Engine Rattling And Whining Sounds Problems of Mazda Tribute

Vehicle makes a loud high pitch whining noise when engine is around 1000 rpm but disappears when the engine is below or above the 1000 rpm. This occurs regardless of whether the car is parked or during normal driving conditions so long as the engine is around 1000rpm. In addition to the high pitch whining noise, there is a noticeable amount of vibration that is felt. Also, after coming to a full stop, without the gas pedal being pressed, after having revved down to about 650 rpm, the engine sometimes revs back up to about 1000 rpm and produce the whining noise.

See all problems of the 2006 Mazda Tribute.

Drove my 03 Mazda Tribute in typical florda afternoon rainstorm vehicle stalled in middle of road almost causing vehicles following to crash from behind luckily I coasted off to the side quickly after few tries restarted vehicle however after restarted vehicle now making loud rattling sound from engine proceeded to drive rest of way home-about a mile from where stalled prior to pulling into driveway loud pop & grinding from engine coasted into driveway & realized engine blown-oil pouring out underneath thinking this was warranty issue (vehicle well maintained & only year old) took vehicle to local Mazda dealer for repair after having vehicle 3 weeks they now told me that cause of stall & blowing of engine was water from rain or puddles splashing up got into air intake of engine water was pulled into cylinders where it cant be compressed & piston rods bent & broke until they punctured through blowing engine dealers service dept stated air intake for vehicle is located behind front grille about headlight level right where most rain & splashing would end up at front of vehicle-so not very well protected-would not take much for water to get into causing failure Mazda would not repair vehicle under warranty-recommended my auto ins would pay for repair I feel this is serious design flaw with vehicle esp considering many smaller vehicles were driving around in same conditions without incident & if this can happen to me in the conditions & speeds I was driving I would think it could be potential cause of future accidents from these vehicles stalling in wet conditions not only is it safety concern-also would be consumer concern because it can blow engine & if Mazda wont repair vehicles when this happens there will be many upset consumers Mazda Tribute & Ford escape essentially same vehicle so this would apply there also I feel both Ford & Mazda should recall these vehicles & either relocate or better protect air intake so this kind of thing should not happen.

See all problems of the 2003 Mazda Tribute.