Here's the starting link for my original complaint: https://www.mazdaforum.com/m_1523/tm.htm
My 2005 Tribute now has almost 8,000 miles, still with unresolved repairs.

Latest development: took in and they sprayed heavily with WD40 into the steering. My wife and I had headaches for days due to its fume, don't know what it did to my 5 months old of child. But the sqeeks returned to the steering after a month.

Finally found time and made appointment to take it in on 3/8/2007 8:30AM. When I picked it up at end of the day, they told me "Clock Spring" need to be order and should be in Tuesday 13th. I waited but didn't get a call, so I called on 26th to check status of the part. They asked me "are you still having the problem?", as if the problem would disappeard on its own after near 2 years of existance. They told me to bring it in 8AM Friday 30th. When I showed up, they told me the part is not in. [:@]

I am frustrated. It's been more than 10 times in and out of their service department. I bought it new on end of June 2005, and although it has less than 8000 miles to date, I feel they are playing games until the warranty expires in another year.

Of all the vehicles I've had, this is the worst vehicle I've ever had and the worst service I've ever received. There is no other Mazda dealer nearby, so I'm screwed. Once it's fixed, I'd probably trade in for something else, OTHER THAN MAZDA! It was a big disappointment.

In Texas, I don't think the "Lemon" law applies. Is there somewhere I can file complaint?

 

The clock spring is the mechanism behind the steering wheel. I have seen squeak issues on other vehiclescome fromthe clock spring mechanism. WD40 isn't the way to fix it. idiots.

Have you tried another dealer? That part would be identical to the one in the Ford Escape. Go over to your local Ford dealer and explain the situation and they may be able to help you out if there isn't another Mazda dealer in the area. I would also report this to the District Service Representative, the dealer would have that information.

I know in Michigan if you take a vehicle back 3 times for the same issue without resolution lemon law applies. If you have a squeak and they say it's normal, challenge them to show you another vehicle in their lot that makes that noise.

 

Yeah, I agree, ask for the zone representative or district representative for Mazda. This info. may be in your owner's manual. A letter directly to Mazda's Customer Relations may help too. When the A/C compressor went bad on my 2001 Caravan w/ 85K miles, I wrote Chrysler and they agreed to cover the part (I had to pay for the labor), despite it being so far out of warranty.

 

Perhaps the dealer that you are using is useless. You are more than free to take the vehicle to any Mazda dealer in the US and are also entitled to a free rental car while the Trib is in for service. I would suggest ditching the dealer that is incompetent and unable to repair anything and take to a different one. That is your right to do. There is a TSB out about flushing the power steering fluid and replacing with Mercon V. If that works or not I do not know as have never tried this on a Trib. It does not work on other Mazda cars as have tried and ended up installing new steering rack for the noise.