2002 Mazda Tribute Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN MINUTES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS MOVED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V175000 (POWER TRAIN) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DECIDED TO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR HOUSING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 188,000. *TR

DEALER DISCONNECTED CRUISE CONTROL AND HAS NOT NOTIFIED OF REPLACING THE PART AND A FORD DEALER I KNOW CAN GET THE PART IN 1 WEEK. WHY HASN'T THE RECALL BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY THIS PHILADELPHIA MAZDA DEALER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE), WHICH STATED THAT A FIRE COULD RESULT FROM BRAKE FLUID LEAKING ONTO THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CONTACT DID NOT VERIFY WITH THE MANUFACTURER IF THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

DOOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT OPEN THE DOOR ANYMORE. IT SEEMS THAT INTERIOR HANDLE STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY BY USING IT IN A NORMAL WAY. THIS AFFECTS SAFETY SINCE THE PASSENGER DOOR CAN BE OPENED ONLY FROM THE OUTSIDE. *TR

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. *TR

GOT A RECALL NOTICE IN FEB. 2012 AND HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM MAZDA SINCE. I DID CONTACT THE CO. AND THEY SAID THE PARTS TO FIX MY CAR WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2012. IT IS NOW JUNE 13TH AND I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING. DO I NEED TO BE CONCERNED? THE RECALL IS 6712A AND I WAS TOLD NOT TO PARK CLOSE TO ANY STRUCTURES. MY HUSBAND WANTS THE CAR MOVED AWAY FROM THE HOUSE. I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE IS A REAL SAFETY PROBLEM AND WHY THE CO. WON'T GET BACK TO ME ABOUT IT. THANK YOU *TR

I'VE NOTICED IN THE PAST 2-3 MONTHS THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATION PEDAL. IT CAUSE ME TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. ALSO, THE FEW TIMES I HAVE TRIED TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE ON THE HIGHWAY IT DOES NOT WORK. I AM NOT ABLE TO LOCK IT IN AT A GIVEN SPEED....SAY 72 MPH. I HAVE GIVEN THIS VEHICLE TO MY SON AND NOW I AM SEE REPORTS THAT THIS MIGHT CAUSE MAZDA TO DO A RECALL. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT MAZDA MUST ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

RECEIVED NOTICE FROM MAZDA REGARDING SAFETY RECALL #6712A IN FEB 2012 FOR OUR 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE - RECOMMENDED ACTION WAS TO PARK VEHICLE OUTDOORS, AWAY FROM STRUCTURES TO PREVENT UNATTENDED POTENTIAL FIRE FROM SPREADING RELATED TO ELECTRICAL SHORT /ABS MODULE. IT HAS NOW BEEN 3 MONTHS AND MAZDA HAS NOT PROVIDED THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO RETURN THIS VEHICLE TO A SAFE CONDITION. *TR

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE CALLED MAZDA CORPORATION SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE PAST FIVE MONTHS AND ASKED WHAT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN REPAIRING THE ABS RECALL DEFECT. MAZDA INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PURSUANT TO THE RECALL, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AT THIS TIME. MAZDA RECOMMENDED THE CONSUMER PARK HIS VEHICLE AWAY FROM STRUCTURES IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT, THE ABS MODULE DEVELOPED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *JB

FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE WON'T OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE. PLASTIC HOOK INSIDE HANDLE ASSEMBLY BROKE. DOOR CAN ONLY BE OPENED FROM THE EXTERIOR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT/ MODULE) ON DECEMBER 12, 2012. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BECOME AVAILABLE UNTIL THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2012. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL INA REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STILL ADVISED THAT THE PARTS HAD NOT YET BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WERE TWO SEAT SENSORS THAT FAILED ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT SEATS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I PULLED ONTO A DIRT ROAD BECAUSE THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND WHEN I STOPPED I OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS LIKE A SMALL FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD I GOT SCARED CALLED MY MOTHER AND 2 SECONDS LATER THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. *TR

