NHTSA has 157 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Mazda Tribute[1]. Suspension and structure lead the list, and 2 deaths were reported[1].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Suspension. 49 complaints[4]. Owners describe uneven tire wear that alignments did not cure, rear-end clanging, and shock mounting areas that gave way.
- Structure. 45 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe corroded metal around the rear wheel wells, rattles from the back, and worn tires with road noise.
- Speed Control. 34 complaints[6]. Owners describe the vehicle speeding up on its own and brakes that struggled to slow it. Some mention a repair campaign that was waiting on parts.
- Air Bags. 22 complaints[7]. Owners describe air bags that did not open in a crash, and wiring repairs that kept coming back.
- Engine. 22 complaints[8]. The group includes fire reports, and the details vary from one owner to the next.
- Power Train. 14 complaints[9].
- Brakes. 10 complaints[10].
- Wheels. 10 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2004 Tribute is necessarily included.
- Structure › Frame And Members (14V174), April 2014. About 109,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Vehicle Speed Control › Cables (12V357), July 2012. About 217,500 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (07V157), April 2007. About 95,300 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, burns.[14]
- Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › Lock (04V605), December 2004. About 49,800 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.[15]
- Vehicle Speed Control › Cables (04V583), December 2004. About 121,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.[16]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tribute 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[3] | 20 / 25 / 22 | $3,050 |
| Tribute 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[17] | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 |
| Tribute 4WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[18] | 19 / 23 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Tribute 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[19] | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR None[20].
Engine and size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 2WD DX[21] | 173 in | 71 in | 69 in | 103 in | 2,985 lb |
| TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 2WD LX/DX V6[22] | 173 in | 72 in | 69 in | 103 in | 3,148 lb |
| TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 4WD DX[23] | 173 in | 71 in | 69 in | 103 in | 3,245 lb |
| TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 4WD ES V6[24] | 173 in | 72 in | 69 in | 103 in | 3,311 lb |
| TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 4WD LX/DX V6[25] | 173 in | 71 in | 69 in | 103 in | 3,311 lb |
How 2004 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 563 | 13 |
| 2002 | 384 | 7 |
| 2003 | 199 | 6 |
| 2004 | 157 | 5 |
| 2005 | 377 | 3 |
| 2006 | 135 | 2 |
| 2008 | 202 | 4 |
| 2009 | 36 | 1 |
| 2010 | 39 | 2 |
| 2011 | 14 | 2 |
NHTSA's counts for the Tribute show 157 complaints and 5 recalls for 2004[2]. Among the 10 model years listed, 4 have fewer complaints than 2004 and 5 have more[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2011 (14) and the most are for 2001 (563)[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2004 Tribute?
The complaint record for this Tribute is heavy on suspension and structure problems[4][5]. Owners also report safety-related issues with speed control and air bags[6][7]. Complaints are unverified and are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what to check. The page lists 5 recalls for this year[2]. On a used one, have a mechanic look closely at the rear underbody and suspension.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mazda Tribute?
- Suspension has the most complaints at 49[4], followed by structure at 45[5].
- Does the 2004 Mazda Tribute have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year fact counts 5 recalls[2]. See the Recalls section for the list.
- Are there safety complaints for the 2004 Mazda Tribute?
- Owners reported 2 deaths among 157 complaints[1]. Speed control and air bags are the groups with the most crash mentions[6][7].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2004 Mazda Tribute?
- See the fuel economy section of this page, which is built from EPA data.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Mazda Tribute
Compare all model years of the Mazda Tribute
Similar cars from 2004: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 157 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Mazda Tribute (15 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 15 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda Tribute model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Tribute 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 49 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 140,683). NHTSA vehicle records
- 45 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 136,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 34 complaints name the speed control component group (8 crashes, 1 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the air bags component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 142,631). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 14V174, filed April 4, 2014: Structure › Frame And Members. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 12V357, filed July 27, 2012: Vehicle Speed Control › Cables. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 07V157, filed April 10, 2007: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 04V605, filed December 23, 2004: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Hatchback / Liftgate › Lock. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 04V583, filed December 10, 2004: Vehicle Speed Control › Cables. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Tribute 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Tribute 4WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 23 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Tribute 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 2WD DX: length 173 in, width 71 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,985 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 2WD LX/DX V6: length 173 in, width 72 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,148 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 4WD DX: length 173 in, width 71 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,245 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 4WD ES V6: length 173 in, width 72 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,311 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 4WD LX/DX V6: length 173 in, width 71 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,311 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov