I have an 01 dx 4 cyl with 213,000 on it. Only repairs outside the maintainence were EGR, back window hinge, and battery after its 6 yrs service! Still runs perfectly!

 

just reached 56,000 sun/moonnroof quit with a BANG something broke in the mechanism. can't flip up or open. The motor runs though.

 

From Aug 23, 2009: 2001 Tribute DX, 5 spd, 4 cyl - 2.0 litre. 376, 600 miles. I bought it new and outside of the usual replacement items: two clutches, EGR valve, an alternator, front axles (both left and right twice), accelerator sensor, front calipers, inside door handles, both hinges for the rear glass. I still get 25-27 mpg all around (50-50 hwy-city). I've never had to allign it, the exahust is original. I can't complain. It starts every time and runs fantastic. My buddy and I did everything but the clutches and alternator. It is easier to work on then the 6cyl engine.

Update: 403,300 miles (649,000 km for the metric). Just passed inspection. Fuel pump just failed. Outside of that, still going strong (knock wood).

 

We have a 2006 V-6 with now 62,000 Km. I have had to change the rear Strut Bushings at about 35,000 and have now just done the brakes. My wife loves it in the winter as it has amazing traction.

 

I must have the lemon of the group. I've got 167,000 on my '02 ES, and I've got quite a list of troubles. It was great up until 120K, but now? I wish I could afford to trade her.

- 3 alternators (and this one is now going bad)
- transmission full rebuild in June
- coolant leaking (can't find where, driving me nuts)
- door handle on inside driver door
- airbag on driver side has had error light since I got it (dealer swore they couldn't find why)
- 4 EGR valves (last week was most recent)
- 2 thermostats
- driving (fog) lights will not turn off (this is going right now -- what the heck? I had to unhook the battery last night!)
- and of course the usual tires, brakes and bulbs

I guess I just have bad karma...

 

Hi

This is my first post, I own two Mazdas and they have been great. Both are 2004, mazda 6 purchased two years ago with 75000km/45000miles and only needed to replace a rear brake caliper, has a 125000km/75000miles now.

The tribute I own is 2004 bought back in Feb for $6700 with 155000km/93000mil, had to replace Rear axle seal for both sides, cost $250, but since I got such deal on the vehicle I thought it par for the course. This is the first SUV I have owned and I was looking to get one with tow package as I use it to pull a boat I inherited. It easily can launch and pull the boat out of the water. Most SUVs I looked at were over $10 000, so I found a good deal from 1 owner.

Not too impressed with the gas milleage, about 315km/190miles per tank for straight city driving. Overall a solid SUV, doesn't have much rust, waiting for the snow to arrive so I can test the 4X4.

 

2002 ES-V6 FWD, leather, moonroof. 99,000 miles. No major problems. Maintenance, interior climate fan failed, brakes, tires, serpentine belt, broken windshield washer line to the rear window,

Had something in the emissions replaced when the check engine light came on, don't remember what it was.

Only annoyance is the vinyl on the interior door panels is coming off. The glue has failed.

Just bought a 2007 MX-5 to use as my fun car and keeping this as my foul weather, utilitarian all purpose vehicle.

 

Update: I just sent in a check to the bank who holds the lien on my Tribute, and it is now paid off!! :-)

I am at 105,000 miles...still going strong with no problems. I am getting some slight ticking during cold starts; I am guessing one of the exhaust manifold gaskets has developed a leak.

I have called around to get quotes on spark plug replacement and have been advised to do the coil packs too. One Mazda dealer quoted me $1000 to do 6 plugs/6 packs. Yikes. He told me to save $300, do the rear only as they are exposed to the most heat and are most likely to fail first. The front ones are a piece of cake to do. Supposedly. I see that there are plenty of people who have not replaced their plugs/packs with way more miles than I have and have not experienced problems. Something to consider.

 

still driving my '04 Tribute with 180,000 miles...

wear and tear work i've had done:

replaced front struts (shocks) at 150,000 miles...

replaced rear shocks at 170,000 miles...

did my own transmission flush at 145,000 miles...13 quarts of tranny fluid...

original battery needs to be replaced, will do that this Fall...

4 new tires just done, replaced my second set of tires with 85,000 miles on them...

Spark Plug coil packs...if i had one complaint about this truck, this is it...i've had to replace 5 coil packs so far, and not on 5 different cylinders...typical replacement cost averages $300 per coil pack including diagnostic...

that's about it...

 

Update - I traded in my Tribute for a 03 BMW Z4. Not because of the problems, I did not have many. I fixed the sunroof with a kit purchased on line. The only problem I was still having was an indescribable noise coming from the tires or wheel hubs or differential, It was a low steady noise almost imperceptible until you knew it was there then you heard it all the time. At 66K miles not a bad run for me ( I got it at 30K used) very economical to run (22MPG) and no major problems. My friend has a 2010, boy what a lemon, tranny replaced 4 times. I guess with these cars, if you get a good one then it's going to be good. I would stay clear of the new ones.