Dash Wiring Problems of Mazda Tribute

My son has driven this vehicle since 2008, when we purchased it for him to use while in college. He was driving onto campus and when approaching the parking lot, he noticed abs and airbag lights coming on and off on the dashboard. As he parked he realized there was smoke coming from under the hood. He opened the hood, saw a fire, and called 911 immediately. They arrived quickly and successfully put the fire out. Firemen told him it appeared to have been electrical and he was lucky they got there as quick as they did. Insurance claim adjuster took it to a Ford shop (closest) where they had it for a week and said they couldn't get parts, but were aware of a recall coming on the area the fire had occurred in (the wiring harness and abs module). It was then sent to a Mazda dealer, that had it for 10 days, and finally said the needed parts were obsolete and they could not repair the vehicle. Claims adjuster checked with another Ford and another Mazda dealer, getting the same answers from both. By the way, when they checked on the VIN, they said it was not on any Mazda recalls. This was at the end of January/beginning of February 2012. So after all this, they had to total a vehicle that only had about 77,000 miles on it and was in excellent condition otherwise. The day I get home from having documents notarized for the insurance company, in my mailbox is a recall from Mazda. . . . This very one 6712a, which I had already found online days prior to the Mazda dealers denying our VIN was included. The recall letter states the work from a prior recall in 2007 regarding this issue had been done. We are very grateful this fire did not cause an accident or more serious emergency situation. And we are grateful our insurance company isn't holding things up due to Mazda's lack of help.

See all problems of the 2002 Mazda Tribute.

Occassionally, while my car is idle both parked but running or while I'm in traffic, the engine accelerates and the rpm gauge races. The engine will not stop racing unless I turn the car off. Also, driver car door does not open from the inside, service dealer says I need to replace entire lock including components not covered under map.

See all problems of the 2001 Mazda Tribute.

While driving vehicle the whole system failed. All lights on dash light, lost brakes and steering. While on the highway.

May 23, 2002 - cruise control stopped working. Light on console comes on but doesn't engage. June 01, 2002 - lost all power while going approx 35 mph around a slight curve. Pulled to the side, put in neutral and started again.

When driving at highway speeds speedometer goes up and down. When driving and letting up on accelerator pedal, vehicle shifts into lower gear. Feels like brakes were applied very hard. Vehicle taken to dealer 3 times, cannot find cause of problem. Consumer states the cluster gauges are erratic, then the transmission shifts long or slow, on three different occasions, the transmission shifted from over drive to first, when letting up on the gas pedal it felt like the brakes were applied very hard, dealer stated the transmission was replaced. Vehicle has been worked on for water intrusion, carpet had to be replaced, dealer removed and resealed the windshield and repaired the rust in the windshield frame, rust also formed on the mounting brackets under the dash due to water leak, dealer removed and refit the left front fender to gain access to water leakage through the missed body seam and wiring harness. Dealer replaced the fuse box to repair the radio and cluster gauges. Turn signals are inoperable. Consumer states the only repair completed was the replacement of the carpet.

Air bag light stays on. When taken to dealer, dealer replaced air bag module three times already. Also, replaced the wire harness . Problem still occurs.

While driving dash light suddenly illuminated, and vehicle engine died. Consumer almost had an accident.