RoadVitals

2001 Mazda Tribute Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
45
Latest Mar 1, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 563 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Mazda Tribute submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 45 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 45, in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Mar 1, 2020

I WENT IN THE STORE FOR A FEW MINUTES AND I CAN OUT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AT ALL IT SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND ALL IT DID WAS THE SHIFTER JUST STOPPED AND WAS LOOSE IT WOULD NOT INGAGE IN ANOTHER GEAR

NHTSA ID
11315447
Incident
Mar 1, 2020
Mileage
140,000 mi
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Dec 8, 2018

SUBFRAME RUST,LOWER ARMS CANOT BE CHANGED.I WAS DRIVING AND I HEARD POP AND COULDN"T KEEP THE CAR DRIVING STRAIGHT

NHTSA ID
11156991
Incident
Dec 2, 2018
Mileage
78,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 4, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING MAINTENANCE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DE PAULA MAZDA (799 CENTRAL AVE, ALBANY, NY 12206) WHO INSTALLED A REINFORCEMENT CROSS BRACE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE). AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE CORRODED SUBFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11058541
Incident
Nov 1, 2017
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 29, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED, WHICH NEARLY DAMAGED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JACK SWEENEY MAZDA IN CINCINNATI, OH WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED IN 2014 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

NHTSA ID
11030539
Incident
Sep 20, 2017
Mileage
210,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 17, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE), THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE REAR BOLTS ON THE VEHICLE WERE RUSTED AND UNREPAIRABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,015.

NHTSA ID
10966447
Incident
Mar 17, 2017
Mileage
94,015 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Mar 8, 2017
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A FIRE HYDRANT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER CROSS BRACE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10959543
Incident
Dec 19, 2016
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 18, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA ID
10917184
Incident
Oct 6, 2016
Mileage
126,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 9, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED IN STRONG WIND CONDITIONS, THE ROOF BECAME DENTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS SLIGHTLY OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10762679
Incident
Jun 19, 2009
Body & structure
Filed Aug 22, 2015

THE VEHICLE THAT I OWN HAS CORROSION AROUND THE LIFT GATE'S REAR WINDOW HINGES AND HAS COMPLETELY FELL OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I FEAR THE WINDOW WILL COMPLETELY FALL OFF. I'M NOT SURE IF ITS OK FOR THE REAR LIFT-GATE WINDOW HINGE TO BE FALLING OFF LIKE THAT.

NHTSA ID
10758552
Incident
Aug 22, 2015
Mileage
150,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jan 8, 2015

I CANNOT LOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10671207
Incident
Dec 10, 2014
Mileage
139,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 23, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE). THE SPECIFICS REGARDING THE NATURE OF THE FAILURE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,021.

NHTSA ID
10638416
Incident
May 22, 2014
Mileage
88,021 mi
Body & structureBrakesSuspension
Filed Aug 7, 2014
Crash reported

