Ask the Car People.SM


Ford Escape Mazda Tribute Maintenance and Repair

4133 messages,  Last post on Mar 24, 2013 at 5:59 AM

You are in the Ford Escape Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, SUV

    

Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.

Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 263 of 414

#2617 of 4133 Mazda Tribute Engine problem by mazdasucks

Nov 03, 2004 (12:32 pm)

Replying to: escapenut (Nov 03, 2004 12:38 pm)
Zoom-Zoom, more like Boom-Boom
 
On August 22, 2004, I was driving my 2001 Mazda Tribute with 57,000 miles on it. All of a sudden, the engine started making some loud and strange noises. I found out from the dealership a few days later that the engine needed to be replaced. I gave the dealership copies of the maintenance records proving the vehicle was serviced in full compliance with Mazda’s maintenance schedule. The dealership then said they would discuss the issue with the regional manager. On Monday, August 30, I found out that the regional manager asked the dealership to look into the problem in more detail (did they not look as hard into the problem before telling me I needed a new engine?) On September 1, I found out that they still did not know the exact problem and what caused it. The regional manager did offer to cover the cost of the engine if I covered the cost of labor. At this point the dealership had my car for a week and a half, and my choices were slim on what to do. I need a car so I agreed to pay the labor.
 
An engine should last more than 57,000 miles when the vehicle is properly maintained. My expectation for a Mazda vehicle was that the engine should last at least 120,000 miles. I did not even get half of that. If the dealership had come back and identified the problem and said it was caused by my actions, I would understand. However, nobody knows what happened and what caused it and as I mentioned, I was in full compliance with Mazda’s maintenance schedule and drove the vehicle in a manner consistent with the recommendations in the owner’s manual.
 
The vehicle also has a past history of components that needed to be replaced prematurely. At 41,800 miles, the brake power booster failed and at 46,500 miles, the ignition switch failed. These are failures that should not have happened at those mileages, I was just lucky that they were covered under warranty. This history leads me to question the durability of the Mazda Tribute.
 
To top the whole experience off, the repair on my vehicle was not completed when promised and again I was not offered a rental car or any discount for my inconvenience. The dealership put the blame on the shipping carrier that Mazda uses. When I picked my Tribute up (three days late) I was only able to drive it 2 miles before the engine warning light came on and I had to turn around and take it back. The dealer determined a wire on a sensor came loose. A week later the catalytic converter went when I was driving down the freeway. The vehicle just stopped accelerating. They took a week to repair it- again the dealership blamed the shipping carrier for not delivering the parts on time. A picked my Tribute up again and this time the air conditioner stopped working – I now have to take it back to the dealership again for a repair as a side effect to the engine replacement.
 
I requested from the dealership the opportunity to speak to the Mazda rep and was told they cannot give out his phone number, so I requested he call me. The dealership never made this happen. I’ve also sent a letter to The Mazda Corporation and they too have ignored me.

#2618 of 4133 Re: audible tone [refund97] by mazdasucks

Nov 03, 2004 (2:00 pm)

Replying to: refund97 (Oct 27, 2004 7:24 pm)
I had the same problem around 45,000 miles. It was the power booster and was covered under the warranty. I just had to have the engine replaced at 57000 and faught the dealership. They brought in the regional manager - he agree to pay for the engine if I paid the labor. Sounds like you got a lemon like me. Get ahold the the regional mazda rep.

#2619 of 4133 whining noise when braking by greggh

Nov 03, 2004 (2:47 pm)

I have an 03 Tribute with 11k miles. When I apply the brakes and come to a stop (car still in drive) there is a whining noise coming from the brakes/engine/?? I also seem to feel a vibration coming through the brake pedal. When I left my foot from the brake the whining noise goes away. Anyone have an idea what could cause this annoying problem?? Thanks for your response!

#2620 of 4133 mazdasucks/greggh by escapenut

Nov 05, 2004 (8:21 am)

Sorry to hear about your problems with your Tributes. We had a Mazda Protege that was problematic and prone to breakage from the get-go. It was my wife's and she had had enough after
6-years ownership and traded for a Nissan.
 
I bought the '01 Ford Escape V6 based on early reports of how much better a job Ford was doing on quality, etc.. Probably would not do it again
after more-thought. The vehicle was not proven,
and some of the recall-issues and early production problems had not been solved yet.
 
However for me the vehicle with 59.7 miles has been good and pretty dependable. I do expect to start replacement of some components before too long, but hopefully not the same issues that you face with complete engine replacement, etc..
I never discount anything happening though.
 
From what I've heard-seen the '05 Escape and Tribute are quantum leaps ahead of the '01-04; it's just too bad that it took Ford/Mazda four (4) years to get some stuff worked out. Good luck with your current or future vehicles.

#2621 of 4133 Re: whining noise when braking [greggh] by wijoco

Nov 05, 2004 (2:25 pm)

Replying to: greggh (Nov 03, 2004 2:47 pm)
With the car still under warranty I wouldnt even bother speculating, just describe the symptoms as best you can to your dealer service manager and let them worry about it.

#2622 of 4133 Re: [baggs32] by wcw1

Nov 08, 2004 (7:08 am)

Replying to: baggs32 (Nov 02, 2004 2:29 pm)
I have leased several cars and never had a problem. They were business leases. Since I no longer do a business lease I finally decided leasing is not a good idea for me. Purchased my last car and will purchase whatever I replace this Tribute with. The warranty on the 2001 model was 36 months/36000 miles. And yes I did lease the vehicle in December 2000. As to whether I like the Tribute, some yes and mostly no, and I am ready to get rid of it.

#2623 of 4133 Re: Idle Dilema [dcg] by crazjim31

Nov 13, 2004 (12:26 am)

Replying to: dcg (Aug 04, 2004 3:09 pm)
I have the same problem with my 02 Tribute.It runs fine until I put in Park.I took It to the dealer they replaced the same parts as yours.I took it to the dealer today. They had it all day.They called and told me We can not find the problem. So they are keeping it over the weekend .stay tuned.

#2624 of 4133 still the same! by crazjim31

Nov 15, 2004 (4:11 pm)

I just picked up 02 tribute at the mazda dealer they said we could not find the problem.We checked this problem with another tribute and its normal ? This started a month ago. they said we re flashed the computer anyway. Then charged me $115.00 I am so mad!!! If anyone has had a problem with rough Idle. Please tell me how the problem was fixed. thanks.

#2625 of 4133 Re: still the same! [crazjim31] by wijoco

Nov 16, 2004 (11:53 am)

Replying to: crazjim31 (Nov 15, 2004 4:11 pm)
Can you describe the symptoms in detail?

#2626 of 4133 still the same by crazjim31

Nov 17, 2004 (6:50 am)

when I first start the car in the morning. It feels like it has a mis . after I drive It and put it in park. It Idles rough. Its most noticed at 900rpms.It Feels to me like a bad spark plug wire. But I know it dont have wires.

Messages Page 263 of 414

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement