2002 Mazda Tribute
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 563 |
| 2002 | 384 |
| 2003 | 199 |
| 2004 | 157 |
| 2005 | 377 |
| 2006 | 130 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 202 |
| 2009 | 35 |
| 2010 | 39 |
| 2011 | 7 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
17% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 67 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CUT OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER BRAKES, AND POWER STEERING WITHOUT ANY WARNING.THIS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. ON 4TH TIME HAD AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES.CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20020829
ON NOVEMBER 2 DRIVING 40MPH WITH NO WARNING MY ENGINE SHUT OFF AND I LOST POWER TO MY STEERING AND BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER APPLYING ALL MY WEIGHT TO THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20011108
9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 33 distinct reports on file.
FIRE8% of complaints: air bags — 32 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE OWNER'S VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190916
DRIVER OF VEHICLE 1 RAN RED LIGHT AT AN APPROXIMATE SPEED OF 40-45 MPH AND HIT PASSENGER DOOR OF VEHICLE 2 CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE 2 AND TOTALLY FRONT END OF VEHICLE 1. WE OWN VEHICLE 2.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030407
8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 31 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING ODOR WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO BILLOW FROM THE HOOD AREA. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120326
7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 26 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
CAR WAS IN PARK WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO BACK UP AND HIT A METAL FENCE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20020826
SAFETY TIMELINE
ENGINE STALLING
ENGINE STALLING
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 DURATEC ENGINES , DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 04V175000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION #4.
Campaign 04V583000 — check if this car was fixed
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 FE
Remedy: 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-
Campaign 04V605000 — check if this car was fixed
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Campaign 07E023000 — check if this car was fixed
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
Remedy: 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 CON
Campaign 07V157000 — check if this car was fixed
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Engine Compartment Fire
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
Remedy: 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
Campaign 12V016000 — check if this car was fixed
Cruise Control Cable
Stuck Throttle
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 contro
Remedy: 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
Campaign 12V357000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
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 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7514D.
Campaign 14V174000 — check if this car was fixed
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 Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury...
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 service at 1-866-984-6536.
Campaign 15E045000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2002 Mazda Tribute — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (67 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (33 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (32 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 04V175000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V583000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V605000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E023000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V157000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V016000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V357000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V174000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15E045000 (suspension) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2002 Mazda Tribute reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Mazda Tribute is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mazda Tribute?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Mazda Tribute have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.