2002 Mazda Tribute: engine failure

7 of the 384 complaints about the 2002 Mazda Tribute describe engine failure.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 21 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine failure by model year

2008
5
2006
5
2005
2
2004
4
2003
4
2002
7
2001
12

What owners say

Filed Dec 4, 2014 · Seat belts · 166,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda tribute. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt seized. The contact also stated that he attempted to switch the rear seat belt with the front passenger's side seat belt and discovered that both rear seat belts were seized as well. The vehicle was was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.

Filed Jul 31, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · 126,500 miles · WA

Intermittent ABS light, sometimes with brake light. Noticed a low hum from engine one night, checked for anything left on, decided it was probably normal noise I hadn't noticed before. The next morning,I was able to unlock doors, then tried to start engine. Engine turned over then all lights went off. Trying to start engine failed and I had to lock door manually. Got a jump start and was fine running local errands, but that hum was always there with engine off. The next day, same scenario. Got jump and went to mazda dealer. Told no recalls for that year except seatbelts, was never asked for VIN. A tech offered to look and I explained where the noise was coming from and that I thought it was the ABS. He disagreed and looked around the engine. Eventually he said he had to "eat his words", that it was the ABS pump staying on. I asked if I could pull the ABS fuse and not affect any other systems since it wasn't working anyway. He said it was fine, and took it out for me. I never had any other brake-related problems. When my car started idling low and losing power at low speed, I took it to my local shop for repair. The computer reported a slightly off fuel mix and cylinder 5 misfiring. They said they wanted to replace the ignition coil, but I wasn't confident they felt certain that was the problem. I gave myself a crash course in engines and realized the number of things it could be was huge. I authorized the repair, but went online to see if there was a common issue with this model. That was when I realized my carfax report, and the dealer had concealed recalls. I wasn't certain my VIN was included until I picked up my car and the tech helped me look around the engine. Right there, in bright blue, was a sticker for the ABS recall campaign. At the very least, I should have had that information available when I bought it. The mazda tech could not have missed the sticker, nor the 5 or so recalls, assuming he looked them up. Hoping that no fuse means no fire risk.

Filed Jul 14, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · WI

While driving dash light suddenly illuminated, and vehicle engine died. Consumer almost had an accident.

Filed Oct 18, 2002 · Engine · ID

Engine failed at 11,114 miles. Mazda claiming non warranty due to water ingestion. Vehicle had been running at highway speeds for almost ten hours. The weather was clear and dry and a portion of failed lower rod cap was recovered. Dt

Filed Oct 1, 2002 · Engine · TX

Engine quit with no warning while driving approximately 40 MPH. Was able to restart after pulling over. This is a very dangerous situation for an intermittent engine failure in high traffic situations. Mr

Filed Sep 2, 2002 · Engine · VA

Engine has stalled out a total of 3 times. The 1st time was on 6/16/02 after completing a 80 degree turn on a 2 lane road. Had no power brakes or power steering. Was able to make it off the road. Engine started immediately. Very scary experience. The 2nd time was on 7/29/02. Took car to the dealership. They ordered some parts. On 8/14/02 took car back to dealership to replace the engine sensor, air flow sensor, and map sensor. On 8/19/02, the car stalled out for the 3rd time. On 8/20/02, took the car to dealership and picked up a loaner car. As of 9/02/02, I have not heard a word as to when my car will be fixed. According to the dealership, they are waiting for mazda corporation to post new software to correct the stalling problem. Mazda needs to take care of this problem. In the 2001 models, this stalling problem has been going on for almost 2 years. In the 2002 models, it has been almost a year. Mazda needs to recall these cars before someone is seriously injuried or is killed.

Filed Jan 28, 2002 · Engine · CA

While driving 65 MPH consumer heard a noise, stopped vehicle to check and oil had leaked out of vehicle. Took vehicle to dealer, and dealer indicated a new engine was needed.*ak