Problems · by component

2002 Mazda Tribute structure problems

25 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Mazda Tribute cite structure, 6% of all 385 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
25
6% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the structure

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 10, 2018Structure, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11062061
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE UNDERCARRIAGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FRACTURED DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2017StructureODI 11014590
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE HEARD NEAR THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INDICATED THAT THEY PERFORMED A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE SUB-FRAME, UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE DEALER ACTUALLY COMPLIED AND REPLACED THE PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER RECALL FAILED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION BECAUSE THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO HEAR THE ABNORMAL NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/13/17*LJ”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2017StructureODI 10978762
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL BECAME DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE AND JAMMED INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE IMMOBILE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TRANSPORTED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE) PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000....UPDATED 09/12/16 *BF *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 12, 2016Structure, WheelsODI 10884398
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (SUSPENSION). THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS, BOTH FRONTAL STRUTS, AND THE TIE ROD ENDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE SUBFRAME. THE TECHNICIAN ADDED THAT EVEN AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. UPDATED 11/12/14*LJ UPDATED 8/5/2015 *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2014Suspension, StructureODI 10637335

Showing 6 of 25 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

1 recall on this component

Structure: frame and members

Free remedy

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Tribute vehicles manufactured May 22, 2000, through December 19, 2003, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.

StructureReported Apr 4, 2014NHTSA 14V174000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026

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