repaired · 2015 Q3
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.
2002 Mazda TributeProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 384 owner complaints about the 2002 Mazda Tribute, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-174 the manufacturer reports only 20% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 22, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2002 Mazda Tribute has problems
384 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
124Engine and engine cooling7 crash/fire/injury
60Service brakes, hydraulic11 crash/fire/injury
41Electrical system7 crash/fire/injury
37Vehicle speed control10 crash/fire/injury
37Air bags7 crash/fire/injury
35Power train3 crash/fire/injury
26Structure
22Latches/locks/linkages
18Service brakes
7618 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 124 | 7 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 60 | 11 |
| Electrical system | 41 | 7 |
| Vehicle speed control | 37 | 10 |
| Air bags | 37 | 7 |
| Power train | 35 | 3 |
| Structure | 26 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 22 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 18 | 2 |
| 18 other systems | 76 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2002 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.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
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.
no report yet
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Risk. CORROSION MAY DEVELOP IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LEADING MELTING, SMOKING OR POSSIBLE FIRE.
no report yet
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: 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…
Show 3 more recalls
no report yet
Hatchback/liftgate: lock
Risk. IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control: cables
Risk. AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
no report yet
Automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk. SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
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?
24kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 41 engine and engine cooling complaints. 85% were reported before 100,000 miles.
25under 30k miles35under 100k miles6100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2002 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
2002 Mazda Tribute safety ratings
2002 Mazda Tribute 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
8 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2002 Mazda Tribute, and the recalls they led to.
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRENo recall
- Cruise Control CableNo recall
- ENGINE STALLINGLed to recall 04V-165
- Engine Compartment FireLed to recall 12V-005
- ENGINE STALLINGNo recall
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRELed to recall 07V-156
- Stuck ThrottleLed to recall 12V-353
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRENo recall
In owners' words
What Tribute owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO FORCEFULLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, NONE…
I PULLED ONTO A DIRT ROAD BECAUSE THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND WHEN I STOPPED I OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS LIKE A SMALL FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD I GOT SCARED CALLED MY MOTHER AND 2 SECONDS LATER THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, AND THE ENGINE RELEASED A BURNING ODOR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD THE RADIATOR, HEATER COIL AND THE…
Own a 2002 Tribute?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.