Is the 2001 Mazda Tribute a bad year?
562 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 156, 16× a quiet Tribute year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 16× the complaints of a quiet Tribute year, spread over 29k–91k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 Tribute owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 48,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 153 (27%) | 30k–91k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 81 (14%) | 32k–73k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 69 (12%) | 35k–70k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Latches and locksSTANDS OUT | 59 (10%) | 60k–89k miles · ahead | — |
| Brakes | 55 (10%) | 40k–140k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Air bags | 22 (4%) | 30k–105k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 45 (8%) | 79k–130k miles · ahead | — |
| Speed control | 40 (7%) | 91k–150k miles · ahead | — |
| Steering | 35 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 33 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 25 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 19 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 16 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 48,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 562 complaints: 21 mention a crash · 13 mention a fire · 12 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jul 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While driving, the engine will cut off causing the vehicle to stall out. This was a result of the main computer failing.
2001 Mazda tribute V6 4WD (Mfg date 06/01). While driving approx. 35 MPH, vehicle lost power from an apparent engine stall.
On 11/07/05 vehicle was brought in due to stalling when slowing and stopping. The engine sensor was replaced. On 11/08/05 vehicle was bought back still stalling.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 48,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Mazda Tribute: 15
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. Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm. A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
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. Corrosion may develop in the electrical connector leading melting, smoking or possible fire.
On 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. An electrical short might cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire.
Certain 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. Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Certain 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… If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 duratec engines , during deceleration, the engine can stall. Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
On certain sport utility vehicles, a post within the safety belt buckle covers could fracture, which could affect latch function, resulting in either a "No latch" Or "Partial latch" Condition. In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The windshield wiper linkage can disengage due to a broken ball socket. This condition will likely result in sudden and complete loss of the windshield wiper function, or of the wiper function on the driver side only, increasing the risk of a crash.
Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems." The owner's manuals do not indicate which seating positions are equipped with child restraint anchorages. In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The o-ring seals in the fuel line connector at the outlet end of the fuel filter were damaged when the line was connected to the filter during vehicle assembly. In some cases, this damage could result in a fuel odor, or possibly in fuel dripping from the connection. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Vehicle description: some 4X2 sport utility vehicles not equipped with an antilock braking system may have inadvertently been built with 4X4 rear hubs instead of 4X2 hubs. If the incorrect hubs are installed on a 4X2 vehicle, the rear wheels can loosen, or in some cases, separate from the vehicle. This condition could cause loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. These vehicles may have a mis-assembled or incorrectly manufactured nut that attaches the steering wheel assembly to the steering column. The nut could be upside down in the steering wheel assembly, which could overstress the steering column shaft when the nut is tightened. Either of these conditions can lead to the steering wheel becoming loose or separating from the steering column, resulting in loss of steering control.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control. The speed control cable can have a cracked or missing speed control cable servo cap locating tab. The locating tab could enter the servo clutch cavity and interfere with the speed control servo clutch. If either of these conditions occurs and the speed control is used, the speed control could prevent the throttle from returning to idle, resulting in a stuck throttle. A stuck throttle could result in a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mazda: 71
Repair instructions Mazda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 Mazda Tribute. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission…
In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose Diagnostic Leak Detector beginning March, 2019
On some vehicles, a sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor may be noticed coming from the exhaust system
Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing ATF
NHTSA defect investigations: 10
Stuck Throttle
Cruise Control Cable
Engine Compartment Fire
Engine compartment fire
Engine compartment fire
Neighbouring years
2002 Tribute: 384 complaints, consider selling.
Every Mazda Tribute year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · All Tribute years side by side
Other Mazda models: Mazda 626 · Mazda B-Series Truck · Mazda CX-30 · Mazda CX-5 · Mazda CX-50 · Mazda CX-7 · Mazda CX-9 · Mazda CX-90 · Mazda MPV · Mazda MX-5 · Mazda Mazda3 · Mazda Mazda5 · Mazda Mazda6 · Mazda Protege · Mazda RX-8. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2001 Mazda Tribute a bad year?
562 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 156, 16× a quiet Tribute year. At 48,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 16× the complaints of a quiet Tribute year, spread over 29k–91k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mazda Tribute?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (153), electrical system (81), transmission and drivetrain (69), latches and locks (59), brakes (55). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 29k–91k miles.
How many recalls does the 2001 Mazda Tribute have?
15 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 15E045000), Body structure (NHTSA 14V-174), Speed control (NHTSA 12V-357), Brakes (NHTSA 12V-016) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.