I intend to purchase a 2001 V6 Mazda Tribute which has a good history according to car fax. My major concern here is to get first hand info about its peculiar problems one is likely to have here in Nigeria. Please note that I have learnt some things from car review sites, but these are not sufficient 'cos most of these online reviews were done in the early years of the vehicle.

Thanks for your help.
PS:
All opinions about the vehicle are equally welcome.

Was at an auto garage one day and I overheard the mechanic discussing some issues about the incessant alternator problem the car was giving its owner. This is just my brief experience with the Tribute.

sage007: Was at an auto garage one day and I overheard the mechanic discussing some issues about the incessant alternator problem the car was giving its owner. This is just my brief experience with the Tribute.

I have been using mine since February this year and the only issue I've had is with the alternator.I have changed it twice now until the mechanic had to go and get one that is repairable oFf a used car.That has served me close to 2 months now without any issue.Asides that, it's a very ok car.The engine is designed by Ford so expect most parts to be compatible with FORD ESCAPE.

omotoda:

I have been using mine since February this year and the only issue I've had is with the alternator.I have changed it twice now until the mechanic had to go and get one that is repairable oFf a used car.That has served me close to 2 months now without any issue.Asides that, it's a very ok car.The engine is designed by Ford so expect most parts to be compatible with FORD ESCAPE.

So what did the mechanic diagnosed as the cause of problem with the alternator?.Changing alternator twice should be a major concern As for me I prefer the Mazda Tribute to the Ford Escape cos the Tribute is sleeker in design. Ford are so poor with their designs exceept for their newer models.

Thanks so much sage007 & omotoda for your contributions. More contributions are welcome.

sage007:

So what did the mechanic diagnosed as the cause of problem with the alternator?.Changing alternator twice should be a major concern As for me I prefer the Mazda Tribute to the Ford Escape cos the Tribute is sleeker in design. Ford are so poor with their designs exceept for their newer models.

The alternator issue is a design flaw.There is absolutely nothing you can do about it.Mazda MPV has the same issue.The location of the alternator I guess is a major factor .But like I stated in my earlier post, if you ever have issue with the alternator, just ensure your auto electrician gets the one that is repairable because most time what fails is either the diode or voltage regulator.My frinds MPV had similar problem but upon bringing out the alternator the rewire realised it could be repaired and the problem was fixed.But his father in-laws case was different.They had to buy another alternator.what I advise is when you have cause to change the alternator do not change with Motocraft OEM , theyare not repairable.

@ Omotoda, Thanks so much for your immense contribution. It's been very helpful. Again, as side from the alternator issue, how available & expensive are other spareparts? Am earnestly waiting for your response. Thanks.

mallamyisa: @ Omotoda, Thanks so much for your immense contribution. It's been very helpful. Again, as side from the alternator issue, how available & expensive are other spareparts? Am earnestly waiting for your response. Thanks.

I have not had casue to change anything in mine except the brake pad but be rest assured that whatever u can't find in Ladipo, you will always get in Ojuelegba since it shares virtually same engine parts with ford escape and some with mazda MPV.

And really if you expect people to tell you to buy it, I am not sure many would as long as it is not a Honda or Toyota.

Thanks so much Omotoda. So good to have u around. Pls can I have ur email incase I got some other questions to ask u directly. By the way, is ur Tribute a 2001 model too?

mallamyisa: Thanks so much Omotoda. So good to have u around. Pls can I have ur email incase I got some other questions to ask u directly. By the way, is ur Tribute a 2001 model too?

Dichem2000@yahoo.com.It's a 2003 model

@Omotoda,

Your comments are really enlightening. Since you know a bit about Mazda cars, whats your honest opinion about the Mazda MPV - 2001, 2004, 2006 models? I really admire them but I have heard a lot of reviews/comments about the gear/transmission issue and that gets me scared because I am looking to purchase a car soon and I dont want to put money in a money-drain in form of a car.
Also, are the parts readily available and are Mazda specialist mechanics also available?

Pls your response/honest opinion is highly appreciated.

olumide4christ: @Omotoda,

Your comments are really enlightening. Since you know a bit about Mazda cars, whats your honest opinion about the Mazda MPV - 2001, 2004, 2006 models? I really admire them but I have heard a lot of reviews/comments about the gear/transmission issue and that gets me scared because I am looking to purchase a car soon and I dont want to put money in a money-drain in form of a car.
Also, are the parts readily available and are Mazda specialist mechanics also available?

Pls your response/honest opinion is highly appreciated.

I think Idachaba is in a better position to talk on mazda MPV since he uses one but honestly from what I read and little I have known about cars ;most transmission issues arise from the moment our mechanics change your transmission fluid because in 98% of these cases they never use the recommended oil.

MPV parts are readily available that I can assure you and most mechanics are competent enough to handle minor repairs.

@Op, like Omotoda said, the issue is only d alternator. I got my Tribute 01 model from Kansas city in 2011. The car came with alt light on. I did a troubleshooting by removing the battery terminals while the engine idles @700. The car did not stall and kept on idling meaning that the alternator is working. I never bother to have it changed. The light comes up mostly at startup but disappears after a while and won't have on again until d following day. It would be on just for about 5 minutes and it goes off.

Aside that, the car is great. V6 with automatic on demand 4wd and permanent 4w lock via a button press. Great ac, great response to acceleration and nice cruise control. Go for the ES V6 model. You will enjoy it. Never had a breakdown with it while on journeys but make sure all connections are factory defaults. Don't allow ur mech to talk u into removing d thermostat and bridging the fan. This would make ur jeep gulp fuel...

Its good. Go for it.

Thanks so much for your responses. Pls what type of auto transmission fluid are recommended for 2001 -2003 Tributes and I would appreciate if u can give a price range too? Thanks.

mallamyisa: Thanks so much for your responses. Pls what type of auto transmission fluid are recommended for 2001 -2003 Tributes and I would appreciate if u can give a price range too? Thanks.

Ford uses Mercon

omotoda:


I think Idachaba is in a better position to talk on mazda MPV since he uses one but honestly from what I read and little I have known about cars ;most transmission issues arise from the moment our mechanics change your transmission fluid because in 98% of these cases they never use the recommended oil.

MPV parts are readily available that I can assure you and most mechanics are competent enough to handle minor repairs.

Thanks so much for the insight, @omotoda

omotoda:


The alternator issue is a design flaw.There is absolutely nothing you can do about it.Mazda MPV has the same issue.The location of the alternator I guess is a major factor .But like I stated in my earlier post, if you ever have issue with the alternator, just ensure your auto electrician gets the one that is repairable because most time what fails is either the diode or voltage regulator.My frinds MPV had similar problem but upon bringing out the alternator the rewire realised it could be repaired and the problem was fixed.But his father in-laws case was different.They had to buy another alternator.what I advise is when you have cause to change the alternator do not change with Motocraft OEM , theyare not repairable.

You can fix the design flaw by following the instructions here: http://www.mpvclub.com/tsb.php?id=154

All MPVs since 2002 come with an upgraded alternator that incorporates the elements of that TSB!