FaultScore

2002 Mazda Tribute engine problems

133 of the 502 complaints about the 2002 Mazda Tribute are about the engine — 26% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 24,848 miles.

D

133

Complaints

1

Crashes

8

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Gasoline 68 51.1%
Engine 33 24.8%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 21 15.8%
Engine 6 4.5%
Emission Control 2 1.5%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) 1 0.8%
Exhaust System 1 0.8%
FAN 1 0.8%

Engine & Cooling across every Mazda Tribute year

2001 176 43.2%
2002 133 32.7%
2003 29 7.1%
2004 23 5.7%
2005 25 6.1%
2006 21 5.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 162,000 miles Newnan, GA

ENGINE

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 solenoid, and the wheel speed sensor; however, the failure persisted. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved DTC codes indicating that the ABS wiring was overheating. The contact later became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V016000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer bypassed the ABS module. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH to the residence after the repair, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the recall repair did not involve bypassing the ABS module. The dealer was contacted, but no further assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and several cases were opened; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

NHTSA complaint #11556495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Farrell, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO FORCEFULLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, NONE OF THE LOCKS FUNCTIONED AND THE BODY FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH WINDOW DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 04V583000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), 12V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), AND 14V174000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED PRESTON MAZDA (LOCATED AT 260 BOARDMAN POLAND RD, BOARDMAN, OH 44512, (844) 835-0773) AND WAS INFORMED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THEIR FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11255963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 148 miles Aiken, SC Fire

ENGINE

I HAD JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FEB 7 2015 FROM MID STATE AUTO SALES AND IT SEEM TO BE IN REALLY GOOD CONDITIONS TIL THE NIGHT BEFORE THE 24 IT HAD STALLED OUT BUT STARTED BACK UP AND RAN FINE WAS TOLD IT WAS BAD GAS BUT THEN THE 14TH ME MY HUSBAND SON DAUGHTER AND GRANDSON WAS GOING TO THE STORE TO GET A FEW THINGS FOR BREAKFAST SO WE WOULDN'T BE LATE FOR CHURCH SUNDAY MORNING MADE IT ABOUT 4 TO 5 MILES DOWN OUR ROAD IT STARTED LOSING POWER REALLY BAD THEN SMELLED SOMETHING THEN SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD WE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD LIFTED THE HOOD MY SON YELLED GET OUT ITS ON FIRER SO WE GOT OUT AS FAST AS WE COULD HAD MY 4 YEAR OLD GRANDSON IN HIS SET SO IT TOOK A MINUTE TO GET HIM OUT THANK GOD MY OTHER DAUGHTER GOT OFF WORK EARLY CAUSE WOULD OF HAD MY 9 MONTH OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE VEHICLE THE DAUGHTER THAT WAS WITH US IS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT BUT ANY WAYS MY SON AND HUSBAND TRIED THROWING DIRT ON IT WELL I CALLED THE FIRER DEPARTMENT BY TIME THEY GOT THERE THE WHOLE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRER IT IS A TOTALED LOSS AND THEN FOUND OUT THE TRIBUTE HAD RECALLS FOR THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS AND OTHER PROBLEMS AND NOW WITH OUT ANYTHING AND OUT OF MONEY WHAT CAN WE DO.

NHTSA complaint #10694949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, GA Fire

ENGINE

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEED REDUCED TO 20 MPH. THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE AND WIRING WERE ON FIRE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE/FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. DJR

NHTSA complaint #10670635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Oxnard, CA

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN . QUICKLY I SHIFTED THE VEHICLE TO NEUTRAL AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKES. AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE ENGINE STARTED TO IDLE (TO ABOUT 5 RPM) ON ITS OWN. I HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AROUND 5 AM IN THE MORNING BECAUSE THE IDLING WOULDN'T STOP. LUCKY FOR ME IT TURNED BACK ON. NOW I'VE READ THE STORIES ABOUT THE RECALLS BACK IN 2004 ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR CABLE. A COUPLE YEARS LATER ANOTHER RECALL DUE TO THE REPAIR THE FIRST TIME NOT BEING DONE CORRECTLY. I JUST TOOK THE TRIBUTE TO MAZDA TO REPAIR TWO MORE RECALLS FOR THE SAME THING. WHY IS IT STILL HAPPENING? MAZDA PLANS TO CHARGE ME FOR A DIAGNOSIS FEE OF $95.00 TOMORROW. (REALLY?) I THINK THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROADS. YA LIKE THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. WAIT MAYBE IF IT HAPPENS TO ME AGAIN AND THE THROTTLE GETS STUCK AND I LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DIE, WELL JUST MAYBE THIS PROBLEM THAT STARTED BACK IN 2004 WILL FINALLY GET RESOLVED ONCE AND FOR ALL.

