Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Mazda Tribute owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2001 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling and occasionally while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would stall with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referenced an unknown recall that had since been expired. The failure mileage was 132,923.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Mazda Tribute. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the cruise control failed. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted, but failed to drive. The vehicle was taken to the residence where the contact was staying. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 211,000.
Tl-the driver owns a 2001 Mazda Tribute. The vehicle was parked and shut off when the driver was notified that their garage was on fire. The fire department appeared on the scene and the driver was informed the vehicle was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and informed the driver that the fire began inside of the engine compartment. The vehicle was destroyed and was not taken to be examined for the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 94,000. Sm.
While driving on the mass. Turnpike on 04/23/06, my vehicle was suddenly engulfed in thick gray smoke. It was determined by my insurance agency that it was a "mechanical failure', which resulted in my vehicle needing a new engine. I was unable to pay for a new engine, and was refused any assistance from Mazda USA and dealer vehicle was purchased from. Vehicle has 45,000 miles on it.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated the vehicle was parked and shut off for a few hours when it engulfed into flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a junk yard. The vehicle was not examined for the cause of failure. The failure mileage was 55,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Car was parked in parking lot of my job at 6:30 am. Car was not driven all day. At approximately 2:00 pm, smoke was noticed coming out of hood and flaming particles were dropping from engine compartment to ground. Fire developed within hood compartment and spread to the cabin. Car continued to burn until fire department extinguished.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Mazda Tribute. When the vehicle was stopped at a red light, it completely shut off. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Owned my Tribute for a year before the problems began. On 3/15/02 I took it in because the low coolant light kept coming on. The dealership couldn't find a problem, but I had them do a 30K mile service and check everything from front to back. Had a rental for two days. On 6/10/02 I took it in because it suddenly started stalling dead at stops and yields. I almost wrecked due to this. Cause: internal failure. The dealership replaced the control unit, idle air valve, coolant fan relay. I had a rental for three days. On 8/5/02 it had to be towed because the ignition switch completely locked up and wouldn't turn. Dealership put in a new ignition switch and cylinder. My keys had to be reprogrammed. I had a rental for two days. On 11/13/02 I took it in because the check engine light kept coming on and the engine did not idle smoothly. …
The driver side door handle failed, I was trapped inside the car on the driver side. I had to lower the power window, reach outside of the car and open the door. I purchased a handle and paid to have the door handle replaced on 6/29/2005. The passenger side door handle failed , leaving the passenger trapped inside the car on the passenger side. Passengers had to lower the power window, reach outside the car and open the door. I purchased a handle and paid to have the door handle replaced on 3/13/2006. Recently, every time I crank my car a large cloud of gray smoke comes from the tailpipe. Today, 6/16/2006, I went to put the key into the ignition and the key would not go in. After several attempts the key went into the ignition but, the key would not turn. I was unable to start the car. …
My 2001 Mazda Tribute will stall in the middle of traffic. I lose the ability to control the vehicle when this happens. In December 2007, my idle air control valve failed. I had it replaced by a Mazda dealership service department. In September 2008, the idle air control valve failed again, along with the upper intake gasket. I had this replaced again by a Mazda technician. On October 10, 2008, my vehicle stalled again due to the idle air control valve. I lost control of my vehicle and ended up in a ditch. I had the vehicle repaired again by a Mazda technician, replacing the idle air control valve and the lower intake gasket. On October 16, my vehicle stalled again in traffic, I was very nearly rear-ended. Mazda technicians keep instructing me to replace various parts of my car. …
NHTSA investigations
Engine stalling
Engine stalling
Ford's and Mazda's letters to NHTSA dated April 5 and April 9, 2004, state that they will recall model year 2001-03 Ford escape and Mazda tribute vehicles with the v6 engine built thru September 11, 2002.dealers will adjust engine calibration in the programmable control module (PCM), which in its current setting, can cause the engine to shut down if the vehicle is decelerating at speeds below 40 MPH.
Engine complaints in other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 171 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 Mazda Tribute, 30% of the model year's 563 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (96 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Mazda Tribute engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2001 Mazda Tribute, though it has 13 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Mazda Tribute engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.