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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 9 of 15

#80 of 144 Mazda Tribute 2009 AWD 4 cylinder by abruzzz

Aug 23, 2010 (11:54 am)

Hello, I bought my 2009 Tribute new in April 2009. I've been at the dealer over 20 times. Mostly for the same issues.
-Hoot noise which was kinda fixed but still hear it.
-Leaking back window
-Seatbelt fell apart
-Windows which make strange noises when closing
-Air conditionner blowing out white crap all over me and dash...(they cleaned it a few times)
- *******And most importantly the strange noise coming from under me or the engine when I go foward. Its almost like a rumbling noise...sometimes I hear metal in metal and it also happens when I'm going normal slow speed (50km) and with low rpm's. (going over a small hill) Its sounds like a RRRRrrrrrrrrrahhhh and its annoying! I noticed it did it more often when I had the air on. They changed the catalitic comverter and did some adjustments to the catalitic and front pipe and donut but it seems to be doing it even more. The service agent told me if they could hear it and not normal, they could fix it. I had 3 mecanics hear the noise. They all told me it wasnt normal. Now they told me all Tribute's make that bizar noise and there's nothing to be done.
 
I'm bringing it one last time to maybe check the manifold and replace everything to stock parts and hopefully the noise will stop or be less noticable. I already spoke to a lawyer and someone at the automotive arbitration plan. I will proceed if not resolved.
 
Anybody have this problem? ggrrrrrrrrRRRRarRRR noise!
 
I also noticed when I start moving that there's like a loss of power and not constant? Is that a transmission issue? I think it does it more when i have the air on aswell. Like a small jolt....i give gaz and it starts, i lose power, then it goes but annoying since my whole body swings cause there's not a constant flow....does that make sense?
 
thanks

#81 of 144 It's my turn! by nowitall

Sep 22, 2010 (10:18 am)

Just got my '09 Tribby with the 6 speed auto tranny back from the dealer. My tranny burned up! Began smelling, shifting rough, and had burnt fluid. The wrench light came on.
 
Historically, I have towed the 'truck' behind an rv, following their instructions. Now I'm afraid to do that again. Flat towing was one of the reasons I got that 'truck' rather than another Saturn.
 
Obviously they are trying to put lightweight fancy trannies in vehicles most folks want to use as trucks.

#82 of 144 update to my august post by bachman

Sep 26, 2010 (1:07 am)

Replying to: nowitall (Sep 22, 2010 10:18 am)
Nearing the end soon on the trans rebuild and test drive! It has been off line since April 30th but I have another vehicle as back up so I could wait it out for a friend to do the cheaper fix.
It now awaits a bunch of electrical hookups, some coolant and airbox stuff and the wheels/ tires/new brakes /rotors. I'm told that the first phases will be some special electrical steps then the trans re training and special shifting sequences, speeds, rpm's etc... It has an SK brand ? shift kit added to it and the good DR is wanting Valvoline Mercon ATF with 1 quart -only- of Synthetic. I should be able to add a post with first impressions within the next week or so. I want to get some drive time on it before we go out to Michigan in three weeks for our 3000 mile test drive !! .

#83 of 144 Trans rebuild done - details here that may help you: by bachman

Oct 02, 2010 (11:18 pm)

On the 30th, 5 months to the day it went squirrely the Tribute rolls again. Here are few notes I learned within the context of the CD4E Ford/Madza transmission. (Those 5 months were my waiting for a friend to get to it and do the work.)
 
- The rebuild and shift kit both comment heavily on the weaknesses and traits known to be problematic and I"m now convinced I had both problems or one problem leading to the other. The ground strap is known to be a faulty connection often times and can trigger problems with the forward drive hub getting energized directly. In my case, a few years ago (and just prior to another Michigan road trip) it was shifting weird and holding back at times with rpms beyond then norm for shift points. That turned out to be a ground problem , a quick and minor fix I attribute to my friend coaching me on the ground strap possibility and my pleading with the dealer to check it first before going to the book on other stuff. These kits also point out that potential and even paint or loc-tite on the strap as being a gremlin. Get the paint off the strap and make sure all connections are good!!
 
In my recent case, I lost all forward drive eventually over a few miles. First is was Drive then low and 2nd quit. All I had was reverse.
The other items worth noting IMO are the forward drive hub was damaged and it was a booger to get through a dealer as over the counter... $310 new with a discount. At that point I had between $300 - $400 in parts cost so this nearly doubled it. I ended up with about $800 or a bit more in it as parts not including labor for the work. I'll guess at a total of $1450.
 
