VehicleVerdict

2003 Mazda Tribute brakes problems

The 2003 Mazda Tribute has 37 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

37

Brakes complaints

14%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Tribute brakes complaints by model year88 complaints2000: 1 complaints2001: 61 complaints2002: 88 complaints2003: 37 complaints2004: 10 complaints2005: 26 complaints2006: 12 complaints2007: 2 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 3 complaints2010: 3 complaints
Tribute brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

07V157000BrakesApril 10, 2007 · 95,300 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Consequence

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE ABS MODULE FOR MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

07E023000BrakesMarch 29, 2007 · 13,128 units

Defect

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

What owners report

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. STEERING LOCKED/ BRAKES FAILED, AND HEADLIGHTS WERE FLICKERING ON AND OFF. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND WENT INTO A FENCE, CAUSING A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 6, 2003 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2003 Mazda Tribute have?

NHTSA has 37 complaints about the 2003 Mazda Tribute brakes — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Mazda Tribute brakes?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the brakes: 07E023000, 07V157000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.