Before you buy
This 2002 Mazda Tribute has 389 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
Free preview · Full report from $12.95.
2002 Mazda Tribute Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2002 Mazda Tribute trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.
2002 Mazda Tribute Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
MAZDA TRIBUTE 2002 has 389 NHTSA complaints, with engine problems (131) and brake system issues (82) being most common. It also has 9 recalls and 19 crash-related complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Mazda
- Model
- Tribute
- Model year
- 2002
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 389
- Crash-related complaints
- 19
- Safety recall campaigns
- 9
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 19 / 23
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 3/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2002 Mazda Tribute problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Brake System
Hydraulic
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Brake System, Hydraulic. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2002 Mazda Tribute?
The 2002 Mazda Tribute is a high-risk purchase due to numerous engine and brake complaints. Only consider if thoroughly inspected and all recalls are addressed.
Engine and brake failures can lead to costly repairs and safety hazards. Unintended acceleration (37 complaints) and airbag malfunctions (37) add further risk.
May Suit
This year may suit a budget-conscious buyer willing to invest in pre-purchase inspection and potential repairs.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking reliability and low maintenance costs should avoid this model year.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2002 Mazda Tribute
Inspection Focus
- Inspect engine for signs of stalling, rough idle, or check engine light.
- Check brake pads, rotors, and fluid for leaks or wear.
- Test for unintended acceleration during test drive.
Before You Close the Deal
- Pre-purchase inspection focused on engine and brake systems.
- Verify all 9 recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, brake, and transmission repairs.
- Have a mechanic test for unintended acceleration.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2002 Mazda Tribute, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2002 Mazda Tribute shows a high volume of owner complaints, particularly for engine problems (131), brake system issues (82), and hydraulic faults (60). With 9 recalls and 19 crash-related complaints, buyers should approach this model year with caution. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Compared to later model years, the 2002 Tribute has significantly more complaints, especially for engine and brake systems.
Recall context: With 9 recalls, verifying all recall repairs are completed is essential before purchase.
- Engine problems account for 131 complaints, the highest of any component.
- Brake system issues total 82 complaints, indicating a common failure point.
- Unintended acceleration was reported in 37 complaints, a serious safety concern.
- Engine Problems: 131 complaints suggest potential stalling or failure.
- Brake System: 82 complaints indicate possible braking performance issues.
- Hydraulic: 60 complaints may relate to brake or steering fluid leaks.
Full breakdown
All 2002 Mazda Tribute complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Mazda Tribute. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 131 | 1 | 8 | — | |
| Brake System | 82 | 1 | 13 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 60 | 1 | 10 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 41 | 2 | 5 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 37 | 9 | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 37 | 6 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 35 | 3 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 26 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 22 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 15 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 7 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 7 | — | 1 | — | |
| Visibility | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Tire Issues | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Air | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Mazda Tribute. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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 …
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…
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 …
The contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel felt as if it was detached from the steering column. Additionally, there was a grinding noise coming from the passenger’s side front wheel well. The contact did not no…
The contact owned a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph, a pop noise was heard, the vehicle had unintended acceleration; the engine revved and sped up to 80 - 90 mph, inadvertently, and the brakes failed to engage after the contact had depressed wi…
DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN A CITY STREET THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE. UPON INSPECTION WE FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED/BROKEN AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD SEPARATED FROM IT. AFTER A SEARCH WE DISCOVERED THAT THIS ISSUE IS COVERED UNDER THE 7514D RECALL. A VIN SE…
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE OWNER'S VEHICLE. THE OWNER WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED …
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…
I BROUGHT THIS CAR FRONT THE DEALER AND DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE CONTROL ARM AND NO ONE TOLD ME IT IS NOW 17 YEARS OLD AND I ONLY HAD IT FOR A YEAR
TAKATA RECALL
I HAD THE OIL CHANGED IN PAHRUMP, NEVADA AT ROUND 10 AM. AFTERWARDS, I DROVE THE VEHICLE AROUND TOWN FOR SEVERAL HOURS, LOADING IT UP WITH BELONGINGS BECAUSE I WAS MOVING 160 NORTH ON HWY 95. AFTER STOPPING IN BEATTY, NEVADA, MY SUV SPUTTERED. I TOOK THE SUV OUT OF OVERDRIVE INTO…
WE TOOK OUR MAZDA IN FOR THE SUB-FRAME RECALL 11-30-2015 AND THE DEALERSHIP, MORRIES MAZDA INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, MN, SIGNED OFF THAT IT WAS FINE. NOW 29 MONTHS AND 10,000 MILES LATER THERE IS A DIME SIZED HOLE RUSTED THROUGH THE SUB-FRAME AND BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND MAZDA USA ARE…
MY 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID PER MAZDA RECALL MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 01/02. AND IT SMELLS SMOKY! I DIDN'T GET A RECALL NOTICE BUT, MY TRIBUTE IS HAVING THE EXACT PROBLEM SITED ON U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT. QUOTE: MAZDA RECALLING 52,390 TRIBUTE SUVS FROM THE…
TAKATA RECALL, MY CAR IS HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (ABS), I ALSO HAVE A LOT SO ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 DURATEC ENGINES, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL
PCM/ECM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE UNDERCARRIAGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FRACTURED DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE HEARD NEAR THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS INDICATED THAT THEY PERFORMED A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THE SUB-FRAME, UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL BECAME DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE AND JAMMED INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE IMMOBILE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TRANSPORT…
I WENT TO BUCKLE MY SON'S CARSEAT IN AND THE BUCKLE CAME OUT OF THE SEAT. AND I MOVED HIM TO A DIFFERENT BUCKLE AND THAT ONE CAME OUT TO AND THEN THE NEXT SEAT BUCKLE CAME OUT AS WELL.
CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF RUBBER BRAKE HOSE ON FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. TOTAL LOSS OF ABS BRAKING SYSTEM DURING ATTEMPTED STOP WITH VEHICLE IN MOTION AND SLOWING AT AN INTERSECTION. MADE LOUD POP / GUNSHOT SOUND, SPEWING BRAKE FLUID. HAD TO ENGAGE EMERGENCY AND PARKING BRAKE TO PREVE…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Mazda Tribute.
Safety recalls
2002 Mazda Tribute recalls
9 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Mazda Tribute. With 9 recalls, verifying all recall repairs are completed is essential before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2002 Mazda Tribute buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2002 Mazda Tribute reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 389 owner complaints, 19 crash-related complaints, and 9 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2002 Mazda Tribute is a high-risk purchase due to numerous engine and brake complaints. Only consider if thoroughly inspected and all recalls are addressed. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mazda Tribute?▾
#1: Engine Problems (131 complaints). #2: Brake System (82 complaints). #3: Hydraulic (60 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Mazda Tribute?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Mazda Tribute?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2002 Mazda Tribute, NHTSA complaints include 19 crash-related reports and 24 fire reports out of 389 total complaints. 13 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Mazda Tribute have any recalls?▾
Yes. 9 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Mazda Tribute. A major recall area is STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS. With 9 recalls, verifying all recall repairs are completed is essential before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2002 Mazda Tribute?▾
The 2002 Mazda Tribute is a high-risk purchase due to numerous engine and brake complaints. Only consider if thoroughly inspected and all recalls are addressed. Engine and brake failures can lead to costly repairs and safety hazards. Unintended acceleration (37 complaints) and airbag malfunctions (37) add further risk. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Mazda Tribute reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2002 Mazda Tribute based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.