MazdaTribute2004Overview/mazda/tribute/2004/base/

2004 Mazda Tribute

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Tribute.

Body SUV

The 2004 Mazda Tribute is an SUV that occupies a middle chapter in the model's 2000–2011 production run, a period bookended by a troubled 2001 high of 581 owner complaints and a comparatively trouble-free 2007 low of just 4. With 182 total owner complaints and 7 recalls on record, this model year sits closer to the problematic end of that spectrum than the quiet one, with Vehicle Speed Control standing out as the dominant complaint area — a detail researchers and prospective owners should weigh carefully when assessing the vehicle's overall reliability footprint.

Model year201120102009200820062005200420032002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque84-114 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 40R · 590 CCA battery, OE oil filter YF0914302A. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 40R · 590 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeMAZDA TRIBUTE 2004 2005 DX P215-70R16 See tire placard on the inside door panel pillar for inflation pressure(s) See tire placard on the inside door panel pillar for inflation pressure(s) NAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterYF0914302A alt AJTM14302
Engine air filterYF0913Z40
Fuel filterAJ0313480
Spark plugYF1018110 alt ZZC218110A
Battery0000806540WB
Front wiper bladesEF9167330 alt EC0167330B
ThermostatYF0915171 alt GY0115171

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length173.2 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height69.3 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight2985 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tribute of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.2–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 2001 LX V-6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001LX V-6 3.0L V68.20 sec16.40 sec200 hpAWD
2001ES V-6 3.0L V68.40 sec16.70 sec200 hpAWD
2001ES V-6 3.0L V68.70 sec16.40 sec200 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 84-114 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0-22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.0-10.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4.9-5.1
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 7.4 ft-lbs; Upper: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts84-114 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug12.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub214 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub214 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug Gap0.049-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.055 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.30-7.70 oz
Standard BCI Group Number40R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance590 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194-201 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)35-65
Injector Primary Resistance11.4-12.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Oil Pressure20 psi @ Idle, 40 psi @ 2000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle111 ft-lbs
Rotor Runout Limit0.004 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.945 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.945 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.866 in
Drum Nominal Diameter9 in
Drum Discard at-or-over9.06

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
130 ft.lbs30 ft.lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
3Loosen 1 turn.
430 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
590 degrees.90 degrees
690 degrees.90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 30,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEmission Control System (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The Mazda Tribute's federal record shows a steady decline in complaints from its problematic 2001 launch (581 complaints, 15 recalls) down through 2003 (200 complaints, 8 recalls). The 2004 model continues this downward trend with 182 complaints and 7 recalls, making it statistically cleaner than the 2001-2003 predecessors, though it immediately precedes a sudden complaint spike in 2005 (383). For the 2004 model, the primary complaint areas are Vehicle Speed Control (24), Air Bags (20), Engine & Engine Cooling (19), and Suspension,Structure (18), which contributed to 21 crash and 3 fire complaints; however, the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. Given its position as the most stable year in the early half of the generation, the 2004 Tribute is a relatively better buy than the 2001-2003 models, but prospective owners should insist on thorough pre-purchase inspections specifically for the speed control and airbag systems.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
127
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
182
Owner complaints
21 involved a crash · 3 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 182 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control24
Air Bags20
Engine & Engine Cooling19
Suspension,Structure18
Suspension17
Structure11
Power Train10
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15E045000Suspension:Front:Wheel BearingReported 03/06/2015

The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda… Remedy: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer…

14V174000Structure:Frame And MembersReported 04/04/2014

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Tribute vehicles manufactured May 22, 2000, through December 19, 2003, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut… Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 29, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 127 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
09-038-242024-08-08Electrical SystemIn accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…
SA-011-24b2024-07-29Unknown Or OtherMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…
SA-011-24a2024-06-07Unknown Or OtherMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…
SA-011-242024-02-12SteeringMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tribute. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2004 Tribute have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.