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL 6712A CONCERNING ABS SYSTEM REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNTIL SHE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION LETTER SAYING THE PART WAS IN STOCK. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB

MASTER CYLINDER CAP LEAK CAUSED FLUID TO DRIP ON ABS MODULE CAUSING SHORT, NOW ABS MODULE MOTOR STAYS ON CONTINUOUSLY EVEN WHEN I TURN OFF THE CAR, UNLESS I DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. (THIS IS THE 3RD OEM MASTER CYLINDER I HAVE HAD REPLACED ON THIS MAZDA TRIBUTE! THEY ALL HAVE HAD LEAKY CAPS!) I ALREADY HAD THE LAST MAZDA ABS RECALL COMPLETED (WHICH WAS A JOKE - MAZDA WAS ONLY BOUND TO "INSPECT THE ABS MODULE FOR CORROSION - AND IF THEY FOUND NONE THEY WERE NOT BOUND TO TAKE ANY ACTION OR REPLACE ANY PARTS). I RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE WITHIN A MONTH OF THEM COMPLETING THE FIRST RECALL. THIS TIME THE RECALL STATES THAT THEY MUST REPLACE THE LEAKY MASTER CYLINDER CAP AND REPLACE THE FAULTY ABS MODULE AT NO COST. SO I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP (RICK CASE MAZDA) AND EXPLAINED THAT MY VEHICLE IS ALREADY SHOWING SYMPTOMS THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF I WEREN'T DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY EVERY TIME I TURNED OFF AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. TO WHICH THEY SAID THEY HAD NO PARTS YET FROM MAZDA TO SERVICE THE RECALL, BUT BRING IT IN ANYWAY AND WE'LL DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THEY WILL ASK THE MAZDA REP WHAT THEY SHOULD DO IN THIS CASE. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THEY OBVIOUSLY DID NOT DO ANYTHING ON THE LAST RECALL. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING ODOR WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO BILLOW FROM THE HOOD AREA. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED IN ORDER TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS BUT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIAN ASSURED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE RECALL CONSEQUENCE BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR COULD BE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR MALFUNCTIONED AND AS A RESULT, SHE UNABLE TO UNLOCKED OR OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000. THE CONSUMER STATED BRAKE FLUID LEAKED WHICH CAUSED HER TO NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND HIT A POLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. UPDATED 04/25/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE), BUT NOTICED THAT THE SERVICES WOULD NOT BE PERFORMED UNTIL THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE YEAR. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE AND TO PARK THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM BUILDINGS UNTIL THE REPAIR COULD BE PERFORMED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE TO A SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THE TIME DELAY IN HAVING THE REPAIRS PERFORMED WHEN A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 185,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE.THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE) AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD TAKE THREE MONTHS TO BE MANUFACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIME PERIOD FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNSATISFACTORY. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOT AN AVAILABLE RELEASE DATE FOR THE NECESSARY PARTS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTI LOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE) IN FEBRUARY 2012. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE YET. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RECALL HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

WHILE BRAKING FOR A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, EVEN THOUGH I WAS APPLYING MAXIMUM FORCE TO THE BRAKE. I QUICKLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP, FORTUNATELY WITHOUT CRASHING INTO STOPPED VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS BEING USED FOR BRAKING AND WAS NO WHERE NEAR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, RESTARTED THE CAR, AND DROVE SLOWLY HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN SINCE, AND HAD MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO A GARAGE FOR SERVICE MONDAY MORNING (TOMORROW.) *TR

