Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 car has had a abs engine code for a year that I have spent a lot of money trying to get it off because, I can't renew my tag because it failed emissions vehicle safety test . So I was notified by my insurance company that my vehicle was under recall. I read it and called Mazda and it was confirmed and I went to the shop and I waited 6 hours for the installation of a new abs module and wire harness. Hennesy Mazda of morrow Georgia bypassed the abs system but replaced my voltage regulator with out my consent. The recall recommended repair is to replace the abs module and harness. The dealership refused to comply and neither offered a tow back to Newnan Georgia where I live. So they placed me and others at risk by failing to comply. I have been ignored even after speaking with 3 customer service representatives and I was given a call [redacted] 10/11/23. …
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.
I started my car and the 'check engine' light flashed on-and-off. Thinking it would go away, I drove to route 3 in south shore, ma. Once on the highway, the light did not stop flashing, so I pulled over. Thirty seconds after pulling over in a rest area, white smoke appeared from under the hood. 10 seconds later, black smoke came from the hood which was accompanied with a burning smell. Luckily, someone from massdot was in the rest area and we determined that it was a car fire. We proceeded to step back and call 911 from a safe distance. The engine area of the car was on fire until the fire department was able to put it out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the front passenger door malfunctioned and as a result, she unable to unlocked or open the door. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 152,000. The consumer stated brake fluid leaked which caused her to not have any brakes. As a result, the consumer had an accident and hit a pole. The consumer also stated the vehicle has electrical problems. Updated 04/25/12
My car was parked for two days when a fire started in the engine compartment. The fire started on the ABS module and burned the wire harness attached to the ABS module. I was able to put the fire out before the fire did major damage was done, however, I had to cover the deductible and insurance had to cover the rest of the cost. This car had been recalled for the ABS and I had taken it to the dealership when recalled. After service, I continued to receive recall notices, thought I was told there was nothing that needed to be serviced.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the driver side door master switch was faulty preventing the doors from being lock or unlock. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vehicle repaired. However, the remedy failed to repair the problem since the quality of the product used to repair was poor. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, who advised the contact that the problem was due to normal wear and tear. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,000.
On 7/31/02 my Tribute died while going down hill to a 4 way stop. At first I wasn't sure what to do, then I put my vehicle in park and tried to restart it. This was successful and I drove immediately to the dealer. I was given a rental for 2 days and when I went to pick it up was told that it could have been spider webs or something in the computer system area, so they cleaned out the vapor vent tubes. I was very nervous to be driving a car that could die in the middle of the road, I was just glad there was no accident. I thought that the problem was resolved until 4/01/03 when Tribute died while driving again. This time I was going uphill to a 4 way stop and was able to steer into a driving using all my force b/c the steering once again went out. Both times there was no warning, the dash lights were all on after it stalled. …
Intermittently while driving there was a screeching noise that sounded as if the ignition was re-engaging itself. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership. The failure occurred in their presence: also in acc mode, the vehicle started by itself. The dealership kept the vehicle for a week, performed diagnostic test, but no failure code was found they were unable to identify the cause of the failure. A week later the noise recurred but worse. The following day the starter burned out while attempting to the start vehicle. The vehicle was towed back to the dealership. The starter was replaced, but the vehicle is still at the dealership, because they indicated that the starter will burn out again unless they can find and fix the cause of the failure. A factory rep,. From the ca bureau of automotive repair is going to inspect the vehicle.
Mazda Tribute died on a busy road during a rainstorm, would not crank, windows and gauges on dash intermittently worked as we waited for a tow -- towed to a shop,engine still won't crank. The local repair shop tech believes it is TSB: 01-047/06. Looking like a $1,200 bill coming (PCM, labor to troubleshoot and repair...and a new battery)..went to Mazda and they say the TSB helps a tech troubleshoot a problem.. My question is that if Mazda has had enough of these issues to write up a TSB then it must be a widespread issue caused by a Mazda design defect, so why is Mazda not backing it up and fixing for free as a recall or reimbursing if the fix is performed by an independent repair shop? (the part alone is ~$700)? Need vehicle so having it fixed and will ask for the replaced part (powertrain control module - PCM).
Our 2002 Mazda Tribute is currently going through a period of stalling, where total power is lost in the vehicle and the vehicle shuts off. Six months into owning the car, my wife took it in for a chip upgrade and this was supposed to solve the problem. Well, a month ago, it happened again. My wife had the vehicle scanned and it came up with nothing. Again, this morning, the vehicle stalled. It is unacceptable that a two year old car should have these problems, and no one can solve it! I am frustrated, and could use some guidance on where to go with my problem. My wife drives it daily for work, and I fear that it will kill out when she is doing 65 on the interstate. Help please.
Electrical complaints in other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Mazda Tribute, 11% of the model year's 384 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mazda Tribute electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2002 Mazda Tribute, though it has 7 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 2002 Mazda Tribute electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 5 fires and 1 injury to electrical system 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.