RoadVitals

2002 Mazda Tribute Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
39
Latest Oct 13, 2023
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.
10%
of 384 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.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Mazda Tribute submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 39 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 electrical

The 25 most recent of 39, in the owner's own words

BrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 13, 2023

My car has had a abs engine code for a year that I have spent a lot of money trying to get it off because, I can’t renew my tag because it failed emissions vehicle safety test . So I was notified by my insurance company that my vehicle was under recall. I read it and called Mazda and it was confirmed and I went to the shop and I waited 6 hours for the installation of a new abs module and wire harness. Hennesy Mazda of morrow Georgia bypassed the abs system but replaced my voltage regulator with out my consent. The recall recommended repair is to replace the abs module and harness. The dealership refused to comply and neither offered a tow back to Newnan Georgia where I live. So they placed me and others at risk by failing to comply. I have been ignored even after speaking with 3 customer service representatives and I was given a call [XXX] 10/11/23. I was told that I had to get it to Marietta Jim Ellis Mazda and that they would contact me but know one has called. I need your help to resolve this serious violation of the recall and the altering of my vehicles abs by bypassing it 😳🙄. I have lost a total of $2,367 in parts lost wages and anguish due to their lack of compliance of the recall of my 2002 Mazda tribute es abs module and harness. The abs module and wiring to ECM gets the voltage regulator hot and causes abs engine light to illuminate and malfunction. This my work vehicle I need it to make a living. The abs module and harness wasn’t changed but was bypassed 😳. The recall clearly states the issue and recommended repairs by vehicle manufacturer or authorized dealer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11549734
Incident
Oct 3, 2023
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Dec 9, 2017

PCM/ECM

NHTSA ID
11053616
Incident
Oct 2, 2017
Mileage
187,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 10, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR MASTER SWITCH WAS FAULTY PREVENTING THE DOORS FROM BEING LOCK OR UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM SINCE THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT USED TO REPAIR WAS POOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ID
10682507
Incident
Dec 18, 2012
Mileage
103,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 23, 2014
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A FIRE DEPARTMENT. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10667883
Incident
Dec 23, 2014
BrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 7, 2014

APPLYING BRAKES AND ABS KICKS IN AND MAKES THE TIRES LOCK UP IN THE BACK AND SLIDES THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE AROUND. SEEMS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE OCCURRING ALSO. HEADLIGHTS HAVE A SHORT, REVERSE LIGHTS DON'T WORK,AND WINDOW CONTROLS DON'T ALWAYS WORK. VEHICLE HAS DONE ALL THIS SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. IT WAS BOUGHT USED AND I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED FOR ALL RECALLS AND THEY ARE ALL UP TO DATE, OR SO THE MAZDA DEALER SAYS THEY ARE. I HAVE HAD BRAKES REPLACED ALONG WITH ROTORS AND TIRES AND THE VEHICLE DOES THE SAME THING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10643074
Incident
Apr 14, 2014
Mileage
165,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 3, 2012

RECEIVED NOTICE FROM MAZDA REGARDING SAFETY RECALL #6712A IN FEB 2012 FOR OUR 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE - RECOMMENDED ACTION WAS TO PARK VEHICLE OUTDOORS, AWAY FROM STRUCTURES TO PREVENT UNATTENDED POTENTIAL FIRE FROM SPREADING RELATED TO ELECTRICAL SHORT /ABS MODULE. IT HAS NOW BEEN 3 MONTHS AND MAZDA HAS NOT PROVIDED THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO RETURN THIS VEHICLE TO A SAFE CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10460399
Incident
Jun 3, 2012
BrakesElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Feb 28, 2012
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR MALFUNCTIONED AND AS A RESULT, SHE UNABLE TO UNLOCKED OR OPEN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000. THE CONSUMER STATED BRAKE FLUID LEAKED WHICH CAUSED HER TO NOT HAVE ANY BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND HIT A POLE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. UPDATED 04/25/12

NHTSA ID
10449574
Incident
Feb 22, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Feb 19, 2012
Fire reported

