2001 Mazda Tribute Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Mazda Tribute, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine17124.7%
- Electrical7811.3%
- Interior & seats659.4%
- Transmission598.5%
- Brakes568.1%
- Body & structure456.5%
- Driver assistance405.8%
- Steering355.1%
- Fuel system334.8%
- Visibility253.6%
- Airbags223.2%
- Suspension192.7%
- Powertrain (other)121.7%
- Tires & wheels111.6%
- Seat belts81.2%
- Other / unspecified71.0%
- Exterior lighting60.9%
- Heating & air conditioning10.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CAR STALLS ALOT AND THE OIL AND BATTERY LIGHT FLASHES WHEN COMING TO A STOP THEN U DRIVE AGAIN AND IT GOES OFF. IT WILL DO IT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THEN STOP THEN START UP AGAIN. HAS TO BE SOME TYPE OF WIRING ISSUE HAD THE OIL CHANGE SO THATS FINE AND THE BATTERY TESTED AND THATS ALL GOOD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I CANNOT LOCK THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. *TR
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
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 3 MPH AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CABLE AND LEVER WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,154 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 39,283. UPDATED 07/14/2010. *LJ UPDATED 07/28/10*JB
THIS COMPLAIN CONCERNS THE POWERTRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE CAR, WAS PARKED DURING THE DAY IN A STANDARD PARKING SPOT. WHEN I LATER TRIED TO BACK UP, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. IT HAD WORKED PERFECTLY THAT MORNING! THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THEY STATED THAT REVERSE, DRIVE AND SECOND DID NOT FUNCTION. THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WHICH HAD BEEN INSTALLED BY THIS MECHANIC IN THIS TRIBUTE! IT HAD ONLY 39,000 MILES. IT WAS INSTALLED IN 2007. THE FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 110,000 MILES. THE MAZDA CORPORATION WOULD NOT ADMIT TO A PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS AT THE TIME THE SECOND ONE (A MAZDA TRANSMISSION BOUGHT DIRECTLY FROM A MAZDA DEALER)WAS INSTALLED). THE MECHANIC, IN GOOD CONSCIOUSNESS, WILL NOT REPLACE THIS A THIRD TIME. SO WE ARE LEFT WITH A PERFECTLY GOOD BODY, NEW TIRES, AND A CAR THAT IS JUNK. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS TRANSMISSION IS POORLY DESIGNED. ALL WE CAN DO NOT IS DONATE IT OR PART IT OUT. WE BOUGHT THE CAR, USED, FROM CARMAX IN ROSEVILLE, CA, IN 2006. *TR
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
POOR BRAKING. POOR PEDAL RESPONSE. LONG STOPPING DISTANCE. BRAKES CHECKED AS GOOD. DEALER SAYS NO RECALLS OPEN FOR MY VIN
I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM A GUY IN JULY OF THIS YEAR AND HE SAID "THE GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK SOMETIMES BUT IF YOU JUST PUMP THE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IT SHOULD STOP". WELL THE GAS PEDAL DOESN'T GET STUCK SOMETIMES, IT GETS STUCK ALL THE TIME. IT GETS STUCK AND EITHER CAUSES THE CAR NOT TO START OR IT CAUSES THE ENGINE TO REV. WHEN I AM DRIVING IT'LL GET STUCK AND ACCELERATE THE CAR WHEN I'M NOT EVEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND SOMETIMES IT CAUSES THE BRAKES TO NOT WORK EITHER. THE ONLY REASON I HAVEN'T GOTTEN IN AN ACCIDENT YET IS BECAUSE IT IS A STICK SHIFT AND I'M ABLE TO PULL IT OUT OF GEAR BUT IT STILL CAUSES THE ENGINE TO REV AND ISN'T SAFE AT ALL. A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS DOING SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A SPEED/THROTTLE CABLE RECALL ON 2001-2005 MAZDA TRIBUTES BECAUSE OF THE EXACT ISSUES DESCRIBED ABOVE BUT WHEN I SEARCHED MY VIN NUMBER ON THE RECALL LIST/CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID MY CAR ISN'T ON IT AND I 100% BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE IT MATCHES THE EXACT SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL AND ISSUE ON THE RECALL. I DON'T WANT TO PAY TO GET THIS FIXED BECAUSE IT'S NOT MY FAULT THIS WAS IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED (AND I CAN'T AFFORD IT) BUT I ALSO DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER THE CAR WILL RUN LIKE THIS BEFORE THE ENGINE IS BLOWN OR I GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT. IS THERE ANY WAY MY CAR CAN BE ADDED TO THEIR RECALL LIST? *TR
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
SUBFRAME RUST,LOWER ARMS CANOT BE CHANGED.I WAS DRIVING AND I HEARD POP AND COULDN"T KEEP THE CAR DRIVING STRAIGHT
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE GAS PEDAL IS THE ISSUE THAT I HAVE WITH MY 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE YOU CAN HARDLY PUSH THE GAS PEDAL AND IT ACCELERATES VERY HARD. IT IS VERY NON SAFE. WHAT CAN BE DONE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.
