Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (15.1% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Air Bags complaints here are 1.8× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 30 · 15.1% | not available | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 23 · 11.6% | Recalled | Recall 04V583000 |
| Structure:body | 18 · 9% | Recalled | Recall 14V174000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 16 · 8% | Recalled | Recall 12V357000 |
| Electrical System | 12 · 6% | not available | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 12 · 6% | Recalled | Recall 07V157000 · Recall 07E023000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 199 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 14V174000 · 2014 · reported 04/04/2014
A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15E045000 · 2015 · reported 06/03/2015
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 12V357000 · 2012 · reported 07/27/2012
A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07V157000 · 2007 · reported 04/10/2007
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V583000 · 2004 · reported 12/10/2004
AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07E023000 · 2007 · reported 03/29/2007
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V605000 · 2004 · reported 12/23/2004
IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V175000 · 2004 · reported 04/09/2004
SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE AIRBAG ALERT LIGHT COMES ON ONCE ENGINE IS STARTED. IT FLASHES UP TO SIX FLASHES AND THEN REMAINS ON IN A STEADY MANNER.”NHTSA complaint 10555177 — filed 12/07/2013 · AIR BAGS
“SHORTLY AFTER STARTING MY MAZDA 2003 TRIBUTE ON 10-10-2013 AT APPROXIMATELY:30 PM, AFTER ABOUT 1 MILE OF TRAVELING,MY AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH…”NHTSA complaint 10547843 — filed 10/14/2013 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE…”NHTSA complaint 10511224 — filed 05/09/2013 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 30 of 199 NHTSA complaints (15.1%), followed by vehicle speed control (23), structure:body (18), engine and engine cooling (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
199 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 17 involved a crash, 9 involved a fire, and 16 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 8 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V174000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
