Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While driving at low speed (less than 50 mph) truck experienced brake loss. Was able to slow down and have no accident. Towed truck to mechanic and the next day brakes worked fine. Took truck to both AAA and to Mazda dealership for repair and no one can duplicate the issue. No instrument lights came on and no code was given for additional information. It has been stated that ABS Master cylinder and brake booster have been tested as well as the relays and fuses. This isnt the first time this has happened but the pedal has never stayed as mushy or required to go to the ground as long as it had this time.
While the car was in use and running, the timing chain cover failed resulting in the serpentine belt tensioner coming detached. The serpentine tensioner mount broke off the timing chan cover, resulting in the loss of all loads driven from the serpentine belt. This failure presents a severe safety issue as without the serpentine belt properly functioning the alternator will not generate electricity, the battery will be drained and then the electric power steering will fail. An average driver will not be able to control the vehicle without power steering and brake assistance. Until almost all of the oil has been thrown from the engine or the battery dies, there is no warning to the driver -- the driver knows nothing of this failure until the low oil pressure, alternator or check engine light comes on. The vehicle had only 62156 miles when this extraordinary failure occurred.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Mazda Tribute. While approaching a stop sign at 35 MPH, the brakes failed when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a tree. The contact sustained injuries to the abdomen and had trouble breathing due to a cracked spleen. Medical attention was required. The insurance company deemed the vehicle as destroyed. The vehicle was towed and a police report was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.
I purchased a new 2009 Mazda Tribute. I have always taken it to the dealer for maintenance. It has apx. 15000 miles. The last oil change at about 9,100 miles I complained about squeaking brakes. They verified that they were checked and found in good condition. On June 8, 2010 I was turning into a residential area and the car would not stop or slow down. I crashed into a median. Earlier that day I experienced a similar problem while braking but I thought it was due to the rain. When the accident occurred it had just stopped drizzling and the ground was visibly dry. I pressed on the brakes. They did not squeal, but the car would not stop. Something went really wrong.
My brakes went out with no warning, or light on dashboard. I had the master cylinder changed and all brakes bled. The brakes went out 2months later,so changed the master cylinder again. 1 month after the brakes went out again. So I called Mazda service department and the gentleman told me to try and change the brake booster. So I changed the brake booster and master cylinder. 6 days later my brakes went out again, mazda told me they having issues with older model mazda tribute brakes going out. I have to get a rebuilt master cylinder for my car. My brakes have gone out on me 4 times and I almost wrecked each time. This is ridiculous I am scared to drive my car now and I have to keep paying a mechanic to do the repair and it's not working.
Unknown, Electric steering no longer works, ABS light, traction control light engine light air bag light and tool light are on the, brakes will be faulty at times mainly when ABS and traction control light turn on. There is Google fact that 2008 Mazda had recall for EPS, also faulty air bag and more the vehicle recalls need to be fixed desperately it's going to cause safety problems while driving if not took care of.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mazda Tribute. While making a left turn, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. On another occasion, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road. The contact walked to sullivan Ford Lincoln inc (759 magee dr, brookhaven, ms 39601, [phone]), but they were unable to assist the contact. The vehicle was then towed to bill hood Mazda (333 n morrison blvd, hammond, la 70401, [phone]) where the vehicle was awaiting to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.
My mother was driving down the street on her way home and all of a sudden she ended up one the grass of the media and then across the street and then back up on the grass of the media and into a light pole where she died.
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Mazda tribute vehicles manufactured from April 20, 2000, through July 19, 2002. The brake master cylinder reservoir cap can leak brake fluid. If brake fluid leaks, it could come in contact with the antilock brake system (ABS) module wiring harness connector.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vehicle's brake master cylinder reservoir cap and modify the ABS electrical system, free of charge.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS), the ABS module connector May have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could allow contamination to enter the module connector, creating a potential for an electrical short.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the ABS module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fire
In letters dated March 30, 2007, Ford motor company (Ford) and Mazda north American operations (Mazda) notified the agency that they will conduct recalls 07v-156 and 07v-157, respectively, to remedy a safety defect that May result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 Ford escape and Mazda tribute vehicles equipped with ABS.the recall campaign prescribes an inspection of the subject…
Engine compartment fire
In letters dated March 30, 2007, Ford and Mazda notified NHTSA that they will conduct safety recalls to remedy a safety defect that May result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 Ford escape and Mazda tribute sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS.recall 07v-156 involves approximately 446,450 my 2001-2004 escape vehicles manufactured from October 22, 1999 through January 23,…
Engine Compartment Fire
Ford and Mazda recalled model year (MY) 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape (07V-156) and Mazda Tribute (07V-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.Approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns.
Engine compartment fire
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition dated March 5, 2009 alleging that the petitioner never received the recall remedy for 07v-156 and that, as a result, the petitioner's my2003 Ford escape caught fire at the ABS control module.in response to odi follow-up, the manufacturer verified that the petitioner's vehicle had in fact received service related to safety recall 07V156 - a fact…
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda Tribute years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (80), 2001 (56), 2003 (32), 2005 (25) and 2006 (12) model years. Brake complaints make up 21% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Mazda Tribute brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 12V-016 (control unit/module, Jan 20, 2012); 07V-157 (control unit/module, Apr 10, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mazda Tribute brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components › disc › rotor (24 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (15).
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.