MY SON HAS DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2008, WHEN WE PURCHASED IT FOR HIM TO USE WHILE IN COLLEGE. HE WAS DRIVING ONTO CAMPUS AND WHEN APPROACHING THE PARKING LOT, HE NOTICED ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF ON THE DASHBOARD. AS HE PARKED HE REALIZED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE OPENED THE HOOD, SAW A FIRE, AND CALLED 911 IMMEDIATELY. THEY ARRIVED QUICKLY AND SUCCESSFULLY PUT THE FIRE OUT. FIREMEN TOLD HIM IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL AND HE WAS LUCKY THEY GOT THERE AS QUICK AS THEY DID. INSURANCE CLAIM ADJUSTER TOOK IT TO A FORD SHOP (CLOSEST) WHERE THEY HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND SAID THEY COULDN'T GET PARTS, BUT WERE AWARE OF A RECALL COMING ON THE AREA THE FIRE HAD OCCURRED IN (THE WIRING HARNESS AND ABS MODULE). IT WAS THEN SENT TO A MAZDA DEALER, THAT HAD IT FOR 10 DAYS, AND FINALLY SAID THE NEEDED PARTS WERE OBSOLETE AND THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. CLAIMS ADJUSTER CHECKED WITH ANOTHER FORD AND ANOTHER MAZDA DEALER, GETTING THE SAME ANSWERS FROM BOTH. BY THE WAY, WHEN THEY CHECKED ON THE VIN, THEY SAID IT WAS NOT ON ANY MAZDA RECALLS. THIS WAS AT THE END OF JANUARY/BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY 2012. SO AFTER ALL THIS, THEY HAD TO TOTAL A VEHICLE THAT ONLY HAD ABOUT 77,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION OTHERWISE. THE DAY I GET HOME FROM HAVING DOCUMENTS NOTARIZED FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY, IN MY MAILBOX IS A RECALL FROM MAZDA....THIS VERY ONE 6712A, WHICH I HAD ALREADY FOUND ONLINE DAYS PRIOR TO THE MAZDA DEALERS DENYING OUR VIN WAS INCLUDED. THE RECALL LETTER STATES THE WORK FROM A PRIOR RECALL IN 2007 REGARDING THIS ISSUE HAD BEEN DONE. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL THIS FIRE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR MORE SERIOUS EMERGENCY SITUATION. AND WE ARE GRATEFUL OUR INSURANCE COMPANY ISN'T HOLDING THINGS UP DUE TO MAZDA'S LACK OF HELP. *TR

LEAKING RESERVOIR CAP ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. I'M AWARE THAT FORD IS RECALLING 01 AND 02 ESCAPES FOR THIS ISSUE. I HAVE A MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT IS IDENTICAL TO THE FORD ESCAPE AND WAS ASSEMBLED IN THE SAME FACTORY AS THE ESCAPE. WILL THE RECALL FOR THE LEAKING RESERVOIR CAP EXTEND TO THE TRIBUTE AS WELL? I FOUND MY RESERVOIR CAP LEAKING A FEW YEARS BACK AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND APPLIED A FIX AT THE TIME WITH CARDBOARD BUT DON'T FEEL THAT IT'S A SAFE FIX. I WOULD HOPE THIS RECALL WILL ALSO EXTEND TO THE 01 AND 02 TRIBUTES AS THEY ARE THE IDENTICAL IN EVERY WAY TO THE FORD EXCEPT FOR A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT BODY STYLE. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE NEW. IN A SEPARATE ISSUE I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEAL LEAKS IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IN BOTH REAR AXLES AND THE PINION SEAL. MY TRIBUTE IS A 4X4. I FEEL THIS IS UNSAFE AS THE LEAKS WERE SEVERE ENOUGH THAT IF THE LEVEL OF FLUID WERE LOW ENOUGH COULD HAVE CAUSED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TO CEASE UP WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE RECENTLY (1\2012) HAD TO HAVE BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS, PINION SEAL AND PINION FLANGE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I ALSO HAD A REAR AXLE SEAL REPLACED BY THE DEALER I HAD ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ABOUT 3.5 YEARS INTO OWNERSHIP. THIS LAST TIME WHEN THE LEAKS OCCURRED IT WAS SPRAYING DIFFERENTIAL FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AND LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED. IF THE FLUID HAD SPRAYED ON A HOT EXHAUST WHILE DRIVING IT CAN ALSO POSE A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE ). THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN FEBRUARY 2012 HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE TIME FRAME INVOLVED WITH HAVING A RECALL DEFECT REPAIRED WAS UNREASONABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. HE CONTACT HAD TO OPEN THE WINDOW AND STICK HER ARM OUT THE WINDOW TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR LIFT GATE WOULD NOT REMAIN CLOSED OR LOCKED AND WOULD SPORADICALLY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V605000 (LATCHES/ LOCKS/ LINKAGES: HATCHBACK/ LIFTGATE: LOCK) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

