10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,986 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Mazda Tribute engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Mazda Tribute Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #21

Jan 012009

Tribute

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 of the locks functioned and the body frame was rusted. The contact also stated that the rear hatch window detached from the vehicle. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 04V583000 (vehicle speed control), 12V357000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control), and 14V174000 (structure). The vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called preston Mazda (located at 260 boardman poland rd, boardman, oh 44512, (844) 835-0773) and was informed to tow the vehicle to their facility. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Farrell, PA, USA

problem #20

May 212012

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 180,000 miles
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.

- Baxley, GA, USA

problem #19

Jul 012010

Tribute

  • 80,000 miles
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 brake pads replaced but the failure was not corrected. The engine continued to release a burning odor and there was a continual increase in braking distance. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 115,000.

- Nacogdoches , TX, USA

problem #18

Jan 192012

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 156,840 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While braking for a stop light, the engine suddenly revved up and the vehicle began to accelerate, even though I was applying maximum force to the brake. I quickly shifted into neutral and brought the vehicle to a stop, fortunately without crashing into stopped vehicle ahead of me. My right foot was being used for braking and was no where near the accelerator pedal. I turned off the ignition, restarted the car, and drove slowly home without further incident. I have not driven since, and had made arrangements to bring the vehicle into a garage for service Monday morning (tomorrow.)

- Citrus Heights, CA, USA

problem #17

Sep 302011

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
I started my car and the 'check engine' light flashed on-and-off. Thinking it would go away, I drove to route 3 in South shore, MA. Once on the highway, the light did not stop flashing, so I pulled over. Thirty seconds after pulling over in a rest area, white smoke appeared from under the hood. 10 seconds later, black smoke came from the hood which was accompanied with a burning smell. Luckily, someone from massdot was in the rest area and we determined that it was a car fire. We proceeded to step back and call 911 from a safe distance. The engine area of the car was on fire until the fire department was able to put it out.

- Boston, MA, USA

problem #16

Jan 222009

Tribute

  • 190,000 miles
The spark plug in my Mazda Tribute 2002 blew out of the socket causing me to hunt down a valve cover. The mechanic said I didn't tighten it enough which is false I believe there is a equipment defect with the compressing somehow. I purposefully retightinened the remaining two that I could get at and the mechanic said the very next day that they where loose. I used a torque specified wrench to the manuals description is there a problem with that years Ford made Mazda. A fire could break out or an explosion.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #15

Oct 012002

Tribute

  • 1 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2002 Tribute from the first week there have been problems. 1st the driver side interior door handle stopped working. Plastic piece that allows handle to open the door had broken. Repaired $$$ paid! 2nd the driver side electric windows stopped working. Motor had to be replaced. Repaired $$$ paid! *** we are now faced with the passenger side interior door handle not working, the master cylinder leaking brake fluid, an issue with the 5 and 6 spark plugs falling out for the 3rd time in 4 months, the battery cables staying corroded and slow to start, there is some sort of knocking in the front passenger wheel. I have replaced the rotors and had other similiar issues with this vehical that seem to be very common problems. I have spent the last 4 hours doing my research and see that there are complaints of this same nature on almost every web site. I don't know how long the average person will wait on an 'issue' to become a recall. I don't have the patience to unroll the window every time I want to exit the vehicle. Not to mention having to ask my passenger to let themselves out in the same manner. I am not going to pay another penny on fixing this vehicle. I have paid for so many maintenance issues that now that I think Mazda should have fixed. When do these complaints become recall reality" what is my next option" I can't imagine how bad it would be to have my family in the car, the engine fouls out because of the spark plug issue, the brakes won't work because of the master cylinder leak, the battery cables corroded and preventing the windows being able to let down to out. I will contact my dealer tomorrow and work out the recalls I was not aware of, hopefully we can get our door locks fixed too!

- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

problem #14

May 162008

Tribute

  • 68,214 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. When the contact started the vehicle, she smelled burning plastic inside the passenger compartment. After driving a short distance and stopping, she noticed smoke underneath the hood. The contact opened the hood and saw flames. NHTSA campaign id number 07V157000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module) was referenced. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the towing company's parking lot and has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 68,214.

- Troutdale, VA, USA

problem #13

Oct 032006

Tribute 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,362 miles
: the contact stated while traveling in hot weather, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle restarted after the transmission was shifted into park, and the ignition was turned off, then turned on. The dealership was unable to determine the problem. The fuel pump and crank shaft position sensor was replaced. Updated 10/30/06.

- Matteson, IL, USA

problem #12

May 292002

Tribute 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20 miles
Vehicle shuts off completely during movement. It also speeds up without the accelerator pedal being depressed. Also, transmission does not change gears.

