KnownCarProblems2002 Mazda Tribute Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 384 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Mazda Tribute, most often about the engine (34% of complaints, typically around 25,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Tribute model year since 2000 and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2002 Mazda Tribute problems
Engine
130 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
While driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine stopped without warning causing a suddent loss of power steering. I pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the engine. This is the second time this has happened.
2002 Mazda Tribute lx 4WD SUV, 3.0 l engine: my wife's car stalls for no apparent reason periodically while in drive. Returned vehicle to local Mazda dealer service shop twice over past two months, and am told that car checks out and is fine. Latest incident happened yesterday.
Brakes
78 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, conventional.
I was driving home and the front coil spring broke{the top portion} when it broke it blew out my tire and lodged a piece of it in between the brake rotor some how tearing the tire to bits. And then apx a month after that the other one broke luckily it di not do the same damage as the first time. So because of the…
When pulling out of a parking lot, I applied the brakes. The engine completely stalled. I started it back up and everytime I applied the brakes, the engine stalled. After letting it sit for 1/2 hour, it ran fine. Two days later, it happened again. The Mazda dealership and an independant auto shop ran diagnostic and…
Electrical
41 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, alternator/generator/regulator.
At 50,089 miles, my transmission failed; more specifically, the torque converter malfunctioned resulting in total transmission failure. I have had numerous problems with this vehicle -- I had to replace rotors within the first year of ownership, and may have to do so again at 52,000 miles. The vehicle has trouble…
Clock/radio does not work until car is running up to 30 minutes or more. Dealer replaced entire unit which worked approx. 2 months before the issue re-appeared. Recently clock/radio has not worked for more than 1 week. The issue has been ongoing for more than 1 year with the dealer denying any electrical issue. As of…
Speed control
37 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: cables, cruise control, accelerator pedal.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. While accelerating from a stop, the accelerator pedal became stuck and caused the vehicle to gain speed. The speed reached 65 MPH and the vehicle ran two traffic lights. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, but there was no response. She then attempted to apply the…
The vehicle lurched out of control while stopped in the driveway. It was very difficult to control while trying to brake and ended up pinned under the garage door. This happened two times within four days of each other. Had the been at a stop light it would have gone right through the intersection.
Air bags
37 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Airbag light stays on constantly.. Found out on this forum that my airbag(s) may not deploy in the case of an accident. Not good. Clearly Mazda/ford should "man up" and acknowledge this safety problem with a recall!
The air bag dash light came on and stays on. Took it to the dealer to get it fixed but the extended warranty won't cover it. Also Mazda has known about the problem, they said they had a bulletin on it but it expired. I don't think it's fair since we just bought the car 2 years ago and it had already expired. Why…
Transmission
35 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, driveline, manual transmission.
: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the ABS activates intermittently while the brakes are applied. The activation extends the stopping distance of the vehicle. Upon inspection the dealership determined the gear ring on the front passenger side axel is broken. The broken gear ring causes the ABS sensor…
While backing out driver heard a clanking noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was unable to be moved, and the driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer. Mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced. Consumer's vehicle failed to accelerate smoothly, do to delayed shifting. Gas…
Body and structure
26 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Door handle on the passenger side does not open the door anymore. It seems that interior handle stopped working correctly by using it in a normal way. This affects safety since the passenger door can be opened only from the outside.
Drivers side door handle broke under normal use. Cannot open door from inside vehicle. An alarming safety problem. When I took the panel off I found a small piece of plastic had broken off from the assembly. The door handle is constructed from ridiculously cheap plastic. This also affected the alarm system working…
Doors and locks
22 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: doors, hatchback/liftgate.
Interior driver door handle disengaged (broken cable attachment), handle no longer opens door. Must lower window and open door from exterior handle, not safe in cases where passengers (driver) need rapid egress. Weak door handle assembly at point of cable attachment seems like a design flaw/shortcut. This issue was…
Inner door handles broken from regular use. Driver side door handles actually broke in half. Passenger front door handle broke as well internally. Neither door handle opens from inside. As for driver side door handle I replaced it with back passenger door handle as I did not feel I should have to pay for a defect like…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Mazda Tribute recalls
Body and structure: frame and members
Risk: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7514d.
Full defect summary
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, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
Speed control: cables
Risk: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on september 13, 2012. Owners may contact mazda customer assistance center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.
Full defect summary
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: Corrosion may develop in the electrical connector leading melting, smoking or possible fire.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vehicle's brake master cylinder reservoir cap and modify the ABS electrical system, free of charge. Until the repair has been performed, vehicle owners should park their vehicles outside. The safety recall began on june 22, 2012. Owners may contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500, option 6.
