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Mazda Tribute Transmission Problems

144 messages,  Last post on Mar 09, 2013 at 10:26 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda Tribute, Transmission, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 15

#1 of 144 2005 Mazda Tribute transmission problems x 2 by wedding1

Dec 05, 2007 (5:16 pm)

I'll give you a little history on my Tribute experience. In March 2005 I purchased my brand new Mazda Tribute. Like many others I felt like I got a lot of car for the $, now I know why. I drove my Tribute off the showroom floor with 4 miles on the odometer. Two days later I had to return the vehicle to the dealer because the transmission was junk. After experiencing the worst experience possible with the dealership, I contacted Mazda Corporate. The Consumer Compliance Specialist that was assigned to my account was wonderful and supplied me with a vehicle buy back. I had my NEW Tribute delivered within a few days and said good riddens to my other one. My NEW Tribute now has 45,000 miles on it, and once again the transmission is starting to go out. I took it to the dealership and they advised the vehicle has some serious issues, but they couldn't pinpoint the problem. They had requested that I leave it with them so they could run a diagnostic online with Mazda Corp. technical service. I just got the call today from a differenct Consumer Compliant Specialist and he advised this is a characteristic of the Tribute. Keep in mind, my car is almost out of warranty. After disputing with the dealership, they advised their hands are tied by Mazda Corp., meaning they won't fix it under warranty. To say it like it is, Mazda is waiting for my warranty to run out so they won't have to fix it. When I replied back to the Consumer Compliant Specialist that the dealership advised this was abnormal and a serious defect he replied back that it doesn't matter they call the shots, and this is what he decided. He also noted that he has to do everything in his power to lower the cost of warrant repairs for Mazda. On top of this, he advised the dealer would make a note on the ticket stating, "if the transmission fails while the car is out of warranty they would possibly fix the problem". After talking to a lawyer friend of mine, this statement would not hold up in court. After confronting the Specialist on his comment he laughed and said too bad. I will never buy a Mazda ever!!! I soon will be paying approx. $3000 for a new transmission.

#2 of 144 Re: 2005 Mazda Tribute transmission problems x 2 [wedding1] by hatestoyota

Dec 06, 2007 (4:36 pm)

Replying to: wedding1 (Dec 05, 2007 5:16 pm)
The torque converter went bad on mine at 45,000 miles. At 45 mph the car would shake. Mazda put in a new transmission. They busted an axle while doing it, so it went back to be fixed. A few weeks later transmission fluid started coming out. I was told the torque converter seal needed to be replaced. I just picked the car up again....today. Of couse they busted the other axle this time while taking the transmission out again. When the transmission problems first started I explained to Mazda that I was told the story of "this is a charteristic of the car" from Toyota with a 2004 Camry. They started to tell me the same thing and acted as if they would not fix the transmisson in the beginning. I stood there and had a melt down until they agreed to fix the transmission the first time. Do not back down from Mazda......they know they have a problem with these things. Go to the Ford dealer they will tell you the same thing about the Escapes.

#3 of 144 Re: 2005 Mazda Tribute transmission problems x 2 [hatestoyota] by wedding1

Dec 07, 2007 (3:58 pm)

Replying to: hatestoyota (Dec 06, 2007 4:36 pm)
Thank you very much for the information. I am actually bringing my car back in on Monday because I am now getting approx. 8-10 mpg. The dealer responded by saying, "your transmission problem could be caused by a sensor in the fuel line". The dealer and Mazda are full of it. I have lost complete faith in Mazda. I've owned Honda's in the past, and I think it's time to go back. Unfortunately I am upside down on the hunk of junk. Good luck with your Tribute and thanks again for the info.

#4 of 144 Re: 2005 Mazda Tribute transmission problems x 2 [wedding1] by mitso1

Jan 21, 2008 (12:13 pm)

Replying to: wedding1 (Dec 05, 2007 5:16 pm)
I also own a Tribute it is a '02, my transmission lasted me 75K miles, and when I called the dealer for an estimate to rebuild it, their response was that Mazda does not recommend to rebuild a faulty transmission and that I should get a brand new one instead, I laughed and told the guy that Mazda had screwed me once when they sold me the car and that they were not going to do it again, and hung up.
 
