Vehicle Shudder Problems of Mazda Tribute

While driving on freeway during peak traffic (stop and go) all of a sudden my car would not go when pressing on gas pedal and wrench light came on. Because I was on a slight decline my car very slowly crossed two lanes of oncoming traffic and finally made it on the side of the freeway. Car started to shake really bad before turning off ignition. Got car towed to dealer and they couldn't fine anything wrong after keeping car for one week. Picked up car on 12/12/13 and same exact problem happen again on 1/8/14, had car towed to dealer and they couldn't find anything wrong after keeping car for one week. Picked up car on 1/18/14. They said they can't do anything unless the wrench comes out. My concern is when I'm driving on the freeway and cars are going 45 - 60 mph, I'll get hit from the back and probably get badly injured or may even die!.

See all problems of the 2010 Mazda Tribute.

The transmission failed with less than 600 miles on the car due to a hose clamp not being secured during manufacture. Ever since then I have had problems with the car hesitating and almost stalling when accelerating from a stop just after starting the car. It also happens more often if the car is not level at the time, either on an incline or decline. If I let the car warm up for a few minutes, I generally do not have this problem. I have also had a problem with the gas pedal feeling like it sticks or is catching on something, I have noticed this problem more often when the outside temperature is below 75 degrees. When the accelerator finally activates, the car general lunges forward or will spin the tires, I have learned to let my foot off of the accelerator to keep the car under control. I have also had problems with the car shifting abruptly between gears, but this has subsided quite a bit. I have also felt a vibration in the car around 45 and 70 mph. I don't feel the vibration in the steering wheel, it feels like it is coming from the middle of the car, more in the transmission/drivetrain area. I have had the tires rotated a balanced 3 times and also had the alignment checked, but the vibration still occurs. I have taken the car back to the dealership numerous times and they always say they can not duplicate the problems. I have researched all of the complaints and recalls for the Tribute and the Ford escape, since they are basically the same vehicle, and there are quite a few similar complaints. I think the hesitating problem is related to the recall for the "stalling" problem, I think the problem is more widespread than they thought or the fix for the recall did not solve the problem entirely.

See all problems of the 2003 Mazda Tribute.

At speeds around 40 to 50 mph it feels like the transmission is slipping weather I am accelerating or coasting. I also see the tach needle jump around when this happens. The slipping feels like a vibration in the vehicle and there is a lost power. Past this speed range or before it the vehicle operates normally. Dealer could not fix or reproduce the problem.

See all problems of the 2001 Mazda Tribute.