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2002 Mazda Tribute: brake failure

14 of the 384 complaints about the 2002 Mazda Tribute describe brake failure.

owner complaints
14
of this car's complaints
4%
typical mileage
55,000
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 7 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Brake failure by model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 17, 2021 · Transmission · 230,000 miles · ID · crash · 1 injury

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 with both feet on the brake pedal. The contact made a turn into a park and the vehicle slid, then crashed into a tree. There was smoke coming from under the hood and the contact turned off the vehicle before exiting and walking until she got assistance from a bystander, who called the police. A police report was filed. The contact did not receive medical attention at the scene but later went to the emergency room for injuries sustained with six broken ribs. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

Filed Feb 1, 2012 · Brakes · 175,000 miles · FL

I have had to replace the brake master cylinder 4 times in the last 2 years on my mazda tribute. It constantly leaks and eventually needs to be replaced. I called mazda today and they told me that my vehicle is not currently on the list of the recall but I requested a confirmation # of my call just in case I have an accident due to brake failure. I told them that currently my brakes are not working properly and the gentlemen on the other side stated that there was nothing he could do now but that I should park my car on the outside. What kind of answer is this?

Filed Aug 7, 2009 · Brakes · 47,405 miles · NY

I own a 2002 mazda tribute with only 47,475 miles on it. In the past 6 weeks I have noticed when stepping on the brakes on dry pavement the antilock brakes kick in and the pedal goes to the floor unless I pump them. This has become very dangerous as it is happening more frequently. I had my son look at the brakes to make sure it wasn't the pads and he found a broken tooth on the driver's side front ABS ring which is causing the problem. I did some research on the web to find if there are any recalls and found no recalls for this trouble but I did find others who are experiencing the same problem. I will have to have the car serviced at an approximate cost of $800.00. I feel that this must be a problem that needs to be looked into. A car with 47,475 miles should not have these problems. Please let me know if anything can be done to have mazda cover this cost or if I have any other recourse.

Filed Jun 3, 2009 · Brakes · 210,000 miles · TX · fire

2002 mazda tribute 6 cyl. Abs brake failure and fire. Brake fluid from master cyl dripped on ABS pump wire connector. All wires for ABS and cruise burnt from connector back about 10". Replaced master cyl. A lot of rewiring is yet to be done.

Filed Mar 22, 2007 · Brakes · 70,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mazda tribute. The contact stated that the brake pedal must be completely depressed to the floorboard in order for the vehicle to stop. The failure has previously occurred at least 5 times , and no warning lights illuminated to indicate a malfunction. A mechanic diagnosed the failure as a leak in the master cylinder seal. The contact stated that neither weather nor speed were factors. On march 20, 2007, a mechanic flushed the brake system and replaced the master cylinder. No brake failures were reported since. The current and failure mileage were 70000.*ak update 5/5/08 *cn the consumer stated even though it stops very slowly/gradually to the point of being dangerous it feels as if the brakes are failing. Updated. 05/05/08

Filed Nov 3, 2006 · Brakes · 29,152 miles · PA

I have a 2002 mazda tribute with less than 30,000 miles on it. The dealership says that I need new front brakes and rotors. I took the car to another garage, and they said that the mazda tribute was built with sub-standard rotors that wear out quickly. I researched this on the internet, and I have found other mazda tribute owners with the same issues. If this is a systematic engineering defect in an important safety system, then I think this is something that should be recalled. The second garage said that if the rotors get too thin, which they are prone to do, that the brake calipers can come out, leading to a complete loss of brake fluid. This seems like a serious issue that should be looked into.

