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2001 Mazda TributeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 563 owner complaints about the 2001 Mazda Tribute, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 13 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-174 the manufacturer reports only 20% of affected cars repaired.

2001 Mazda Tribute
26
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.9× the Tribute median · #1 of 9 years by complaints
Safety recalls13Lowest repair rate 20%Owner complaints56346 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage43kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 24, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: Tribby030144 at English Wikipedia, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Mazda Tribute has problems

563 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling1674
Electrical system814
Power train691
Latches/locks/linkages591
Service brakes, hydraulic468
Structure453
Vehicle speed control405
Steering351
Fuel system, gasoline310
17 other systems12014

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

13 recalls

2001 Mazda Tribute recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

20%repaired · 2015 Q3

Structure: frame and members

Recall 14V-174 · Apr 4, 2014 · 109,000 vehicles · 21,851 repaired

Risk. A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 12V-357 · Jul 27, 2012 · 217,500 vehicles

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Recall 12V-016 · Jan 20, 2012 · 52,390 vehicles

Risk. CORROSION MAY DEVELOP IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LEADING MELTING, SMOKING OR POSSIBLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Recall 07V-157 · Apr 10, 2007 · 95,300 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 9 more recalls
–no report yet

Hatchback/liftgate: lock

Recall 04V-605 · Dec 23, 2004 · 49,800 vehicles

Risk. IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 03V-515 · Dec 15, 2003 · 49,000 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Recall 00V-387 · Nov 28, 2000 · 24,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION WILL LIKELY RESULT IN SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FUNCTION, OR OF THE WIPER FUNCTION ON THE DRIVER SIDE ONLY, INCREASING…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Other: owners/service/other manual

Recall 00V-323 · Oct 16, 2000 · 12,000 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wheels: hubcap/cover

Recall 00V-260 · Sep 12, 2000 · 1,900 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 00V-210 · Aug 9, 2000 · 606 vehicles

Risk. IF EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS OCCURS AND THE SPEED CONTROL IS USED, THE SPEED CONTROL COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE, RESULTING IN A STUCK…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 00V-223 · Aug 9, 2000 · 641 vehicles

Risk. EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS CAN LEAD TO THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMING LOOSE OR SEPARATING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mazda.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

43kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 42 engine and engine cooling complaints. 88% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 41% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
15under 30k miles37under 100k miles5100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other Tribute year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Tribute median. How we score

'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2001 Mazda Tribute safety ratings

2001 Mazda Tribute 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2001 Mazda Tribute side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
10 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Mazda Tribute, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIREDP09003 · closed Apr 15, 2009
    No recall
  2. Cruise Control CableDP12005 · closed Jul 17, 2012
    No recall
  3. ENGINE STALLINGEA02027 · closed Apr 15, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-165
  4. Engine Compartment FireEA10002 · closed Feb 29, 2012
    Led to recall 12V-016
  5. ENGINE STALLINGPE01043 · closed Sep 10, 2002
    No recall
  6. SAFETY BELT BUCKLE FAILUREPE03030 · closed Dec 31, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-507
  7. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIREPE06048 · closed Apr 17, 2007
    Led to recall 07V-156
  8. Stuck ThrottlePE12019 · closed Feb 21, 2013
    Led to recall 12V-353
  9. GASOLINE VAPOR INTRUSIONRQ01001 · closed Dec 21, 2001
    Led to recall 00V-277
  10. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRERQ09002 · closed Jan 15, 2010
    No recall
In owners' words

What Tribute owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2001 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling and occasionally while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would stall with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was…
Complaint 11457256 · Mar 18, 2022 · 132,923 miles
KEYS COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN MY MAZDA TRIBUTE IS NOT IN PARK. I FORGOT TODAY THAT THE FRONT ROTORS ARE REAL BAD AND NEED REPLACED AND I ONLY HAVE 41140 MILES ON MY 2001 TRIBUTE WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW FROM THE MAZDA DEALER IN TOWN. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FRONT DOOR HANDLE TWICE NOW SINCE IT…
Complaint 10451833 · Mar 15, 2012
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF FOR A FEW HOURS WHEN IT ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A JUNK YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE…
Complaint 10403993 · Jun 1, 2011 · 55,000 miles

Own a 2001 Tribute?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.