2002 Mazda Tribute: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Dec 16, 2022 · Acceleration, Steering · OR

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 care of they would show up on the car fax which they do not my vehicle is a 2002 but this doesn't mean it was ever fixed has several other issues also the front lower control arm which is also on a recall and does not show on the car fax the entire front end on the passenger side sounds like it's really loose and could break and my tire come loose as others have reported when filing same complaint. This has happened more than once to me. I call it now a death trap I need help to get this safe to drive thank you.

Filed May 21, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 82,000 miles · OH

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 search confirmed that this was an open recall on this vehicle. We towed the vehicle to the nearest mazda dealer to have the recall completed. After about 1 week, the service advisor called and told me that mazda was refusing to repair the vehicle. I called mazda customer service to get an explanation and was told that the recall only involves installing a "reinforcement" bracket, not replacing the subframe. I informed them that I have copies of both the owner letter and the entire recall procedure which both clearly state that if the lower control arm has become separated due to corrosion the subframe must be replaced at no cost to the owner. They tried to tell me that "corrosion" does not mean "rust" and there is nothing more they could do for me. The vehicle is still at the dealership, mazda of wooster in wooster, ohio.

Filed Aug 10, 2019 · Suspension · 100,000 miles · NY

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

Filed Apr 17, 2017 · Body · OH

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 but the contact was uncertain if the dealer actually complied and replaced the parts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for further inspection and diagnosis. The manufacturer recall failed to provide a solution because the contact continued to hear the abnormal noise in the front of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 06/13/17

Filed Sep 16, 2015 · Acceleration, Steering · NJ

Hard to turn in sounds like my lower control arm is about to come off.

Filed Sep 14, 2015 · Suspension · 131,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda tribute. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the front passenger side tire turned inward without warning. The driver observed that the lower control arm fractured. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v174000 (structure). The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2014 · Body, Suspension · 71,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda tribute. While driving 35 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the entire subframe was fractured due to corrosion. The dealer repaired the vehicle according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v174000 (suspension). The technician informed the contact that the lower control arms, both frontal struts, and the tie rod ends needed to be replaced due to excessive corrosion on the subframe. The technician added that even after the repairs were performed, the vehicle would not be safe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and refused to provide additional assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000. Updated 11/12/14*lj updated 8/5/2015

Filed Sep 23, 2011 · Suspension · 189,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda tribute. While driving approximately 2 MPH, a loud bang sounded from the front end of the vehicle and the front passenger side suddenly collapsed onto the wheel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where both of the sub frame bars were being replaced. In addition to the repair, the trans axle and front passenger side lower control arms required replacement. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Feb 13, 2006 · Brakes, Steering · 70,400 miles · IL

My mechanic found these problems for me when I took the vehicle in for oil change, so fortunately, there was no accident. Here is a description of the problems as described to me: 1) failure of master brake cylinder. It was spewing brake fluid. This would have LED to full failure of the brake system. Both the master cylinder and right front half-shaft were replaced. 2) right front knuckle holding wheel to axle was unsafe. There was a fracture of the metal holding the pinch bolt that is used to fasten the wheel to the lower ball joint. A rupture of this fracture would have caused the wheel to break away from the ball joint. My mechanic felt like this was most likely caused by the factory tightening the pinch bolt too much when assembled. The knuckle was replaced. It was also mentioned to me that a similar master brake cylinder problem was reported on a ford escape which is essentially the same vehicle as my mazda tribute.

Filed Jun 6, 2005 · Engine, Suspension · PA

Dt: contact states the motor mount needs to be replaced. In addition,, having problems with the sway bar on the driver's side. Also, the front lower control arm bushing needs to be replaced.