RoadVitals

2002 Mazda Tribute Powertrain (other) Problems

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

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) 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.
11
Latest Nov 22, 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.
3%
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.
3
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

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. 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. 11 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 powertrain

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 22, 2023

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 ID
11556495
Incident
Nov 22, 2022
Mileage
162,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 17, 2021
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owned a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, a pop noise was heard, the vehicle had unintended acceleration; the engine revved and sped up to 80 - 90 mph, inadvertently, and the brakes failed to engage after the contact had depressed with both feet on the brake pedal. The contact made a turn into a park and the vehicle slid, then crashed into a tree. There was smoke coming from under the hood and the contact turned off the vehicle before exiting and walking until she got assistance from a bystander, who called the police. A police report was filed. The contact did not receive medical attention at the scene but later went to the emergency room for injuries sustained with six broken ribs. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

NHTSA ID
11433315
Incident
Sep 17, 2021
Mileage
230,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 30, 2015

WHILE DRIVING 45 RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THE SHIFTER CABLE BROKE

NHTSA ID
10722418
Incident
May 29, 2015
Mileage
116,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 6, 2015

HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 2 YEARS, COME APRIL 2015. 8 MONTHS OF THOSE 2 YEARS IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY BROKE DOWN.WAS OUT OF TOWN WHEN I FELT THE TRANSMISSION SLIP AND DECREASE IN ACCELERATION WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY HOME. I HAD TO GET OFF ON THE NEAREST EXIT WITH MY 1YR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE BACK, AND THERE WAS A STOP LIGHT FROM THE OFF RAMP TO THE ROAD, IT WAS RED WHEN I GOT OFF SO OF COURSE I HAD TO STOP. WELL THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IT JERKED LIKE THE GEARS WERE TRYING TO SHIFT BUT COULD NOT. I HAD TO GET OFF IN REVERSE AND WAIT 4 HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK. WE WERE 128 MILES FROM HOME. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT, STILL UNFORTUNATELY STILL PAYING ON IT. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS MADE IN APRIL OF 2004 FOR THIS MODEL CAR. I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF MINE FALLS UNDER THAT RECALL AND I'M I ELIGIBLE EVEN THOUGH I AM THE SECOND OWNER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10692662
Incident
Jul 25, 2014
Mileage
136,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 10, 2012
Crash reported

2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCIDENT SHE HAD IN 2004 DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *TGW NOT KNOWING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, AND CONSEQUENTLY, SHE HIT A POLE IN HER DRIVEWAY. THE RIGHT FRONT BUMPER, FENDER, FOG LIGHT AND WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WERE DAMAGED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, REGARDING RAPID ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
10480261
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 21, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AND REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID
10471752
Incident
Jan 10, 2002
Mileage
4 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 3, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ABS ACTIVATES INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THE ACTIVATION EXTENDS THE STOPPING DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE GEAR RING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AXEL IS BROKEN. THE BROKEN GEAR RING CAUSES THE ABS SENSOR TO OBTAIN AN IMPROPER READING. THE AXEL IS GOING TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
10151730
Incident
Mar 3, 2006
Mileage
40,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 7, 2005

NOISE FROM FRONT END THOUGHT TO BE FROM BRAKES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE 2003. EVENTUALLY BECAME WORSE DURING SUMMER OF 2005. FINALLY DIAGNOSED AS RIGHT FRONT DRIVE AXLE - EITHER BENT OR MISALIGNED. WHEN FINALLY FOUND VEHICLE WAS 'OUT OR WARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10141896
Incident
Sep 10, 2003
Mileage
35,200 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 28, 2004
Crash reported

THE AXLE SEPARATED AND FELL OFF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THIS RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER LOSING STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHING INTO THE SIDE OF THE BRIDGE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10080006
Incident
Jun 25, 2004
Mileage
26,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Jun 27, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH OUT WARNING DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PCM. ALSO, THE MAIN BEARING IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ID
566300
Incident
May 7, 2002
EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jun 25, 2002

VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED TWICE BEFORE. *AK STALLING OF THE VEHICLE CAUSED BRAKE AND STEERING FAILURES. THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND DPFE AFTER THIRD INCIDENT, ALSO CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT, THE DEALER PERFOMED AN ALIGNMENT. *YH

NHTSA ID
8012528
Incident
Jun 24, 2002

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 .