10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,191 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

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2002 Mazda Tribute Owner Comments

problem #6

Nov 222022

Tribute

  • 162,000 miles

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

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 module. The dealer was contacted, but no further assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and several cases were opened; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #5

Mar 142015

Tribute

  • 148 miles
I had just bought the vehicle Feb 7 2015 from mid state auto sales and it seem to be in really good conditions til the night before the 24 it had stalled out but started back up and ran fine was told it was bad gas but then the 14th me my husband son daughter and grandson was going to the store to get a few things for breakfast so we wouldn't be late for church Sunday morning made it about 4 to 5 miles down our road it started losing power really bad then smelled something then seen smoke coming from the hood we stopped in the middle of the road lifted the hood my son yelled get out its on firer so we got out as fast as we could had my 4 year old grandson in his set so it took a minute to get him out thank god my other daughter got off work early cause would of had my 9 month old granddaughter in the vehicle the daughter that was with us is 8 months pregnant but any ways my son and husband tried throwing dirt on it well I called the firer department by time they got there the whole vehicle was on firer it is a totaled loss and then found out the Tribute had recalls for these kind of problems and other problems and now with out anything and out of money what can we do.

- Aiken, SC, USA

problem #4

Jan 052015

Tribute

  • miles
TL- the contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 mph, the service engine warning light illuminated and the speed reduced to 20 mph. The contact noticed there was smoke emitting from under the hood and it was discovered that the engine and wiring were on fire. A fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police/fire report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Djr

- Cleveland, GA, USA

problem #3

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 #2

Dec 122012

Tribute

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving in reverse at approximately 5 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle within minutes however, the failure recurred whenever the gear shifter was moved into reverse. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 04V175000 (power train) but the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- College Station, TX, USA

problem #1

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

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