2002 Mazda Tribute Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 9%of 384 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,850miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Mazda Tribute, 9% of the 384 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,850 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 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.
“Purchased new in 2002-with 85000 highway miles-transmission failed- while driving on I-84 in connecticut-vehichle went into the passing gear on its own then stopped -my husband was able to coast off to the shoulder of the road. It was our luck he was past the construction zone and he was going down hill. There was no prior notice that the transmission would fail.”
NHTSA complaint #10114748, filed 2005-03, 85,110 miles“I had several emmision repairs done within 60 highway miles on my Mazda Tribute 2002. Now have a complete transmission failure needa new transmission. And only have 65 000highway milage. Nworsw vechile I had my vechile keep loosing power and jump into over drive suddenly onthe freeway I had to put my flassher and exited. 3 days ago”
NHTSA complaint #10114682, filed 2005-03, 65,600 miles“Have owned this car for 2 years, come april 2015. 8 months of those 2 years it has been sitting in the drive way broke down.was out of town when I felt the transmission slip and decrease in acceleration while I was on the freeway home. I had to get off on the nearest exit with my 1yr old daughter in the back, and there was a stop light from the off ramp to the road, it was red when I got off so of course I had to stop. Well the light turned green and my car would not accelerate it jerked like the gears were trying to shift but could not. …”
NHTSA complaint #10692662, filed 2015-03, 136,000 miles“Traveling on july 3, 2006 on a return trip to vermont with 3 grandchildren . I was going approximately 55/60 MPH on an upgrade and attempted to pass in the passing lane, my car would not engage into passing gear, the RPM revved up and the motor was racing , there was no more power the car could offer me. I pulled back in the right lane and was approaching a flat stretch, the car seemed okay. …”
NHTSA complaint #10162353, filed 2006-07, 39,850 miles“I was stopped at a stoplight in a busy intersection. I went to proceed trhough the intersection when the light turned green and the car was acting like it was stuck in neutral. I had to push down hard on the accelerator to get through the intersection and pull over onto the shoulder safely. The car would not move, except to go in reverse. There was no warning that something was going wrong with my car. I had the car towed to the transmission shop, where it wa s going to have a new transmission installed.”
NHTSA complaint #10196386, filed 2007-07, 111,337 milesRelated recalls
- 04V175000Apr 9, 2004On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 duratec engines , during deceleration, the engine can stall.Covers: Mazda Tribute 2001–2003
Related service bulletins
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory…
- 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…
- 10206002Dec 8, 2021Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission (A/T) oil cooler and lines must be power flushed completely before an…
- 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…
- 10173097Mar 12, 2020Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10136777Apr 2, 2018Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing ATF. Using the wrong ATF may cause shift quality complaints or may even damage the transmission…
- 10097348Mar 11, 2013Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing atf. Using the wrong atf may cause shift quality complaints or may even damage the…
- 10097367Mar 4, 2013Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing atf. Using the wrong atf may cause shift quality complaints or may even damage the…
- 10020526Sep 12, 2006Mercon atf is being replaced by mercon v as a service fluid.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 13 | 33% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 25 | 12% |
| 2006 | 14 | 11% |
| 2005 | 24 | 6% |
| 2004 | 14 | 9% |
| 2003 | 24 | 12% |
| 2002 | 35 | 9% |
| 2001 | 69 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mazda Tribute
124 complaintsBrakes
80 complaintsElectrical system
41 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsVehicle speed control
37 complaintsBody and structure
26 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
22 complaintsSteering
15 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 29, 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