Mazda Tribute

Had my 2004 Mazda tribute for approximately 2 years, bought it privately, I was very happy and loved it until the timing chain went. The mechanic put that on and the car hasn't been the same since. The engine light is on and lacking in power and running rough. The mechanic made sure he did it right then went over the car and has no idea what the issue is. An auto electrician tested it and said the wiring in it is fine.
Now it just sits in the back yard. Very disappointed.

These tributes are rubbish. While performance wise I have found mine to pretty good (they are good in a bit of mud, great in the wet and quick off the mark) it has thoroughly let me down. I bought mine at a local Mazda dealership. Initially they refused to provide me any warranty. When I went to walk away they offered me a limited 3 month one. this was worthless. Problems started as soon as I left the yard. Oil leaks, non functioning sunroof etc. was constantly told it wasn't covered under warranty. Have persevered, have serviced the vehicle my...

Fuel gauge a bit hard to understand, services at dealership is expensive, starter motor replace is very expensive due to having to remove part of the front end. lots of room inside. great power to weight ratio. V6 has less problems then the 4cyl. Fixed failures have been small level in gear stick that broke and failed stereo but overall a pretty good vehicle for everyday use and for wet weather dirt road use.

This was an expensive car to service. Looking at our annual budget, we ended up spending $1000 every year on services and engine repairs (not including tyres and minor services). It had a small boot. Fuel economy was poor. There is a known problem with the Tributes towing a heavy trailer on the highway - the transmission will over-heat. This happened to me, and the mechanic said that he had seen over 100 of the same breakdowns like mine on the highway.

I have owned two tributes, 2001 and 2006 models. Picked up 2001 model for peanuts as had done 300000 k,s. Gave it to grandkids to learn on. It had electrical problems after 350000 k's sold it for parts. I bought a 2006 model which was a big improvement in layout and looks but similar mechanically. It has done 120000 k's. These vehicles were a suprise to me as have always bought toyota or holden, I needed a second family runabout, so tribute was cheap and offered 6 cylinder power and reasonable off road capability unlike modern suv's. I found th...

I bought my automatic mazda 2003 tribute in may 2016 was ok for the first two months and then thats when the problems started. The interior was clean has alot of room but the bad thing about it the backseat head rests were missing then the car started overheating so i had to replace the thermostat, radiator, waterpump, and a belt then to be told there's a leak When it heavy rains water leaks through the doors replaced the battery as well. Purchased the tribute for $6990 second hand was told it was a good car and ive only had it for 5 months now the car won't start. Will not be buying another mazda tribute.

Driving is great AWD is great in the snow even 7 inches. Comfortable leather seats and the heat in the heated seats gets really hot, love that when it's really cold. Not loud on the highway and is good without swaying around if it's really windy. Perfect size I have test drove a Honda Crv Ex-L and it's to small to me compared to the Tribute. The Pilot is a little big but, Test drove the Toyota Rav-4 Worse then the Crv it's like your riding on the hood of the Tribute on the freeway way to low to the ground and is way to small too. I like the To...

Fairly recently bought a 2001 2.0 litre manual Tribute. Its in excellent condition with 150,000km. Apart from one rear door lock not working, everything works as it should. I'm getting excellent fuel economy and even towing a caravan I still get 14 litres per 100km. Not towing it is usually in the 8 to 9 liters per 100km range. Performance is not exciting, with slow acceleration, but maintains its speed well enough, even towing. Its ride and handling are really good. I like the tail gate arrangement and roomy interior. Its off road capabilities are better than I would have expected. A lot better than a Rav4 with better fuel economy but obviously not in the same class as full chassis 4x4s like land cruisers etc. Very happy so far.

Vehicle is quite roomy and comfy for small family.
Average fuel economy but a little thirsty towing.

Kids love rear reclining seats.
I bought it new and also bought the myford extended factory warranty.Ford will honour the extended warranty as my kids snapped the heater knob 2 weeks after the 3 year factory warranty ended.
I have never had problems with ford warranties!their promises are met and exceeded!!

Factory Bridgestones crap!!Noisy and hard,Get rid of them.
Vehicle cabin noise is very average and ride on the stiff side.
I bought DUNLOP GRAND TREK PT2 road tyres and have mostly eliminated these problems. ...

I brought my 2003 Mazda tribute 5 years ago & it has been a great car. It's the perfect size for our family & 2 dogs & we regularly take it to the beach. Tows the loaded up boat & trailer no worries. Have had to replace the alternator & coils but for a car of this age of course things are going to wear out & need replacing. I find it good on fuel, only filling up once a fortnight.

I bought my 2001 model V6 a couple of years ago for $2425 off eBay sight unseen. Needless to say I didn't have high expectations for it and expected to have to do some repairs before getting it registered. It did drive home ok, but discovered some of the ignition coils were temperamental.
Once home I set about fixing the following:-
-replaced said coils. Ordered a full set of high performance units and platinum plugs.
-gutted the interior to clean. It was FILTHY! Pressure cleaned the carpet, washed the seat covers (as in disassembled the sea...

I have a 2004 Mazda Tribute with the 2.3 litre 4 cylinder engine which I've owned for 9 years and done the majority of the k's of highway driving and city stuff. Great fuel economy and so much room yet doesn't feel like a big suv. Have done over 280k and motor still excellent and uses no oil! Well made with tough trim and good fit / finish. Would recommend the 2.3 (4 cylinder)...haven't seen many around as they're mostly 6's.
Fuel economy, looks, build quality, load space, great engine!
Should've had a middle lap sash seat belt in back and rear disc brakes.

We were converted over to mazda's since our first Mazda 626 in 1992. Since then every one we have bought has been bullet proof. Our 2004 Tribute is no different, just over 70000KM - comutting, long distance, moderate off roading and towing a 17foot boat (not a real easy life) but it looks like new and is serviced when ever it is due. In this time not one thing has failed or broken. Even the door handles (which I though were a little light on) are still good even with two energetic children sometimes swinging off them. I can only say I would buy...

bought a mazda tribute 3 weeks ago first trip pulling caravan 1100 kgs could not get overdrive control to operate had to replace gear box charged $4129.00 to fix .he told me that only gears 1 & 3 were operating.
I found out later that in low range only those gears 1& 3 would operate.i am wondering if that was the only problem . and I was ripped off,.never would I buy a car on e bay again or would I use the transmission specialist again.

Since delivery the transmission made a sound like an EH Holden with noisy wheel bearings. After numerous complaints to Mazda their technical person explained that the noise was a 'characteristic' of all Tributes, with mine rating about 3 on a scale of 1-10. I felt pleased that my car was less of a lemon than others, but felt compelled to ask why my colleague's earlier Tribute had no transmission noise. The technical guy explained that during the course of a vehicle's life, various refinements were made. I responded that I have always associate...