7.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$340
Average Mileage:
121,150 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. repair idle air control valve (2 reports)
  3. replace wire harness (1 reports)
2002 Mazda Tribute engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Mazda Tribute Owner Comments

problem #7

Feb 292016

Tribute ES 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

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

The car would not stay on so I took it to a repair shop and they replaced the hoses, the wires, alternator and I had a new battery installed and it still did not fix the problem. The car starts but still will not stay on so it is now sitting for me to make additional attempts at a fix. I am angry as I did regular maintenance on the vehicle at the dealership so cannot understand why this problem exists.

- Paula H., Tucker, GA, US

problem #6

Jul 122015

Tribute EX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 149,000 miles

Problem fixed, replaced sensor on crankshaft, replaced and spliced new wires in place of melted ones inside harness six inch's of wire from connector.

- Bill Jefferson J., Sherman, TX, US

problem #5

Aug 162015

Tribute ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 208,000 miles

I am the owner of a 2002 Mazda Tribute ES-V6. I purchased the car through a family friend who kept up the preventive maintenance, on time as well. I believe it doesn't have any after market parts on it.

This past Sunday, I went out to start my vehicle and it would only start to begin to crank/start/turn over then immediately died down. Could not press the gas to keep idling or nothing. Check engine light did come on along with the radio and all dash lights and interior lights working. Once a friend plugged a scanner up to it to see if a code would come available, there were not a single code to show at all along with as the scanner was plugged up the check engine light went off and shortly after (only moments) it did full and 100% start right up and idled correctly. Then today (2 days later) it did it all again. Identically the same as Sunday, along with the scanner then starting up.

I don't know what is going on and would like to fix it.. any suggestions??

- Lauren B., Villa Rica, GA, US

problem #4

Jan 292013

Tribute Limited 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,992 miles

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

My tribute got a stalling problem. It was very scary and I thought I would die. I was driving at about 60 km/hr and car suddenly stalled. Lost all the controls and I was so scared and car stopped by itself after several meters moving forward. I was lucky that there were no vehicles at that time.

Now car is with the mazda dealer and they do not know what to do. I am scared to drive this car again. Verupset and dpo not know what to do. Please help.

- abeym, SYdney, NSW, Australia

problem #3

Mar 012007

Tribute

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Engine will shut off while i was just driving down the road. It will not idle right and it may shut off after some idling struggle where i could see the RPM runs up and down until it runs too low. Mechanics had the car 2 different times and could not find the problem and i finally took it to Mazda dealership and they found the problem with idling air control (IAC) valve was bad. they said it was a rare problem. but i'm still not happy about being stranded on the side of the road...and the fear of engine shut off on me

- Mike M., Goose Creek, SC, US

problem #2

Nov 112007

(reported on)

Tribute

  • 84,000 miles

when the engine is cold it would crank, fire and stall immediately. you could keep it running by keeping the gas pedal pressed for about 15 seconds, then it would run fine on its own.

i found the IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE on top of the throttle was sticking closed, thus starving the engine for air. it would eventually open and allow the engine to run normal after about 15 seconds with the gas pedal pressed. i removed the valve, worked the valve seal inside back and forth with my fingers and it starts fine now. if it acts up again, i plan to replace the Idle air control valve with a new one. Advance autoparts can order one for 88.00 brand new.

this is a very simple repair. the IAC is held on with 2 bolts and it is located directly on top of the throttle butterfly, it has a cylinder shape with a small power cable. with the engine off, remove it.

- John H., palm harbor, FL, US

problem #1

Jan 222007

(reported on)

Tribute ES V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,900 miles

There is a big problem with the 2002 Mazda Tribute engine, I have talked to serveral people and they are having the same problem, one person said that they can't even drive it and have tried to have it repaired but nothing works... so it is sitting and can not be driven. I even went to the Mazda dealer and they could not find anything wrong... but you can not drive it! I will never own another!

- Pat T., Independence, KY, US

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