I STARTED MY CAR AND THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT FLASHED ON-AND-OFF. THINKING IT WOULD GO AWAY, I DROVE TO ROUTE 3 IN SOUTH SHORE, MA. ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE LIGHT DID NOT STOP FLASHING, SO I PULLED OVER. THIRTY SECONDS AFTER PULLING OVER IN A REST AREA, WHITE SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. 10 SECONDS LATER, BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM THE HOOD WHICH WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH A BURNING SMELL. LUCKILY, SOMEONE FROM MASSDOT WAS IN THE REST AREA AND WE DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A CAR FIRE. WE PROCEEDED TO STEP BACK AND CALL 911 FROM A SAFE DISTANCE. THE ENGINE AREA OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, A LOUD BANG SOUNDED FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUDDENLY COLLAPSED ONTO THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE BOTH OF THE SUB FRAME BARS WERE BEING REPLACED. IN ADDITION TO THE REPAIR, THE TRANS AXLE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARMS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS STARTED FLASHING ON AND OFF, THEN STAYING ON. IS NOW ALWAYS ON. DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAILURE IN A SENSOR CONNECTION UNDER THE SEAT(S). I HAVE SEEN MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURE ONLINE. APPARENTLY IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE MAZDA DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $500 TO FIX IT. TOUGH TO DO DURING TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES. GUESS IT'S FOOD OR POSSIBLE FATALITY. WHICH WOULD MAZDA RECOMMEND? *TR

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE LX AWD AXLE SHAFTS WITH ABS SESOR RINGS ARE DAMAGED AND NEED REPLACING. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE{THE TOP PORTION} WHEN IT BROKE IT BLEW OUT MY TIRE AND LODGED A PIECE OF IT IN BETWEEN THE BRAKE ROTOR SOME HOW TEARING THE TIRE TO BITS. AND THEN APX A MONTH AFTER THAT THE OTHER ONE BROKE LUCKILY IT DI NOT DO THE SAME DAMAGE AS THE FIRST TIME. SO BECAUSE OF THE CHEAPLY MADE AND WRONGFULLY HEAT TREATED METAL THE SPRING BROKE. WHICH COST ME A TIRE OF 165.00 AND TO REPLACE THE SPRING AT THE COST OF 273.69 THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE AFTER LOOKING IN TO IT FORD EXPLORER,AND THE ESCAPE WHICH IS THE EXACT SAME AS THE MAZDA I FOUND THIS HAS BEEN A ISSUE FOR ALOT OF PEOPLE. A SPRING OF ALL PARTS OF A CAR SHOULD NEVER BREAK LIKE THIS. THIS COULD HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY NOT OVER HEATING THE STEEL THAT THE SPRING WAS MADE OUT OF THE IS CLEARLY NEGLECT ON FORD MANUFACTURING AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER MY CAR SO I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY.... *TR

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE UNDER NORMAL USE. CANNOT OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE VEHICLE. AN ALARMING SAFETY PROBLEM. WHEN I TOOK THE PANEL OFF I FOUND A SMALL PIECE OF PLASTIC HAD BROKEN OFF FROM THE ASSEMBLY. THE DOOR HANDLE IS CONSTRUCTED FROM RIDICULOUSLY CHEAP PLASTIC. THIS ALSO AFFECTED THE ALARM SYSTEM WORKING PROPERLY AS IT WOULD ENGAGE WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND GO OFF WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. *TR

FIRE INITIATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, TOTAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, 2 OTHER VEHICLES RESULTED DAMAGED. *TR

