FaultScore

Mazda Tribute engine problems

429 of the 2,831 complaints filed about the Mazda Tribute are about the engine — 15% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2001.

429

Complaints

15%

Share of all complaints

5

Crashes

21

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

2000 Tribute 3 0.7%

Median failure at 48,000 miles

2001 Tribute 176 41.0%

Median failure at 46,000 miles

2002 Tribute 133 31.0%

Median failure at 24,848 miles

2003 Tribute 29 6.8%

Median failure at 59,000 miles

2004 Tribute 23 5.4%

Median failure at 89,000 miles

2005 Tribute 25 5.8%

Median failure at 97,500 miles

2006 Tribute 21 4.9%

Median failure at 70,500 miles

2008 Tribute 9 2.1%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

2009 Tribute 3 0.7%

Median failure at 102,000 miles

2010 Tribute 7 1.6%

Median failure at 58,634 miles

What owners said

2002 Mazda Tribute 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.

2001 Mazda Tribute at 132,923 miles Lake Elsinore, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

The contact owns a 2001 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling and occasionally while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would stall with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referenced an unknown recall that had since been expired. The failure mileage was 132,923.

NHTSA complaint #11457256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Mazda Tribute at 189,000 miles New London, CT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would accelerate unintendedly, and the brakes would fail during the unintended acceleration. The ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the code reader was not able to read any codes. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the accelerator and brakes were repaired years prior and would not cover the cost for repair. The failure mileage was 189,000.

NHTSA complaint #11427833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mazda Tribute at 83,000 miles Riverside, IL

ENGINE

WE PURCHASED A USED 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH ABOUT 83,000 MILES ON IT FROM A CAR DEALER. LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING IT, THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE ENGINE FAILED AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT.

NHTSA complaint #11374918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mazda Tribute 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.

2009 Mazda Tribute at 71,000 miles Virginia Beach, VA

ENGINE

CAR WILL LOSE POWER DURING DRIVING. ENGINE BEGINS TO SPUTTER, WHICH RESULTS IN A JERKING MOTION OF THE VEHICLE. PRESSING THE GAS DOES NOTHING. ENGINE REVS ACCORDING TO RPM DIAL, BUT CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. RPM DIAL WILL CONTINUE TO SHOW ENGINE REVVING WHILE IDLING (AFTER I PULL OVER AND PUT CAR IN PARK). THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE - 8/22/19 AND AGAIN 8/27/19. DIAGNOSTIC RUN ON CAR ON 8/22/2019 LISTS NO ERROR CODES, FOR ME TO FIX ISSUE. VIDEO TAKEN, BUT STILL IMAGES WONT HELP.

NHTSA complaint #11251853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mazda Tribute at 54,000 miles Pinson, AL

ENGINE

HEARD NOISE OF KNOCKING RATTLING 2014-15 HAD IT TOWED TO MACHANIC AND THEY INFORMED ME OF I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. GOT IT REPLACED WITH A JASPER REBUILT. RIGHT AT 4 YEARS IT HAPPENS AGAIN, ONE YR AFTER WARRANTY. RESEARCHING FOR EITHER RESELL VALUE OR NEW ENGINE GAME ACROSS A PLEATHERA OF SEEZED ENGINES AND THROWN RODS. MOST VEHICLES HAS GREAT BODY BUT BLOWN ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #11220761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mazda Tribute at 115,000 miles Lumberton, TX

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 85 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED MULTIPLE TIMES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE. THE CONTACT CALLED KINSEL FORD (LOCATED AT 3355 EASTEX FWY, BEAUMONT, TX 77706, (409) 899-4000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL, THERE WOULD BE NO CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA complaint #11195477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mazda Tribute at 211,000 miles Kansas City, MO

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT FAILED TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE RESIDENCE WHERE THE CONTACT WAS STAYING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.

NHTSA complaint #11182417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Mazda Tribute at 196,000 miles Deltona, FL

ENGINE

TAKATA RECALL: THE BRAKES FAIL WHEN DEPRESSED TO COME TO COMPLETE STOP. THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED WHEN NEEDING TO STOP INSTANTLY. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MADE AN INSTANT STOP THE SUV DID NOT STOP RIGHT AWAY AS IT WOULD JERK FORWARD AND THEN SWERVE BEFORE MAKING A STOP ALMOST CAUSING LOST OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON BECAUSE OF THE GAS CAP ERROR BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REQUIRE A GAS CAP IT IS A CAP-LESS TANK. CAUSES GAS TO SEEP THROUGH.