I found out that Mazda does not sell replacement parts to rebuild a transmission, in order to rebuild existing one they have to use aftermarket parts, which I am hopping are better than Mazda’s so I don't have to worry about this happening again before I am ready to buy a new car.
 
I was very pleased with my purchase until it crossed over the warranty miles and suddenly it seemed like everything started to fall apart, it is almost as if them SOBs made them with a 5 year life expectancy.

#5 of 144 Re: 2005 Mazda Tribute transmission problems x 2 [wedding1] by wtruebrite

Jan 27, 2008 (11:09 pm)

Replying to: wedding1 (Dec 07, 2007 3:58 pm)
I'd take a second thought about Honda automatic transmissions. They are, by far, the worst in the industry. If you're interested do a search for "transmission problems" on the following Honda's: 99-05 Odyssey, 03-07 Accord, 99-04 Acura TL. Honda made a huge impact on the US car market for at least 2 decades. I'm guessing that the people in charge of that impact have now retired.

#6 of 144 mazda TRIB transmission by bachman

Mar 09, 2008 (2:43 am)

I had problems a while back (2003 EX model) and the trans felt like it was surging and not wanting to shift even at 3000 rpms or more !! They found it to be a ground wire or shoddy connection somewhere in the transmission. It's a CD4E and a friend of mine told me he rebuilds them often and the box of parts has all kinds of '' check this , don't do that'', kind of suggestions .... very touchy to diagnose and service apparently. I did lots of homework to give the dealer some hints on what to check hoping it would get caught and repaired correctly. They did good since it was indeed an intermittent problem.

#7 of 144 How about manual transmission? by andrew2506

Mar 25, 2008 (10:42 am)

Guys are talking about issues with automatic transmissions? How about manual transmissions, does anybody know about issues with this type of transmission?
Thanks

#8 of 144 Re: How about manual transmission? [andrew2506] by bdyment

Mar 25, 2008 (12:02 pm)

Replying to: andrew2506 (Mar 25, 2008 10:42 am)
The Tribute does not have a manual transmission.

#9 of 144 Re: How about manual transmission? [bdyment] by bdyment

Mar 25, 2008 (12:07 pm)

Replying to: bdyment (Mar 25, 2008 12:02 pm)
Oops! I goofed. The 4 cylinder certainly does have a manual transmission. I was thinking of the V6.

#10 of 144 Re: 2005 Mazda Tribute transmission problems x 2 [wedding1] by wedding1

Mar 25, 2008 (7:35 pm)

Replying to: wedding1 (Dec 07, 2007 3:58 pm)
Sorry for such a delayed response to my first comment on my Tribute. FYI - I actually pursued this issue over and over with corporate, meaning I literally bugged the crap out of them, and they actually gave me a 100,000 mile, total care package, with a 0 dollar deductible, extended warranty at their cost. I actually had a Mazda Corp. Maintenance Tech come from out of town to test drive my vehicle, and after that I got the call from Mazda Corp. Consumer Compliance stating they would give me the warranty. I was willing to pursue this issue with the Corp. CEO if I had to. My vehicle still runs horrible and it literally feels like someone is rear ending me while I drive, but I have a little less worry now, knowing it's covered for 100,000 miles. Keep pursuing this issue with them and don't give in. FYI - they also replaced the fuel sensor line in my car and it didn't fix the problem. I am also extremely upside down on my vehicle and can't afford to get rid of the hunk of junk. Keep telling Mazda Corp. that they will be getting a letter from your lawyer if they don't comply. You may be better off to spend a few extra $ and have a transmission shop run a diagnostic. I kept telling Mazda corp. that I was going to do this and once the shop found the problem I would be sending them a lawsuit. I agree - I have had the best luck with Honda's Never again will I buy American. Good luck and keep me posted. If you need names or more info. let me know. Also threaten your dealership that you are going to make an appt. everyday to have your vehicle looked at. Trust me it works.

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