NHTSA has 384 owner complaints on file for the 2002 Mazda Tribute[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 130 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the reports owners filed, biggest first.
- Engine. 130 complaints[2]. Owners describe the engine cutting out with no warning while driving, often on hills or at moderate speed. Some say the dealer could not find the cause at first.
- Brakes. 78 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, the car shuts off and the power assist for braking and steering goes away with it. Owners say it made stopping and pulling over hard.
- Electrical System. 41 complaints[6]. Owners describe warning lights coming on, interior lights switching on by themselves, and the engine dying soon after. Some say the dealer pointed to a computer fix.
- Speed Control. 37 complaints[7].
- Air Bags. 37 complaints[8]. Owners describe the air bag warning light coming on again and again after repairs. Others report that the air bags did not open in a front end crash.
- Power Train. 35 complaints[9].
- Structure. 26 complaints[10].
- Latches/Locks/Linkages. 22 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2002 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]
- Vehicle Speed Control › Cables (04V583), December 2004. About 121,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.[17]
- 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.[18]
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] | 20 / 25 / 22 | $3,050 |
| Tribute 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[19] | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 |
| Tribute 4WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[20] | 19 / 23 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Tribute 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive[21] | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR None[22] | 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[23] | 173 in | 71 in | 67 in | 103 in | 3,091 lb |
| TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 2WD LX V6[24] | 173 in | 72 in | 68 in | 103 in | 3,291 lb |
| TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 4WD DX/DX V6[25] | 173 in | 71 in | 67 in | 103 in | 3,245 lb |
| TRIBUTE 4DR SUV 4WD LX V6/ES V6[26] | 173 in | 72 in | 68 in | 103 in | 3,455 lb |
How 2002 compares with other years
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 384 complaints and 7 recalls for 2002[3]. Among the 10 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2002 and 1 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 2002 Tribute?
The record for this model year leans heavily on one theme, the engine group[2]. Brakes come next[5], and owners tie that group to the same loss of power while driving. The total of 384 complaints is not adjusted for how many were sold[1]. These are unverified owner reports, so read them as a guide to what to check. Recalls also exist for this year[3], so look at the Recalls section before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mazda Tribute?
- The engine group has the most complaints at 130[2], followed by brakes at 78[5]. Owners describe the engine cutting out while driving.
- Does the 2002 Mazda Tribute have recalls?
- Yes. The count for this year is in the by-year fact[3], and each one is listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2002 Mazda Tribute?
- See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.
- Is the 2002 Mazda Tribute reliable?
- Owners filed 384 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Check the groups above and the Recalls section, then decide for yourself.
- Is the 2002 Mazda Tribute safe?
- See the safety section of this page for crash test results. Owner reports include air bag complaints[8].
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Mazda Tribute
Compare all model years of the Mazda Tribute
Similar cars from 2002: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 384 owner complaints on file for the 2002 Mazda Tribute (19 mention a crash, 24 a fire, 13 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 130 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 8 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 24,848). 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: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 78 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 12 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,400). NHTSA vehicle records
- 41 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 37 complaints name the speed control component group (9 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 37 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 35 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,850). NHTSA vehicle records
- 26 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 110,974). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the latches/locks/linkages component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,061). 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 04V583, filed December 10, 2004: Vehicle Speed Control › Cables. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 04V175, filed April 9, 2004: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm / Pcm / Tecm). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Tribute 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Tribute 4WD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 23 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