NHTSA complaint #10549349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles College Station, TX

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN MINUTES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS MOVED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V175000 (POWER TRAIN) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10505401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Orrtanna, PA

ENGINE

SUDDEN INCREASE OF ACCELERATION...TACHOMETER UP TO 3000, ENGINE VERY FAST,HAD A HARD TIME HOLDING BRAKES UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PUT IN PARK AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS LOSS OF IDLE SO LOW IT WILL STALL OUT IF ALITTLE GAS IS NOT APPLIED AT A STOP. CAR BUCKS AND JERKS LIKE ITS MISFIRING BUT HAVE HAD A COMPLETE TUNE UP AND PUT ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE WITH NO RESULTS...OR CHANGES IN HOW THE CAR RUNS! HAVE HAD ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS 9-15 TIMES OVER THE LAST 6.5 YRS. SINCE PURCHASED. ITS BEEN VERY SCARY NOT KNOWING WHEN OR WHERE IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. SERIOUS PROBLEMS EXIST EVEN WITH THE RECALL WORK DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10466530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Baxley, GA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I PULLED ONTO A DIRT ROAD BECAUSE THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND WHEN I STOPPED I OPENED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS LIKE A SMALL FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD I GOT SCARED CALLED MY MOTHER AND 2 SECONDS LATER THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10459548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Nacogdoches, TX Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, AND THE ENGINE RELEASED A BURNING ODOR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD THE RADIATOR, HEATER COIL AND THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RELEASE A BURNING ODOR AND THERE WAS A CONTINUAL INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA complaint #10448298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 156,840 miles Citrus Heights, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE BRAKING FOR A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, EVEN THOUGH I WAS APPLYING MAXIMUM FORCE TO THE BRAKE. I QUICKLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP, FORTUNATELY WITHOUT CRASHING INTO STOPPED VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS BEING USED FOR BRAKING AND WAS NO WHERE NEAR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, RESTARTED THE CAR, AND DROVE SLOWLY HOME WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN SINCE, AND HAD MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO A GARAGE FOR SERVICE MONDAY MORNING (TOMORROW.)

NHTSA complaint #10444809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Boston, MA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

I STARTED MY CAR AND THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT FLASHED ON-AND-OFF. THINKING IT WOULD GO AWAY, I DROVE TO ROUTE 3 IN SOUTH SHORE, MA. ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE LIGHT DID NOT STOP FLASHING, SO I PULLED OVER. THIRTY SECONDS AFTER PULLING OVER IN A REST AREA, WHITE SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. 10 SECONDS LATER, BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM THE HOOD WHICH WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH A BURNING SMELL. LUCKILY, SOMEONE FROM MASSDOT WAS IN THE REST AREA AND WE DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A CAR FIRE. WE PROCEEDED TO STEP BACK AND CALL 911 FROM A SAFE DISTANCE. THE ENGINE AREA OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10428792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Henderson, NV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE SPARK PLUG IN MY MAZDA TRIBUTE 2002 BLEW OUT OF THE SOCKET CAUSING ME TO HUNT DOWN A VALVE COVER. THE MECHANIC SAID I DIDN'T TIGHTEN IT ENOUGH WHICH IS FALSE I BELIEVE THERE IS A EQUIPMENT DEFECT WITH THE COMPRESSING SOMEHOW. I PURPOSEFULLY RETIGHTINENED THE REMAINING TWO THAT I COULD GET AT AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE VERY NEXT DAY THAT THEY WHERE LOOSE. I USED A TORQUE SPECIFIED WRENCH TO THE MANUALS DESCRIPTION IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THAT YEARS FORD MADE MAZDAS. A FIRE COULD BREAK OUT OR AN EXPLOSION.

