NHTSA Complaint #10376116 — 2003 MAZDA TRIBUTE

UPON STARTING, A SEVERE EXPLOSION OCCURRED, DENTING THE HOOD FROM PARTS OF ENGINE. SMOKE POURED OUT FROM HOOD, BUT IGNITED GASOLINE DID NOT LEAVE ENGINE. ENGINE IS AN INTERFERENCE FORD PRODUCT AND SUV HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED. THE SEVERITY OF THE DANGER OF THIS EXPLOSION CANNOT NOR SHOULD BE OVERLOOKED OR DISMISSED. HAD THE HOOD BEEN OPEN, SOMEONE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURY OR POSSIBLY DEATH. I HAVE TRIED TO WORK WITH MAZDA FOR A RESOLUTION IN THIS MATTER AND ALL ATTEMPTS HAVE FAILED. AS A PREVIOUSLY SATISFIED CUSTOMER FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS, I AM FRUSTRATED AND INFURIATED BY THEIR DENIALS TO WORK OUT A RESOLUTION, IN EITHER A NEW ENGINE OR SUBSTANTIAL TRADE ON A NEW VEHICLE. AN ENGINE WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE EXPLODING IS UNHEARD OF AND, CERTAINLY, NOT EXPECTED. MY LETTER TO MAZDA CEO AND PRESIDENT JAMES O'SULLIVAN AND MY MECHANIC'S ASSESSMENT IS AVAILABLE.