Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
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 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. …
Unable to open doors from inside of vehicle. After 90000 miles driver and passenger doors became inopperable within 2 days of each other. Driver's side could not be opened from inside or outside while passenger side door could be opened by rolling down the window and lifting up on outside handle. Shop determined that handle(chromed plastic) inside door mechanism(Mazda part#ec01-58-330n)cracked. The handle has a 1/16th" raised catch that cracked off on both handles. The second incident happened just 10months later @109K once again both handles were involved but this time they were 1 week apart. The parts cost (as of 8/24/04) 52.29 + labor each. I have old parts. No children used these doors only 2 adults. This is a serious situation due to the inability to open the doors from the inside in the event of an emergency or the need to exit the vehicle quickly. …
Mazda Tribute 2001 - model es v6 - FWD 1. The vehicle is 7 years old. The vehicle is extremely well taken care of. Mileage and gas fills, along with all maintenance records are meticulously kept. Dealer maintenance only. 2. Inside driver door handle is poorly crafted plastic coasted with silver overlay. Handle performs lock, release, and latch functions. The handle came completely apart under tension causing minor injury to wrist. Upon inspection of the handle, it appears to have cracked almost exactly upon a mold seem. This would indicate that the handle is not tested for strength to ensure compliance with proper exit entry of the vehicle. This potentially can result in problems extricating the vehicle in time of emergency. 3. Dealer maintenance is the only way to ensure proper installation and maintenance of the failed part. …
We own a 2001 Mazda Tribute es v6 [redacted] . Since purchasing the vehicle in August 2001 there have been three incidences of the inside door handles becoming non-functional and creating a hazardous condition where the doors cannot be opened from the inside (someone must open from the outside or you need to open the window and reach out to use the exterior handle to open the door). This creates a dangerous condition should the car be involved in a fire or accident where the occupant must quickly exit the vehicle. The interior door handle places a great deal of shear force on a small plastic pin that connects the door lever to the latch/lock/actuator. The driver's side handle has broken twice since 2001 and the passenger side door handle broke this week. …
The portion of the interior door handle with triggers the latch suddenly broke off, making it extremely difficult to exit the vehicle. This has occurred on both the driver and passenger front doors over the last few months. Incident date recorded is the date of the second handle break. As a result of the failure, the vehicle is difficult to exit, requiring either a) rolling down the window and pulling on the exterior handle, or b) pushing extremely hard on one end of the lock, which will trigger the door to unlatch. While we have not experienced any negative consequences aside from inconvenience, in case of an emergency this could make the vehicle difficult to exit, especially if handle failure occurring suddenly to someone not expecting the non-functioning handle. The vehicle is currently under estimate for repairs. …
Door handles both driver side and passenger side on my 2001mazda Tribute are broken.this prevents me from entering my vehicle from the front of the vehicle.I replaced the inside handle but now the door latch assembly inside the door that opens the door from the outside is broken.this is not an isolated insident.theres a lot more Mazda owners that have experienced this identical malfunction.there needs to be recall on this problem.in order for me to enter my vehicle I have to open the back door to open the front door from inside the vehicle.I guess some one has to be harmed because they could not get in their vehicle quick enough to escape harm.I guess recalls are only generated when there's bodily harm,then is to late.
Door handles in Mazda 2001 tributes break easily after normal use. Apparently a "plastic part cracks" on the interior door handle assembly thereby not allowing the door to open at all. This is alarming due to the obvious concern for safety of any occupant of the vehicle if an emergency were to arise and proper medical attention could not be made or it would be delayed. The poor workmanship has been addressed to the manufacturer but they have refused to review the matter. Please investigate as I am concerned for the safety and well-being of my family. There was no accident, misuse or reason for the plastic part to break in my vehicle. My vehicle only has 25,000 miles on it.
The door latch on the drivers door won't open and I don't feel safe. If something happened and I had to get out, I would be in trouble. A friend recently taught me how to open the door by pushing the latch backwards. It has to be done by reaching across my body with my right hand and pushing the lock backwards (ex: like you're pinching something). There are too many complaints on this website concerning this same problem. Why hasn't there been a recall on this problem??? The only benefit for this is if someone steals my vehicle and can't get out, resulting in being caught.
Driver side power door lock assembly broken and the door can no longer be opened from the inside. (with the ignition on, the window can be rolled down, and the driver can open the door using the outside door handle) this is an extreme safety hazard, as the driver cannot exit the car quickly in case of and emergency. This is the second time this has happened, and the complete power door lock assembly needed to be purchased to repair the problem. It is my understanding that this is a very common problem among Mazda Tribute owners.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the rear passenger, front passenger, and rear driver's side doors were defective. The doors could not be opened from within the passenger compartment. The front doors could not be opened from the outside. The contact took the vehicle to a Mazda dealer and they stated that it would cost $400 to repair the rear doors and $500 for the front door. In addition, the rear driver's side door began sticking. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 80,000.
Related recalls
Latches/locks/linkages › Hatchback/liftgate › Lock
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on March 31, 2005. Owners should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 2001 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the locks & latches of the 2001 Mazda Tribute, 10% of the model year's 563 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Mazda Tribute door lock & latch problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-605 (lock, Dec 23, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Mazda Tribute door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to locks & latches 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.