INTERMITTENT ABS LIGHT, SOMETIMES WITH BRAKE LIGHT. NOTICED A LOW HUM FROM ENGINE ONE NIGHT, CHECKED FOR ANYTHING LEFT ON, DECIDED IT WAS PROBABLY NORMAL NOISE I HADN'T NOTICED BEFORE. THE NEXT MORNING,I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK DOORS, THEN TRIED TO START ENGINE. ENGINE TURNED OVER THEN ALL LIGHTS WENT OFF. TRYING TO START ENGINE FAILED AND I HAD TO LOCK DOOR MANUALLY. GOT A JUMP START AND WAS FINE RUNNING LOCAL ERRANDS, BUT THAT HUM WAS ALWAYS THERE WITH ENGINE OFF. THE NEXT DAY, SAME SCENARIO. GOT JUMP AND WENT TO MAZDA DEALER. TOLD NO RECALLS FOR THAT YEAR EXCEPT SEATBELTS, WAS NEVER ASKED FOR VIN. A TECH OFFERED TO LOOK AND I EXPLAINED WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM AND THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ABS. HE DISAGREED AND LOOKED AROUND THE ENGINE. EVENTUALLY HE SAID HE HAD TO "EAT HIS WORDS", THAT IT WAS THE ABS PUMP STAYING ON. I ASKED IF I COULD PULL THE ABS FUSE AND NOT AFFECT ANY OTHER SYSTEMS SINCE IT WASN'T WORKING ANYWAY. HE SAID IT WAS FINE, AND TOOK IT OUT FOR ME. I NEVER HAD ANY OTHER BRAKE-RELATED PROBLEMS. WHEN MY CAR STARTED IDLING LOW AND LOSING POWER AT LOW SPEED, I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE COMPUTER REPORTED A SLIGHTLY OFF FUEL MIX AND CYLINDER 5 MISFIRING. THEY SAID THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL, BUT I WASN'T CONFIDENT THEY FELT CERTAIN THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I GAVE MYSELF A CRASH COURSE IN ENGINES AND REALIZED THE NUMBER OF THINGS IT COULD BE WAS HUGE. I AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR, BUT WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. THAT WAS WHEN I REALIZED MY CARFAX REPORT, AND THE DEALER HAD CONCEALED RECALLS. I WASN'T CERTAIN MY VIN WAS INCLUDED UNTIL I PICKED UP MY CAR AND THE TECH HELPED ME LOOK AROUND THE ENGINE. RIGHT THERE, IN BRIGHT BLUE, WAS A STICKER FOR THE ABS RECALL CAMPAIGN. AT THE VERY LEAST, I SHOULD HAVE HAD THAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THE MAZDA TECH COULD NOT HAVE MISSED THE STICKER, NOR THE 5 OR SO RECALLS, ASSUMING HE LOOKED THEM UP. HOPING THAT NO FUSE MEANS NO FIRE RISK. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH A FLASHING AIR BAG LIGHT. IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER AND THEY WILL CHARGE ME FOR THE REPAIR. I CALLED MAZDA USA ( CASE # [XXX])AND THEY WILL NOT HELP. THIS SEEMS AS THOUGH IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. THERE ARE 2 SAFETY ISSUES 1) THE SEATBELT IS DEFECTIVE AND 2)THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. IS NHTSA GOING TO ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN YOU HELP ME GET THIS RESOLVED. THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, AND THE ENGINE RELEASED A BURNING ODOR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD THE RADIATOR, HEATER COIL AND THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RELEASE A BURNING ODOR AND THERE WAS A CONTINUAL INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS ON MY MAZDA TRIBUTE. IT CONSTANTLY LEAKS AND EVENTUALLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED MAZDA TODAY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT CURRENTLY ON THE LIST OF THE RECALL BUT I REQUESTED A CONFIRMATION # OF MY CALL JUST IN CASE I HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. I TOLD THEM THAT CURRENTLY MY BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE GENTLEMEN ON THE OTHER SIDE STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO NOW BUT THAT I SHOULD PARK MY CAR ON THE OUTSIDE. WHAT KIND OF ANSWER IS THIS? *TR

