Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Mazda Tribute owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My vehicle took off and accelerated without me depressing the gas pedal and it was very scary and hard to get stopped I was doing almost 80 mph. It had a safety recall for the throttle cable for this but you show no open recalls yet Mazda does and told me if recalls we're taken care of they would show up on the car fax which they do not my vehicle is a 2002 but this doesn't mean it was ever fixed has several other issues also the front lower control arm which is also on a recall and does not show on the car fax the entire front end on the passenger side sounds like it's really loose and could break and my tire come loose as others have reported when filing same complaint. This has happened more than once to me. I call it now a death trap I need help to get this safe to drive thank you.
2002 Mazda Tribute. On 10/12/2006 while my wife was driving the mentioned vehicle it accelerated by itself to speeds in excess of 55 miles per hour, while she was in a target store parking lot. It did not brake or stop until it hit an stop sign and my wife was able to turn the ignition off. The police dept. Of the city of davie was called, they verified it was some mechanical problem with the accelerator. No tickets were issued. We called the aaa and the driver informed us that the throttle cable was stuck and that produced the acceleration. We called the Mazda dealership where the vehicle was purchased. They stated that there was a recall for the throttle and to bring the car in for service. My wife and son brought the car in under the impression that they will take care of this problem. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. While accelerating from a stop, the accelerator pedal became stuck and caused the vehicle to gain speed. The speed reached 65 MPH and the vehicle ran two traffic lights. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, but there was no response. She then attempted to apply the parking brake, but the vehicle continued to accelerate. After several attempts, she was able to place the vehicle into park and it slammed forward. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed a burning odor coming from the brake system. She called a tow company to tow the vehicle and the driver had to dislodge the throttle cable in order to start and tow the vehicle. The throttle cable was replaced on October 6, 2008 according to NHTSA campaign id number 04V583000 (vehicle speed control:cables). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to stop and continued to move forward. The contact had to forcefully depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. In addition, none of the locks functioned and the body frame was rusted. The contact also stated that the rear hatch window detached from the vehicle. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 04V583000 (vehicle speed control), 12V357000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control), and 14V174000 (structure). The vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called preston Mazda (located at 260 boardman poland rd, boardman, oh 44512, [phone]) and was informed to tow the vehicle to their facility. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The vehicle suddenly accelerated when the driver attempted to park which caused her to lose control. She was unable to stop the vehicle, crashed into the parking lot wall and two parked vehicles. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the accelerator cable was stuck between the engine control motor. The dealer replaced the accelerator cable, gasket, and the iac valve. The repair cost was $4,100. The manufacturer was notified. The manufacturer stated that the failure was repaired in 2005 under recall 04V583000 vehicle speed control: cables; therefore, they would not offer any assistance. The driver was taken to the hospital. The crash caused her hear heart to race and go into shock. A police report is available. The current and the failure mileage were 89,000.
NHTSA recall 04V583000 on the accelerator cable. Approximately two years after having the accelerator cable replaced the problem recurred. While driving 2 MPH, the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. The driver applied the brake pedal and the vehicle continued to accelerate. The driver was not able to maintain control of the vehicle and collided into a light pole. This caused the driver to sustain minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection. The battery was inoperative due to a broken cable and a frayed main belt had come off and the steering was impaired.
2002 Mazda Tribute. Consumer writes in regards to unexpected high speed acceleration crash. The consumer stated she crashed into her garage door. The door was completely demolished;damage was done to the structure of her home;the vehicle plunged through a barrier beam in the garage throwing it on top of the vehicle. The consumer suffered a swollen knee.
While backing out of a parking space the back bumper slightly bumped the light pole. When the consumer shifted the vehicle into drive it commenced to accelerate at high speed, lurched forward and ran into a center block wall. No injuries were reported. The insurance company totaled the vehicle, and they notified the dealer and the manufacturer.
Veh.was just fixed by Mazda 3 weeks earlier for throttle damage cable damage/ iac valve def. &wide open "see ref #10289784 10/26/09" when same issue occured. Throttle stuck and car raced forward hitting parked car and ripping guard rail 2 ft out of ground. Car floored distance approx.15 ft. Wife was injured and taken by amb to hosp. Police/fire called by witnesses. Car taken back to same Mazda dealer where they called Mazda hdqtrs for help. Car sat untouched for 9 days before Mazda declined to show @ dealers,telling them to total car. I got mad w/dealer and had car towed to another Mazda dealer who said they would have Mazda rep look into trbl. After 3 days Mazda declined to come out again stating car had been totaled and would not look any further. Insurance co. Sent independent invest out who said car /scene had been disturbed and reports vary . …
While driving home from work the vehicle started to accelerate on its own . Quickly I shifted the vehicle to neutral and stepped on the brakes. After the vehicle came to a complete stop the engine started to idle (to about 5 RPM) on its own. I had to shut off the engine in the middle of the street around 5 am in the morning because the idling wouldn't stop. Lucky for me it turned back on. Now I've read the stories about the recalls back in 2004 about the defective accelerator cable. A couple years later another recall due to the repair the first time not being done correctly. I just took the Tribute to Mazda to repair two more recalls for the same thing. Why is it still happening? Mazda plans to charge me for a diagnosis fee of $95.00 tomorrow. (really?) I think this vehicle should be taken off the roads. Ya like that's going to happen. …
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control › Cables
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. 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.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012.
Vehicle speed control › Cables
On certain sport utility vehicles, the accelerator cable May prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The recall began on January 28, 2005. Owners should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500, option #4.
NHTSA investigations
Stuck Throttle
In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6…
Cruise Control Cable
On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in…
Acceleration complaints in other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2002 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2002 Mazda Tribute, 10% of the model year's 384 complaints. The component named most often is cables (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mazda Tribute acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-357 (cables, Jul 27, 2012); NHTSA recall 04V-583 (cables, Dec 10, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Mazda Tribute acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.