10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,428 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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Mazda Tribute:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Mazda Tribute Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Apr 292022

Tribute

  • miles

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

My vehicle took off and accelerated without me depressing the gas pedal and it was very scary and hard to get stopped I was doing almost 80 mph. It had a safety recall for the throttle cable for this but you show no open recalls yet Mazda does and told me if recalls we're taken care of they would show up on the car fax which they do not my vehicle is a 2002 but this doesn't mean it was ever fixed has several other issues also the front lower control arm which is also on a recall and does not show on the car fax the entire front end on the passenger side sounds like it's really loose and could break and my tire come loose as others have reported when filing same complaint. This has happened more than once to me. I call it now a death trap I need help to get this safe to drive thank you.

- Corvallis, OR, USA

problem #25

Jan 012009

Tribute

  • 150,000 miles
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 #24

Aug 092017

Tribute

  • 310,912 miles
Takata recall, my car is having electrical problems (ABS), I also have a lot so on certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 duratec engines, during deceleration, the engine can stall

- New Haven, CT, USA

problem #23

May 082015

Tribute

  • miles

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

Hard to turn in sounds like my lower control arm is about to come off.

- Camden, NJ, USA

problem #22

Mar 252015

Tribute 6-cyl

  • miles
2002 Mazda Tribute. Consumer writes in regards to unexpected high speed acceleration crash. The consumer stated she crashed into her garage door. The door was completely demolished;damage was done to the structure of her home;the vehicle plunged through a barrier beam in the garage throwing it on top of the vehicle. The consumer suffered a swollen knee.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #21

Sep 192013

Tribute

  • miles
I was pulling into a parking lot and my vehicle accelerated as if I was pressing the gas. However, I wasn't pressing the gas, I was pressing the brakes. I had previously taken my vehicle to the dealership to get a recall done involving this issue. Prior to the, alleged repair done to the vehicle, I hadn't had any problems with that issue. I had received a few letters in the mail stating I needed to have to recall done and I decided to go ahead and take it to have the stated recalls done. Anyway, I called the dealership the following day of the incident and told them what happened. First, the guy asked me if the vehicle was in cruise control when it happened and I told him "no". the he told me that the vehicle would have to be in cruise control in order for it to do that but my recall letter stated that it did not have to be in cruise control for this to happen. I took the vehicle back to the dealership the day after I spoke to the guy over the phone. My vehicle stayed at the dealership for about 3 days. When I went to get my vehicle, the guy in the service department said that the recall had been done and that the throttle cable was worn and needed to be replaced. Anyway, my complaint with this is, that prior to the recall being done, I had no problem with the vehicle accelerating on its own. So if there was an issue with the throttle cable itself, I would imagine this would have been an issue prior to them doing whatever they claimed they did.

- Hitchcock, TX, USA

problem #20

Oct 232013

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 135,000 miles

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

While driving home from work the vehicle started to accelerate on its own. Quickly I shifted the vehicle to neutral and stepped on the brakes. After the vehicle came to a complete stop the engine started to idle (to about 5 RPM) on its own. I had to shut off the engine in the middle of the street around 5 am in the morning because the idling wouldn't stop. Lucky for me it turned back on. Now I've read the stories about the recalls back in 2004 about the defective accelerator cable. A couple years later another recall due to the repair the first time not being done correctly. I just took the Tribute to Mazda to repair two more recalls for the same thing. Why is it still happening" Mazda plans to charge me for a diagnosis fee of $95 tomorrow. (really") I think this vehicle should be taken off the roads. Ya like that's going to happen. Wait maybe if it happens to me again and the throttle gets stuck and I lose control of the vehicle and die, well just maybe this problem that started back in 2004 will finally get resolved once and for all.

- Oxnard , CA, USA

problem #19

Oct 102012

Tribute

  • miles
Dealer disconnected cruise control and has not notified of replacing the part and a Ford dealer I know can get the part in 1 week. Why hasn't the recall been accomplished by this philadelphia Mazda dealer.

- Folcroft, PA, USA

problem #18

Jun 122012

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 143,000 miles
I've noticed in the past 2-3 months that the vehicle continues to accelerate when I take my foot off the acceleration pedal. It cause me to apply extreme pressure to the brakes to slow the vehicle down. Also, the few times I have tried to use the cruise control feature on the highway it does not work. I am not able to lock it in at a given speed....say 72 mph. I have given this vehicle to my son and now I am see reports that this might cause Mazda to do a recall. I would suggest that Mazda must issue a recall on this problem as soon as possible before more people are injured or killed.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #17

Jul 142006

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 62,000 miles
Sudden increase of acceleration...tachometer up to 3000, engine very fast, had a hard time holding brakes until I was able to put in park and turn off the engine. Another problem is loss of idle so low it will stall out if alittle gas is not applied at a stop. Car bucks and jerks like its misfiring but have had a complete tune up and put on diagnostic machine with no results...or changes in how the car runs! have had all of these problems 9-15 times over the last 6.5 yrs. Since purchased. Its been very scary not knowing when or where it may happen again. Serious problems exist even with the recall work done.

- Orrtanna, PA, USA

problem #16

Jul 182012

Tribute

  • 100,000 miles

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

The accelerator pedal sticks.

