2002 Mazda Tribute recalls and problems

The 2002 Mazda Tribute has 7 safety recalls and 384 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Mazda dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

384

Crashes / fires

19 / 24

Injuries / deaths

13 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2002 Mazda Tribute vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2002 Mazda Tribute recalls

Recall 14V-174: Structure

Reported Apr 4, 2014 · 109,000 vehicles affected · Mazda North American Operations

Problem: 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.

Risk: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 29, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7514D.

Recall 12V-357: Vehicle Speed Control, Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Jul 27, 2012 · 217,500 vehicles affected · MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

Problem: Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Risk: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Recall 12V-016: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Jan 20, 2012 · 52,390 vehicles affected · MAZDA MOTOR CORP

Problem: 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.

Risk: Corrosion may develop in the electrical connector leading melting, smoking or possible fire.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vehicle's brake master cylinder reservoir cap and modify the ABS electrical system, free of charge. Until the repair has been performed, vehicle owners should park their vehicles outside. The safety recall began on june 22, 2012. Owners may contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500, option 6.

Recall 07V-157: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Apr 10, 2007 · 95,300 vehicles affected · MAZDA MOTOR CORP

Problem: 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.

Risk: An electrical short might cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition could occur either when the vehicle ignition switch is in the off position or while the vehicle is being operated.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the ABS module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate. The dealer will also inspect the connector on the ABS module and replace it if it is found to be corroded or damaged. The recall began on may 9, 2007. Owners may contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

Recall 04V-605: Latches/Locks/Linkages

Reported Dec 23, 2004 · 49,800 vehicles affected · MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

Problem: Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utility vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components.' the rear liftgate latching system does not meet the inertia load requirement in one direction.

Risk: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

Recall 04V-583: Vehicle Speed Control

Reported Dec 10, 2004 · 121,000 vehicles affected · MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.

Risk: An unexpected increase in engine idle speed may increase stopping distance and may result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The recall began on january 28, 2005. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500, option #4.

Recall 04V-175: Power Train

Reported Apr 9, 2004 · 106,000 vehicles affected · MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 duratec engines , during deceleration, the engine can stall.

Risk: Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the power control module (Pcm) with the appropriate calibration. The recall began on may 3, 2004. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

2002 Mazda Tribute problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Engine and Engine Cooling	127
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	65
Electrical System	44
Vehicle Speed Control	38
Power Train	37
Air Bags	37
Structure	27
Latches/Locks/Linkages	22
Service Brakes	18
Steering	15
Suspension	15
Unknown or Other	7

Most reported parts

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 68
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 33
Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 15
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 11
Structure › Body — 10
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder — 8
Structure › Body › Door — 8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module — 7

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 68,900 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2002 Mazda Tribute complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · at 162,000 miles · reported Nov 22, 2023

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…

Vehicle Speed Control · reported Dec 16, 2022

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…

Steering · at 95,000 miles · reported Mar 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel felt as if it was detached from the steering column. Additionally, there was a grinding noise coming from the passengerâs side front wheel well. The contact did not notice any warning lights. The contact was able to drive the vehicle safely back to his residence. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V174000 (Structure) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not…

Power Train · at 230,000 miles · reported Sep 17, 2021

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.…

Suspension · at 82,000 miles · reported May 21, 2020

Driving the vehicle down a city street the steering became extremely loose. Upon inspection we found that the front subframe had rusted/broken and the lower control arm had separated from it. After a search we discovered that this issue is covered under the 7514d recall. A VIN search confirmed that this was an open recall on this vehicle. We towed the vehicle to the nearest mazda dealer to have the recall completed. After about 1 week, the service advisor called and told me that mazda was refusing to repair the vehicle. I called mazda customer service to get an explanation and was told that…

Other Mazda Tribute years

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 200320022001 2000

Compare all Mazda Tribute years · All Mazda models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Mazda Tribute have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2002 Mazda Tribute: 14V-174 (structure), 12V-357 (vehicle speed control, engine and engine cooling), 12V-016 (service brakes, hydraulic), 07V-157 (service brakes, hydraulic), 04V-605 (latches/locks/linkages) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Mazda Tribute?

Owners report engine and engine cooling problems most often (127 reports), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (65). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 68,900 miles.

Are Mazda recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Mazda dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.