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2002 Mazda Tribute: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Tribute years.
One of the Mazda Tribute years to avoid. All Tribute years
389 owner complaints, most about engine and engine cooling. 9 recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 Tribute?The 2002 Mazda Tribute has 389 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and service brakes.
Safety record for the 2002 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Mazda Tribute vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Tribute years only. How we score it
Is 2002 a good year for the Tribute?
Across the 12 Tribute model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (2007) to 581 (2001). With 389 complaints, the 2002 Tribute sits above the model's median of 182.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2002 Tribute
structure:frame and members
Campaign 14V174000Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Tribute vehicles manufactured May 22, 2000, through December 19, 2003, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
suspension:front:wheel bearing
Campaign 15E045000The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Campaign 12V016000MAZDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 2000, THROUGH JULY 19, 2002. THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID. IF BRAKE FLUID LEAKS, IT COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR.
engine and engine cooling
Campaign 12V357000Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
Show 5 more recalls
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Campaign 07V157000ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
vehicle speed control:cables
Campaign 04V583000ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Campaign 07E023000CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock
Campaign 04V605000CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 04V175000ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 DURATEC ENGINES , DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on the specific vehicle's age, maintenance history, and powertrain.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Tribute. See the full Tribute owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Tribute listings typically run $3,597–$5,995 across 2001 to 2011 model years.
Other Tribute model years
Compare every Tribute year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Tribute against its rivals
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