THE THROTTLE WILL STICK OPEN. IT HAPPENS TYPICALLY IN THE WINTER WHEN IT'S REALLY COLD BUT LATELY, IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING WHEN IT'S WARM OUT. IN ORDER FOR ME TO GET CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO QUICKLY SHIFT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND POWER OFF THE VEHICLE AND COAST TO A STOP. IF I DO NOT SHUT THE POWER OFF THE MOTOR RACES AND SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BLOW UP.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Corroded Subframe led to almost complete separation of drivers side control arm, 72k original miles, took my problem to Bergery Mazda where no one cared. If the part was already replaced in 2014 how is it possibly broken already.
SUBFRAME RUST,LOWER ARMS CANOT BE CHANGED.I WAS DRIVING AND I HEARD POP AND COULDN"T KEEP THE CAR DRIVING STRAIGHT
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OR WHEN PARKED, A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V277002 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000.
WIFE STOPPED AT GAS STATION TO FILL UP. CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER FILLUP. HAD CAR TOWED HOME. DETERMINED IT WAS A BAD FUEL PUMP. REPLACED FUEL PUMP. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SIMPLE REPAIR, BUT IT WAS ANYTHING BUT SIMPLE. COMPLETED FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT, WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP, MY WIFE AND I STARTED SMELLING FUEL OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. I REMOVED THE COVER OVER THE FUEL PUMP, BUT COULD NOT FIND A LEAK. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR, AND OBSERVED A GAS SPOT ON THE GROUND JUST FORWARD OF THE FUEL TANK, BUT STILL CAN'T FIND THE LEAK. CAR RUNS FINE, BUT THE GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED TO ABOUT 10 TO15 MPG, FROM 20 TO 25MPG. THERE ARE NO CAUTION/WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH. HAD AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC FRIEND OF MINE LOOK AT IT. HE COULD NOT FIND THE LEAK. DOES NOT LEAK ALL THE TIME, AND WHEN IT DOES, IT APPEARS TO BE ONLY A FEW DROPS. MECHANIC RECOMMENDED A FUEL FILTER CHANGE, AND PERHAPS A DYE TEST TO MAKE THE LEAK EASIER TO SEE. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE FEB. 2013, AND THE FUEL PUMP IS THE ONLY MAJOR PROBLEM WE HAVE HAD, NOT COUNTING THE FOUR NEW 16 INCH TIRES WE HAD TO REPLACE AT THE TIME OF SALE. I STILL LOVE THIS CAR, V6, AWD, SUNROOF, LEATHER SEATS, ICE COLD AIR, CRUISE, TILT, POWER WINDOWS, LOCKS, SEAT, ECT.ECT. HAVE HAD PEOPLE SWORE IT WAS A NEW CAR. THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE IT IS 12 YEARS OLD. I TAKE REAL GOOD CARE OF MY CARS. WIFE SWARES I LOVE IT MORE THAN HER. I HAVE HAD MY WIFE FOR OVER 20 YEARS, AND DON'T PLAN TO TRADE HER, OR THE CAR, IN ANYTIME SOON. *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
PASSENGER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT OPEN DOOR. WINDOW MUST BE RUN DOWN & OUTSIDE HANDLE USED TO OPEN. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO DEALER WHO WILL REPAIR @ MY COST APPROX. A YEAR AGO THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED AT ALL MANUALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY FROM THE OUTSIDE ONLY FROM INSIDE IT WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER MY COST $149.00. PART NUMBER ECTT-58-412C. *NM
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WARNING LIGHT WON'T TURN OFF.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. ..UPDATED 01/14/13 *BF UPDATED 01/18/2013 *JS
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Corroded Subframe led to almost complete separation of drivers side control arm, 72k original miles, took my problem to Bergery Mazda where no one cared. If the part was already replaced in 2014 how is it possibly broken already.
