2002 Mazda Tribute Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 4%of 384 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,400miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Mazda Tribute, 4% of the 384 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,400 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11325370, filed 2020-05, 82,000 miles“Within months of buying the SUV we had it back to crystal auto mall, green brook, nj the problem...the steering wheel came loose, it would shift around as you drove down the road! This was a quick repair. Starting on sept 18,2002 we took it in to the dealer for the oil pressure light coming on, they replaced the oil sender unit, total $69.52, which was covered by warranty. On oct 14 back for the same problem, they kept it until oct 17, replacing all kinds of parts, oil pump, oil gasket for a total of $924.65, again covered by warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070441, filed 2004-01, 24,000 miles“Was parking car, and something snapped. Front wheels are now pointing in different directions, and the car is not drivable. Luckily this happened at low speed, and the only damage is to the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10639463, filed 2014-09, 77,000 miles“Nhtsa recall 04v583000 on the accelerator cable. Approximately two years after having the accelerator cable replaced the problem recurred. While driving 2 MPH, the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. The driver applied the brake pedal and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The driver was not able to maintain control of the vehicle and collided into a light pole. This caused the driver to sustain minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection. …”
NHTSA complaint #10108769, filed 2005-03, 27,095 miles“On four different times the vehicles power steering leaked fluid from engine which caused loss of control. The dealer has repaired the vehicle four times but now the vehicle is on it's fifth.”
NHTSA complaint #10017250, filed 2003-04, 1,395 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251387Feb 12, 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10208556Feb 23, 2022Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10153318Jan 23, 2019Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10154139Dec 11, 2018If a vehicle has body vibration or steering wheel shimmy while driving and the root cause is determined to be tire balance, re-balance the tires using a Hunter GSP9700 or…
- 10142519May 8, 2018Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10185904Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3" even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10101062Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10090812Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10059471Nov 4, 2014Summary to be provided on a future date.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 5 | 71% |
| 2010 | 11 | 28% |
| 2009 | 19 | 54% |
| 2008 | 94 | 47% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 15 | 4% |
| 2001 | 35 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mazda Tribute
124 complaintsBrakes
80 complaintsElectrical system
41 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsVehicle speed control
37 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsBody and structure
26 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
22 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Mazda Tribute
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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