Is the 2002 Mazda Tribute a bad year?
384 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 128, 13× a quiet Tribute year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2002 Mazda Tribute were filed between 13k and 76k miles. You're at 26,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 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 26,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 127 (33%) | 14k–78k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 80 (21%) | 50k–139k miles · ahead | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 41 (11%) | 26k–107k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 37 (10%) | 34k–109k miles · ahead | — |
| Speed control | 37 (10%) | 47k–135k miles · ahead | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 36 (9%) | 29k–75k miles · ahead | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structure | 26 (7%) | 78k–135k miles · ahead | — |
| Latches and locks | 22 (6%) | 62k–103k miles · ahead | — |
| Steering | 15 (4%) | 36k–116k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Suspension | 13 (3%) | 71k–113k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Equipment | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 5 (1%) | 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 26,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 384 complaints: 19 mention a crash · 24 mention a fire · 11 report an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Nov 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2002 Mazda tribute lx 4WD SUV, 3.0 l engine: my wife's car stalls for no apparent reason periodically while in drive.
This is the second time vehicle has stalled. It was almost impossible to get pulled over because lack of power assistance!
Sudden increase of acceleration...tachometer up to 3000, engine very fast,had a hard time holding brakes until I was able to put in park and turn off the engine.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 26,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Mazda Tribute: 9
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, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position. An unexpected increase in engine idle speed may increase stopping distance and may result in a vehicle 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.
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: 75
Repair instructions Mazda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Mazda Tribute. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission…
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
Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
NHTSA defect investigations: 8
Stuck Throttle
Cruise Control Cable
Engine Compartment Fire
Engine compartment fire
Engine compartment fire
Neighbouring years
2001 Tribute: 562 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2003 Tribute: 198 complaints, keep it.
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 2002 Mazda Tribute a bad year?
384 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 128, 13× a quiet Tribute year. At 26,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2002 Mazda Tribute were filed between 13k and 76k miles. You're at 26,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mazda Tribute?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (127), brakes (80), electrical system (41), air bags (37), speed control (37). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 13k–76k miles.
How many recalls does the 2002 Mazda Tribute have?
9 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.