Used 2003 Mazda Tribute Consumer Reviews
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Pretty good, but many small headaches
No Name, 09/18/2008
2003 Mazda Tribute LX-V6 Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
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
Jody in Plumas Lake, 08/18/2008
2003 Mazda Tribute ES-V6 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
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
john , 09/29/2008
2003 Mazda Tribute ES-V6 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
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!
tributetomazda, 01/11/2011
2003 Mazda Tribute ES-V6 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
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
odydapogi, 09/30/2007
2003 Mazda Tribute ES-V6 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Rough, reliable sporty. The best SUV. An all rounder. Very very reliable.
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