NHTSA complaint #11160560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mazda Tribute at 250,000 miles Wesson, MS

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WALKED TO SULLIVAN FORD LINCOLN INC (759 MAGEE DR, BROOKHAVEN, MS 39601, (601) 833-7521), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO BILL HOOD MAZDA (333 N MORRISON BLVD, HAMMOND, LA 70401, (866) 726-1249) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 250,000.

NHTSA complaint #11109851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mazda Tribute at 118,000 miles Johnsonville, NY

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A LOUD BANGING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A PISTON SHOT THROUGH THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.

NHTSA complaint #11102445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Mazda Tribute at 88,000 miles Bremen, AL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH UP A MOUNTAIN, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERRA MAZDA (1503 GADSDEN HWY, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35235, (205) 304-4075) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS FAILING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE WARNING INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA complaint #11098755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Mazda Tribute at 161,000 miles Brunswick, GA Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE WAS NOTICED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, BUT THE PASSENGER ADVISED HER TO RESTART THE ENGINE TO SEE FROM WHERE THE SMOKE WAS ORIGINATING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM THE IGNITION COIL UNDER THE HOOD, PASSENGER LIFT THE HOOD AND IGNITION WENT INTO FLAMES. THE PASSENGER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ECM, SPARK PLUGS, AND SIX COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER (KINGS COLONIAL FORD, 3565 COMMUNITY RD, BRUNSWICK, GA 31520), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000. *TT

NHTSA complaint #11089675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Mazda Tribute Kansas City, MO

ENGINE

ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER. GAS IS NOT BEING CIRCULATED

NHTSA complaint #11073731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Mazda Tribute at 100,621 miles Upper Marlboro, MD

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ADJUST THE SPEED CABLE IN ORDER TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO THE ENGINE SIZE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,621.

NHTSA complaint #11041946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Mazda Tribute at 150,000 miles NEW Brighton, MN

ENGINE

FUEL FILL NECK DIAGNOSTIC CODE PO457 OCCURRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHICH SEEMED TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SPUTTER, AND TO HAVE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. UPON INSPECTION THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE PART. UPON A GOOGLE SEARCH OTHER HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THEY RECALLED THIS SAME VEHICLE WITH THE 3.0 ENGINE (MINE HAS THE 2.5).

NHTSA complaint #11022669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Mazda Tribute FOR Stewart, GA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). WHILE IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW VEHICLE, A DEALER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE MOVED TO ANOTHER STATE SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10980307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mazda Tribute at 50,000 miles Rutherford, NJ

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS FAULTY. THE VEHCILE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V357000 (ENGINE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10947708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Mazda Tribute at 77,000 miles Captain Cook, HI Crash 1 injured 2 killed

ENGINE

FOSTER LAW OFFICES AND ATTORNEY [XXX] REPRESENT [XXX] IN CONNECTION WITH HIS DEATH ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 1, 2016 IN KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII. [XXX] WAS THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER OF A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE DRIVEN BY [XXX], WHO ALSO DIED IN THE ACCIDENT. THIS COMPLAINT IS BASED ON RECALL #6812G ("RECALL"). BASED ON A DOCUMENT ENTITLED "MAZDA NORTH AMERICA OPERATIONS WARRANTY VEHICLE INQUIRY REPORT" ("INQUIRY REPORT"), TWO SEPARATE REPAIRS WERE MADE IN CONNECTION WITH THE RECALL. ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 1, 2013, THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP INSTALLED PART NUMBER 1F0110218 ("FIRST REPAIR"). ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 25, 2013, THE SAME MAZDA DEALERSHIP INSTALLED A SECOND PART - PART NUMBER 1F0310218 ("SECOND REPAIR"). IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE DEALERSHIP REMOVED PART NUMBER 1F0110218 AS PART OF THE SECOND PART INSTALLATION. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS "PAID" BY MAZDA. THE SECOND REPAIR WAS "DENIED" PAYMENT BY MAZDA. THE INQUIRY REPORT IS ATTACHED. UPON INFORMATION AND BELIEF, THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 1, 2016: A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE ("TRIBUTE") VIN # [XXX], DRIVEN BY [XXX] WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 190 IN KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII AT APPROXIMATELY 12:30 P.M ON DECEMBER 1, 2016. [XXX], WAS THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN THE TRIBUTE. THE TRIBUTE COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A DUMP TRUCK TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON 190. BOTH [XXX] WERE DECLARED DECEASED UPON ARRIVAL TO KONA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL. MINUTES BEFORE THE SUBJECT HEAD-ON COLLISION, THE HAWAII ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A CALL FROM A DRIVER COMPLAINING THAT THE TRIBUTE WAS DRIVING IRREGULARLY. THE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT DIVISION OF THE HAWAII ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING THE ACCIDENT. OFFICER [XXX] IS THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10947095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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