SUBFRAME RUST,LOWER ARMS CANOT BE CHANGED.I WAS DRIVING AND I HEARD POP AND COULDN"T KEEP THE CAR DRIVING STRAIGHT
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF REVERSE. STEERING TOTALLY LOCKED UP. I LOOKED ON GOOGLE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING QUITE A BIT AND A FEW YEARS HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED. I WAS IN A CVS PARKING LOT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. BLOCKED TRAFFIC AND PEOPLE WERE NOT HAPPY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO THE DRIVE POSITION AND FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE RPMS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE WHILE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN THE REVERSE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRES MAKING AN INCREASING LOUD "HELICOPTER" TYPE SOUND. ACCORDING TO DEALER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. MR
I HAVE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT P235/70R16 104T M+S TIRES WHICH CAME WITH MY 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE SUV UPON PURCHASE IN NOVEMBER OF 2000. RECENTLY, WITH 30,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A CRACK RUNNING ALONG THE SIDE CIRCUMFERENCE OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE CRACK RUNS ON THE SIDE OF THE TREAD WHERE I BELIEVE THE TREAD IS BONDED TO THE TIRE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE P235 / 70R16 MODEL HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED UNDER YOUR CONSUMER ADVISORY OF 1 SEPTEMBER, 2002 OR IN ANY RECALL AND MAY BE A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE DIGITAL PHOTOS CLEARLY SHOWING THE CRACKING WHICH I HAVE SENT TO YOUR WEB MASTER EMAIL. I CAN RESEND THEM AT YOUR REQUEST. NLM
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. ..UPDATED 01/14/13 *BF UPDATED 01/18/2013 *JS
THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF, MAZDA SAYS IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER. *TR
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WE HAVE 2 CHILDREN.
DOOR HANDLES ON ALL 4 DOORS HAVE BROKEN AT DIFFERENT TIMES, FRONT AND BACK PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN A SECOND TIME. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME, CURRENTLY DRIVING WITH BROKEN DOORS AND NO WAY TO GET OUT UNLESS SOMEONE OPENS THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT SO SEVERELY, THAT CONSTANT ATTENTION HAD TO BE MAINTAINED ON THE STEERING WHEEL.*AK THE PULL WAS MORE SEVERE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE VEHICLE 7 TIMES, AND THEY STATED THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY CROWN OF THE ROAD OR THE CONSUMER'S TIRES. ALSO THERE WAS CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLAMP. *JB
THE HEADLIGHT LENS COVER CONTAINED HIGH CONDENSATION, THE DEALER REPLACED THE COVER. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WERE DRIVING DOWN A HILL WHEN MY CAR ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE (RADIO DIES, A.C., ENGINE, AND STEERING WHEEL TIGHENS. THIS IS THE SECOND MAZDA TRIBUTE I OWNED IN A YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THE COMPANY CAN'T FIX. THE OTHER S ARE NOT AS MAJOR. I FEEL THIS IS A( LEMON AND A RECALL) IF THE COMPANY CAN'T THE PROBLEM. SAFETY PLAY A BIG PART IN THIS CASE WHEN THE ENGINE DIES FOR NO REASON. THIS IS A HIGHWAY SAFETY ISSUE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .