Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Mazda tirbute esv6 has lost all power under normal driving conditions; no power steering or brakes and all indicator lights came on. Which is very difficult to steer out of oncoming traffic to get out to safety. The mechanic from jim ellis Mazda at marietta, ga told that this case already happened twice (one from a different car). In addition, it was reported that the valve gets "carbed up." this occurs when a driver is coasting between accelerating and braking. Also, the transmission and electrical systems are already going haywire on this vehicle with no wipers, airbag light constantly on or blinking, transmission slipping and grinding.
Drivers side front door handle stopped working, window needs to be down in order to open door. If in an accident or fire driver will need assistance in exiting car. This is proven by all other complaints to be common with this vehicle and in hazardous situations potentially fatal unless government steps in and demands recall. Dealer wants $300.00+ to fix, have already spent $3000.00+ at dealer on computer failures and left side driver door window assembly failure.
Vehicle sunroof failed after approximately 5-6 operations. Vehicle had approximately 68000 miles on 11/30/04 when taken to dealership for repair. Due to the minimal usage prior to failure, it was expected and requested that Mazda pick up the repair expense. They diagnosed failure of the motor assembly requiring complete replacement of the system for $1678.00. Mazda has refused to pay for this.
When driving at highway speeds speedometer goes up and down. When driving and letting up on accelerator pedal, vehicle shifts into lower gear. Feels like brakes were applied very hard. Vehicle taken to dealer 3 times, cannot find cause of problem. Consumer states the cluster gauges are erratic, then the transmission shifts long or slow, on three different occasions, the transmission shifted from over drive to first, when letting up on the gas pedal it felt like the brakes were applied very hard, dealer stated the transmission was replaced. …
The driver side mirror shakes so badly that the image in the mirror is so blurred you can not see anything. I took it back to the dealer, they replaced the mirror and it still did the samething. I complained a second time and they said there was nothing they could do since they already replaced it once. The second problem is that there is a lot of wind noise and a howling noise when driving on the freeway at 50 + MPH. It gets so loud that it give me a headache. I told the dealer 3 times about this already. They changed out the window seals out 2 times and this has not solved the problem. What can be done to resolve these 2 defects? Thanks.
The driver's side mirror vibrates at speeds of 30 MPH and above. The vibration is excessive enough on the freeway that images reflected are completely distorted and blurry which disallows proper visualization of traffic and other vehicles. The vibration is also so bothersome that I refrain from looking in the mirror anymore which I view to be a serious safety issue. According to the dealership and car manufacturer, the problem is a characteristic of the vehicle, including all models of Mazda tributes, that cannot be corrected. I find that to be unacceaptable!
Windshield wiper assembly - nominally repaired in 2001 recall - failed completely & without warning. Small plastic connector came apart. Wipers were operating, but load was only water - no ice or snow. As close to a serious accident as I would care to come based on a mechanical failure. Talked to Mazda, but they would not address failure history of item. They have replaced assembly (again), but no indication this one will work any better!
When driving at any speed engine cuts off, causing steering and brakes to lock up. Driver has to let vehicle sit a few moments and then restart the ignition. Dealer has seen vehicle several times and cant fix it. Consumer stated that automatic windows malfunctioned. Coolant light cames on and dealer determined that there was leak in coolant bottle. The engine light cames on due to exhaust gas recirculation valve failure.
Windshield wipers were on during a rain shower, and passenger's wiper started to wipe out of Sync, and it broke driver's side wiper. Consumer pulled vehicle over to the side of the road, the wipers were then turned off and then turned back on, the driver side wiper moved, but had torn rubber and a bent tip, passenger side did not wipe, vehicle was driven slowly to dealership and wipers were replaced in 2 days.
Consumer states while driving without warning the engine light came on and the vehicle stalled resulting in loss of power steering and brakes manufacturer has been notified about problem however found no solution. Nlm dealer replaced PCM and relay. However problem still exist. Dealer will contact service manager to advise consumer of a recall for the windshield wipers that disengages when in use.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The windshield wiper linkage can disengage due to a broken ball socket.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wiper module.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2001 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2001 Mazda Tribute, 4% of the model year's 563 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Mazda Tribute window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V387001 (linkages, Nov 28, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Mazda Tribute window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles.
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.