just ok, but I can get 24 mpg on the highway if I watch my speed.
Perfect Answer to Your Boring CuteUte
In the time I've spent with my Tribute I've mostly had the best owner's experience! At first there were a few trips to the dealer to handle minor annoyances in certain parts, otherwise nothing major. The sporty handling and performance of the v6 leaves little to be desired. The 4wd system reacts quickly and works well in ice and snow! One major criticism, FUEL EFFICIENCY. I've never been able to get decent fuel mileage (averaging 18.1 mpg) on this car, although I admit I don't drive too conservatively, I would expect more out of the car, however. If there's a price to pay for excellent handling and performance, fuel consumption would probably be the one I'd choose.
Gas Guzzler
This vehicle while scoring very high ratings is a stone cold gas guzzler. It barely gets 14 mpg. The ride is pretty rough and if you are tall with the sunroof addition you feel very cramped. The all wheel drive works well and for the most part the car has been problem free. I would never buy another Tribute though I would seriously consider buying another Mazda.
116,000+ and still going great 👍!
I love my car! It drives great! Easy to drive, and park anywhere. I got it at 100,000 miles, and besides the usual car parts needed replaced like brakes, EGR valve, it's been awesome!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
A Few Problems
So far I've had to change the alternator. Replacement was done at the dealer (ouch) so I was given an OEM alternator with a whopping 1 yr/12,000 mile warranty. Nice going there. The shifter gets in the way too much. I notice if you put the SUV in park, it still has a tendency to roll a bit after you take your foot off the brake. Even after fixing the recalled accelerator cable, the SUV still has a tendency to lurch forward when taking your foot off the accelerator. Rear liftgate hatch has broken and won't lock. Cost of repair is over $300. High highway noise, not so good gas mileage, not pleased with Mazda overall.
Great car
Love it so far. Has the room and presence of a bigger SUV, but the driving performance of a sports car. Only 2 problems so far: 1.Steering pulled a little to the right, but the dealer readjusted it and it is better. 2. Impossible to keep the black dashboard looking clean.
Having fun in a Tribute
I have been satified with my Tribute. Overall its been a very comfortable drive. I LOVE the cargo space and the reclining seats in the back. The Premium Sound System with the 6 disc cd changer was worth the money. One minor problem that I have incurred was condensation that drips from the AC on top a steaming hot metal exhaust under the car constantly makes a sizzling noise when I turn the vehicle off. Dealer said that all Mazda Tributes do it so they refuse to touch it. Overall I gave it a pretty good rating!
Mazda does well again.
Mazda Tribute has done a great job on its compact car based performance SUV. It's certainly a SUV with a sports car soul. The 201-HP 3.0L V6 is powerful for exhilaration but not as much for towing. Measured 0-60MPH time was 7.48 seconds. The 4WD system works very well on snow, ice, and muddy dirt. The FWD system does show some very torquey steering, at least with the 6-cyl. The seats are sort of uncomfy, but only on long trips. Highway ride and performance is excellent. Handles bumps so-so. 7-speaker stereo works great. AC/heat works well. Reliability after 48k miles has been excellent except for some minor audio display twitches. Buy this car for a used car, and opt for the 6-cyl DOHC engine.
I Love My Tribute!
Being a senior citizen with a diabetic physical handicap, I had my share of problems entering sedan (low seating) type vehicles. With the Tribute this problem no longer exists. Its height affords the driver an ease of entry together with a very comfortable/roomy driving position. The "over the hood" windshield viewing area is superior . The maneuverability and handling of the miniSUV feels like a sedan most likely due to its unique suspension and steering ratio. Great vehicle for the price!
Just as much fun to drive as my Harley
Found this little dream by chance and i have to say next to my Harley Davidson this is the best purchase i have ever made for transpertaion. You will never be sorry that you purschased this little Hot Rod. I am 56 years young and have a lot of trucks and this one handles like a Mazda RX8 in some ways. Love it and would buy a new again
lots of room for improvement
In about 2 monhts, i found that it makes too much noise, when iam above 60 mph. I had to increate the sound level so high to drown out the wind noise. leather quality is not good. Anything on the leather slides left right, back and forth. The A/c controls are a lil weird. Since I cannot put the full a/c blow between face and legs.. it only works on the top ( face) and not anywhere else. Too much body roll on sharp turns, much more than a subaru.. ( tested both on same turns).
