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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 12 of 15

#111 of 144 Mazda Tribute 2005 problems by tadd380

May 30, 2011 (5:35 pm)

I own Mazda Tribute 2005 AWD. Just after 105,000 and over having it for five years I had transmission problems. I was able to drive with it like that for a few months, I just couldn’t do any fast accelerations without causing it to red line. It would only change gears if you took the foot of the pelt. I took it to a few local shops and they said it was a real common problem and that even though it was never officially acknowledged that ford and Mazda changed the transmission in 2008 or 2009. They said using a rebuild kit based off that fixs the problem so it will not happen again.
I did have it fix last June, didn’t fix the problem as it keep returning every few months. Turns out there was a bad washer from the rebuild so they took it all apart again and fixed it, It has worked fine ever since. So I had to have 2 rebuilds to fix the problem, lucky for me that the shop offered a warranty so the second rebuild was free to me minus the time I spent taking it in to get fixed. I looked at different websites and found it is common to have problems getting the transmission fixed.
To the person asking about getting a 2009 one, I really enjoy the tribute but wish I had better gas mileage; currently I am debated to invest more money in to getting new tires, more money on up keep or get a new car with better gas mileage. I am now thinking of keeping it and hope it last a few 2 more years without anything major happening to it. I would do a search of mazda tribute 2009 problems and see if anything major comes up as well.

#112 of 144 Re: Mazda Tribute 2005 problems [tadd380] by bachman

May 31, 2011 (12:00 am)

Replying to: tadd380 (May 30, 2011 5:35 pm)
I think once your transmission problem is fixed properly (sounds like it is) the gas milege factor is not typically a primary motivator for getting different wheels. If you get 18 - 24 mpg city / highway for the 3.0 six, that is in the range of normal in my opinion.
Unless you are looking for an excuse to get something else, I'd say do the math first. Going from 19 mpg to 35 mpg will save you around $30 a month considering 600 miles of driving or commute a month. That does not account for a loss of equity in getting out of the Trib (if that would be the case) or the cost and related finance for a different car and if newer, probable higher insurance rates. One of reasons for the Trib as my choice was the side air bags and the sense of safety with an SUV that sits a bit taller in the case of a crash or tee-bone hit. (Been there).
I think the typical 35 mpg car ( best case highway not apples to apples against the 18 -19 mpg city on the Trib) is not built as solid or safe for a crash rating either.
Just my .02 cents.
 
~brian

#113 of 144 I WILL NEVER BUY A MAZDA AGAIN!!! by sgb46

Jul 02, 2011 (12:49 pm)

I will NEVER buy a Mazda again after the transmission went out on my 2006 WELL MAINTAINED Mazda Tribute with 46,000 miles!! After having it towed to the dealer they tried to get Mazda to cover it under the 60,000 mile powertrain warranty. Mazda refused to cover it. The dealer quoted a price of 3800.00. With a price that high, I chose to have it towed to another service facility who fixed it for 2450.00 So far so good, however, I won't be keeping the Tribute and will never buy another Mazda again.

#114 of 144 So far, so good by esyouvee

Jul 02, 2011 (1:12 pm)

My 2005 Tribute XLT / AWD has around 85K miles and has held up fairly well. The tranny was making some rattling noise last year, but had the fluid changed and that was the end of that. My Tribute doesn't get used a lot though, so who knows how it would fare if it were being used for the daily grind.

#115 of 144 Re: Trans rebuild done - details here that may help you: [bachman] by m_mcpherson

Jul 04, 2011 (8:45 am)

Replying to: bachman (Oct 02, 2010 11:18 pm)
Brian,
When you lost drive, and then shortly after lost 1st and 2nd, what exactly was the problem? Where can the parts be purchased from? My friend has had exactly the same thing happen with her 2002 Tribute AWD V6, (besides countless other problems!)
I'm sure I can get someone to pull the transmission out, and there are lots of small mechanics and machine shops that are good that could put it back together if the local transmission shop is being stupid.
All I basically need is where you got your rebuild parts from? Or what exactly they are, so I can look around for them.
Thanks!

