2003 Mazda Tribute Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
15.3–16.4gal · 58–62 L
The 2003 Mazda Tribute has a fuel tank capacity of 15.3 to 16.4 gallons (58–62 liters), depending on the trim. The most common size is 16.4 gallons, used on 4 trims.
A full tank is good for roughly 344–383 highway miles or 262–306 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
16.4 gal · Smaller than 78% of 2003 models we list.
- By trim
- Gas cap & parts
- Fuel essentials
- Miles per tank
- Fill-up cost
- Other years
- Compared
- Fuel recalls
- Pump & gauge parts
- FAQ
2003 Mazda Tribute fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Drive
- no difference
- Engine
All 6 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DX 4WD 4dr SUV 2.0L 4cyl 5M · 4WD MPG 19 / 23Range 291 / 352 mi | 2.0L 4cyl 5M | 4WD | 15.3 gal58 L | 19 / 23 | 291 / 352 mi | |
| DX Fwd 4dr SUV 2.0L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 20 / 25Range 306 / 383 mi | 2.0L 4cyl 5M | FWD | 15.3 gal58 L | 20 / 25 | 306 / 383 mi | |
| ES-V6 4WD 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl 4A · 4WD MPG 16 / 21Range 262 / 344 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 4A | 4WD | 16.4 gal62 L | 16 / 21 | 262 / 344 mi | |
| ES-V6 Fwd 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 17 / 23Range 279 / 377 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 4A | FWD | 16.4 gal62 L | 17 / 23 | 279 / 377 mi | |
| LX-V6 4WD 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl 4A · 4WD MPG 16 / 21Range 262 / 344 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 4A | 4WD | 16.4 gal62 L | 16 / 21 | 262 / 344 mi | |
| LX-V6 Fwd 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 17 / 23Range 279 / 377 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 4A | FWD | 16.4 gal62 L | 17 / 23 | 279 / 377 mi | |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.
How far a 2003 Mazda Tribute goes on a tank
Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 18 MPG, a full 16.4-gallon tank covers about 295 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 16.4 | 344 | 262 |
| 3/4 | 12.3 | 258 | 197 |
| 1/2 | 8.2 | 172 | 131 |
| 1/4 | 4.1 | 86 | 66 |
| 1/8 | 2.1 | 43 | 33 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 833 gallons, roughly 51 full tanks.
In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 19.7 MPG in the Tribute (5 drivers), about 323 miles on a full 16.4-gallon tank.
Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.
- EPA combined
- 18–22 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 404–494 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 2003 Mazda Tribute
$70.03 to fill the 16.4-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.3 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $65.33 | $49.00 |
| 16.4 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $70.03 | $52.52 |
By region, 16.4-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $65.93 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $70.03 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $60.68 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $73.14 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $88.89 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $96.60 |
Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.
Your own price
- 15.3-gallon tank$65.33
- 16.4-gallon tank$70.03
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,558
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Tribute tank size in other years
The 2003 Tribute uses the same 15.3–16.4 gal tank sizes as every Tribute since 2001.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Tribute | 16.5 gal | 462 mi |
| 2008 Tribute | 16.5 gal | 462 mi |
| 2006 Tribute | 16.5 gal | 446 mi |
| 2005 Tribute | 16.5 gal | 446 mi |
| 2004 Tribute | 15.3–16.4 gal | 383 mi |
| 2003 Tribute | 15.3–16.4 gal | 383 mi |
| 2002 Tribute | 15.3–16.4 gal | 383 mi |
| 2001 Tribute | 15.3–16.4 gal | 398 mi |
2003 Mazda Tribute vs similar 2003 SUVs
At 16.4 gallons, the Tribute's largest tank ranks third of the seven 2003 SUVs compared here. The Hyundai Santa Fe carries the most (17.2 gal) and the Honda CR-V the least (15.3 gal).
| 2003 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 17.2 gal | 430 mi |
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 16.9 gal | 338 mi |
| Mazda Tribute | 15.3–16.4 gal | 383 mi |
| Ford Escape | 15.0–16.0 gal | 375 mi |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 15.7 gal | 377 mi |
| Saturn VUE | 15.5 gal | 403 mi |
| Honda CR-V | 15.3 gal | 398 mi |
Other 2003 SUVs of a similar size, one model per brand.
2003 Mazda Tribute fuel system recalls
None of the 6 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2003 Mazda Tribute involve the fuel system.
2003 Mazda Tribute fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 2003 Mazda Tribute, so a failed pump or gauge is a normal repair. These are the part numbers the makers list for it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2003 Mazda Tribute?
The 2003 Mazda Tribute holds between 15.3 and 16.4 gallons, depending on the trim. 16.4 gallons is the usual size; the smaller 15.3-gallon tank is on the DX 4WD 4dr SUV.
How many gallons and liters does the 2003 Mazda Tribute gas tank hold?
The 2003 Mazda Tribute tank holds 58–62 liters, or 15.3–16.4 gallons in US gallons.
Which 2003 Mazda Tribute has the biggest gas tank?
The 16.4-gallon tank is on the ES-V6 4WD 4dr SUV, ES-V6 Fwd 4dr SUV, LX-V6 4WD 4dr SUV and 1 other trim. The smallest tank, 15.3 gallons, is on the DX 4WD 4dr SUV.
Does 4WD change the 2003 Mazda Tribute gas tank?
No. 4WD and FWD versions of the 2003 Mazda Tribute use the same 15.3–16.4 gal tank.
How far can a 2003 Mazda Tribute go on a full tank?
About 344–383 miles on the highway and 262–306 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.
How many miles can a 2003 Mazda Tribute go on a quarter tank?
About 86 highway miles or 66 in town from the 16.4-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.1 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
How many miles does a 2003 Mazda Tribute really get on a tank?
Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 19.7 MPG in the 2003 Mazda Tribute (5 drivers), which works out to about 323 miles on a full 16.4-gallon tank.
What gas does the 2003 Mazda Tribute take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 2003 Mazda Tribute?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 16.4-gallon tank from empty costs $70.03. It ranges from $60.68 in the Gulf Coast to $96.60 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2003 Mazda Tribute?
About 102 pounds for the 16.4-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 2003 Mazda Tribute have a bigger gas tank than the Ford Escape?
Yes. The 2003 Mazda Tribute holds up to 16.4 gallons; the 2003 Ford Escape holds up to 16.0.
Has the 2003 Mazda Tribute had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 6 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2003 Mazda Tribute involve the fuel system.
Sources
- Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
- MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
- Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
- Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Mazda fuel system recalls).
- Real-world MPG: driver-reported fill-ups shared at fueleconomy.gov (My MPG).
Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.