Problems · NHTSA complaints

2002 Mazda Tribute problems

Owners filed 385 complaints about the 2002 Mazda Tribute with NHTSA between Nov 2001 and Nov 2023. The most-cited component is engine and engine cooling (124).

Complaints
385
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
19
Reported by owners
Fires
24
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine and engine cooling124
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic60
  3. Electrical system40
  4. Vehicle speed control37
  5. Air bags37
  6. Power train35
  7. Structure25
  8. Latches/locks/linkages22
  9. Service brakes18
  10. Steering15
  11. Suspension13
  12. Equipment7
  13. Engine6
  14. Visibility5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20019
200289
200354
200429
200527
200619
200712
200818
200915
201012
201113
201233
201310
201412
201512
20164
20173
20185
20193
20201
20211
20222
20232

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine and engine cooling

124 reports1 crash6 fires1 related recall
“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 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2019Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11255963

Service brakes, hydraulic

60 reports1 crash10 fires3 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was shifting erratically and made an abnormal rumbling sound. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to respond and was jerking upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact who is an independent mechanic had replaced the transmission speed sensor, the transmission shift position sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, the shift solenoid block, the transmission fluid, the transmission clutch solenoid, and the wheel speed sensor; however, the failure persisted. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved DTC codes indicating that the ABS wiring was overheating. The contact later became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V016000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer bypassed the ABS module. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH to the residence after the repair, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the recall repair did not involve bypassing the ABS…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2023Service brakes, hydraulic, Power train, EngineODI 11556495

Electrical system

40 reports2 crashes5 fires
“My car has had a abs engine code for a year that I have spent a lot of money trying to get it off because, I can’t renew my tag because it failed emissions vehicle safety test . So I was notified by my insurance company that my vehicle was under recall. I read it and called Mazda and it was confirmed and I went to the shop and I waited 6 hours for the installation of a new abs module and wire harness. Hennesy Mazda of morrow Georgia bypassed the abs system but replaced my voltage regulator with out my consent. The recall recommended repair is to replace the abs module and harness. The dealership refused to comply and neither offered a tow back to Newnan Georgia where I live. So they placed me and others at risk by failing to comply. I have been ignored even after speaking with 3 customer service representatives and I was given a call [XXX] 10/11/23. I was told that I had to get it to Marietta Jim Ellis Mazda and that they would contact me but know one has called. I need your help to resolve this serious violation of the recall and the altering of my vehicles abs by bypassing it . I have lost a total of $2,367 in parts lost wages and anguish due to their lack of…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2023Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11549734

Vehicle speed control

37 reports9 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2022Steering, Suspension, Vehicle speed controlODI 11497822

Air bags

37 reports6 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE OWNER'S VEHICLE. THE OWNER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH FORCE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CRUSHED RIBS AND A BROKEN RIGHT FOOT THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER DRIVER LEFT THE SCENE OF THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,270.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2019Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11255930

Power train

35 reports3 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owned a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, a pop noise was heard, the vehicle had unintended acceleration; the engine revved and sped up to 80 - 90 mph, inadvertently, and the brakes failed to engage after the contact had depressed with both feet on the brake pedal. The contact made a turn into a park and the vehicle slid, then crashed into a tree. There was smoke coming from under the hood and the contact turned off the vehicle before exiting and walking until she got assistance from a bystander, who called the police. A police report was filed. The contact did not receive medical attention at the scene but later went to the emergency room for injuries sustained with six broken ribs. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2021Power trainCrash reportedODI 11433315
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.