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These garbage products will cost many of us lots of money in the future. I will take every opportunity to degrade Mazda/Ford for my unhappiness. I will never be tempted by these marques again.
I am currently dealing with horrible brake noise with new pads, trans shudder, frequent lighting of dash lights for no reason (thinking I got the Christmas light option), difficulty cranking at times, squeaks, rattles, vibrations, horrible interior smell-like mildew. Unable to duplicate is my second language.
If you want to avoid a headache and the poorest dealer service in the industry, avoid the Mazda Tribute. Others may be having rosy days, but the thorns will get em.
Ray
As for metallic paint flaking in the sun, I think that was more a problem ten years ago. GM had huge problems with their metallic paints in the early 90's. In fact, they were forced to repaint thousands of cars (especially blue and silver Blazers). My '94 Mazda MX-6 (ruby red metallic) was so afraid of rocks that it threw chips of paint at the incoming pebbles in preemptive strikes. Unfortunately, it used this tactic so many times that the car had no paint left on the front end and Mazda had to repaint it at 6,000 miles. (Never got a chance to see how it liked the sun).
alwaysed: I just bought a 2003 Tribute ES and noticed the same "problem" with the mushy brake pedal. The technicians told me it was normal. Because it hasn't caused me any problems, I'm not complaining (yet).
I'm sure the Escape's price and feature content has a lot to do with sales, plus they are great driving/handling vehicles. That's why Ford's lunch is spoiling while they try to correct customer satisfaction and quality issues, hence extended warranties on problematic cars and certifing dealerships. I can't imagine paying 45-50k for an Expedition and having the same treatment as I have received. Early part failure and poor service are trademarks of American brands I can definitely attest to (early GM advocate now recovering)
Brand loyality goes a long way. Sorry product doesn't. Even a crack addict will tell you the benefits of his addiction. If you are used to replacing parts, engine failure, safety concerns, and recalls it may not seem like anything is wrong with your vehicles. Just read the very large number of posts here and on Espcape.com that comment on the lack of recognition of problems by the dealers padding the bottom lines. I am used to purchasing quality, reliable vehicles that will run for 200k not like the 32k I have with numerous unresolved problems by the dealer/thief.
I don't know if you frequent used car lots but there is a very healthy selection of 01-02 Escapes/Tributes available which tells me their owners are escaping them. And my local Ford dealer, the largest in my state, has some NEW 02 Escapes on the lot that have been there since October 02.
I hope indeed you make it to 100k. I hope we both do. But my first 1/3 of the way has not been promising. I'm sure way before that time Ford/Mazda will be just a sour taste in the back of my mouth. I'm even considering replacing my beloved Miata as a result of this whole fiasco.
Good Luck and demand quality!
Ray
My friend's '03 LX-V6 just crested 20K miles...no problems of any kind for him, and I drive it occasionally and cannot detect any sort of problem or unusual behavior (and I am a Toyota fan and owner, myself). My thinking is that while there were many problems with the '01s when they first came out, by the 2003 model year they had it all worked out. I am surprised they cannot apply those learned lessons to the early vehicles.
vinnyny: C&D reports that the 2005 Tribute/Escape will be available IN 2004 with the hybrid powertrain, as does the current MT...hopefully there will be no further delays...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
You might want to check your tie rod ends - this sometimes happens with front wheel drive
Hope this helps.
odie
Anyway, to me it sounds like you have as much of a dealership problem as you do a problem with the product.
brake noise with new pads: did they replace rotors, or just pads. Also it is suprising that you would need either on an 02 Trib. I have an 01 Escape with origional brakes that are still in fine shape with 30k miles. (as I would expect)
trans shudder: I've not heard of many Escapes with tranny problems. Usually those are more easily to duplicate.
frequent lighting of dash lights for no reason: ouch, I don't think I've heard of electrical problems being common except for the stalling issue that has since been addressed. I agree, any electrical problems suck as they always seem to be intermittent when they do occur.
difficulty cranking at times: I can honestly say I've heard it from you first.
squeaks, rattles, vibrations: I've heard of others that have some rattles (rear window or latch comes to mind), but their dealerships seemed to address the problem. (see on another sites message board).
horrible interior smell-like mildew: I've heard this can be caused if while parked you leave the AC on MAX or the air handler to the 0 (off) position, which causes all of the flaps for outside air to be shut.
The other unique situation you have is that your other SUV is the Lexus. But that doesn't justify the problems you describe.
Your mileage may vary....
Go to the dealer and insist for changing throttle body. That is the cause of this problem.
I've had the same problem and it was finally fixed after four trips to the dealer.
This has been my bad experience. Mazda has chosen to ignore me. It makes me feel really good to tell others of my experience and inform ppl of what a sorry company Forzda is. And I tell anyone who listens to avoid Mazda. YMMV!