NHTSA complaint #10256172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1 miles Fort Walton Beach, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2002 TRIBUTE FROM THE FIRST WEEK THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS. 1ST THE DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE STOPPED WORKING. PLASTIC PIECE THAT ALLOWS HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR HAD BROKEN. REPAIRED $$$ PAID! 2ND THE DRIVER SIDE ELECTRIC WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. REPAIRED $$$ PAID! *** WE ARE NOW FACED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE NOT WORKING, THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, AN ISSUE WITH THE 5 AND 6 SPARK PLUGS FALLING OUT FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 4 MONTHS, THE BATTERY CABLES STAYING CORRODED AND SLOW TO START, THERE IS SOME SORT OF KNOCKING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. I HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS AND HAD OTHER SIMILIAR ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICAL THAT SEEM TO BE VERY COMMON PROBLEMS. I HAVE SPENT THE LAST 4 HOURS DOING MY RESEARCH AND SEE THAT THERE ARE COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME NATURE ON ALMOST EVERY WEB SITE. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THE AVERAGE PERSON WILL WAIT ON AN 'ISSUE' TO BECOME A RECALL. I DON'T HAVE THE PATIENCE TO UNROLL THE WINDOW EVERY TIME I WANT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. NOT TO MENTION HAVING TO ASK MY PASSENGER TO LET THEMSELVES OUT IN THE SAME MANNER. I AM NOT GOING TO PAY ANOTHER PENNY ON FIXING THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE PAID FOR SO MANY MAINTENANCE ISSUES THAT NOW THAT I THINK MAZDA SHOULD HAVE FIXED. WHEN DO THESE COMPLAINTS BECOME RECALL REALITY? WHAT IS MY NEXT OPTION? I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW BAD IT WOULD BE TO HAVE MY FAMILY IN THE CAR, THE ENGINE FOULS OUT BECAUSE OF THE SPARK PLUG ISSUE, THE BRAKES WON'T WORK BECAUSE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAK, THE BATTERY CABLES CORRODED AND PREVENTING THE WINDOWS BEING ABLE TO LET DOWN TO OUT. I WILL CONTACT MY DEALER TOMORROW AND WORK OUT THE RECALLS I WAS NOT AWARE OF, HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET OUR DOOR LOCKS FIXED TOO!

NHTSA complaint #10251022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,214 miles Troutdale, VA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, SHE SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE AND STOPPING, SHE NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE) WAS REFERENCED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE TOWING COMPANY'S PARKING LOT AND HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,214.

NHTSA complaint #10229192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,362 miles Matteson, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING IN HOT WEATHER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK, AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF, THEN TURNED ON. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE FUEL PUMP AND CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/30/06.

NHTSA complaint #10169885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles ANN Arbor, MI Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE ON THE HIGHWAY, A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE CAR - WE SUDDENLY NOTICED ENGINE STARTED TO STUTTER AND THEN SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE CAR AND THEN THE EXHAUST PIPE FELL OUT OF THE REAR. WITHIN A MINUTE OR SO AS WE WERE TRYING TO PULL OVER, BOTH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKE FAILED. WE FINALLY BROUGHT THE CAR TO STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE EXIT RAMP CLOSE BY, BY DECELERATING AND USING THE PARKING BRAKE. WHEN WE GOT OUT, WE SAW ACTIVE FIRE UNDER THE CAR TOWARD THE BACK. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY BY A PERSON WHO STOPPED TO HELP US WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. ALL OF THIS TOOK LESS THAN 5 MINUTES. THE FIRE MEN WHO ARRIVED AT THE SCENE WITHIN MINUTES OPENED UP THE HOOD AND SAID THERE WAS NO ENGINE OIL. THE POLICE WAS PRESENT AT THE SCENE. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW 4 YEARS AGO AND WE'VE HAD NO MAJOR PROBLEMS FOR THE LAST 55,000 MILES. THE ENGINE OIL WAS FILLED 5 DAYS BEFORE THAT AND THE CAR RAN FINE FOR THE 450 MILE TRIP RIGHT UP TO THAT POINT. THE LOW ENGINE OIL WARNING LIGHT DID NOT COME ON UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. AAA ADJUSTER SUSPECTED AN ENGINE PROBLEM AND HIS THEORY WAS THAT ENGINE SHAFT BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE OIL PAN FROM INSIDE BUT NO FORENSIC INSPECTION WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A MAZDA DEALER SHOP FOR INSPECTION AT OUR REQUEST BUT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO OFFER A CONCLUSIVE EXPLANATION OR CARRY OUT A FORENSIC INSPECTION. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED THERE AND IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED (AND THE OLD PARTS ARE STILL IN THE CAR). BOTH THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE MAZDA ARE REFUSING TO PAY FOR THE ENGINE REPAIR AND WE'RE CONSIDERING OUR OPTIONS. WE HAVE FILED A CLAIM TO MAZDA TO NO AVAIL.