MY SON HAS DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2008, WHEN WE PURCHASED IT FOR HIM TO USE WHILE IN COLLEGE. HE WAS DRIVING ONTO CAMPUS AND WHEN APPROACHING THE PARKING LOT, HE NOTICED ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF ON THE DASHBOARD. AS HE PARKED HE REALIZED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE OPENED THE HOOD, SAW A FIRE, AND CALLED 911 IMMEDIATELY. THEY ARRIVED QUICKLY AND SUCCESSFULLY PUT THE FIRE OUT. FIREMEN TOLD HIM IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL AND HE WAS LUCKY THEY GOT THERE AS QUICK AS THEY DID. INSURANCE CLAIM ADJUSTER TOOK IT TO A FORD SHOP (CLOSEST) WHERE THEY HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND SAID THEY COULDN'T GET PARTS, BUT WERE AWARE OF A RECALL COMING ON THE AREA THE FIRE HAD OCCURRED IN (THE WIRING HARNESS AND ABS MODULE). IT WAS THEN SENT TO A MAZDA DEALER, THAT HAD IT FOR 10 DAYS, AND FINALLY SAID THE NEEDED PARTS WERE OBSOLETE AND THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. CLAIMS ADJUSTER CHECKED WITH ANOTHER FORD AND ANOTHER MAZDA DEALER, GETTING THE SAME ANSWERS FROM BOTH. BY THE WAY, WHEN THEY CHECKED ON THE VIN, THEY SAID IT WAS NOT ON ANY MAZDA RECALLS. THIS WAS AT THE END OF JANUARY/BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY 2012. SO AFTER ALL THIS, THEY HAD TO TOTAL A VEHICLE THAT ONLY HAD ABOUT 77,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION OTHERWISE. THE DAY I GET HOME FROM HAVING DOCUMENTS NOTARIZED FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY, IN MY MAILBOX IS A RECALL FROM MAZDA....THIS VERY ONE 6712A, WHICH I HAD ALREADY FOUND ONLINE DAYS PRIOR TO THE MAZDA DEALERS DENYING OUR VIN WAS INCLUDED. THE RECALL LETTER STATES THE WORK FROM A PRIOR RECALL IN 2007 REGARDING THIS ISSUE HAD BEEN DONE. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL THIS FIRE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR MORE SERIOUS EMERGENCY SITUATION. AND WE ARE GRATEFUL OUR INSURANCE COMPANY ISN'T HOLDING THINGS UP DUE TO MAZDA'S LACK OF HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10448498
Incident
Jan 13, 2012
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 5, 2011
Fire reported

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10428792
Incident
Sep 30, 2011
Mileage
120,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jul 31, 2011

INTERMITTENT ABS LIGHT, SOMETIMES WITH BRAKE LIGHT. NOTICED A LOW HUM FROM ENGINE ONE NIGHT, CHECKED FOR ANYTHING LEFT ON, DECIDED IT WAS PROBABLY NORMAL NOISE I HADN'T NOTICED BEFORE. THE NEXT MORNING,I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK DOORS, THEN TRIED TO START ENGINE. ENGINE TURNED OVER THEN ALL LIGHTS WENT OFF. TRYING TO START ENGINE FAILED AND I HAD TO LOCK DOOR MANUALLY. GOT A JUMP START AND WAS FINE RUNNING LOCAL ERRANDS, BUT THAT HUM WAS ALWAYS THERE WITH ENGINE OFF. THE NEXT DAY, SAME SCENARIO. GOT JUMP AND WENT TO MAZDA DEALER. TOLD NO RECALLS FOR THAT YEAR EXCEPT SEATBELTS, WAS NEVER ASKED FOR VIN. A TECH OFFERED TO LOOK AND I EXPLAINED WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM AND THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS THE ABS. HE DISAGREED AND LOOKED AROUND THE ENGINE. EVENTUALLY HE SAID HE HAD TO "EAT HIS WORDS", THAT IT WAS THE ABS PUMP STAYING ON. I ASKED IF I COULD PULL THE ABS FUSE AND NOT AFFECT ANY OTHER SYSTEMS SINCE IT WASN'T WORKING ANYWAY. HE SAID IT WAS FINE, AND TOOK IT OUT FOR ME. I NEVER HAD ANY OTHER BRAKE-RELATED PROBLEMS. WHEN MY CAR STARTED IDLING LOW AND LOSING POWER AT LOW SPEED, I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE COMPUTER REPORTED A SLIGHTLY OFF FUEL MIX AND CYLINDER 5 MISFIRING. THEY SAID THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL, BUT I WASN'T CONFIDENT THEY FELT CERTAIN THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I GAVE MYSELF A CRASH COURSE IN ENGINES AND REALIZED THE NUMBER OF THINGS IT COULD BE WAS HUGE. I AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR, BUT WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL. THAT WAS WHEN I REALIZED MY CARFAX REPORT, AND THE DEALER HAD CONCEALED RECALLS. I WASN'T CERTAIN MY VIN WAS INCLUDED UNTIL I PICKED UP MY CAR AND THE TECH HELPED ME LOOK AROUND THE ENGINE. RIGHT THERE, IN BRIGHT BLUE, WAS A STICKER FOR THE ABS RECALL CAMPAIGN. AT THE VERY LEAST, I SHOULD HAVE HAD THAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THE MAZDA TECH COULD NOT HAVE MISSED THE STICKER, NOR THE 5 OR SO RECALLS, ASSUMING HE LOOKED THEM UP. HOPING THAT NO FUSE MEANS NO FIRE RISK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10416373
Incident
Jan 20, 2011
Mileage
126,500 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jul 4, 2011