2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE VEHICLE SUBFRAME CORROSION RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN EARLY JUNE. HOWEVER, SHE HAD ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIRS. SO, SHE SUBMITTED A REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT, ALONG WITH A SYNOPSIS OF THE TROUBLE SHE EXPERIENCED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER OF DENIAL FROM MAZDA, STATING THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED OR SERVICE COMPLETED, WERE NOT CONSIDERED COVERED ITEMS UNDER THE SUBFRAME CORROSION RECALL. ON DECEMBER 26, 2012 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONSUMER NOTICED A DECREASED CONTROL OVER THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE FISH-TAILED MULTIPLE TIMES IN LIGHT SNOW, WHICH HAD NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE. DUE TO HER STEERING DIFFICULTIES, SHE DROVE AT 30 MPH, YET STILL SPUN OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND SHE ONLY HIT A MEDIAN WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT AND BODY DAMAGE. AT THE TIME, SHE ATTRIBUTED THE INCIDENT TO WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS. HOWEVER, IT MADE FAR MORE SENSE IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RECALL. IN JANUARY 2013, SHE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE STEERING PROBLEMS. SHE ATTEMPTED TO GET AN ALIGNMENT, BUT RAN INTO PROBLEMS DUE TO THE SUBFRAME; WHICH WAS THE FIRST TIME, SHE HEARD OF TROUBLE WITH THE SUBFRAME. ACCORDING TO INVOICE, THE CASTER WAS NOT ADJUSTABLE WITHOUT THE SUBFRAME ADJUSTMENT AND POSSIBLY MORE. IT WAS 0.3 DEGREES FROM ACCEPTABLE RANGE, MAY DEMONSTRATE A SLIGHT LEAD OR PULL. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS. THE BALL JOINT AND RIGHT CONTROL ARM WERE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE CONTROL ARM LOOKED AS IF IT WAS READY TO BREAK OFF, DUE TO CORROSION. ALSO, THE LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM, ALONG WITH THE STRUTS, ROTORS AND BRAKE HOSES, WERE ALL REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10619575
Incident
Dec 26, 2012
Body & structure
Filed Jul 16, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED AND SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE THAT THE SUB-FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10610943
Incident
Jun 12, 2014
Body & structure
Filed Jun 23, 2014

TL ' THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS); HOWEVER, THE LOCAL DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER SOLD MAZDA PARTS, BUT WAS NO LONGER A MAZDA DEALER. THE NEXT CLOSEST MAZDA DEALER WAS TWO AND A HALF HOURS AWAY, WHICH THE CONTACT STATED WAS TOO LONG OF A DRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. JCC

NHTSA ID
10605195
Incident
May 27, 2014
Body & structure
Filed Oct 2, 2012

THE DRIVER DOOR HANDLE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING, I THOUGHT MAYBE BECAUSE IT'S NOW CONSIDERED AN OLD CAR, BUT THEN JUST RECENTLY THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGER DOOR. I THOUGHT, HMMMM MAYBE I SHOULD LOOK THIS UP ON THE INTERNET. BAM!!! MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME DEFECT AND NO RECALL!! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. SOMEONE COULD ACTUALLY GET KILLED FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF THEIR CAR. SO, LET'S GO THROUGH A SCENARIO. I GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT, THE POWER DOES NOT WORK TO OPEN THE WINDOWS, THE CAR IS ON FIRE. I CAN'T GET OUT THROUGH DRIVER DOOR OR PASSENGER. SO NOW, I AM STRUGGLING TO GET TO THE BACK SEAT TO OPEN A DOOR. BUT WAIT, THAT'S IF I DON'T CATCH ON FIRE FIRST. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET THIS TO BE A RECALL. WILL IT TAKE SOMEONE ACTUALLY GETTING KILLED. BECAUSE IF IT DOES, THEN ALL THESE ANGRY PEOPLE WHO HAD ISSUES THAT YOU DIDN'T LISTEN TOO WILL TOTALLY BE ON YOUR[XXX]! DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

NHTSA ID
10478384
Incident
Apr 9, 2012
Mileage
95,847 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed May 24, 2011

1. NORMAL USE. 2. BROKEN DOOR HANDLES--WITHIN DOOR. FRONT PASSENGER CAN'T OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE. 3. I AM LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT PART. *TR

NHTSA ID
10402624
Incident
May 23, 2001
Mileage
184,500 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Sep 18, 2010

THE INSIDE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE OF MY 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE COMPLETELY STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THIS WAS SUDDEN, WITHOUT WARNING, AND PERMANENT. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR AT THIS POINT IS TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THUS, THE DRIVER IS ESSENTIALLY TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE UNLESS THEY CAN ACCESS THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR OR EXIT USING ANOTHER DOOR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY PREVALENT PROBLEM WITH 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTES BASED ON A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10356273
Incident
Sep 15, 2010
Mileage
188,500 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jul 19, 2010

