Tank Filler Pipe And Cap Problems of Mazda Tribute

Wife stopped at gas station to fill up. Car would not start after fillup. Had car towed home. Determined it was a bad fuel pump. Replaced fuel pump. Should have been a simple repair, but it was anything but simple. Completed fuel pump replacement, with no further problems. About two weeks after replacing the fuel pump, my wife and I started smelling fuel outside of the car. I removed the cover over the fuel pump, but could not find a leak. I looked under the car, and observed a gas spot on the ground just forward of the fuel tank, but still can't find the leak. Car runs fine, but the gas mileage has dropped to about 10 to15 mpg, from 20 to 25mpg. There are no caution/warning lights on the dash. Had an ase certified mechanic friend of mine look at it. He could not find the leak. Does not leak all the time, and when it does, it appears to be only a few drops. Mechanic recommended a fuel filter change, and perhaps a dye test to make the leak easier to see. We have had this car since Feb. 2013, and the fuel pump is the only major problem we have had, not counting the four new 16 inch tires we had to replace at the time of sale. I still love this car, v6, awd, sunroof, leather seats, ice cold air, cruise, tilt, power windows, locks, seat, ect. Ect. Have had people swore it was a new car. They could not believe it is 12 years old. I take real good care of my cars. Wife swares I love it more than her. I have had my wife for over 20 years, and don't plan to trade her, or the car, in anytime soon.

See all problems of the 2001 Mazda Tribute.

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance and the mechanic stated that the fuel tank vent pipe completely fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had significant concern of a potential fire due to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

See all problems of the 2005 Mazda Tribute.

Filling the gas tank became a problem as weather became colder. It fills slowly and backs up. If not anticipating it fuel will spray back at you an run back out filler tube in fact it is hard not to have some fuel spill during the fill. I saw TSB on the issue and contacted dealer where I purchased this car used ,a Ford dealer, but they were unable to get information on the problem and said that I would probably have to pay to fix the problem anyway and would have to go to a Mazda dealership to get it done. I contacted Mazda USA by phone and they said it was not covered by warranty or recall. They refused to pay for any repair. With persistence they said if I took it to the nearest Mazda dealership and paid for a diagnostic and results were consistent with the TSB that they might help with the repair under a "goodwill" program. I requested TSB fix information so I could consider what was needed to fix so I could decide my most economical route to get it fixed but they refused. They said that information would only be given to Mazda mechanics due to "liability" concerns. This problem continues and it now occurs at every fuel fill, the colder it is the worse it is but it occurs even when it is above freezing. I have a coworker with a 2006 Tribute with the same problem. No serious event to us yet but my son borrowed the car once and I was unable to warn him ahead and he was doused in gas. Any static spark or other ignition source and there will be a tragedy. Remember this is occurring at a gas pump at a gas station with fuel tank door and cap open with gas pump running. It is at it worse at the most likely time for a static electric spark ( dry and cold). Mazda showed no interest or concern to deal with this. They know of the defect and first TSB on it was issued in 2005. Help!.