MAZDA TRIBUTE DIED ON A BUSY ROAD DURING A RAINSTORM, WOULD NOT CRANK, WINDOWS AND GAUGES ON DASH INTERMITTENTLY WORKED AS WE WAITED FOR A TOW -- TOWED TO A SHOP,ENGINE STILL WON'T CRANK. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TECH BELIEVES IT IS TSB: 01-047/06. LOOKING LIKE A $1,200 BILL COMING (PCM, LABOR TO TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR...AND A NEW BATTERY)..WENT TO MAZDA AND THEY SAY THE TSB HELPS A TECH TROUBLESHOOT A PROBLEM.. MY QUESTION IS THAT IF MAZDA HAS HAD ENOUGH OF THESE ISSUES TO WRITE UP A TSB THEN IT MUST BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE CAUSED BY A MAZDA DESIGN DEFECT, SO WHY IS MAZDA NOT BACKING IT UP AND FIXING FOR FREE AS A RECALL OR REIMBURSING IF THE FIX IS PERFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP? (THE PART ALONE IS ~$700)? NEED VEHICLE SO HAVING IT FIXED AND WILL ASK FOR THE REPLACED PART (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE - PCM). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECREASE IN SPEED, THERE WAS AN EXCESSIVE INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE YET WHEN CONTACTING THE DEALER, HE WAS ADVISED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V583000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CABLES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE STOPPED OPERATING. DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE....OUTSIDE HANDLE WORKS OK. IT STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. I AM NOT ABLE TO OPEN THIS DOOR UNLESS I PUT THE WINDOW DOWN AND OPERATE THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. NOTHING OCCURRED OTHER THAN NORMAL DAILY USE PRIOR TO BREAKING. VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ONLY BY ADULTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED ONTO THE ANTILOCK BRAKE MODULE CONNECTOR WHICH RESULTED INTO A FIRE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AND WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. ALSO, AFTER THE SECOND OCCURRENCE THERE WAS A DISCONNECTION OF THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY, ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PRIOR RECALL REMEDY PERFORMED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

INNER DOOR HANDLES BROKEN FROM REGULAR USE. DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLES ACTUALLY BROKE IN HALF. PASSENGER FRONT DOOR HANDLE BROKE AS WELL INTERNALLY. NEITHER DOOR HANDLE OPENS FROM INSIDE. AS FOR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE I REPLACED IT WITH BACK PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE AS I DID NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT LIKE THIS. FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE REMAINS TO BE FIXED. WE ALL NEED TO CALL MAZDA AND REPORT THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM WITH MANY OF THESE VEHICLES. MAZDA NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT IT. 1800-222-5500. *TR

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. A RECALL WAS ORDERED BY NHTSA ON 95,000 VEHICLES. MAZDA RECALL #07V15700 IN APRIL 2007. THE RECALL, ACCORDING TO MAZDA DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN#. HOWEVER THE CAUSE OF THE RECALL HAS PLAYED OUT WITH MY DAUGHTERS VEHICLE AND NOW IT APPEARS THAT I AM GOING TO BE STUCK FOR THE COST TO REPAIR. THE RESULT OF THIS EQUIPMENT FAILURE DID NOT RESULT IN BODILY HARM BUT IT WILL RESULT IN OVER $2,000 IN REPAIR COSTS. HOW DID NHTSA ARRIVE AT THE CONCLUSION THAT THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RESOLVED BY THE MANUFACTURER? WHY WOULD MY DAUGHTERS VEHICLE NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROL MODULE FAILS RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF THE CARS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING THE ANTI-LOCK BANKING SYSTEM. THE SAME SMOKING AND ELECTRICAL DRAW THAT NECESSITATED THE RECALL REFERENCED ABOVE WAS OBSERVED BY MY MECHANIC. WE LIVE IN A FAIRLY RURAL AREA AND THIS DEFECT WHICH LED TO A FAILED BATTERY AND A FAILED ALTERNATOR COULD EASILY HAVE PLACED MY DAUGHTER IN A BAD SITUATION. MAZDA DENIED THAT THIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