Filed Jul 26, 2006 · Engine · 55,000 miles · MI · fire

While driving our 2002 mazda tribute on the highway, a fire started under the car - we suddenly noticed engine started to stutter and then saw smoke coming out of the back of the car and then the exhaust pipe fell out of the rear. Within a minute or so as we were trying to pull over, both the steering wheel and the brake failed. We finally brought the car to stop on the shoulder of the exit ramp close by, by decelerating and using the parking brake. When we got out, we saw active fire under the car toward the back. The fire was put out almost immediately by a person who stopped to help us with a fire extinguisher. All of this took less than 5 minutes. The fire men who arrived at the scene within minutes opened up the hood and said there was no engine oil. The police was present at the scene. The car was purchased new 4 years ago and we've had no major problems for the last 55,000 miles. The engine oil was filled 5 days before that and the car ran fine for the 450 mile trip right up to that point. The low engine oil warning light did not come on until after the vehicle came to a stop. Aaa adjuster suspected an engine problem and his theory was that engine shaft broke and punctured the oil pan from inside but no forensic inspection was carried out by the insurance company. The car was towed to a mazda dealer shop for inspection at our request but the dealership refused to offer a conclusive explanation or carry out a forensic inspection. The car is currently parked there and it has not been fixed (and the old parts are still in the car). Both the insurance company and the mazda are refusing to pay for the engine repair and we're considering our options. We have filed a claim to mazda to no avail.

Filed Jun 5, 2006 · Brakes · VA

The rotors and brakes failed again for the 2nd time with only 75k miles on the vehicle. The dealer is going to replace the rotors using a dsa credit, I am going to have to pay for the brakes. Dealer said mazda is aware that braking system is undersized for vehicle, but mazda would rather replace rotors using a dsa credit than do a full scale redesign and recall.

Filed Apr 1, 2004 · Engine · 10,120 miles · NC

The vehicle shutdown suddenly while driving 50 MPH. There was no warning and no indicator lights illuminated to indicate a problem. As a result the vehicle had no power steering or no brakes. The driver had to use both feet to apply the brakes so that the vehicle would come to a stop.

Filed Jun 27, 2003 · Electrical · 10,700 miles · HI

2002 mazda tribute 4x4 loss of brakes loss of steering had to stop by way of e-brake luckily no one was hurt notified from the dealer that there is a problem with the eprom on the main computer that needed to be reflashed. Also notified by dealer that they knew of this problem. I was never informed of this. This could have been a deadly accident that could be avoided by informing consumers to have repair done on vehicle. Do we have to wait for people to die before anything is done????????

Filed May 7, 2003 · Brakes · VA

The vehicles brake pedal went to the floor. The consumer had to pump the brake and use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle.

Filed Jan 18, 2003 · Brakes · 16,714 miles · LA

The brakes failed on 11/22/02 at 16,714 miles. The dealership changed the master cylinder as defected. On 1/03/03 at 19,632 miles the brakes failed again. Again the dealer changed the master cylinder as defective. I questioned whether this was the cause since it happened twice and didn't feel this was the root cause. On 1/10/03 at 20,634 miles the brakes failed again. In all three cases the brake pedal goes to the floor and will not stop the vehicle. The daelership now says its an ABS problem. The emergency brake does not stop the vehicle either.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/moduleReported January 20, 2012 · 52,390 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Corrosion may develop in the electrical connector leading melting, smoking or possible fire.
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. Until the repair has been performed, vehicle owners should park their vehicles outside. The safety recall began on june 22, 2012. Owners may contact mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500, option 6.

Recall number 12V016000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/moduleReported April 10, 2007 · 95,300 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
An electrical short might cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition could occur either when the vehicle ignition switch is in the off position or while the vehicle is being operated.
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. The dealer will also inspect the connector on the ABS module and replace it if it is found to be corroded or damaged. The recall began on may 9, 2007. Owners may contact mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500.

Recall number 07V157000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2002 Mazda Tribute brake failure

Is brake failure a common problem on the 2002 Mazda Tribute?

14 of 384 owner complaints about the 2002 Mazda Tribute (4%) mention brake failure. The model year with the most reports is 2001.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2002 Mazda Tribute?

There are 2 recalls and 7 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2002 Mazda Tribute

Stalling 99ABS 26Airbag light 26Door locks 24Fire or smoke 16Loss of power 15Power steering loss 11Ball joint 10Check engine light 10Transmission failure 9Grinding brakes 8Engine failure 7Sudden acceleration 7Headlights 5Jerking 5Won't start 5

All model years of the Mazda Tribute

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