What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mazda Tribute?

Owners name the engine group most often, followed by the electrical system and the power train. See the problems section for what owners describe.

Does the 2001 Mazda Tribute have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact lists 13 recalls for this model year. The Recalls section on this page shows them.

Is the 2001 Mazda Tribute reliable?

The complaint record is mixed. Engine, electrical and power train groups lead the list. Check the recalls and the year comparison sections before you decide.

What is the gas mileage of the 2001 Mazda Tribute?

See the fuel economy section on this page, which is built from EPA data.

2001 Mazda Tribute Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2001 Mazda Tribute have?

NHTSA has 563 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 563 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Mazda Tribute^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 171 complaints^[2].

563owner complaints^[1]

13recalls^[3]

18–23MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first.

Engine. 171 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe a fuel smell inside the cabin after the engine warms up and rests, and some trace it to leaking manifold gaskets. Others describe the car cutting out while driving, even after dealer visits.
Electrical System. 81 complaints^[5]. Owners describe the car dying without warning, dash lights coming on, and an air bag warning light that stays lit after repairs. Some say dealers could not find the cause.
Power Train. 69 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a transmission that slips or hesitates, a car that would not move forward, and a failed rear seal. Some say the dealer could not pin down the cause.
Latches/Locks/Linkages. 59 complaints^[7]. Owners describe inside door handles that break and leave a door impossible to open from inside. A few mention a hood latch that pops open on its own.
Brakes. 56 complaints^[8].
Structure. 45 complaints^[9].
Speed Control. 40 complaints^[10].
Steering. 35 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2001 Tribute is necessarily included.

Structure › Frame And Members (14V174), April 2014. About 109,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Vehicle Speed Control › Cables (12V357), July 2012. About 217,500 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (12V016), January 2012. About 52,390 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (07V157), April 2007. About 95,300 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, burns.^[15]
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hatchback/Liftgate › Lock (04V605), December 2004. About 49,800 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.^[16]
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) (04V175), April 2004. About 106,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling.^[17]
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly (03V515), December 2003. About 49,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.^[18]
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages (00V387), November 2000. About 24,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.^[19]
Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual (00V323), October 2000. About 12,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.^[20]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery (00V277), September 2000. About 5,700 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire.^[21]
Wheels › Hubcap/Cover (00V260), September 2000. About 1,900 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.^[22]
Vehicle Speed Control (00V210), August 2000. About 606 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.^[23]
Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar (00V223), August 2000. About 641 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: loss of steering, steering problems.^[24]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Tribute 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	21 / 26 / 23	$2,900
Tribute 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[25]	16 / 22 / 18	$3,700
Tribute 4WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[26]	20 / 24 / 21	$3,200
Tribute 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[27]	16 / 22 / 18	$3,700

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR None^[28]	n/a	n/a	n/a	3	n/a

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 2WD DX/DX V6^[29]	173 in	71 in	67 in	103 in	3,091 lb
TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 2WD LX V6^[30]	173 in	72 in	68 in	103 in	3,291 lb
TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 4WD DX/DX V6^[31]	173 in	71 in	67 in	103 in	3,245 lb
TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 4WD LX V6/ES V6^[32]	173 in	72 in	68 in	103 in	3,455 lb

How 2001 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Tribute model year. The 2001 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2001	563	13
2002	384	7
2003	199	6
2004	157	5
2005	377	3
2006	135	2
2008	202	4
2009	36	1
2010	39	2
2011	14	2

NHTSA's counts for the Tribute show 563 complaints and 13 recalls for 2001^[3]. Among the 10 model years listed, 9 have fewer complaints than 2001 and 0 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2011 (14) and the most are for 2001 (563)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2001 Tribute?

These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, so they show patterns and not proof^[1]. The engine and electrical groups lead the list, and some owners say the car died while driving^[2]^[5]. Door handle trouble is also a clear theme^[7]. Recalls exist for this year, so check the Recalls section on this page^[3]. If you are shopping for one, ask for service records and have a mechanic look at the engine bay and the door handles.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mazda Tribute?: Owners name the engine group most often^[2], followed by the electrical system^[5] and the power train^[6]. See the problems section for what owners describe.
Does the 2001 Mazda Tribute have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact lists 13 recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section on this page shows them.
How many complaints does the 2001 Mazda Tribute have?: NHTSA has 563 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2001 Mazda Tribute reliable?: The complaint record is mixed. Engine, electrical and power train groups lead the list^[2]^[5]^[6]. Check the recalls and the year comparison sections before you decide.
What is the gas mileage of the 2001 Mazda Tribute?: See the fuel economy section on this page, which is built from EPA data.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Mazda Tribute

2001 this page
2002 384 complaints, 7 recalls
2003 199 complaints, 6 recalls
2004 157 complaints, 5 recalls
2005 377 complaints, 3 recalls
2006 135 complaints, 2 recalls
2008 202 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Mazda Tribute

All Mazda models

Similar cars from 2001: suvs

2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara 53 complaints, 5 recalls
2001 Toyota 4Runner 185 complaints, 1 recall
2001 Toyota Sequoia 531 complaints, 1 recall
2001 Ford Explorer 730 complaints, 8 recalls
2001 Isuzu Rodeo 441 complaints, 4 recalls
2001 Land Rover Discovery 44 complaints, 6 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 563 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Mazda Tribute (21 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 15 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
171 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda Tribute model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Tribute 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
81 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,500). NHTSA vehicle records
69 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,730). NHTSA vehicle records
59 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
56 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 6 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 119,537). NHTSA vehicle records
45 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,931). NHTSA vehicle records
40 complaints name the speed control component group (5 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 109,500). NHTSA vehicle records
35 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,500). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 14V174, filed April 4, 2014: Structure › Frame And Members. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V357, filed July 27, 2012: Vehicle Speed Control › Cables. NHTSA recall database
Recall 12V016, filed January 20, 2012: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
Recall 07V157, filed April 10, 2007: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
Recall 04V605, filed December 23, 2004: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Hatchback / Liftgate › Lock. NHTSA recall database
Recall 04V175, filed April 9, 2004: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm / Pcm / Tecm). NHTSA recall database
Recall 03V515, filed December 15, 2003: Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
Recall 00V387, filed November 28, 2000: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Linkages. NHTSA recall database
Recall 00V323, filed October 16, 2000: Equipment › Other › Owners / Service / Other Manual . NHTSA recall database
Recall 00V277, filed September 18, 2000: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery. NHTSA recall database
Recall 00V260, filed September 12, 2000: Wheels › Hubcap / Cover. NHTSA recall database
Recall 00V210, filed August 9, 2000: Vehicle Speed Control. NHTSA recall database
Recall 00V223, filed August 9, 2000: Steering › Steering Wheel / Handle Bar. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Tribute 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Tribute 4WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Tribute 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: rollover 3 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 2WD DX/DX V6: length 173 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,091 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 2WD LX V6: length 173 in, width 72 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,291 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 4WD DX/DX V6: length 173 in, width 71 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,245 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 4WD LX V6/ES V6: length 173 in, width 72 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,455 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2001 Mazda Tribute: problems, recalls and fuel economy