- Naguabo, PR, USA

problem #11

Feb 082005

Tribute 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

NHTSA recall campaign 04V175000; Mazda issued an engine stalling recall. This vehicle was included in the recall, but engine would not startr aftere recall repairs.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #10

Jun 152003

Tribute

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles
Within months of buying the SUV we had it back to crystal auto mall, green brook, NJ the problem...the steering wheel came loose, it would shift around as you drove down the road! this was a quick repair. Starting on Sept 18,2002 we took it in to the dealer for the oil pressure light coming on, they replaced the oil sender unit, total $69.52, which was covered by warranty. On Oct 14 back for the same problem, they kept it until Oct 17, replacing all kinds of parts, oil pump, oil gasket for a total of $924.65, again covered by warranty. My husband was driving it home from this round of repairs and the same problem lit itself up again! he was almost home appox.30 miles from the dealer, he called on his cell phone said he was coming right back, this time they had it from Oct 18 to Oct 31, 2002. What a surprise when I heard they replaced the entire motor for a total of $4,511.17, again under warranty. Strange thing was that they would not extend the warranty on the new motor beyond the original guarantee for the truck. Now you tell me is this right? that's not the end of it, on June 21, 2003, we brought it in for a noise coming from the front end they kept it over the weekend until June 23 and told us it needs breaks and rotors and wheel alignment which of course is not under warranty!!! only 24000 miles on this SUV and nothing but headaches

- Parlin, NJ, USA

problem #9

Nov 122003

Tribute

  • miles
When driving at an undetermined speed vehicle stalled. This caused consumer to drift to the side of the road. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership on three separate occasions. However, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem.

- Villa Rica, GA, USA

problem #8

Feb 172004

Tribute

  • 31,500 miles
While driving 60 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer managed to pull over and restart the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

problem #7

Nov 202003

Tribute 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles
The car is stalling while in motion. This is my second incident in 3 weeks. This almost caused a head on accident in the second incident, because power steering is lost when the car stolls, and I was going around a corner. It was a good thing I drive with 2 hands on the wheel.

- Oak Ridge, NJ, USA

problem #6

Aug 122003

Tribute 6-cyl

  • miles
While driving approximately 35-40 mph the engine stalled, the panel lights to include the check engine light came on and I had difficulty braking and steering my vehicle. After much difficulty I was able to stop the vehicle off the road. I then was unable to turn the vehicle off in order to restart it again. I called the dealer and sent Mazda an email and both organizations said they were not aware of anyone else having this problem and if I took it in the dealer might be able to find out what happened but there is no guarantee. This is the 2nd time this has happened. I am afraid to drive the vehicle because it happens without notice and I am afraid of someone hitting me from behind when it stalls.

- Ladson, SC, USA

problem #5

Jun 122003

Tribute

  • miles
While driving the vehicle at any speed and without any prior warning vehicle will stall. Consumer made contact with the dealer on four separate occasions, but problem still occurs.

- Boulder City, NV, USA

problem #4

Jul 132003

Tribute 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,200 miles
We recently had a second harrowing experience in our 2002 Mazda Tribute ES-V6. We were so taken aback by the audacity of Mazda having knowledge of the stalling issue in the Tribute and not taking into their best interest to recall the vehicle that we traded the vehicle in for a different make. In forward motion, at approximately 35mph+, the vehicle stalled. In the process of stalling, all power to the power assisted steering and brakes were lost. My wife had extreme difficulty in stopping the vehicle. It happens at such a range of speed (~40mph) that restarting the car is not an immediate option. The problem is intermittent, yes, and Mazda claims to have adjusted their flash bios to adjust for the fault. They also state that the 2003 does not have this reported stalling while in forward motion issue. Thats fine, but what about the 1000's of people out on the road that have not received a recall notice of any sort for this vehicles problem with stalling. I even talked to the dealer I bought my MPV from, and he stated that a Tribute 2002 had stalled for him while in forward motion while showing it to a prospective new owner! I find it appalling that a company knows about a fault of this nature and has not for the best interest of those that have bought their vehicle, and those that drive on the highways alongside said vehicle have not recalled and fixed the architecture of the equipment involved : not just a flash bios update, that in reading many many cases online in Tribute/escpae message boards did not fully fix the fault.something must be done about this make/model/year vehicle before people start submitting these complaints with injury listings.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #3

Jun 262003

Tribute 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,079 miles
Engine stalls while driving with no warning. We have taken the car into the dealer twice before for the same thing, each time they said it was fixed.

- Aiea, HI, USA

problem #2

Apr 042003

Tribute 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles
Engine stopped while driving about 35 mph. This is the second time. Loss of all power steering and power brakes. Took car into the dealer and supplied the dealer with 34 pages of identical NHTSA complaints filed by other owners of 2002 Mazda Tributes.

- Houston, TX, USA

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