Known Recalls

Model year record

2002 Mazda Tribute

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 502 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V174000

Structure: frame and members

Component
Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer
Mazda North American Operations
Vehicles affected
109,000
Reported to NHTSA
2014-04-04
Owners notified
2014-05-29

Defect description

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Tribute vehicles manufactured May 22, 2000, through December 19, 2003, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.

Safety risk

A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 29, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7514D.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V357000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component
Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer
MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS
Vehicles affected
217,500
Reported to NHTSA
2012-07-27
Owners notified
2012-09-13

Defect description

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Safety risk

A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V016000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
MAZDA MOTOR CORP
Vehicles affected
52,390
Reported to NHTSA
2012-01-20
Owners notified
2012-06-22

Defect description

MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 2000, THROUGH JULY 19, 2002. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID. IF BRAKE FLUID LEAKS, IT COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR.

Safety risk

CORROSION MAY DEVELOP IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LEADING MELTING, SMOKING OR POSSIBLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

MAZDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP AND MODIFY THE ABS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FREE OF CHARGE. UNTIL THE REPAIR HAS BEEN PERFORMED, VEHICLE OWNERS SHOULD PARK THEIR VEHICLES OUTSIDE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION 6.

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V157000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
MAZDA MOTOR CORP
Vehicles affected
95,300
Reported to NHTSA
2007-04-10
Owners notified
2007-05-09

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Safety risk

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE ABS MODULE FOR MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V605000

Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock
Manufacturer
MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS
Vehicles affected
49,800
Reported to NHTSA
2004-12-23
Owners notified
2005-03-31

Defect description

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

Safety risk

IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V583000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component
Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer
MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS
Vehicles affected
121,000
Reported to NHTSA
2004-12-10
Owners notified
2005-01-28

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Safety risk

AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION #4.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V175000

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Component
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Manufacturer
MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS
Vehicles affected
106,000
Reported to NHTSA
2004-04-09
Owners notified
2004-05-03

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 DURATEC ENGINES , DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.

Safety risk

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WITH THE APPROPRIATE CALIBRATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline6817,995 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine3314,889 mi
Air bags3284,625 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic3190,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2689,000 mi
Electrical system2460,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling2133,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages18100,000 mi
Service brakes18150,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1539,850 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1139,570 mi
Structure: body10149,000 mi
Suspension1082,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder835,000 mi
Structure: body: door8100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module750,000 mi
Steering727,095 mi
Unknown or other7160,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables727,095 mi
Engine6110,000 mi
Power train6136,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)626,540 mi
Electrical system: ignition578,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip547,405 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system51,395 mi
Structure5103,000 mi
Seat belts4156,000 mi
Air bags: frontal332,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers355,000 mi
Exterior lighting3—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch378,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments392,365 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control3—
Wheels3135,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module218,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Electrical system: ignition: switch215,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring226,540 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Electronic stability control (ESC)2187,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2—
Fuel system, gasoline260,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery246,550 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump246,550 mi
Fuel system, other226,540 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter211,500 mi
Power train: axle assembly226,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft235,200 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light256,690 mi
Service brakes, electric260,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Suspension: front: control arm2131,000 mi
Tires230,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt2—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal220 mi
Wheels: rim2—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables127,095 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan113,112 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Equipment1100,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system146,550 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1100,000 mi
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1—
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical116,714 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)128,000 mi
Power train: driveline1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices138,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads122,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: column195,000 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm170,400 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: hub170,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing170,000 mi
Visibility1150,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—

The 2001 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.