2002 Mazda Tribute: fire, smoke or burning smell

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 Oct 16, 2015 · Airbags · 163,555 miles · TX · 1 injury

I had been driving my mazda for about 20 minutes on a 75 degree day in south texas when turning onto a flat, unobstructed, smooth paved road through a koa park. After turning, I was only driving the 5 mile an hour speed limit through this park, when suddenly the driver's airbag exploded in my face without any warning whatsoever . There was nothing that could have even slightly indicated a collision -- not a speed bump, not a bird or animal, or anything. It was just a smooth, slow drive at 5 miles an hour on a sunny day. There was 60% humidity from prior days rain. I had my arm up to my face already when it happened, which took the brunt of the hit to my wrist and forearm. Within less than 5 seconds the passenger side airbag exploded also. Both rang out a shot like a pistol in the closed window car. Smoke and burning smell started filling the car, and I was able to stop since only going 5 miles an hour, and get myself out of the car quickly. My arm sustained huge welts from the impact and wrist felt extremely hurt and bruised and became very stiff and hard to bend. This was all witnessed by an rv camper at the koa park who was sitting 15 feet away and was startled by the pistol fire sound of the exploding bags. He came over to help, while I let the smoke air out of the car. The driver's side explosion destroyed the center of the steering wheel, and a large chunk of 3"x5" plastic had been torn lose and propelled during the explosion. I'm not sure if that is what put the welts on my arm or the bag itself it happened so suddenly. I immediately took my car to my mechanic 3 miles away, dan's auto service of port isabel, texas, to have him inspect what happened. He indicated he could see no indication that the collision sensors had been touched to set them off, and had no idea why the both bags would trigger like that.

Filed Mar 17, 2015 · Engine · 148 miles · SC · fire

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 husband tried throwing dirt on it well I called the firer department by time they got there the whole vehicle was on firer it is a totaled loss and then found out the tribute had recalls for these kind of problems and other problems and now with out anything and out of money what can we do.

Filed Jan 7, 2015 · Engine · GA · fire

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

Filed Dec 23, 2014 · Electrical · NJ · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda tribute. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, it caught fire. The fire was extinguished by a fire department. A police and fire report were filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v016000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 26, 2012 · Brakes · 185,000 miles · AR · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda tribute. The contact stated that while parked the vehicle burst into flames. The contact put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. The fire department was not contacted. The contact believed the fire was caused by the federal safety agency campaign I.d. Number 12v016000 (service brakes, hydraulic: antilock: control unit/module). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but decided to referred the contact to the dealer in order to determine if the vehicle was included in the recall. The failure mileage was 185,000.

Filed Aug 9, 2012 · Brakes · 113,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda tribute. The contact stated that vehicle caught on fire while parked. The contact called the fire department to extinguish the flames. The fire department stated that the fire was due to an electrical component. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign I.d. Number 12v016000 (service brakes, hydraulic: antilock: control unit/module), which stated that a fire could result from brake fluid leaking onto the master cylinder. The contact did not verify with the manufacturer if the vehicle was involved in the recall. The failure mileage was 113,000.

Filed May 24, 2012 · Engine · 180,000 miles · GA · fire

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.

Filed Feb 19, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · WA · fire

My son has driven this vehicle since 2008, when we purchased it for him to use while in college. He was driving onto campus and when approaching the parking lot, he noticed ABS and airbag lights coming on and off on the dashboard. As he parked he realized there was smoke coming from under the hood. He opened the hood, saw a fire, and called 911 immediately. They arrived quickly and successfully put the fire out. Firemen told him it appeared to have been electrical and he was lucky they got there as quick as they did. Insurance claim adjuster took it to a ford shop (closest) where they had it for a week and said they couldn't get parts, but were aware of a recall coming on the area the fire had occurred in (the wiring harness and ABS module). It was then sent to a mazda dealer, that had it for 10 days, and finally said the needed parts were obsolete and they could not repair the vehicle. Claims adjuster checked with another ford and another mazda dealer, getting the same answers from both. By the way, when they checked on the VIN, they said it was not on any mazda recalls. This was at the end of january/beginning of february 2012. So after all this, they had to total a vehicle that only had about 77,000 miles on it and was in excellent condition otherwise. The day I get home from having documents notarized for the insurance company, in my mailbox is a recall from mazda....this very one 6712a, which I had already found online days prior to the mazda dealers denying our VIN was included. The recall letter states the work from a prior recall in 2007 regarding this issue had been done. We are very grateful this fire did not cause an accident or more serious emergency situation. And we are grateful our insurance company isn't holding things up due to mazda's lack of help.

Filed Oct 5, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · 120,000 miles · MA · fire

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.

Filed May 29, 2008 · Engine · 68,214 miles · VA · fire

Tl*the 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. The federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jul 31, 2007 · Brakes · 47,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 mazda tribute. While driving 65 MPH, the contact heard a flapping sound that only occurred when the accelerator pedal was depressed. She then noticed smoke and flames coming from the engine compartment. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle. Recall number 07v157000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module) was referenced. The insurance inspector stated that the cause of the fire was due to the recalled item. However, the inspector is waiting for a second opinion. A police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 47,000.