2003 mazda tribute will start and run fine when engine is cold but if you try and start hot engine it will just die you have to start it and quickly put it into gear and go its fine driving after that

SOURCE: 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE COLD STARTING PROBLEM

My wifes car had this same problem at about 100000 miles and after many trips to the shop it turned out to be carbor build up in the intake manifold. A fuel injector cleaner was hooked up and it helped the problem, but did not completely solve it. In oreder to get it totally clean the intake had to be removed and clean it out manually.

SOURCE: 2001 Mazda Tribute V6 engine miss

Take the vehicle to Auto Zone or another parts store that will read the engine fault code from the ECM for you. Most will do it for free. Depending on how long it has been since you replaced the plugs and wires on your vehicle you may have a bad spark plug or plug wire that is causing the problem. Easy enough to fix if you don't have to pull the air intake assembly to change the back 3 plugs. If you do have to pull this you should get a chiltons repair manual so you ahve instructions on how to remove and replace the intake assembly.

SOURCE: 2003 Mazda Tribute will start, idle rough for a

check the fuel filter air filter and vacuume lines if they all good make sure the spark plugs are making a bright blue spark