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Comments
I have a couple small issues; there is no light on the ignition key, which makes it hard to find; the floor mats for the back seats are way too small; the antenna is not automatic.
These are the only issues I have. I am getting about 20mpg since I drive mostly in highways. So I really would recommend this car to anyone.
They come with a 3 year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. Any problems should come up during that time. (If your still worried get an extended warranty.)
I'm curious -what are you leery about?
Adequate power? Quality/durability?
ejp
I love this car. Having driven a Honda Civic for 8 years, it is nice to be able to accelerate on uphills, with the air conditioning on and other people in the car! It is roomy, the acceleration is great, the ride is nice and I just basically like the way it looks and runs all the way around. A couple of design issues that are a little annoying are the shifter...it gets in the way when I am messing with the stereo. Also, it could use a little light where the ignition is. It's hard to find in the dark.
I did add an aftermarket cruise control (through the dealer) that is not functioning well at all and I am still in a battle with the dealership to get this fixed. Plus, they mounted it in a spot on the left hand base of the column. You cannot see it when you are driving. I would not recommend adding cruise control over buying a model with it already installed.
OH! I also forgot. Rack companies like Thule have designated the Tribute a "no fit" meaning that they do not have and will not be able to make a rack system that will safely work (on the top of the vehicle) on the Tribute . Very annoying, especially when I wanted to haul a kayak on it recently.
On a limited # of Tributes, a incorrect (4x4) Rear wheel hub could have been installed. Affects 4x2 Tributes built between May 11 and Sept. 1
The second is fuel leak on Trib's built between April 17 and Sept.1. O rings in fuel line connector at end of fuel filter damaged during vehicle assembly.
I have had my ES Tribute for over 8 weeks with over 1800 miles and have had no problems to speak of! Great vehicle , fun to drive and very responsive to road conditions!! The recalls don't bother me, it can and will happen on first year model intro's. That's why you have a bumper to bumper 3yr/50K warr.
a chevy blazer and various sports cars and have
found that this is quickly becoming my favorite
vehicle to date!!! I have had many inquiries about my vehicle from co-workers and strangers in
parking lots. I think Ford has hit the nail on
the head with this one with a great looking
affordable SUV. I have had no problems at all to
date. I had intended to buy an Explorer but when I saw the dealership unloading the Escape off the transport, I knew that this was the SUV for me!! I bought it the same day!!
After owning only foreign cars, I have come to expect no recalls or problems even with first year models which I have purchased two over the years.
As a consumer, you should expect only the best quality and service from an auto manufacturer and dealer due to the amount of money being spent on the vehicle.
I finally did buy a foreign SUV (2001 QX4 for $33,000)and very happy with it. As usual, I have not had to go back to the dealer for any recalls or warrantly items.
I definitely want a smaller sensible SUV with some pep and styling which is why I had been waiting for the Tribute to come out.(I wish I could afford the Acura MDX!)
Now a I am hesitant based on some the things I am reading on here and some things I have noticed since I have been looking at both the Escape and Tribute at the dealers.
Today I went to look at the Tribute to check out the styling variance from the Escape. The showroom display was the ES V6. I noticed that the interior plastic moding that runs up the support between the front and rear door (and in which the seat belt retracts) was completely popped out of place. It seemed very cheap. I noticed the same problem on the interior moding running along the bottom of the drivers door jam, It was popped out and sticking up about 2 inches..so much that I could completely lift it and see the metal frame etc under it. The interior door handles seemed cheap too...like chrome painted plastic that would break. Maybe its aluminum but it seems fragile. I have to admit that I am skeptical about domestic cars and I am long time Honda/Acura owner so I was disappointed to see these quality problems. One difference I noticed from the Escape was the middle consol available with the Tribute that I don't think you can get on the escape. Also I like the paint color options of Mazda over the Ford. I wish the ES's did not force you into the painted bumper as opposed to the more sporty flat matt grey bumper of the DS's and the Escape.
This same dealer also had a Subaru dealership next door so I looked at the Forestor. Unlike the Tribute sales guy, the Subaru guy knew his stuff. What a nicely engineered but ugly vehicle....Subaru should hire some styling consultants and they would be hard to compete with.
