Problems · by component

2002 Mazda Tribute service brakes, hydraulic problems

60 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Mazda Tribute cite service brakes, hydraulic, 16% of all 385 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 3 recalls on this component.

Complaints
60
16% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
10
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the service brakes, hydraulic

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“I NOTICED A BRAKE FLUID LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE. AFTER CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD, I NOTICED BRAKE FLUID SPLATTERED AROUND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID,THE TOP WAS LOOSE,AND THE RESERVOIR WAS LOW. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I NOTICED THIS, AND WHEN I CHECKED MY VIN# AGAINST RECALLS, THERE IS NONE FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE. BUT I KNOW THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL IN EFFECT FOR 2001-2002 TRIBUTES FOR THIS PROBLEM PER NHTSA 12V016000. IT SPECIFICALLY REFERENCES THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP, WHICH I THINK MAY BE MY PROBLEM ALSO. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2015Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakesODI 10691604
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR HOUSING WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 188,000. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 17, 2013Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakesODI 10512582
“2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE CALLED MAZDA CORPORATION SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE PAST FIVE MONTHS AND ASKED WHAT PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN REPAIRING THE ABS RECALL DEFECT. MAZDA INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT PURSUANT TO THE RECALL, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AT THIS TIME. MAZDA RECOMMENDED THE CONSUMER PARK HIS VEHICLE AWAY FROM STRUCTURES IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT, THE ABS MODULE DEVELOPED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2012Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10463767
“2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL 6712A CONCERNING ABS SYSTEM REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNTIL SHE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION LETTER SAYING THE PART WAS IN STOCK. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 17, 2012Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10458388
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE ). THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS EXPECTED TO BEGIN FEBRUARY 2012 HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE TIME FRAME INVOLVED WITH HAVING A RECALL DEFECT REPAIRED WAS UNREASONABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2012Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10454501

Showing 6 of 60 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

3 recalls on this component

Service brakes

Free remedy

MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 2000, THROUGH JULY 19, 2002. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID. IF BRAKE FLUID LEAKS, IT COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Jan 20, 2012NHTSA 12V016000

Service brakes

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Apr 10, 2007NHTSA 07V157000

Service brakes

Free remedy

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Mar 29, 2007NHTSA 07E023000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

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