Problems with 2002 Mazda Tribute FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 4, 2008 my 2002 mazda tribute (purchased new- and had 60,000 miles) experienced an air intake explosion for no apparent reason and without warning.. i've had regular maintenance and had no problems starting the vehicle prior to the explosion. mazda can't tell me why this occurred and can't tell me if it will occur in the future. i feel this is a very dangerous thing to occur for no apparent reason. the explosion occurred under the hood, plastic pieces broke and tried to go through the hood of the car and the explosion was very loud and black smoke billowed out from under the hood. mazda was not willing to cover the cost of the explosion and didn't seem concerned when i reported this incident to them. i wrote the ceo of the company but rec'd a response from his subordinate that didn't address my safety concerns at all. after my second correspondence, mazda told me that they would consider that my last correspondence on this matter. i had the damage repaired at the dealership and they checked out the car and could not find a cause for the explosion. after the repair, the dealership said they found nothing further wrong. *tr

Dt*: the contact stated while traveling in hot weather, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle stopped. the vehicle restarted after the transmission was shifted into park, and the ignition was turned off, then turned on. the dealership was unable to determine the problem. the fuel pump and crank shaft position sensor was replaced. updated 10/30/06. *jb

1). three recalls on my vehicle: 1st - power train control module re-calibration recall 1904d. 2nd - b4000 dpfe sensor warranty extension program special service program (ssp) 59. 3rd - accelerator cable recall 2704l. completed all recalls; last on 3/2/05. 2). 2/2005 i started experiencing intermittent problems with my vehicle: - the car stops running usually when slowing down for a stop sign or red light. the car has stopped in the middle of traffic, in the height of rush hour. the car stopped exiting a post office backing up traffic causing motorist to seek another exit. have had various other stops but have been lucky not to cause any accidents. - the car will not start; usually upon short trips. after waiting 3 - 5 minutes have been able to start the vehicle. have encountered this numerous times. i limit driving at night due to the unpredictability and lack of confidence in my vehicle. 3) i have had my car service at oakland mazda (510)893-7282 (3/2/05-recall, 4/9/05, 4/19/05, 5/11/05, & 6/20/05) and have discussed the problem with the serv advisor, ken miller & service manager. the dealership informed me they thoroughly checked-out my car each time they serviced it. they have repeated the recall which mostly describes my symptoms (re-calibration recall 1904d) at least twice. they also contacted the mazda headquarters service center for documentation on how to check out my vehicle. i also contacted the mazda customer assistance center at (800)222-5500 in may of 2005, they told me that if necessary they could dispatch a service technician to fly in and repair my vehicle; they also sent a report to the oakland district mgr. i contacted the mazda cust assist center again on 7/14/05 , they told me that they would not be able to help me further with my car problem. 7/15- i contacted the dealership in fremont (where i bought the car) explained my problems and asked if they would consider taking a look at my car but the serv mgr never called me back. *jb

I've owned this vehicle for a little over 2 years and it has been to the dealer for repairs 7 times now. no one can seem to find the reason why the check engine light stays on, why the fuel consumption is so poor, why the vehicle shifts constantly and for no reason at all, or why the vehicle "shudders" when the engine is on. the check fuel cap light has come on twice and the same part replaced twice. the canister close valve and idle air control valve have both failed. i have spent money on a fuel induction service because it was recommended by the service dealer. i had the transmission flushed because of a technical service bulletin for the torque converter - a problem that had to be identified by aamco and told to mazda before they would try to fix the problem. i have called mazda customer service and got anything but customer service. my problems began long before the warranty had expired; however, mazda could care less about their lack of ability to fix ongoing problems. this vehicle is a life-safety hazard and needs to be recalled completely, not part by part. i will never buy a mazda again. this is my third and last. the tribute is by far the worst thing ever manufactured by mazda. they should be embarassed to have this model on the road!*ak