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 2002 Mazda Tribute owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was shifting erratically and made an abnormal rumbling sound. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to respond and was jerking upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact who is an independent mechanic had replaced the transmission speed sensor, the transmission shift position sensor, the vehicle speed sensor, the shift solenoid block, the transmission fluid, the transmission clutch solenoid, and the wheel speed sensor; however, the failure persisted. The contact used an OBD scanner and retrieved DTC codes indicating that the ABS wiring was overheating. The contact later became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V016000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). …
I had just bought the vehicle feb 7 2015 from mid state auto sales and it seem to be in really good conditions til the night before the 24 it had stalled out but started back up and ran fine was told it was bad gas but then the 14th me my husband son daughter and grandson was going to the store to get a few things for breakfast so we wouldn't be late for church Sunday morning made it about 4 to 5 miles down our road it started losing power really bad then smelled something then seen smoke coming from the hood we stopped in the middle of the road lifted the hood my son yelled get out its on firer so we got out as fast as we could had my 4 year old grandson in his set so it took a minute to get him out thank god my other daughter got off work early cause would of had my 9 month old granddaughter in the vehicle the daughter that was with us is 8 months pregnant but any ways my son and …
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. …
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 contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. When the contact started the vehicle, she smelled burning plastic inside the passenger compartment. After driving a short distance and stopping, she noticed smoke underneath the hood. The contact opened the hood and saw flames. NHTSA campaign id number 07V157000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module) was referenced. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the towing company's parking lot and has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 68,214.
Tl- the contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the service engine warning light illuminated and the speed reduced to 20 MPH. The contact noticed there was smoke emitting from under the hood and it was discovered that the engine and wiring were on fire. A fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police/fire report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Djr
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the engine and the ABS warning lights remained illuminated, and the engine released a burning odor. In addition, the contact stated that there was an increase in braking distance. The contact had the radiator, heater coil and the brake pads replaced but the failure was not corrected. The engine continued to release a burning odor and there was a continual increase in braking distance. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 115,000.
I pulled onto a dirt road because there was smoke coming from the front of my car and when I stopped I opened the hood and there was like a small fire coming from under the hood I got scared called my mother and 2 seconds later the whole front of the car was on fire.
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. …
Within months of buying the SUV we had it back to crystal auto mall, green brook, nj the problem...the steering wheel came loose, it would shift around as you drove down the road! This was a quick repair. Starting on sept 18,2002 we took it in to the dealer for the oil pressure light coming on, they replaced the oil sender unit, total $69.52, which was covered by warranty. On oct 14 back for the same problem, they kept it until oct 17, replacing all kinds of parts, oil pump, oil gasket for a total of $924.65, again covered by warranty. My husband was driving it home from this round of repairs and the same problem lit itself up again! He was almost home appox.30 miles from the dealer, he called on his cell phone said he was coming right back, this time they had it from oct 18 to oct 31, 2002. …
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 2002 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 130 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Mazda Tribute, 34% of the model year's 384 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (68 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Mazda Tribute engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 25,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 8 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.