Full defect summary
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 mazda tribute vehicles manufactured from april 20, 2000, through july 19, 2002. The brake master cylinder reservoir cap can leak brake fluid. If brake fluid leaks, it could come in contact with the antilock brake system (ABS) module wiring harness connector.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An electrical short might cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition could occur either when the vehicle ignition switch is in the off position or while the vehicle is being operated.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the ABS module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate. The dealer will also inspect the connector on the ABS module and replace it if it is found to be corroded or damaged. The recall began on may 9, 2007. Owners may contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS), the ABS module connector may have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could allow contamination to enter the module connector, creating a potential for an electrical short.
Doors and locks: lock
Risk: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utility vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components.' the rear liftgate latching system does not meet the inertia load requirement in one direction.
Speed control: cables
Risk: An unexpected increase in engine idle speed may increase stopping distance and may result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The recall began on january 28, 2005. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500, option #4.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.
Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk: Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the power control module (PCM) with the appropriate calibration. The recall began on may 3, 2004. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 duratec engines , during deceleration, the engine can stall.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Cruise control cable
Summary
On july 8, 2012, the center for auto safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on model year (my) 2002 ? 2004 ford escape and mazda tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.the center for auto safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether ford motor company (ford) and mazda north american operations (mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain ford escape and mazda tribute vehicles.the petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.odi ids referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 1
Stuck throttle
Summary
In a letter dated july 25, 2012 ford motor company (ford) submitted a defect information report (dir), NHTSA recall no. 12v-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.the vehicles involved are model year (my) 2001 through my 2004 ford escape vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines and speed (cruise) control.a redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in my 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.similarly on july 26, 2012 mazda north american operations (mazda) on behalf of mazda mot
Engine compartment fire
Summary
Ford and mazda recalled model year (my) 2001 through 2004 ford escape (07v-156) and mazda tribute (07v-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns. The campaigns addressed potentially damaged, missing or misplaced seals in the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector that could allow brake fluid to enter the connector, possibly resulting in corrosion, short-circuit, melting, smoke and/or fire.since the recall, the agency is aware of 260 subject
Engine compartment fire
Summary
In letters dated march 30, 2007, ford motor company (ford) and mazda north american operations (mazda) notified the agency that they will conduct recalls 07v-156 and 07v-157, respectively, to remedy a safety defect that may result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 ford escape and mazda tribute vehicles equipped with ABS.the recall campaign prescribes an inspection of the subject components, which shall be repaired or replaced only if necessary.if the subject vehicle passes the visual inspection then the recall instructs the technician to apply electrical grease (ford part number xg-12) to the ABS module connector and verify system operation.to date, appr
Engine compartment fire
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition dated march 5, 2009 alleging that the petitioner never received the recall remedy for 07v-156 and that, as a result, the petitioner's my2003 ford escape caught fire at the ABS control module.in response to odi follow-up, the manufacturer verified that the petitioner's vehicle had in fact received service related to safety recall 07v156 - a fact later corroborated by the petitioner.circumstances of the fire experienced in the petitioner's remedied vehicle indicate that the remedy was ineffective.additional review by odi identified an additional 6 similar (alleged to have originated in the engine compartment at or near the AB
Engine compartment fire
Summary
In letters dated march 30, 2007, ford and mazda notified NHTSA that they will conduct safety recalls to remedy a safety defect that may result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 ford escape and mazda tribute sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS.recall 07v-156 involves approximately 446,450 my 2001-2004 escape vehicles manufactured from october 22, 1999 through january 23, 2004.recall 07v-157 involves approximately 95,300 my 2001-2004 tribute vehicles manufactured from april 17, 2000 through december 19, 2003. According to the manufacturers, the electrical wiring connectors to the ABS electronic control module were manufactured with wire seals missing
Engine stalling
Summary
Ford's and mazda's letters to NHTSA dated april 5 and april 9, 2004, state that they will recall model year 2001-03 ford escape and mazda tribute vehicles with the v6 engine built thru september 11, 2002.dealers will adjust engine calibration in the programmable control module (PCM), which in its current setting, can cause the engine to shut down if the vehicle is decelerating at speeds below 40 MPH. The engine shuts down due to excessively rich air-fuel mixtures being sent to the engine.when the engine shuts down, drivers may notice a loss of power assist for their steering and brakes. The majority of the complainants have indicated to the agency that the stall is intermittent and can happe
Engine stalling
Questions about the 2002 Mazda Tribute
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mazda Tribute?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (130 complaints, typically around 25,000 miles); brakes (78 complaints, typically around 73,500 miles); electrical (41 complaints, typically around 52,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Mazda Tribute have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 4, 2014 (body and structure). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Mazda Tribute?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Tribute model year since 2000, with 384 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.