I've read teh complaints and frankly, dudes and dudettes, I think most of them are aobut seating problems, console problems, and "cheapish" feeling parts.......and I have no sympathy for ya ! I mean, didn't you check out the seats to see if they "fit" you, first, before buying the thing? Well, I'm not going to pick on you much....I've done things like that, too. My only problem now, is,...red...or blue...?? !!
ZOOM Zoom !
My tribute has 1800 miles now. It ES/4x4
with all the options.
Just couple of weeks ago (at 600 miles),
I took it for first long drive to Santa Barbara.
It drove beautifully. However following Monday,
I could hear a loud whistle sound near back
wheels area. The engine is making more noise
than normal. I took it to service/dealer
a week later. He kept the car for 4 days
but still couldn't figure out the cause.
Supposedly, he has informed Mazda.
I wonder if someoneelse has noticed this
sound and change in engine noise and
acceleration. It helps to know that
you are NOT alone
I.I.
Like everyone I felt in love with the tribute when I first saw it. So I paid my Desert Metallic Tribute EX 4x2 at the sticker price just like most people. Yet, I am happy with the car, it definately looks better than Ford Escape or any SUV on the market now and it drives great.
But that's the begning of my nightmare.
Problem 1... Trim liner in the cargo area is worn, so it does not seal properly. That's fine they said they would order a replcement panel for me, they promised in two days, but it never arrive. Now the answer is, when they got it they will call me. That's fine, I can wait I realized the car is new and most of the parts are not readliy available. No big deal I'll wait.
Problem TWO: Mysterious STALL
I was driving home from work , and luckily just got off the interstate 285. I got three warnning lights on the dash board, the engine check, oil check, and bat check light comes up , then the engine just stalls and die. I had to steer very hard to pull over to the road. Later, thank God I was not killed, I tried to restart the engine and it does start then I drove directly back to the dealership for service.
Problem III: Mysterious Air Condition leaking noises.
When ever I had the AC on, I will get this weird compressed noises leaking from the engine compartment every 10-15sec especially after an acceleration. And it's very annoying, because I like to enjoy a quite smooth ride.
So I take the car to the Mazda dealer at Marietta GA. To have it serviced for problem 2 and 3. (Oct 30, 2000)
They had the car for over 5 days. And the results is very dissapointement. THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM!!! One of the service consultant actually told me, it's normal to get those weird sounds after the car has being break in.
As far as for the stall issue, they can't find anything wrong and computer showed nothing no records of it.
So I have to take the car back (Fri. Nov 3,2000)
*** I only have the car for less than 40 days. And the odometer has only 8 miles on it!!!
They just told me they can not find any problems and there is nothing they can do.
NOW new problem... I got the car back yesterday, so I went out driving. (Sat, Nov 4,2000)
Problem 4: it was raining, so I got the front wiper on, and all the sudden the wiper just stuck in the middle and does not move. I was going about 45 miles per hour and I just can't see anything at all with all the water on the windshield.
I am just have enough of this defectives. I am taking the car back to the dealership and get my money back.
Are there anyone out there have the same problem as I do?
Or any other suggestions what I can do?
IMHO, I don't know how and why people continue to buy the Triscape. Look at all the problems people here are having. Not just uncomfortable seats and shifters that get in the way, but more serious things like fuel smells, stalling, weird noises etc. etc. etc. etc. etc.. And most of the time the dealer just "can't seem to find the problem".
Don't say that it's a new vehicle and things like this are to be expected. To the extent that problems exist with the Triscape, that excuse is absolutely not valid. These things are not to be expected. I feel sorry for the average type of consumer who goes to their local Ford or Mazda dealer without a clue as to the absurd history of problems with these vehicles. Thank you, I feel better now.
Noise may be part of the breakin in, however, watch your belts and make sure they are not loose.
There was another recall of 800 Escapes for transmission problem.
The whole thing (Tribute/Escape) is new, so there will be glitches and problems, just don't be shy expressing your feeling toward the product. The biggest proble with these vehicles is not all those problems (fairly common with all new models) but the buyers age. These cars are aimed at young people that could be easily intimidated and ignored by the dealers and manufacturer.
