Ignition Problems of Mazda Tribute - part 1

Purchased Mazda Tribute new November 2003. Two months afterward the car stalled and the electrical system closed down. I had difficulty turning the key in the ignition, it locked. After four efforts to crank the car, the ignition unlocked and the engine started. I noticed that the clock had stopped. The dealership stated that they could not tell what the problem was unless it happened with them. Since November 2003 this has happened four times. The season nor weather conditions do not appear to matter. The latest incident was in August 2005 it was the worst. The engine would not turn over until after five tries, right after this I drove about 50 yards then it stalled and it took an additional three tries to get the engine to start. I drove about another 200 yards, it stalled again. It appears this problem is becoming worse.

See all problems of the 2003 Mazda Tribute.

The driver side door handle failed, I was trapped inside the car on the driver side. I had to lower the power window, reach outside of the car and open the door. I purchased a handle and paid to have the door handle replaced on 6/29/2005. The passenger side door handle failed , leaving the passenger trapped inside the car on the passenger side. Passengers had to lower the power window, reach outside the car and open the door. I purchased a handle and paid to have the door handle replaced on 3/13/2006. Recently, every time I crank my car a large cloud of gray smoke comes from the tailpipe. Today, 6/16/2006, I went to put the key into the ignition and the key would not go in. After several attempts the key went into the ignition but, the key would not turn. I was unable to start the car. With assistance from a local mechanic, after numerous attempts, the key went in, turned and the car started. It was suggested to me, do not make any stops on the way home that would require turning the car off. Once I arrived at home I turned the car off and attempted to start the car again. The key will go in but, after several attempts, the key will not turn to start the car. With the Mazda being my only vehicle I feel this is a safety issue for my son and I. While driving the Mazda the rear glass on the hatch opened. I pulled over to close the glass and it would not close and latch. With the help of a local mechanic he was able to close and engage the latch on the glass door. We avoid opening the rear glass but on accident the glass door was opened and it was the same scenario.

See all problems of the 2001 Mazda Tribute.

I bought a 2001 Mazda Tribute (used) in March 2003. About a month later, it began stalling frequently - mostly when I was backing out of a driveway/parking spot. I took it to the local Mazda dealership in July 2003 and they looked it over and could find no explanation, but they did a pcm update on it anyway. It continued stalling intermitently - no pattern to the stalling. I took it back in December 2003 and they again looked it over and could find no reason for it to be stalling. Since December, I've taken it to the dealership in April and twice in may 2004. In may, when Mazda recalled the Tribute for the stalling issue, I took it in for the recall - the stalling became 10 times worse, now stalling at stop lights and at random times driving down the road. We've replaced the idle speed motor, this did not help. I've contacted Mazda directly and explained to them, in exacting detail, the issues I've been having. Their suggestion was to take it to the same dealership that has already tried to fix it 5 times. The warranty is no longer in effect and the dealership charges me when I bring it in, although this problem was presented well before the end of the warranty date. I love the Tribute, but would love it more if I could get the stalling fixed.

Consumer complained about an ignition problem. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled in traffic. This particular model with 4 wheel drive, would stop when started and would intermittently stop in traffic.

Upon starting the vehicle, the keys failed to turn in the ignition. The vehicle will be towed to a dealership.

I have a 2001 Mazda Tribute. I couldn't turn my key to start the car. After calling the dealership, they said it was a common problem with thsi car. They said there would be no recall because it wasn't a safety issue. They also said the Ford model (the escape) also was having this problem. They are aware of the problem, but yet I had to pay to get this fixed. It is a known defect by Ford/Mazda.

Electrical system is dangerous. Key ignition problem - back twice to dealer to fix this. Stalled during a turn - whole car died, had to use the emergency break to stop and then put into neutral to restart. Pcm died totally and had to be replaced - had to be towed from my driveway (thank god or I might be dead) to nearest dealer - I am awaiting response on full correction to problem. I believe the NHTSA would be doing a disservice to american consumers for not pressing the manufacturer to recall, due to the life threatening situations regarding the electrical system of the 2001 Tribute. Does someone have to have a 10 car pile up on a freeway or hwy before they believe the urgency of this problem?.

While driving at approx. 45mph, the vehicle suddenly quits, making it very difficult to control. After managing to pull off of the road, I put the vehicle into park, turned off the ignition, then restarted with no problem. Called Mazda dealership. They were very aware of the problem and had many other Tribute owners calling them with the exact same problem. His response was that he wished he could tell me there was a replacement part available to fix the problem, but honestly, there isn't a fix. Mazda has not corrected the problem. Thousands of people are driving these vehicles, and many of them have experienced the same problem I have just described. This is a serious safety hazard, potentially deadly. Because it randomly re-occurs, you never know what the driving situation will be when it happens again. Because there is no corrective action available, we are told nothing can be done, and we must continue putting our families at risk. This is unacceptable. I propose we sell our vehicles back to Mazda , and be given the opportunity to select a differenct vehicle that does not pose this hazard.

While traveling 40mph on highway and without prior warning vehicle stalled, and electrical power brakes/ steering , and lights were lost. Dealership was aware of problem.

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Vehicle stalled going down hill at about 35 mph. This could have turned into a deadly situation had conditions been different. I pulled over, parked, took key out of ignition. Interior light turned on by itself. After a minute, I restarted the car and drove immediately to the dealership. They said they had received a bulletin about this problem. I wonder why they didn't fix it if they knew about it! I was almost ready to use the 72-hour return clause. They claimed to know what the problem was and to start fixing it on Monday. In the meantime, they gave me a loaner vehicle. I have lost a lot of confidence in the vehicle and Mazda. After this occured, I looked for problems similar to this on line. See carreview. Com. There are other reports of this happening. There should be a recall on the part(s) or system causing the problem. I was on a date when this happened. It may have scared her away!.