My Tribute was purchased 1/02 while my Lexus was purchased 3/03. I was having the Trib problems long before I purchased the Lexus. And yes Lexus has spoiled and pampered me so that I am sure I'll be a buyer for life now. When the Lexus rolled off the dealer's lot new, it was perfect, quality control was 1st rate. My Trib went back after 3 weeks of new purchase with 3 pages of problems. Most of which still haunt me.
Ford could learn a lot from Lexus!!
Ray
Is there a toggle switch for it maybe?
The antenna is threaded for less wind resistance.
There is NO power antenna on the escape unless you had it put on aftermarket.
Hope this helps
Odie
ateixeira "Honda CR-V" Apr 28, 2003 4:41pm
Can an owner confirm that the antenna unscrews at the base, like most seem to?
Steve, Host
Odie
With all the hoopla about how unreliable these vehicles are last year I did a non-scientific poll. I made it a point to stop and talk to other owners of Tribs and Escapes. I spoke with over 20 owners of all types of styles/models/trim levels ect.. and not one had any horrific failures. Granted there were small problems but not any to persuade people to dump thier Trib or Escape.. Anyone see the review on the Honda Pilot by Edmunds??? Take a look.. My point nailed on the head.
Has anyone experienced premature rotor life?
I'd just like to add that my Escape (badged Ford Maverick over here) is a very fine vehicle. I have had it about a month and already done some long trips. I cant fault it. Power, comfort, high spec, command driving position....everything. I have had many cars over the last few years and none have satisfied like this. As for reliability...lets wait and see. cheers for now
There are lots of "opinions" out there re any vehicle. You can't please everyone and I realize that, but at least acknowledge me that I am having problems. Do you think the hoopla of how unreliable these cars are is lies? 20 people out of say 90,000 is very unscientific.
I certainly invite anyone to come view/drive/inspect my Tribute and see what you think. I'll be glad to discuss the "few" warranty claims that have been attempted and let you look over my paperwork/maintenance receipts.
The foreign bias you have here should be eliminated from this chat, it's very obvious. The Japanese big 3 don't have the best dealership service either. But their products will outlast anything Ford makes.
I still stand on my soapbox and say, The Mazda Tribute is a piece of junk unworthy of your hard earned dollar!
Ray
I feel you pain. We had to do the same thing on our Civic at about 22,000 miles.
02whttrib: had you had them turned (resurfaced) more than once already before replacement?
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Yep. We're on the third set of pads at 54,000 miles too.
"In fact, I would think you would have a decent case for warranty work in that case"
Not according to Honda at the time. My wife is rough on brakes, but not that rough. The hills around here just add to the problem.
"I must admit that is the first time I have ever heard of that in a civic."
It's not all that common, but I have seen it on various Civic boards.
I'm not so sure that the rear brakes are doing their job as they are still fine according to PA's inspection program. That may add to the problem as well.
We should not use Honda as brake system benchmark.
Ray
tidester, host
If I were in your shoes, I also would avoid the brand as well. I think thats the way it 'should' be. If a brand gives you problems, switch brands. I also believe the reverse is true too. If a brand has always been good to you, and they have a vehicle that fits your needs/wants, look towards that brand again.
When your in your Lexus at a stoplight next to a Tribute, feel free to look over and smile because someone else is driving the Tribute and not you. It won't hurt their feelings.
I have just over 26,000 trouble free miles on mine. - Scape2 6/14/03
Lots of driving in reverse? OR lots of hot air?
OR how about a typo? Of course, YOU'RE immune from that! ;-)
tidester, host
How is that lawn mower engine doing in that CRV??
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I had my first problem a couple of days ago. I started noticing oil under my car. It is engine oil for sure(not red in color). I looked under the car at the engine oil pain area, and sure enough it is leaking oil. There is a cavity located right where transmisson(i think) meets the oil pan. It has a very cheap looking piece of rubber covering another cavity. The leaking oil seems to be coming from one/two bolts located in the oil pan. Not sure if it is leaking from the engine side or the Pan side. I am very disappointed and very upset. only 800 miles and one month of use.
Has anyone else experienced such an oil leak problem? Taking it in to the dealer tomorrow. Any help would be appreciated. I guess in my case, Ford forgot about "Quality is Job one".
I DON'T THINK SO! - I even took the car in at 5,000 miles to log a complaint about the dust - just to provide a basis for what I knew was going to happen today. That was no help. Buyer beware - $429 for brakes at 34k miles!
Oil leak.. Take it back, get it fixed. If it continues to happen.. trade it in...
Odie
I'm wondering if the problem would be with the ATF. I'll most likely make an app. for an early 50,000 mile tune-up.
Any insight? Thanks. Jeff.
Don Wood