My mech prefers I use Valvoline Mercon ATF with the exception of 1 qt Mercon V (synthetic). Note that I find 10qts as capacity on some sources and 13.4 in the O/M. The thing to know here is the stick has the high mark for cold and this trans has a trap door where more fluid will go to reduce foaming. This happens when it gets hot so I may still be reading a false high on the stick. I'll keep a close watch on it and get it on the highway later today. From my reading, the level will drop about 3/8 of an inch and be in the middle of the cross-hatch after it warms up.
I have 70 to 80 miles on it as now. It is working perfectly and this shift kit isn't as aggressive as I expected ... it shifts smoother than the factory trans did previously. I'm pretty thrilled to have saved big money and feel I have a better trans than a factory new in the box gizmo. I really credit these aftermarket engineers knowing the fixes and weaknesses AND correcting them with quality parts whereas the mfg just keeps pumping out the same stuff off the assembly line or out-sourcing to the lowest bidder.
Good luck to all of you that are in for some down time if you have to get a fix done!
 
~brian

#84 of 144 removal of auto trans by bakyahdi

Nov 08, 2010 (5:24 pm)

hi i have just recieved a 2001 tribue WITH a blown tranny, i've just ordered a replacement trans, and im in the process of removing the old trans do i have to take the whole engine and gearbox out in oe peice or will the `trans come out seperatly

#85 of 144 Tribute Tranny by tribute08

Dec 03, 2010 (9:00 am)

I have had enough! I have a 2008 Mazda Tribute, I have had nothing but problems, right now my transmission has gone!!! I have been quoted $5000 to get a new one - I am out of warranty by 4000 kilometers - have gone to the dealership to see if there is anything Mazda Canada can do for me!
I have had so many problems, starting with the Abs, then the electronic system, the airbag had issues, the heat went on the car in the middle of February, I live in CANADA, it was cold!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My entire drivers seat had to be replaced, the frame of the seat popped through the fabric and cushion! These are just a few issues - never in my life have I had these kinds of problems with a vehicle - I am going back to toyota! I will never buy a Mazda again - as soon as the transmission gets fixed I am getting rid of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone else have these kinds of problems????

#86 of 144 Re: Tribute Tranny [tribute08] by koutalis

Dec 03, 2010 (11:48 pm)

Replying to: tribute08 (Dec 03, 2010 9:00 am)
I have a 2008 as well my Tranny went out at 40,000 miles luckly that was still in warrenty for me. My drivers side seat also is a problem but that is not covered so I am living with that my other problem is the tire pressure system has broken on me now 3 times which again is something I am living with due to I am tired of fixing it. I am hoping to get rid of my mazda this summer. I will never go back

#87 of 144 Re: Tribute Tranny [tribute08] by bachman

Dec 04, 2010 (12:36 am)

Replying to: tribute08 (Dec 03, 2010 9:00 am)
Do yourself a favor if it's not too late and you haven't blown your top when dealing with the mfg or dealership people. Keep your cool and talk to those that say you are out of warranty again.
The most consistant advice I've seen that does often work is being reasonably tempered BUT persistant. Do not let them think you'll take NO for an answer. If you've went up the chain to the 'ZONE' mgr you might be as far as you can go. With the number of problems you have had it sounds like a lemon. There are laws about that as well. Document everything including the first problem you had no matter that it is or is not related to the major trans meltdown. Mileage - dates etc... If I were in your shoes, I'd learn the laws about harassment so I did not over step that line. Then, I'd be on the phone or in the store daily (not yelling and screaming but persistently pursuing a win-win solution. I'd also tell those folks that my family history shows I'll probably live to be 111 years old and that is about the time I'll hand off a still unresolved issue to my family members to take over the regular visits until satisfied. Most anybody w/i the miles of warranty would have new vehicle as per the lemon law (at least here in the States). That should give them incentive to at least do the repairs or split some costs , worst case. If you have already reamed them, they may not want to help you at all. So go back and start over to be friendly / persistant. Also ... Let them know you will share your success if they work with you or you will share the nightmare of problems they left you with so your community knows how they treat customers. Update when you can and good luck.
 
** I know it's an investment in time but tell them if it takes 20 visits or 315 , you are there until it is resolved (at least let them think that). You are talking about a vehicle that is worth zero now. I could not afford to NOT take them to task if it were me.
 
~brian

#88 of 144 Re: I'm in a panic here !!! [rizakag] by kcjayhawk11

Dec 17, 2010 (6:01 pm)

Replying to: rizakag (Oct 20, 2009 7:54 am)
I also have a 2005 Mazda Tribute with a manual transmission. I've had this Tribute since Feb 2005, and am 5 payments away from paying it off. It was brand new with 32 miles on it when I bought it. It has just over 105,000 miles on it. About a week ago, I noticed that a lot of times (not every single time) when taking off in 1st gear, it will studder/jerk. I asked my local mechanic what it could be and he told me it sounds like a transmission problem. He asked me to bring it in next week so he can take it for a test drive. I have been driving manual transmissions for 15 years, so I KNOW that it's not my ability to drive a stick that has possibly harmed the transmission!

Messages Page 9 of 15

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