NHTSA complaint #10163501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monticello, KY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

EGR VALVE BLEW OUT, REPLACED, REPLACEMENT VALVE BLEW OUT WITHIN 24 HOURS OF REPAIR AND WITHIN 30 TOTAL MINUTES OF VEHICLE OPERATION FROM REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10138123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tobyhanna, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

DT: CONTACT STATES THE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION,, HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SWAY BAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. ALSO, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10124273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 20 miles Naguabo, PR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT: VEHICLE SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY DURING MOVEMENT. IT ALSO SPEEDS UP WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. ALSO, TRANSMISSION DOES NOT CHANGE GEARS.

NHTSA complaint #10121980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,735 miles Albuquerque, NM

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AND A HALF AFTER HAVING THE THROTTLE CABLE SERVICED ON A RECALL, WAS TRAVEL AT 75 MPH WHEN THE VEHCILES RPMS STARTED TO REVVING AT A HIGH RPM, BUT NO INCREASE IN SPEED. VEHCILES ENGINE SHUT OFF AND I MANAGED TO PULL THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER HAVING THE WEHCILE TOWED TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM, VEHCILE WAS 4 MONTHS OUT OF WARRENTY, WITH 34,700 MILES. MAZDA ONLY HELPING WITH A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE REPAIR BILL OF APPROX. $ 5,500.00. HAVE HAD NO LUCK IN CONTACTING ANYONE AT MAZDA WHO CAN HELP. I'M CONVINCED THAT THE REPLACED THROTTLE CABLE FAILED OR BECOME STUCK, BUT THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT HAPPENED. UNTIL THIS HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10112506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Portsmouth, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

2002 MADZA TRIBUTE WITH 68,000 NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. JUST HAD A VALUE JOB DONE ON THE ENGINE APPROX. 4 MONTHS AGO. MADZA WARRANTY- INCLUDING DRIVE TRAIN - UP AT 50,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10112327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dumfries, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS AND IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS 7 TIMES NOW. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND THE REASON WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON, WHY THE FUEL CONSUMPTION IS SO POOR, WHY THE VEHICLE SHIFTS CONSTANTLY AND FOR NO REASON AT ALL, OR WHY THE VEHICLE "SHUDDERS" WHEN THE ENGINE IS ON. THE CHECK FUEL CAP LIGHT HAS COME ON TWICE AND THE SAME PART REPLACED TWICE. THE CANISTER CLOSE VALVE AND IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE HAVE BOTH FAILED. I HAVE SPENT MONEY ON A FUEL INDUCTION SERVICE BECAUSE IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE SERVICE DEALER. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED BECAUSE OF A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER - A PROBLEM THAT HAD TO BE IDENTIFIED BY AAMCO AND TOLD TO MAZDA BEFORE THEY WOULD TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOT ANYTHING BUT CUSTOMER SERVICE. MY PROBLEMS BEGAN LONG BEFORE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED; HOWEVER, MAZDA COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THEIR LACK OF ABILITY TO FIX ONGOING PROBLEMS. THIS VEHICLE IS A LIFE-SAFETY HAZARD AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED COMPLETELY, NOT PART BY PART. I WILL NEVER BUY A MAZDA AGAIN. THIS IS MY THIRD AND LAST. THE TRIBUTE IS BY FAR THE WORST THING EVER MANUFACTURED BY MAZDA. THEY SHOULD BE EMBARASSED TO HAVE THIS MODEL ON THE ROAD!