VEH.WAS JUST FIXED BY MAZDA 3 WEEKS EARLIER FOR THROTTLE DAMAGE CABLE DAMAGE/ IAC VALVE DEF. &WIDE OPEN "SEE REF #10289784 10/26/09" WHEN SAME ISSUE OCCURED. THROTTLE STUCK AND CAR RACED FORWARD HITTING PARKED CAR AND RIPPING GUARD RAIL 2 FT OUT OF GROUND. CAR FLOORED DISTANCE APPROX.15 FT. WIFE WAS INJURED AND TAKEN BY AMB TO HOSP. POLICE/FIRE CALLED BY WITNESSES. CAR TAKEN BACK TO SAME MAZDA DEALER WHERE THEY CALLED MAZDA HDQTRS FOR HELP. CAR SAT UNTOUCHED FOR 9 DAYS BEFORE MAZDA DECLINED TO SHOW @ DEALERS,TELLING THEM TO TOTAL CAR. I GOT MAD W/DEALER AND HAD CAR TOWED TO ANOTHER MAZDA DEALER WHO SAID THEY WOULD HAVE MAZDA REP LOOK INTO TRBL. AFTER 3 DAYS MAZDA DECLINED TO COME OUT AGAIN STATING CAR HAD BEEN TOTALED AND WOULD NOT LOOK ANY FURTHER. INSURANCE CO. SENT INDEPENDENT INVEST OUT WHO SAID CAR /SCENE HAD BEEN DISTURBED AND REPORTS VARY . CASE APPEARS TO BE COMP BY INSURANCE .MAZDA INSISTS THAT I AM ONLY PERSON IN ENTIRE U.S. TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. RECALL FOR EXACT SAME DEFECT WAS DONE 2/05 AND REPAIRED,NEVER TO COME BACK. THEY PUT BACK SAME TYPE/MODEL PARTS EVERY TIME BUT STILL REFUSED TO LOOK INTO FAILURE AFTER TWO MAZDA DEALERS CALLED TO REPORT. *TR

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY.. FOUND OUT ON THIS FORUM THAT MY AIRBAG(S) MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. NOT GOOD. CLEARLY MAZDA/FORD SHOULD "MAN UP" AND ACKNOWLEDGE THIS SAFETY PROBLEM WITH A RECALL! *TR

INTERIOR DRIVER DOOR HANDLE DISENGAGED (BROKEN CABLE ATTACHMENT), HANDLE NO LONGER OPENS DOOR. MUST LOWER WINDOW AND OPEN DOOR FROM EXTERIOR HANDLE, NOT SAFE IN CASES WHERE PASSENGERS (DRIVER) NEED RAPID EGRESS. WEAK DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY AT POINT OF CABLE ATTACHMENT SEEMS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW/SHORTCUT. THIS ISSUE WAS COMMON ON THE WEB-BASED REPAIR SITES WITH OVER 50 OWNERS REPORTING ISSUES ON 1 SITE ALONE. FACTORY CERTIFIED REPAIR IS $350! CONSEQUENTLY A WORK AROUND HAS BEEN POSTED ON THE INTERNET THAT IS DANGEROUS. INVOLVES DRILLING A HOLE IN THE HANDLE BASE AND REROUTING THE CABLE TO THIS NEW (LESS EFFICIENT) LOCATION. THE POOR DESIGN, WEAK BREAK-STRENGTH AND CRITICAL NATURE OF THE COMPONENT (DOOR HANDLE ASSEMBLY) ALMOST ENSURES THIS COMPONENT WILL FAIL. THE OUTRAGEOUS COST TO REPLACE ALMOST GUARANTEES A STEADY RELIABLE SOURCE OF INCOME FOR MAZDA DEALER RARE DEPT. THE FACT THAT THIS COMPONENT FAILURE DEGRADES THE RAPID EGRESS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, IT SEEMS LIKE AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR YOUR AGENCY TO ADDRESS. *TR