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY.. FOUND OUT ON THIS FORUM THAT MY AIRBAG(S) MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. NOT GOOD. CLEARLY MAZDA/FORD SHOULD "MAN UP" AND ACKNOWLEDGE THIS SAFETY PROBLEM WITH A RECALL! *TR

NHTSA ID
10410397
Incident
Nov 15, 2009
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 16, 2011
Fire reported

FIRE INITIATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, TOTAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE, 2 OTHER VEHICLES RESULTED DAMAGED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10390426
Incident
Feb 13, 2011
Electrical
Filed Jun 15, 2010

MAZDA TRIBUTE DIED ON A BUSY ROAD DURING A RAINSTORM, WOULD NOT CRANK, WINDOWS AND GAUGES ON DASH INTERMITTENTLY WORKED AS WE WAITED FOR A TOW -- TOWED TO A SHOP,ENGINE STILL WON'T CRANK. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP TECH BELIEVES IT IS TSB: 01-047/06. LOOKING LIKE A $1,200 BILL COMING (PCM, LABOR TO TROUBLESHOOT AND REPAIR...AND A NEW BATTERY)..WENT TO MAZDA AND THEY SAY THE TSB HELPS A TECH TROUBLESHOOT A PROBLEM.. MY QUESTION IS THAT IF MAZDA HAS HAD ENOUGH OF THESE ISSUES TO WRITE UP A TSB THEN IT MUST BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE CAUSED BY A MAZDA DESIGN DEFECT, SO WHY IS MAZDA NOT BACKING IT UP AND FIXING FOR FREE AS A RECALL OR REIMBURSING IF THE FIX IS PERFORMED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP? (THE PART ALONE IS ~$700)? NEED VEHICLE SO HAVING IT FIXED AND WILL ASK FOR THE REPLACED PART (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE - PCM). *TR

NHTSA ID
10336506
Incident
Jun 14, 2010
Mileage
48,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Feb 2, 2010
Fire reported

MY CAR WAS PARKED FOR TWO DAYS WHEN A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE STARTED ON THE ABS MODULE AND BURNED THE WIRE HARNESS ATTACHED TO THE ABS MODULE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BEFORE THE FIRE DID MAJOR DAMAGE WAS DONE, HOWEVER, I HAD TO COVER THE DEDUCTIBLE AND INSURANCE HAD TO COVER THE REST OF THE COST. THIS CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THE ABS AND I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN RECALLED. AFTER SERVICE, I CONTINUED TO RECEIVE RECALL NOTICES, THOUGHT I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10303903
Incident
Sep 1, 2008
Mileage
60,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 7, 2006

CLOCK/RADIO DOES NOT WORK UNTIL CAR IS RUNNING UP TO 30 MINUTES OR MORE. DEALER REPLACED ENTIRE UNIT WHICH WORKED APPROX. 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE ISSUE RE-APPEARED. RECENTLY CLOCK/RADIO HAS NOT WORKED FOR MORE THAN 1 WEEK. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR MORE THAN 1 YEAR WITH THE DEALER DENYING ANY ELECTRICAL ISSUE. AS OF TODAY, VEHICLE AT DEALER AGAIN WHO NOW SAYS IT IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10172850
Incident
Nov 7, 2006
Mileage
55,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 6, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THE IGNITION COILS WERE BURNT OUT. THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
10172723
Incident
Oct 16, 2006
Mileage
78,000 mi
BrakesElectricalTransmission
Filed Jan 23, 2006

AT 50,089 MILES, MY TRANSMISSION FAILED; MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE TORQUE CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED RESULTING IN TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE -- I HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP, AND MAY HAVE TO DO SO AGAIN AT 52,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE STARTING, THE BRAKES AREN'T VERY RESPONSIVE, AND I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH AN UNATTRACTIVE AND IMPRACTICAL REPLACEMENT, BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP REPORTED THAT THE TYPE THAT CAME WITH MY VEHICLE WASN'T AVAILABLE. THE REAR WINDOW HAS LEAKED. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE WARRANTY EXPIRED JUST BEFORE MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10148431
Incident
Jun 1, 2003
Mileage
50,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 29, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER THAT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND IT STILL WOULD NOT START. A MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL . THE DEALER SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ELECTRICAL. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THE DEALER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR. THE CONSUMER SAID THAT SHE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK. *AK (12/01/05) THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A NOISE WHEN BEING DRIVEN UP TO 40 MPH AND A LOUD HISSING NOISE WOULD BECOME NOTICEABLE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. *SC

NHTSA ID
10134649
Incident
Aug 12, 2005
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 23, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

