2001 Mazda Tribute Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 59about this part
- Share
- 10%of 563 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 59 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2001 Mazda Tribute, 10% of the 563 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The front driver's-side interior door handle broke off making it impossible to open the driver's door from inside. Fortunately, there was electrical power available and I was able to open the power window and use the outside handle to open the door. If I had been involved in an accident which cause a power failure, I would've been trapped inside the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10279430, filed 2009-08, 78,800 miles“The inside mechanism that opens the driver's side door broke. I opened the door from the outside, and when I tried to exit the vehicle, the door wouldn't open. I got home, and opened the door handle area and found a small plastic fragment that was broken. It is plastic, and snapped where the cable and this mechanism come together to open the door from the inside.”
NHTSA complaint #10227217, filed 2008-05, 109,749 miles“2001 Mazda Tribute-pulled on the interior door hand to exit vehicle and it broke. Now we have to roll down the window and open the door from the outside, then roll the window back up. If we got into an accident I may not be able to exit the vehicle safely, huge hazard. Have not had it fixed, dealer wants over $300. Crazy.”
NHTSA complaint #10222518, filed 2008-03, 55,800 miles“2001 Mazda Tribute. Both my husband and I drive a 2001 Mazda Tribute lx. His driver's side door will not open from the inside. Now the same thing is happening with my car. We also have a friend that drives a ford escape (same car as Tribute, not sure what year his is) that has the same problem. I am just wondering if there could be some issue with the Mazda/ford handle/latch.”
NHTSA complaint #10203229, filed 2007-09, 59,353 miles“Driver's side door handle broke off in my hand while trying to exit the vehicle. Had to roll down the window and open the door from the outside. Plastic door handles should not be used on any vehicle. This is a major safety issue and should have been on one of the many Tribute recall lists! The dealership wanted to charge double to replace the door handle and I had it repaired at a nationally known car repair shop for less than half of the cost the dealership quoted.”
NHTSA complaint #10280811, filed 2009-08, 82 milesRelated recalls
- 04V605000Dec 23, 2004Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utility vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components…Covers: Mazda Tribute 2001–2005
Related service bulletins
- 10018247Nov 3, 2005Front outer door handle reinforcement has been redesigned.
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 Mazda Tribute
167 complaintsElectrical system
81 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
69 complaintsBrakes
56 complaintsBody and structure
45 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsSteering
35 complaintsFuel system
33 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Mazda Tribute
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology