2002 Mazda Tribute Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2002 Mazda Tribute most often report the engine cutting out without warning — frequently while driving or slowing for a stop — which also takes away power steering and power brake assist. Brake complaints are the second big theme: premature/quickly worn rotors and pads, master cylinder leaks, and ABS module problems that in some reports led to smoke or fire. Many complaints were filed at fairly low mileage, and reports of stalling cluster at lower odometer readings than the body and structural complaints.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake fluid leak and ABS module fires

   • 83 complaints (22%)
   • median 74,000 mi at 7.7 yrs old (61 state mileage)
   • 29 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,600 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2023

   Complaints describe brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder reservoir cap or master cylinder seals, sometimes pooling near the ABS module connector and in some reports leading to smoke or a fire in the engine bay while parked. Owners also describe the ABS light coming on intermittently, the ABS pump motor running with the key off, and the pedal going to the floor. Several mention recalls for the brake fluid leak and ABS connector, and some say their vehicle was not covered or the remedy did not resolve the problem. Reported from about 50,000 miles upward, and in some cases on vehicles that had already had the ABS recall work performed.

   Recall 12V016000Recall 07V157000

   What to check: Ask whether campaign 12V016000 and 07V157000 were completed and check the brake fluid level and the area around the ABS module for residue or a burning smell. Any brake fluid loss should be looked at before driving further.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2002 Mazda Tribute is leaking brake fluid per Mazda recall my vehicle was manufactured 01/02. And it smells smoky! I didn't get a recall notice but, my Tribute is having the exact problem sited on u.s. News & world report. Quote: Mazda recalling 52,390 Tribute suvs from the 2001 and 2002 model years for a problem with their brakes. According to the national highway traffic safety administration, part of the Tribute's brake system could leak brake fluid. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11084667, filed 2018-04, 202,500 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10691604, filed 2015-03, 141,300 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls while driving or slowing down

   • 115 complaints (30%)
   • median 26,540 mi at 2.1 yrs old (49 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2019

   Owners describe the engine quitting without warning while cruising, decelerating for a stop sign or light, or coasting downhill, with the loss of power steering and power brake assist that follows. Some report the vehicle restarts after a pause, others need a tow. Complaints mention dealers reprogramming the computer, replacing the throttle body, intake sensors or the power control module, and in some cases telling owners there was no solid fix; a related recall covered stalling on 3.0L V6 vehicles during deceleration. Many reports come in under about 40,000 miles, and the symptom appears at ordinary road and parking-lot speeds rather than in any one season.

   Recall 04V175000

   What to check: Ask whether the PCM/throttle-related recall work was done and whether the engine has ever stalled or idled rough. A test drive should include decelerating to a stop and a stretch of steady-speed driving.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving downhill at about 30 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. Power steering froze. I was able to stop and restart the engine. I took it to a dealer, where some kind of computer was reprogrammed, but I was also told that Mazda has no fix for this problem, only a checklist of things that they try. This is an extremely dangerous defect, and I can't believe there is not some kind of immediate recall on this problem. Someone is going to get hurt! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10009340, filed 2002-05, 3,200 miles

   “1). Three recalls on my vehicle: 1st - power train control module re-calibration recall 1904d. 2nd - b4000 dpfe sensor warranty extension program special service program (ssp) 59. 3rd - accelerator cable recall 2704l. Completed all recalls; last on 3/2/05. 2). 2/2005 I started experiencing intermittent problems with my vehicle: - the car stops running usually when slowing down for a stop sign or red light. The car has stopped in the middle of traffic, in the height of rush hour. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10133272, filed 2005-08, 46,550 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake rotors and pads wear out early

   • 67 complaints (17%)
   • median 71,540 mi at 7.6 yrs old (51 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $962 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2023

   Owners report front rotors warping or wearing out well before expected, with pulsation through the pedal, clunking when braking, and heavy brake dust on the front wheels. Several say pads and rotors needed replacement under 40,000 miles and that dealers declined warranty coverage, calling rotor replacement normal maintenance. Commonly reported between roughly 20,000 and 55,000 miles, often noticed at state safety inspection time.

   What to check: Check rotor condition and pedal feel on a test drive, and ask for service records showing when pads and rotors were last replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 2002 Mazda Tribute and upon taking my vehicle in for the state safety inspection it was noted that my brakes and rotors would not pass. I then brought the vehicle to Mazda for inspection and they agreed that the brake pads were wor, yet not completely gone, but more seriously the rotors needed to be replaced. Our service rep stated that he has seen this problem on many tributes, yet Mazda has not authorized them to repair the problem under warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10066473, filed 2004-04, 39,570 miles

   “My 2002 Mazda Tribute seems to have an inordinate amount of brake dust. We were told that this was normal on the Tribute by the dealer. However, we have to clean the front wheels constantly because they are black with heavy dust within one week of washing. We have noticed other new vehicles do not appear to get as much brake dust in a short time period. We are wondering if large amounts of brake dust is a normal occurrence or if there is a defect in the braking system.”

   NHTSA complaint #10016666, filed 2003-04, 9,500 miles
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   Sticking accelerator / unintended acceleration

   • 37 complaints (10%)
   • median 69,300 mi at 5.8 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2023

   Owners describe the accelerator sticking or the vehicle surging on its own, often when the pedal is released and pressed again, and in some cases the throttle cable being found stuck. Complaints mention recalls for the accelerator cable and the speed control cable, and some say the cable was replaced or the recall letter presented but the symptom returned. Reported from a few thousand miles to around 80,000 miles, with several owners noting the sticking was worse in cold weather.

   Recall 12V357000Recall 04V583000

   What to check: Confirm both accelerator-cable campaigns (04V583000 and 12V357000) were performed and check that the pedal returns freely and the cable moves without binding.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2002 Mazda Tribute. On 10/12/2006 while my wife was driving the mentioned vehicle it accelerated by itself to speeds in excess of 55 miles per hour, while she was in a target store parking lot. It did not brake or stop until it hit an stop sign and my wife was able to turn the ignition off. The police dept. Of the city of davie was called, they verified it was some mechanical problem with the accelerator. No tickets were issued. We called the aaa and the driver informed us that the throttle cable was stuck and that produced the acceleration. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10170988, filed 2006-10, 37,918 miles

   “Contact states: the accelerator is sticking. Received a recall letter, and took the letter to the dealer, who did not fix the problem. Accelerator sticks mainly in the winter...when taking foot off the pedal for a few seconds and trying to hit the accelerator again vehicle speeds up and it jumps.”

   NHTSA complaint #10119596, filed 2005-05, 6,000 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbag light on from seat belt pretensioner faults

   • 37 complaints (10%)
   • median 77,000 mi at 7.4 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2019

   Owners report the airbag warning light staying on or flashing, traced by dealers to a broken wire at the seat belt pretensioner buckle or corroded connectors under the front seat. Some had the harness repaired once and saw the light return later, and several say the repair was quoted at their own expense once the vehicle was out of warranty. Mostly reported between about 38,000 and 115,000 miles, on vehicles kept in ordinary use.

   What to check: Turn the key to on and confirm the airbag light goes out after the bulb check; if it stays lit, ask for a diagnostic scan of the airbag system before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2002 Mazda Tribute. I have had the car since new and it has been in a garage the whole time. Recently the air bag light went on and I took into a Mazda dealer to have checked out and repaired. The cause of the malfunction was because of corroded connectors found under the front seat of the car. The resulting repair was over $500.00. Of the repair $127.40 was parts and the balance was labor. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10264400, filed 2009-04, 84,625 miles

   “There is a persistent problem with the airbag system in my Mazda, Tribute car. The first time it occurred at 23854 miles. The Mazda dealer looked into it and stated on its report checked and found wire harness going to seat belt pretensions buckle broken-wire yellow and red stripe located at h15 . The problem was rectified at the time. However, the car now reached 38,000 miles and the airbag indicator light went on again. My car is out of manufacturer's warranty now and the dealer refuses to fix the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10136420, filed 2005-09, 38,000 miles

Buying note. Prioritize a Tribute whose recall campaigns for the brake fluid leak, ABS connector, accelerator cable and speed control cable are documented as completed, and have a pre-purchase inspection check the brake hydraulics, front brakes, subframe for corrosion, and airbag warning light. Service records showing recent rotor and pad work are worth having, since early brake wear is a recurring owner report.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.