Problems with 2001 Mazda Tribute FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mazda tribute. the contact stated that while driving or when parked, a strong fuel odor emitted inside the vehicle. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 00v277002 (fuel system, gasoline). the failure and current mileage was 167,000.

wife stopped at gas station to fill up. car would not start after fillup. had car towed home. determined it was a bad fuel pump. replaced fuel pump. should have been a simple repair, but it was anything but simple. completed fuel pump replacement, with no further problems. about two weeks after replacing the fuel pump, my wife and i started smelling fuel outside of the car. i removed the cover over the fuel pump, but could not find a leak. i looked under the car, and observed a gas spot on the ground just forward of the fuel tank, but still can't find the leak. car runs fine, but the gas mileage has dropped to about 10 to15 mpg, from 20 to 25mpg. there are no caution/warning lights on the dash. had an ase certified mechanic friend of mine look at it. he could not find the leak. does not leak all the time, and when it does, it appears to be only a few drops. mechanic recommended a fuel filter change, and perhaps a dye test to make the leak easier to see. we have had this car since feb. 2013, and the fuel pump is the only major problem we have had, not counting the four new 16 inch tires we had to replace at the time of sale. i still love this car, v6, awd, sunroof, leather seats, ice cold air, cruise, tilt, power windows, locks, seat, ect.ect. have had people swore it was a new car. they could not believe it is 12 years old. i take real good care of my cars. wife swares i love it more than her. i have had my wife for over 20 years, and don't plan to trade her, or the car, in anytime soon. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 mazda tribute. the contact heard a loud noise coming from the engine compartment when she turned on the ignition. the passenger compartment became filled with smoke. the contact exited the vehicle. when the smoke finally cleared, the contact raised the hood and discovered extensive damage. they vehicle was towed to a shop, and after two days of inspecting the damage, they believed that two of the injectors were leaking fuel and caused the engine to explode. mazda stated that due to the age of the vehicle and the fact that it was no longer under warranty, nothing could be done. the current and failure mileages were 82,000. updated 05/20/08. *lj

On 11/07/05 vehicle was brought in due to stalling when slowing and stopping. the engine sensor was replaced. on 11/08/05 vehicle was bought back still stalling. ac gasket and idle valve were replaced. we were told our engine was damaged and dealer would not fix. the day i picked up the vehicle it stalled at 60 mph. three days later it would not start. brought vehicle to local mechanic, fuel pump had to be replaced. the vehicle is undrivable. this is the second time i have filed a complaint about this vehicle. *jb

2001 mazda tribute has problems with fuel system.***no answer required*** . *mr upon inspection of the vehicle, the consumer was informed, that the gaskets at the intake manifold as well as the fuel line inlet needed to be replaced. *jb

Consumer smelled gas fumes around the outside of the vehicle. consumer noticed a fuel leakage. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak

While driving at any speed vehicle would shut off, and in doing so brakes and/ or steering did not work. contacted dealer, and the dealer was aware of problem, but only had a temporary solution. *ak consumer smells fuel inside the vehicle and took the vehicle to the dealer four times, but the problem was not found. *yh

Check engine came on. checked everything according to owners manual, including making sure gas top was on tight. took to dealer and they found a leaking vent line on tank. they said mazda told them to cap it off as there wasn't a service bulletin on this. don't think this is a permanent fix. *ts *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis***760935

While driving vehicle will stalll and lose all power.took vehicle to dealer, and dealer replaced a delay chip in fuel pump, but problem still exists.*ak

Transmission has been replace (with a rebuilt trans) in sept. in nov, we had to have the rack replaced and the rear differential was leaking. the master cylinder cover was leaking. additionally we experienced a gas smell throughout the cabin. the left front window has had repairs. we have also experienced numerous squeaks and rattles all over the vehicle. today while driving down hill the vehicle completely shut down. i had no steering or brakes and had to stop the vehicle with the hand brake. this stall almost resulted in a rear end acciedent. lastly the tires had to be replaced at approximately 19000 miles.*ak

Engine has stalled three times when driving between 35 and 40 mph, and going downhill on 25-jun-2001, 01-oct-2001, and 30-jan-2002. dealership has examined vehice and replaced air intake manifold which failed to remedy the problem. reference investigation: pe 01-043. please provide any additional information / documentation.*ak

Engine check light came on, and consumer smelled fuel inside vehicle. dealer informed her that fuel tank was leaking. but that fuel tanks were on back order. could not give her a time frame, but assured her vehicle was safe to drive.*ak

Passenger cabin continues to get fuel fumes at restart. understand that this is a design problem and that new gaskets are in the works to correct. we expect dealership to replace old ones with new gaskets when available. check engine light has come on twice in first 2000 miles. both times we were told that gas cap was opened when vehicle was turned on. this has not been the case and we continue to argue over this. we refuse to pay the reset fee for the check engine light to be turned off. when we bought the vehicle, it was clear that mazda knew of this potential problem as the saleman went out of her way to explain that the cap must be tight at all times. this we have done. dealership currently looking at vehicle for this second check engine problem.*ak

A severe gasoline odor. happens various times. while driving, odor comes through the vents, or after turning off car, extreme gas odor. happens a various times, at various speeds, at various levels of gas in my gas tank. we have taken it to the mazda dealership more times than i can remember. they have supposedly contacted mazda corporate and can never find a problem. the car completely shut down one time. i was able to pull over and re-start the car. the dealership could find no reason for this either but said they had a similar incident with another mazda tribute owner. i am obviously concerned about our health and safety with this vehicle. thank you for any help you can give me. andrea ledenbach. *ak

Fuel ordors noted in passenger cbin due to faulty intake manifold design. this just started. it will be reported to service department. you are provided this advance notice to start a database. this may not be an isolated incident.

After about 1000 miles of operation, the intake manifold gasket supposedly becomes saturated with gasoline and the gasoline smell is noticeable upon warm shutdowns and restarts. ford/mazda is suppose to be working on a replacement gasket, but nothing is official yet to the dealers. reporting this defect to nhtsa may help speed the process. thanks for your assistance.*ak

There is a fuel smell in vehicle, conumer stated there was a tsb out on this. intake manifold gasket soak up fuel and caused smell. *ak

Fuel odor coming from engine through vents. noticeable after a warm start of engine or while vehicle is sitting. no leaks can be detected. *ak

Gasoline smell inside of the vehicle. it is a plastic piece that broken off from motor that was inside of vehicle. dealership aware of problem.*ak

At 1646 miles fuel fumes/odor enter into vehicle; vehicle been in/out of dealer shop on three occasions, and the problem still reocurring. feel free to provide any further details on this matter. *ak

Consumer is concerned with fuel smell inside of vehicle. *ak

I was stopped at a fast food place when my wife and i noticed a strong fuel smell coming from the right side of the vehicle. the drive through attendent told us that fuel was leaking outside of the car. i got out to see and there was the leak. right under the pillar between the drivers' side door and the rear door.it was a steady drip.*ak

Many other owners of the mazda tribute and ford escape also experience this problem. the dealer said it was probably a chemical burning off the engine - this doesn't make sense. the smell usually only occurs when you start after shutting off the vehicle for a short period. upon starting, a faint gasoline smell comes thtough the vents for about 15 seconds and then goes away. we(owners of this new type of vehicle) are concerned that there may be a leak/ larger problem. thank you. *ak