#116 of 144 Re: Trans rebuild done - details here that may help you: [m_mcpherson] by bachman

Jul 04, 2011 (10:31 am)

Replying to: m_mcpherson (Jul 04, 2011 8:45 am)
The kit might have been by Trans Tech so that is what I'd search for. The forward drive hub is not part of a kit so far as I know so I suppose it's isn't always the culprit but I think it was the key to my failure. It's pricey and hard to get over the counter but if you deal with a trans shop, I assume they can get it if needed. I wouldn't assume anything until the experts pull that thing apart though. The CD4E a tricky gizmo so the kits are usually spot-on for directions and 'rituals'. I also think it comes in more than one version so warn the shop about that or look for one who does lots of Ford/Mazda trans work. If I recall correctly, one of the o-rings in the kit was not the right size and later found to be due to some slight variations in design or application. Aside from trans expense, downtime, I like everything else about the Trib though. Good luck and post the final outcome so others can benefit too.
 
~b

#117 of 144 Also, re-Trans rebuild done - details here that may help you: [m_mcpherson] by bachman

Jul 05, 2011 (3:10 am)

Replying to: m_mcpherson (Jul 04, 2011 8:45 am)
This is a diagram (link below) of the parts.
 
The forward drive drum/hub was not easy to source through a dealer and that was the biggest glitch. ebay has rebuilt-refurbished I think.
I had a shift kit added that reduces wear on the parts and I'm told most kits have better parts / components than factory new.
I also went with the advice of using one bottle of Valvoline synthetic then the balance of regular trans fluid by Valvoline. It reduces operating temps just a bit but the synthetic can/will be a problem if you use more or too much in the ratio. I'm sure the rebuild by a qualified shop or mechanic will out perform - outlast the factory original.
 
How many miles are on that thing anyways ?
 
http://www.amtrans.nl/CD4E.pdf

#118 of 144 Re: Also, re-Trans rebuild done - details here that may help you: [bachman] by m_mcpherson

Jul 07, 2011 (8:49 pm)

Replying to: bachman (Jul 05, 2011 3:10 am)
Wow, Thanks!
 
She has over 200,000kms on it.
 
She is still weighing her options. Something about girls not liking to "wing it" with cars, or "experiment" I guess. Personally, if it's at all possible to fix, I would rather do that. She apparently has an offer by someone to replace it with a low-km transmission from a wrecker for $1600 CAD, with a 90 day warranty, and then she'll probably try selling it and getting something smaller. She's moving soon anyways. If she does get her tranny replaced though, I'm definitely going to try to get my hands on the broken one and see what I can get done, or do myself, with it. Apparently rebuilt ones are in high demand.
 
The diagram is for a 4sp-FWD. Do you think it's similar enough to the AWD?
 
I haven't been working with cars much until this year, but I'm starting to enjoy it. I just wish you could work on them without the urgency of needing them to work before your life falls apart. haha.

#119 of 144 2002 Mazda Tribute autom.trans.failing by barbara60ga

Aug 03, 2011 (7:33 am)

My son's above referenced car (truck?) is having serious problems with his transmission. The reverse went out completely. No one has dropped the transm. to examine it, but a prof. has it now and after driving it around says that at about 100k miles these trannys fuse together in spots where the ventilation is not good. He would be afraid to take it out on the street to check the other gears. It will go forward in Drive. He estimates about $2,000 to fix it if the problem is as he fears. No other problems with the car. He has been very happy with it. But (gulp) now are looking at an expensive repair. Advice?

#120 of 144 Re: 2005 Mazda - Is It The Tranny or Not? [darook24] by longmiler49

Aug 04, 2011 (11:04 am)

Replying to: darook24 (Jan 30, 2011 7:01 pm)
I've been a Ford person for decades, and subsequently bought a Mazda Tribute (Escape platform in a different wardrobe.) It has run well for 9 years, until this morning when the transmission refused to engage in any gear. The Overdrive light flashed intermittently just prior to the transmission disengaging. Although they haven't opened it up yet, the transmission repair person told me that the transfer case is often the culprit with 4WD or AWD vehicles. I won't know for sure until they get it apart, which could be a few days yet.

Messages Page 12 of 15

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