Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 581 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Mazda Tribute, and it carries 15 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 132 | 23% |
| Electrical system | 56 | 10% |
| Power train | 54 | 9% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 39 | 7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 26 | 4% |
| Structure | 25 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 25 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 23 | 4% |
| Visibility | 19 | 3% |
| Air bags | 18 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Corroded Subframe led to almost complete separation of drivers side control arm, 72k original miles, took my problem to Bergery Mazda where no one cared. If the part was already replaced in 2014 how is it possibly broken
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2001 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling and occasionally while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle would stall with the check engine warning light illuminated. The ve
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
THE GAS PEDAL IS THE ISSUE THAT I HAVE WITH MY 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE YOU CAN HARDLY PUSH THE GAS PEDAL AND IT ACCELERATES VERY HARD. IT IS VERY NON SAFE. WHAT CAN BE DONE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
POOR BRAKING. POOR PEDAL RESPONSE. LONG STOPPING DISTANCE. BRAKES CHECKED AS GOOD. DEALER SAYS NO RECALLS OPEN FOR MY VIN
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I WENT IN THE STORE FOR A FEW MINUTES AND I CAN OUT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AT ALL IT SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND ALL IT DID WAS THE SHIFTER JUST STOPPED AND WAS LOOSE IT WOULD NOT INGAGE IN ANOTHER GEAR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE THROTTLE WILL STICK OPEN. IT HAPPENS TYPICALLY IN THE WINTER WHEN IT'S REALLY COLD BUT LATELY, IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING WHEN IT'S WARM OUT. IN ORDER FOR ME TO GET CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO QUICKLY SHIFT IT INTO N
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
SUBFRAME RUST,LOWER ARMS CANOT BE CHANGED.I WAS DRIVING AND I HEARD POP AND COULDN"T KEEP THE CAR DRIVING STRAIGHT
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 15 recall campaigns for the 2001 Mazda Tribute. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Tribute vehicles manufactured May 22, 2000, through December 19, 2003, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, M
Risk: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 29, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's
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 CON
Risk: CORROSION MAY DEVELOP IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LEADING MELTING, SMOKING OR POSSIBLE FIRE.
Fix: 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
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-ful
Risk: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012
| Reliability raw | 61 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 81 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 69 | good |
| Performance | 55 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 581 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 132 of them (23%). There are 15 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 61/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.