Problems · by component

2002 Mazda Tribute electrical system problems

40 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Mazda Tribute cite electrical system, 10% of all 385 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
40
10% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR MASTER SWITCH WAS FAULTY PREVENTING THE DOORS FROM BEING LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM SINCE THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT USED TO REPAIR WAS POOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2015Electrical systemODI 10682507
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A FIRE DEPARTMENT. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 23, 2014Electrical systemFire reportedODI 10667883
“APPLYING BRAKES AND ABS KICKS IN AND MAKES THE TIRES LOCK UP IN THE BACK AND SLIDES THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE AROUND. SEEMS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE OCCURRING ALSO. HEADLIGHTS HAVE A SHORT, REVERSE LIGHTS DON'T WORK,AND WINDOW CONTROLS DON'T ALWAYS WORK. VEHICLE HAS DONE ALL THIS SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. IT WAS BOUGHT USED AND I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED FOR ALL RECALLS AND THEY ARE ALL UP TO DATE, OR SO THE MAZDA DEALER SAYS THEY ARE. I HAVE HAD BRAKES REPLACED ALONG WITH ROTORS AND TIRES AND THE VEHICLE DOES THE SAME THING. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2014Electrical system, Service brakesODI 10643074
“RECEIVED NOTICE FROM MAZDA REGARDING SAFETY RECALL #6712A IN FEB 2012 FOR OUR 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE - RECOMMENDED ACTION WAS TO PARK VEHICLE OUTDOORS, AWAY FROM STRUCTURES TO PREVENT UNATTENDED POTENTIAL FIRE FROM SPREADING RELATED TO ELECTRICAL SHORT /ABS MODULE. IT HAS NOW BEEN 3 MONTHS AND MAZDA HAS NOT PROVIDED THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO RETURN THIS VEHICLE TO A SAFE CONDITION. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 3, 2012Electrical system, Service brakesODI 10460399
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR MALFUNCTIONED AND AS A RESULT, SHE UNABLE TO UNLOCKED OR OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000. THE CONSUMER STATED BRAKE FLUID LEAKED WHICH CAUSED HER TO NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND HIT A POLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. UPDATED 04/25/12”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 28, 2012Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkagesCrash reportedODI 10449574

Showing 6 of 40 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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