2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE DRIVER'S INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKEN. CAN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR WITHOUT PUTTING THE WINDOW DOWN. VERY BAD SAFETY CONCERN IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10343926
Incident
Jun 1, 2008
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed May 24, 2010

WE OWN A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE ES V6 [XXX] . SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2001 THERE HAVE BEEN THREE INCIDENCES OF THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES BECOMING NON-FUNCTIONAL AND CREATING A HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHERE THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE (SOMEONE MUST OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR YOU NEED TO OPEN THE WINDOW AND REACH OUT TO USE THE EXTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR). THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS CONDITION SHOULD THE CAR BE INVOLVED IN A FIRE OR ACCIDENT WHERE THE OCCUPANT MUST QUICKLY EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE PLACES A GREAT DEAL OF SHEAR FORCE ON A SMALL PLASTIC PIN THAT CONNECTS THE DOOR LEVER TO THE LATCH/LOCK/ACTUATOR. THE DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE HAS BROKEN TWICE SINCE 2001 AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE THIS WEEK. I LOOKED AT THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE HANDLE IS SHOWING SIGNS OF FATIGUE (STRESS CRACKS) IN THE PLASTIC PIN, SO I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THAT BEFORE IT BREAKS DURING A POTENTIAL EMERGENCY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10332010
Incident
May 16, 2010
Mileage
62,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalInterior & seats+1 more
Filed May 14, 2010

DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR HANDLE STOPPED WORKING, WINDOW NEEDS TO BE DOWN IN ORDER TO OPEN DOOR. IF IN AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE DRIVER WILL NEED ASSISTANCE IN EXITING CAR. THIS IS PROVEN BY ALL OTHER COMPLAINTS TO BE COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE AND IN HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS POTENTIALLY FATAL UNLESS GOVERNMENT STEPS IN AND DEMANDS RECALL. DEALER WANTS $300.00+ TO FIX, HAVE ALREADY SPENT $3000.00+ AT DEALER ON COMPUTER FAILURES AND LEFT SIDE DRIVER DOOR WINDOW ASSEMBLY FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10330381
Incident
May 8, 2010
Mileage
79,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 20, 2010

2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE - BOTH INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BROKE OFF COMPLETELY WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF ONE ANOTHER. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY THERE IS NO WAY TO EXIT WITHOUT ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW AND REACHING TO THE EXTERIOR HANDLES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10326590
Incident
Mar 15, 2010
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Dec 28, 2009

I HAVE A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH THE FRONT DOORS NOT PROPERLY OPENING WHEN THE HANDLE IS PULLED TO OPEN THE DOOR. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY IT IS HARD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ABOUT A YEAR AGO, AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR STARTED THE PROBLEM ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND THEY SAID IT WAS GOING TO COST OVER 200.00 TO FIX, AND THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO ORDER THE PART. *TR

NHTSA ID
10297241
Incident
Mar 14, 2008
Mileage
85,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Aug 18, 2009

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND WHILE TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. PLASTIC DOOR HANDLES SHOULD NOT BE USED ON ANY VEHICLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON ONE OF THE MANY TRIBUTE RECALL LISTS! THE DEALERSHIP WANTED TO CHARGE DOUBLE TO REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE AND I HAD IT REPAIRED AT A NATIONALLY KNOWN CAR REPAIR SHOP FOR LESS THAN HALF OF THE COST THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10280811
Incident
Aug 3, 2009
Mileage
82 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Mar 15, 2009

BOTH FRONT DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKE AND CANNOT GET OUT OF CAR UNLESS SOMEONE LETS YOU OUT OR YOU ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND LET YOURSELF OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10261892
Incident
Feb 21, 2009
Mileage
110,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 30, 2008

2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE - DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE DOES NOT WORK AND FINDING MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. THE CAR ONLY HAS 76,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10253195
Incident
Dec 23, 2008
Mileage
76,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .