2002 Mazda Tribute: loss of power steering

11 of the 384 complaints about the 2002 Mazda Tribute describe loss of power steering.

owner complaints: 11
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 25,497
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 14 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Loss of power steering by model year

2011
2
2010
3
2009
5
2008
32
2006
1
2005
2
2004
2
2003
2
2002
11
2001
29

What owners say

Filed Jun 28, 2004 · Transmission · 26,000 miles · NJ · crash

The axle separated and fell off vehicle while driving. This resulted in the consumer losing steering control of the vehicle and crashing into the side of the bridge.

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 Feb 11, 2004 · Engine · 26,730 miles · FL

While driving @ 50 MPH on interstate @ rush hour traffic my madza tribute 2002 stalled without warning! Caused loss of steering and brakes. Put on emergency flashers and was able to restart engine not before vehicles behind me were hitting brakes and trying to avoid hitting me. One vehicle had to go into median to avoid hitting me. Taken to dealer and he placed what was stated in tech bulletin 01-04-02r, but can't assure me this will resolve problem. Why has not this problem been a recall!!! According to this website this seems to be a major and dangerous problem with the tributes. I have only 26,000 miles on tribute but after reading all the complaints my husband has suggested we trade it in. We have enjoyed our previously mazda's (3) but my next vehicle will not be a mazda due to the fact mazda seems to be indifferent to this defect and recalling all vehicles involved. Will take numerous deaths and lawsuits before mazda fixes this problem?

Filed Dec 9, 2003 · Engine · 31,000 miles · FL

Vehicle has suddenly stalled in traffic several times. Was travelling at approx 35-45mph. This happened twice. Veh was taken to dealer, who re-programmed the computer. Several months have passed without incident, problem has occurred again. Very concerned that when engine stalls, I lose power steering and may not be able to turn off the road before being struck from the rear. Each time this has occurred I have been able to pull into the median or a side street. But I wonder what will happen if I am in the middle lane???

Filed Nov 26, 2003 · Engine · 39,700 miles · VA

Engine stalls while driving at various speeds. Loss of steering and braking. Very serious and scary situation.

Filed Sep 28, 2003 · Engine · 25,497 miles · FL

While driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine stopped without warning causing a suddent loss of power steering. I pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the engine. This is the second time this has happened.

Filed Sep 2, 2003 · Engine · 10,000 miles · TX

Consumer states that while driving at any speed and with no warning , the vehicle shut off, which caused the consumer to pull over. It was hard to hard to get the vehicle started again. Dealer notified. *ak when the engine stalled, the vehicle lost power steering and brakes. The consumer used the hand brake along with both feet on the pedal to stop the vehicle. The second incident occurred during city driving. *scc

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 Mar 22, 2003 · Engine · 1,000 miles · FL

I have a 2002 mazda tribute and the car stalls for no reason while driving at about 40 m.p.h. Engine just quits and lose power steering. Have to pull over and restart car. This is a very dangerous situation. I have been lucky the 5 times this has happened. Dealer has been unable to fix.

Filed Aug 19, 2002 · Engine · VA

Engine stalled going down slight incline at 30-35 MPH. Lost power steering and power brakes. Narrow road with no place to pull off. Difficulty stopping vehicle safely. Very scary incident. After vehicle stopped put gear shift in park and vehicle restarted without difficulty. Proceeded to destination without further problems. Vehicle currently at dealers for repair. Dealer had advised there were problems with 2001 models but problem was fixed on all 2002 models. Obviously not true in my case!!

Filed Apr 18, 2002 · Electrical · FL

While driving 45mph the engine stalled out without warning causing a sudden loss of power steering. Driver pulled over and restarted the ignition to get vehicle running again. Nlm