And thank you again for the information.
Luxury package,tribute about 3 or 4 weeks ago. I
absolutely LOVE it! I have had a problem
though...no fuel leak or wheel bearing
recall...but.. As the weather has gotten cooler,
my coolant light keeps coming on. I checked the
fluid level, and it was at the full line,even added
more....STILL the light comes on. I took her in
for service and they tell me that it's a bad
sensor. GET THIS...the service guy tells me that
he checked the other Tribs on the lot to see if they
could get the part there, but MINE IS DIFFERENT
and has to be ordered. Has anyone else experienced
the same situation?? Mine was manufactured in
September. Also, it rained for the first time since
I had it and I used both windsheild wipers (front
and back) on the intermittent cycle...does anyone
else notice that you can hear the slight "click" of
the relay as the wipers go back and forth from
your steering column?? I do and it bugs me to
death. Please let me know if you've experienced
the same and what your resolution was if
so...thanks in advance!!
Anyway, just want to ask the Tri/Esp owner, do you guys notice a small noise coming from the engine compartment, (AC compressor)? The noise was not there , when I frist got my Tribute, do any of you have similar problems?
It sounds like a gas leaking noises, and it will occur after an acceleration on the gas pedal, and continute at about 5-10 interval as long as you have the gas pedal depress or cruising. Very subtle noise, but it gets annoying.
And the service center people told me it's NORMAL! (as usual) Please some one back me up here.
Yes, I can hear that subtle noise too.
I took a service guy on a test drive. He
couldn't figure it out. After 1700-1800 miles
you will experiece a new "whistle" noise coming
from the gas tank near real axel! My service
guy has reported it to Mazda's engineers
(or so he tells me
Read the extended warranty booklet about
Lemon Law protection. Make sure you follow
that if you want to get the refund. I can't
imagine that it would be easy or smooth.
I don't intend to do that though. As long
as car drives well and Mazda folks can eventually
figure out the noises, I am ok.
My car had noisier/weaker acceleration lately.
Service guy suggested that I try gas with
89 octane level. I did over the weekend. It
has made a good difference in overall
responsiveness. If you have same concern, try
it too.
I.I.
The servicemen rode with me to hear the noises but the roads were too rough and the noise from the tires drowned the transmission noises. Another peeve is wind noise around both front windows.
I really thought the tribute was going to be my next vehicle, but it sounds like there are some serious inherent design problems that can not be resolved in the local service department.
Try to shut off your AC and try that and see if the sound would go away, because, when I frist hear the noise I thought it is from the rear axel as well!!!
P.S. My car is still in the Service center.
50 bazillion miles in the tarus, so you think they would have it right by now. ours seems to operate very smoothly/quietly, of course we just got it a few days ago, so only time will tell.
FORD: 1994-97 PROBE
1994-2000 CONTOUR
2001 ESCAPE
MERCURY: 1994-2000 MYSTIQUE
1999-2001 COUGAR
ISSUE:
Some vehicles may exhibit no forward gear ranges due to the misalignment of the forward/coast clutch cylinder snap ring with respect to the legs of the forward clutch piston.
ACTION:
During assembly of the forward/coast clutch cylinder, the gap in the select fit retaining ring should be located midway (i.e., 45 degrees) between adjacent legs of the forward clutch piston. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Prior to installing the forward and coast clutch plates into the cylinder, note the location of the four (4) forward piston legs (Figure 1).
Mark the top of the cylinder with a felt tip marker midway between any two adjacent legs (i.e., 45 degrees or 4 external spline teeth from the center of any leg) (Figure 2).
NOTE: THE FORWARD PISTON LEGS WILL NO LONGER BE VISIBLE WHEN CLUTCH PACK AND RETAINER IS INSTALLED.
Following the Service or Workshop Manual procedure, install the clutch plates.
Position the ends of the snap ring such that the gap is aligned with the mark on the top of the cylinder (the 45 degree mark) (Figure 3).
Perform end clearance check as required.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:
NONE
WARRANTY STATUS:
INFORMATION ONLY
mind. However, I am not sure to buy which one. I
like the Escape because it has good handling; but
love the reliability of Honda.
Can anyone can give me some advise?