- Elkhart, IN, USA

problem #15

Oct 012007

Tribute

  • 75,000 miles
When pulling out of a parking lot, I applied the brakes. The engine completely stalled. I started it back up and everytime I applied the brakes, the engine stalled. After letting it sit for 1/2 hour, it ran fine. Two days later, it happened again. The Mazda dealership and an independant auto shop ran diagnostic and said the car was fine. It stalls like this every 3-4 days with no warning. You will be driving down the highway and have to brake and it stalls completely. No power to steering or acceleration.

- Bethlehem, GA, USA

problem #14

Nov 182009

Tribute 6-cyl

  • miles
Veh.was just fixed by Mazda 3 weeks earlier for throttle damage cable damage/ iac valve def. &wide open "see ref #10289784 10/26/09" when same issue occured. Throttle stuck and car raced forward hitting parked car and ripping guard rail 2 ft out of ground. Car floored distance approx.15 ft. Wife was injured and taken by amb to hosp. Police/fire called by witnesses. Car taken back to same Mazda dealer where they called Mazda hdqtrs for help. Car sat untouched for 9 days before Mazda declined to show @ dealers, telling them to total car. I got mad w/dealer and had car towed to another Mazda dealer who said they would have Mazda rep look into trbl. After 3 days Mazda declined to come out again stating car had been totaled and would not look any further. Insurance co. Sent independent invest out who said car /scene had been disturbed and reports vary. Case appears to be comp by insurance.Mazda insists that I am only person in entire U.S. to complain about this problem. Recall for exact same defect was done 2/05 and repaired, never to come back. They put back same type/model parts every time but still refused to look into failure after two Mazda dealers called to report.

- Reading, MA, USA

problem #13

Oct 132009

Tribute

  • 89,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The vehicle suddenly accelerated when the driver attempted to park which caused her to lose control. She was unable to stop the vehicle, crashed into the parking lot wall and two parked vehicles. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the accelerator cable was stuck between the engine control motor. The dealer replaced the accelerator cable, gasket, and the iac valve. The repair cost was $4,100. The manufacturer was notified. The manufacturer stated that the failure was repaired in 2005 under recall 04V583000 vehicle speed control: Cables; therefore, they would not offer any assistance. The driver was taken to the hospital. The crash caused her hear heart to race and go into shock. A police report is available. The current and the failure mileage were 89,000.

- Reading , MA, USA

problem #12

Jun 162009

Tribute

  • 72,300 miles
The vehicle lurched out of control while stopped in the driveway. It was very difficult to control while trying to brake and ended up pinned under the garage door. This happened two times within four days of each other. Had the been at a stop light it would have gone right through the intersection.

- San Carlos, CA, USA

problem #11

Mar 232009

Tribute

  • 95,000 miles
I have a 2002 Mazda Tribute, in late 2005 I received a recall notice on the accelerator cable, and I took my car to the dealer and they replaced the recalled cable. Now I am having the same problem with the accelerator cable, the engine is revving in the idle position. I believe they replaced the original recalled cable with another defective part. I'd like to know if I am the only owner with the same recurring problem.

- Panama City Beach, FL, USA

problem #10

Mar 202009

Tribute

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. While accelerating from a stop, the accelerator pedal became stuck and caused the vehicle to gain speed. The speed reached 65 mph and the vehicle ran two traffic lights. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, but there was no response. She then attempted to apply the parking brake, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. After several attempts, she was able to place the vehicle into park and it slammed forward. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed a burning odor coming from the brake system. She called a tow company to tow the vehicle and the driver had to dislodge the throttle cable in order to start and tow the vehicle. The throttle cable was replaced on October 6, 2008 according to NHTSA campaign id number 04V583000 (vehicle speed control:cables). The contact is in the process of taking the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and notifying the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 73,000.

- Phenoix, AZ, USA

problem #9

Oct 162006

Tribute 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,918 miles
2002 Mazda Tribute. On 10/12/2006 while my wife was driving the mentioned vehicle it accelerated by itself to speeds in excess of 55 miles per hour, while she was in a target store parking lot. It did not brake or stop until it hit an stop sign and my wife was able to turn the ignition off. The police dept. Of the city of davie was called, they verified it was some mechanical problem with the accelerator. No tickets were issued. We called the aaa and the driver informed us that the throttle cable was stuck and that produced the acceleration. We called the Mazda dealership where the vehicle was purchased. They stated that there was a recall for the throttle and to bring the car in for service. My wife and son brought the car in under the impression that they will take care of this problem. They said when the car was ready it cost $157.20 and it had to be paid or the car would not be released. Said that my son authorized the charge. Had to pay to have car released. Mazda should pay.

- Davie, FL, USA

problem #8

Nov 232004

Tribute 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
While backing out of a parking space the back bumper slightly bumped the light pole. When the consumer shifted the vehicle into drive it commenced to accelerate at high speed, lurched forward and ran into a center block wall. No injuries were reported. The insurance company totaled the vehicle, and they notified the dealer and the manufacturer.

- Northridge, CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 142003

Tribute

  • miles
Vehicle experienced sudden acceleration while driving at the parking lot, and vehicle collided with a brick wall, smashing the front. Dealer notified.

- Houston, MS, USA

Read the next 6 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?