Engine stalls and you lose all power steering and power brakes. Very dangerous situation. Being investigated by the NHTSA, Dept. of Transportation. Mazda Corp. is investigating also. Be very wary!!!

Power of engine, folding seats, good in bad weather.

Brake rotors under sized, had to replace after 35K. Shifter in way of radio. Rear window wiper hard to replace, had to go to the dealer.

I think the tribute is a great family car. We have 2 kids and our stuff plus the kids stuff fits well. We have over 40K on the SUV and so far (knock, knock) we have not had any problems with the trans that many others seem to have. We have the 2WD version maybe that makes a difference. The wind noise is noticeable but bearable

Lots of Room, Easy of fold down seats, Engine Power, and great handling. Handles great on the snow here and warms up fast in the winter (a plus when it's -26 degrees celcuis).

1) Transmission is currently being replaced at 14,760 kms, died on the weekend. They are replacing the entire transmission. Dealer says this is rare, and based on some reports I've read, I believe them. 2) Windshield cracked from a small rock chip (see also review by Lydia). I think this is a common problem with Mazda's as I've seen it quite a few times on other Mazda products. 3) Unreal prices on tail lights. My tail light cracked and a peice fell out (rock hit it I think) and I wanted to replace the lense. You have to replace the whole lighting unit which is $280 Canadian or $205 USD for ONE tail light. That's outrageous! I taped it up and will wait for an aftermarket, hopefully within the year.

Like others who have written reviews, I also researched and felt that this vehicle offered a better ride, more room, and more features than the other vehicles in it's class. It handles beautifully, and seats my father (6'2") in the passenger seat comfortably. I actually bought the vehicle with him in mind. He could never fit in my other car (Pymouth Breeze). Depsite a few problems, I would still recommend it and still love it.

Similar Products Used:

Ford Explorer, Jeep Cherokee, Rav-4

Power, handling (for an suv), interior appointments and comfort, opening rear window, hidden spare tire, sound system...grin factor.

Shift lever is too long

This is an initial impressions report since I've only owned my Tribute a week. I LOVE this truck! I researched various small SUV's for quite awhile. I read all of the auto and consumer magazine reports I could get my eyes on finally narrowing my search to the Tribute, Honda CR-V and the small Suzuki for test drives. I had some 'deal breakers' on my shopping list which included a 'must have' trailer towing package and opening rear window. (If you've ever owned a station wagon type vehicle with a sealed back window you know where I'm coming from here). Following test drives the Tribute won hands down. Better power, better handling and a far more solid feel than the Suzuki (which was fitted with faux wood trim on every interior surface). I enjoyed the fact that the Tribute has virtually every metal surface covered by carpet or upholstery, seat tracks and hinges don't show and the list goes on. Ok, so I don't have enough miles on the truck to determine whether the much talked about rattles have been vanquished for 2003 but so far so good. Heck, I even like the 'old fashioned' looking radio with knobs. Have you ever tried to change a channel or adjust volume with a radio that only has push buttons? Give me the instant adjustability and control of knobs any old day. Any nits to pick? Yep, the shift lever. There absolutely has to be a way for Mazda (Ford) to make this thing about three inches shorter. My hand hits it on the way to the radio and on the way to the environmental controls. Eventually I'll adjust and forget this was ever a problem but for now....If I had a hacksaw handy.. Cheers John

Similar Products Used:

1985 Jeep Cherokee (purchased new and owned ten years)

Extremely responsive engine/transmission/drive train and the cruise is very accurate and smooth. My wife wishes she had the lumbar support and heated seats (the only option we don't have). Where the NB sunroof created very bad wind buffeting without a window cracked, the Tribute's sunroof is quiet at any speed - amazing. I LIKE the shift lever - it allows me to find the volume control without looking, and when on bumpy roads, it holds my hand steady. My brother has a BMW ute which I have ridden in - he spent a lot more money too, but the Tribute is a far better value.

Back window rattles - solution - clean the dust off the seals and treat with silicone spray - do this often all around the car. No more rattles. Use white litheum spray grease on the door latches.

I traded in my beloved VW New Beetle Turbo because we needed more hauling capacity and passenger accessability to the back seat. I did no reseach other than having seen some Escapes and liked the size/atyle. Popped into this dealship on the way home from work and was shown a dealer demo 2002 next to several 2003's. With only 1700 miles and all the options I wanted, I took a very brief test drive, and began negotiating to by it. Its handling and pep was almost as good as the NB, and the fun quotient was everybit as good. I am glad I had not read the reviews of the 2001 in this site prior to purchase or I would have kept the NB. However, luck has been on my side and I have had no problems, except a very slow oil leak from the drain plug, probably due to a bad plug seal.

Similar Products Used:

First ute, except a 1983 Blazer which was awful.

Ride. Performance. Bang for bucks.

Wind shield. Doesn't hold well with little rocks, One hit and a crack started to grow. I own a 626 and the same thing has happened. Small rock big crack.

I love my Tribute. Comfortable ride. I have back problems and this has been the only car I've owned that after hours of sitting in traffic my back doesn't hurt. The handeling is great--it drives like a car. None of that rocking action on turns. I've never enjoyed driving so much. Its a good thing my commute is a lot longer. On a good day I can open my roof let the Sun in and load up the CD changer and drive for hours.

Similar Products Used:

I test drove most of the SUV's and this one won me over. It is by far the best value--exceptional performance, handeling and features.

Cofortable and very quick.

Have had a couple of problems. AC "O" ring went after 25000 mi. This shouldn't have happened. Right now getting a band slip in highgear either shifting up or down and will have to put it in the shop soon. Lots of road noise as in previous year Tributes.

Good bang for the buck

Similar Products Used:

None

It looks great.Sunroof is nice.Seat warmer is nice.It has alot of power.

Wish the back windows would go down all the way.

I love My Mazda Tribute.I USE TO DRIVE A Honda CRV BUT I LIKE THE MAZDA TRIBUTE BETTER.It looks sporty has alot of power and I love the sun roof.I haven't had any trouble with it at all.

Similar Products Used:

Had a 1998 Honda Crv But I perfer the Mazda.

Nice look, nice ride, seats are comfortable, lots of cargo space,good in all weather conditions. lots of power.

Transmission rattles, rear wiper, wind noise, radio sytle is old looking, (2 big knobs)

Nice looking, nice ride mid size SUV, the transmission is a little weak, wind noise is bad (over 80k)it doesn't always start on the 1st try. the hand bars near the wind sheild are in a bad location, always hitting my head! 1st week i had it drivers side mirror cracked, the outside caps on the glass that support the window already rusting.

I am still looking for them. The radio...

Transmission not reliable... Lots of problems..

I have bought the first generation of Tribute. Noe problems until 5,000km where the Transmission leaked in my driveway it took three visits to Mazda to find the leak. No problem after. Yeah... My wife took the truck and when she started it at -30c the tension pulley exploded. A week later the hose of power steering exploded in same conditions. Now that was fixed. Now I just past the 34000 km and the transmission leak again so now Transmission no3 is not doing good and jerks at 80km/h. So again we are going to Mazda for maybe trans. no4... The rear wiper was seized in rust and today the engine is leaking oil. I call my truck Leaky....