NHTSA RECALL 04V583000 ON THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AFTER HAVING THE ACCELERATOR CABLE REPLACED THE PROBLEM RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED INTO A LIGHT POLE. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *JB THE BATTERY WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO A BROKEN CABLE AND A FRAYED MAIN BELT HAD COME OFF AND THE STEERING WAS IMPAIRED. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10108769
Incident
Jan 22, 2005
Mileage
27,095 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 7, 2005

WON'T START - HARD START - CLICKING NOISE, TARTER REPLACED - STILL HAS HARD STARTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10105939
Incident
May 7, 2003
Mileage
15,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 22, 2004

INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A SCREECHING NOISE THAT SOUNDED AS IF THE IGNITION WAS RE-ENGAGING ITSELF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN THEIR PRESENCE: ALSO IN ACC MODE, THE VEHICLE STARTED BY ITSELF. THE DEALERSHIP KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK, PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A WEEK LATER THE NOISE RECURRED BUT WORSE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE STARTER BURNED OUT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO THE START VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP, BECAUSE THEY INDICATED THAT THE STARTER WILL BURN OUT AGAIN UNLESS THEY CAN FIND AND FIX THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. A FACTORY REP,. FROM THE CA BUREAU OF AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR IS GOING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10105224
Incident
Nov 25, 2004
Mileage
45,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 16, 2004

OUR 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE IS CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH A PERIOD OF STALLING, WHERE TOTAL POWER IS LOST IN THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. SIX MONTHS INTO OWNING THE CAR, MY WIFE TOOK IT IN FOR A CHIP UPGRADE AND THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WELL, A MONTH AGO, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. MY WIFE HAD THE VEHICLE SCANNED AND IT CAME UP WITH NOTHING. AGAIN, THIS MORNING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A TWO YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD HAVE THESE PROBLEMS, AND NO ONE CAN SOLVE IT! I AM FRUSTRATED, AND COULD USE SOME GUIDANCE ON WHERE TO GO WITH MY PROBLEM. MY WIFE DRIVES IT DAILY FOR WORK, AND I FEAR THAT IT WILL KILL OUT WHEN SHE IS DOING 65 ON THE INTERSTATE. HELP PLEASE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10062314
Incident
Mar 16, 2004
Mileage
25,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 22, 2003

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE V6 ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING, CAN'T CONTROL STEERING OR BRAKES. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES 9 MONTHS AGO, BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN CORRECTED BY "REFLASHING THE COMPUTER". NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN NO INJURIES SO FAR, THIS COULD CAUSE A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10028862
Incident
Jul 21, 2003
AirbagsElectricalFuel system+1 more
Filed Jul 8, 2003

WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR PROCEEDING TO A STOP, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN IN MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING. THE BRAKES WILL FREEZE UP AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR IS TO PULL UP ON THE HAND BRAKE. THE CAR WILL RESTART. THIS HAS ALWAYS HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC AND IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE FIRST TIME ON MAY 3, 2003. DEALER SAID THAT THEY REPLACED THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM ARISED WHERE THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED IN TRAFFIC. BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER ON JUNE 3, 2003, THEY SAID THERE WAS IMPROPER OPERATION AND REPROGRAMMED THE PCM. THE CAR DIED DOWN AGAIN A WEEK LATER WHILE DRIVING SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY. AGAIN BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE THIRD TIME JUNE 19, 2003. LEFT THE CAR OVERNIGHT AND HAD THE TECHNICIAN DRIVE THE CAR 100+ MILES HOME, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND SENT THE CAR HOME. CAR DIED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOURTH TIME ON JULY 1, 2003, AND ONCE AGAIN DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CAR. ADVISED ME TO KEEP DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL THEY PROBLEM WORSENED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THE CAR IS IN MOTION AT ALL TIMES WHEN IT HAS DIED AND IN TRAFFIC. A POTENTIONAL DANGEROUS AND FATAL SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY! THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JUNE 2002, AND SINCE THEN IT HAS HAD A MASTER CYLINDER LEAK, AIR BAG CIRCUIT FAILURE, AS WELL AS FUEL SYSTEM ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEMS. MAZDA NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS INVOLVED IN ITS TRIBUTE MODELS AND RECALL THE CARS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10025642
Incident
Jul 7, 2003
Mileage
26,540 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 27, 2003

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE 4X4 LOSS OF BRAKES LOSS OF STEERING HAD TO STOP BY WAY OF E-BRAKE LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT NOTIFIED FROM THE DEALER THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE EPROM ON THE MAIN COMPUTER THAT NEEDED TO BE REFLASHED. ALSO NOTIFIED BY DEALER THAT THEY KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM. I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THIS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DEADLY ACCIDENT THAT COULD BE AVOIDED BY INFORMING CONSUMERS TO HAVE REPAIR DONE ON VEHICLE. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE ANYTHING IS DONE???????? *JB

NHTSA ID
10023907
Incident
Jun 25, 2003
Mileage
10,700 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 .