NHTSA complaint #10112043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V175000; MAZDA ISSUED AN ENGINE STALLING RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT STARTR AFTERE RECALL REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10111409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,000 miles Parlin, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING IT HOME FROM THIS ROUND OF REPAIRS AND THE SAME PROBLEM LIT ITSELF UP AGAIN! HE WAS ALMOST HOME APPOX.30 MILES FROM THE DEALER, HE CALLED ON HIS CELL PHONE SAID HE WAS COMING RIGHT BACK, THIS TIME THEY HAD IT FROM OCT 18 TO OCT 31, 2002. WHAT A SURPRISE WHEN I HEARD THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE MOTOR FOR A TOTAL OF $4,511.17, AGAIN UNDER WARRANTY. STRANGE THING WAS THAT THEY WOULD NOT EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE NEW MOTOR BEYOND THE ORIGINAL GUARANTEE FOR THE TRUCK. NOW YOU TELL ME IS THIS RIGHT? THAT'S NOT THE END OF IT, ON JUNE 21, 2003, WE BROUGHT IT IN FOR A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END THEY KEPT IT OVER THE WEEKEND UNTIL JUNE 23 AND TOLD US IT NEEDS BREAKS AND ROTORS AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT WHICH OF COURSE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY!!! ONLY 24000 MILES ON THIS SUV AND NOTHING BUT HEADACHES

NHTSA complaint #10070441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Villa Rica, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHEN DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10067225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,120 miles High Point, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE VEHICLE SHUTDOWN SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER STEERING OR NO BRAKES. THE DRIVER HAD TO USE BOTH FEET TO APPLY THE BRAKES SO THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO A STOP.

NHTSA complaint #10062980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,500 miles Missouri City, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10062837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,560 miles Brookfield, CT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE LX 4WD SUV, 3.0 L ENGINE: MY WIFE'S CAR STALLS FOR NO APPARENT REASON PERIODICALLY WHILE IN DRIVE. RETURNED VEHICLE TO LOCAL MAZDA DEALER SERVICE SHOP TWICE OVER PAST TWO MONTHS, AND AM TOLD THAT CAR CHECKS OUT AND IS FINE. LATEST INCIDENT HAPPENED YESTERDAY.

NHTSA complaint #10059991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

MT. Pleasant, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE CUTS OFF AT LOW SPEED (<35) MPH, NO ENGINE LIGHT. ALSO VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATOR PUSHED.

NHTSA complaint #10058145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,730 miles Jacksonville, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING @ 50 MPH ON INTERSTATE @ RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY MADZA TRIBUTE 2002 STALLED WITHOUT WARNING! CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. PUT ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART ENGINE NOT BEFORE VEHICLES BEHIND ME WERE HITTING BRAKES AND TRYING TO AVOID HITTING ME. ONE VEHICLE HAD TO GO INTO MEDIAN TO AVOID HITTING ME. TAKEN TO DEALER AND HE PLACED WHAT WAS STATED IN TECH BULLETIN 01-04-02R, BUT CAN'T ASSURE ME THIS WILL RESOLVE PROBLEM. WHY HAS NOT THIS PROBLEM BEEN A RECALL!!! ACCORDING TO THIS WEBSITE THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE TRIBUTES. I HAVE ONLY 26,000 MILES ON TRIBUTE BUT AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS MY HUSBAND HAS SUGGESTED WE TRADE IT IN. WE HAVE ENJOYED OUR PREVIOUSLY MAZDA'S (3) BUT MY NEXT VEHICLE WILL NOT BE A MAZDA DUE TO THE FACT MAZDA SEEMS TO BE INDIFFERENT TO THIS DEFECT AND RECALLING ALL VEHICLES INVOLVED. WILL TAKE NUMEROUS DEATHS AND LAWSUITS BEFORE MAZDA FIXES THIS PROBLEM?

NHTSA complaint #10056990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2002 Mazda Tribute problems

← Full 2002 Mazda Tribute report