New Mazda customer
I am a female that has driven Jeeps for 15 years but they have gotten too expensive for me. Having owned this Mazda for one month, I still have the safety of the SUV with less cost and better gas mileage which I attribute to its being less heavy. Mazda was also wonderful with the financing.
A solid B performer
I've had my LX -4X4 for 1yr and 2 months now (15K) and I rate the car as a solid B+. The car is speedy, handles well, and acts like a car. The down side is I 've had 3 warrenty items fixed ( I am going in for a 4th next week-the sunroof stopped working) all have been nuiscences that have required the car to stay at the dealership for 1 or 2 days. However the problems started after 8 hassle free months.(sagging headliner, check engine light(bad O2 sensor), and 4X4 switch broke-in on position. I average 18mpg/city and 21 on the highway. I've been overall pleased w/ the ride, handling, power, and space. For the $$ this has been a good car.
It's a great car
see below
Excellant Value
I gave my wife a choice of new cars. I actually had a Mercedes C320 set aside at the dealership for her. She being a "High Maintenance Girl", I thought that she'd bite on that in a New York minute. However, she held firm on the Tribute and it was a great decision. In fact, since it is my turn to get a new car, I opted for a Mazda6 instead of a Mercedes, BMW or Lexus. I still think that they are superior cars, but the Mazda6 at half (or less) their price is irresistable.
Mazda Tribute ES
A fun machine to drive. Very smooth and speedy performance. Smooth shifting auto transmission. Comfortable seating. Excellent visibility and control knob placements, interior space unimpeded by a floor console shifter.
So far, so good
I've driven Mazdas for years. They tend to be the same quality as other "Japanese" makes and typically much cheaper. I had debated an SUV for some time but just didn't want to pay 35-40K for a truck. I drove the Tribute and got hooked. I absolutely love the thing. I have a ton of room, It's fun to drive, peppy, etc. I read the reviews of other owners and feel bad for them. I expect it will happen to me as well and might lower my current very high opinion of my Tribute. But,til then, zoom-zoom.
Great Value And Good Looks
This is my 2nd Tribute. I purchased a 2001 DX/V6 and loved it. I traded it because I receive a good deal for a new 2003. It's a great vehicle for the money and performance.
Nice Compact SUV, drives great
Very nice ride and suspenion. 4WD is nice. Great visibilty. I like it but there are a few annoying issues that need Human Engineering refinements.
First Impressions
My experience with this vehicle has, so far, been good.I admit that I have not owned ot long enough to give an authoritative critique. However I've found it to be comfortable and well equiped,( having added no extras except for wheel locks). I can live with the sound system although I'd advise in favor of the upgraded sound system if you're really into music as I am.
It's Okay........I guess
I think it is over priced for the value.I've had it for about a year now and the ride has seemed to gotten worse.
Overall a Great SUV
Great vehicle with many options at a good price.
tribute
It looks fantastic. Has many features. Great power.
Very nice Compact SUV
I am surprised with the previous review of 2.8. The transmision problem you had does not reflect that all the Mazda tributes are bad. All cars have issues and you were just an unlucky guy. You do have the right to be upset at the fact that the dealer is not being helpful. I like my car very much and do suggest it to other potential buyers in that price range.. I compared to the Escape, Liberty and the Mazda was a much better car for the money. I encorage other people who own tributes to also write and share their experience.
Great SUV
So far no problems at all. It has been everything I expected!
gas guzzler
took delivery in mid january...got a very good price on the car...a rare LX with luxury pkg. including sun-roof in lt. tundra (green). the sales experience was fun but i'm glad we did our homework on pricing and invoices. we got it out of there for $24K. the car is really pretty and there were no flaws whatsoever. They gave us a free tank of gas which is good because if they had given us only a 1/4 tank we would have run out before we got home. 30 miles! Very disappointed in the gas mileage.
Tribute
I really love my Mazda Tribute, it drives well and has lots of room inside. The wind noise is pretty bad on the interstate.
My New ZOOM ZOOM MOBILE
Overall, I love the Tribute. I have really enjoyed driving it and sitting up high with the 16 alloys wheels. It's my first SUV and I love it! ZOOM ZOOM!
I love my Tribute
When they say zoom zoom zoom, they were talking about my car.