The 2001 Mazda Tribute has 23 recalls, the most serious involving multiple fire risks, a throttle that can stick wide open, and a lower control arm that can tear away from the subframe and cause a total loss of steering control.
Several recalls create fire hazards: a fuel line o-ring seal can leak fuel near ignition sources, and separately, brake fluid can leak from the master cylinder reservoir cap onto the ABS module wiring, where it can cause corrosion, melting, smoke, or fire. The ABS module connector can also develop an electrical short on its own, with the same smoke and fire risk. On the throttle side, two separate issues affect 3.0L V6 models: the engine cover can pinch the cruise control cable connector and jam the throttle open, and a cracked or missing cable servo cap tab can jam the throttle in the same way, making the vehicle difficult to slow or stop. On some two-wheel-drive vehicles without ABS, rear hubs from a four-wheel-drive model may have been installed by mistake, allowing the rear wheels to loosen or detach entirely. A steering wheel nut can be misassembled and allow the wheel to come loose or separate from the column. The engine on 3.0L V6 models can also stall during deceleration.
Other concerns include front seatbelt buckles that can crack internally and fail to latch, a rear liftgate latch that may pop open in a crash, windshield wipers that can suddenly stop working due to a broken ball socket in the linkage,
At a glance
What can fail
In vehicles used in salt-treated winter road areas, the lower control arm's forward attachment point can separate from the subframe, affecting handling and increasing crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace to secure the attachment point.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
In vehicles exposed to road salt in winter, the forward attachment point where the lower control arm connects to the subframe may separate, affecting how the vehicle handles and increasing crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace to strengthen the attachment point.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The lower control arm attachment point at the front of the vehicle may corrode excessively, potentially affecting suspension stability.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace to prevent further corrosion and strengthen the attachment.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine cover sits too close to the speed control cable connector. When you press the accelerator all the way down, the cover can catch the connector and stick the throttle open, making the engine run at high speed and the vehicle hard to slow down.
What the fix does
The dealer replaces the rear engine cover fastener to raise the cover away from the speed control cable connector, creating proper clearance.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine cover sits too close to the speed control cable connector. When you press the accelerator pedal fully or nearly fully, the cable can get stuck, causing the throttle to remain open.
What the fix does
Dealers will increase the clearance between the engine cover and speed control cable connector at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake master cylinder reservoir cap can leak brake fluid onto the ABS module's electrical connector. If a previous ABS repair wasn't done properly, this fluid can corrode the connector and cause an electrical fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap and modify the ABS electrical system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake master cylinder reservoir cap can leak brake fluid, which may contact the antilock brake system module wiring harness connector.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap and modify the ABS electrical system at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electrical connector to the ABS module may have been incorrectly manufactured, allowing contaminants to corrode the terminals over time. This could cause the ABS warning light to come on, blow a fuse, or in some cases cause the connector to smoke, melt, or burn, potentially starting a fire. ABS braking function may also be lost.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the wiring connector and repair it if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The connector linking the wire harness to the ABS module may be missing or have loose wire seals, allowing moisture and dirt to enter and cause electrical shorts.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the connector harness as needed, and replace the ABS module connector if corroded or damaged.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear liftgate latch system on certain 2004-2005 and 2001-2003 SUVs does not properly secure the liftgate when subjected to impact forces in one direction, failing safety standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, release rod attachment clip, and door handle return spring.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On some vehicles with a 3.0L V6 engine, the engine may stall when slowing down below 40 mph because the fuel-air mixture becomes too rich.
What the fix does
The dealer will reprogram the engine control computer to fix the fuel mixture.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During deceleration, the engine can stall on certain sport utility vehicles with 3.0L V6 DURATEC engines.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the power control module with updated calibration to prevent stalling during deceleration.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A post inside the front safety belt buckle cover may crack. This can prevent the belt tongue from latching properly or cause it to release unexpectedly when you move in your seat.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace both front safety belt buckle covers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A post inside the safety belt buckle cover can crack, preventing the buckle from latching properly. The buckle tongue may appear engaged but release unexpectedly with light movement, such as shifting in your seat.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove and replace the driver and front passenger buckle covers with new redesigned covers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper linkage can break at the ball socket and disengage, causing the wipers to suddenly stop working completely or only on the driver side with no warning.
What the fix does
The windshield wiper module will be inspected and replaced if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper linkage can disengage because the ball socket can break, stopping the wipers from working properly.
What the fix does
The dealer will inspect the wiper module and replace it if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Owner's manuals don't identify which seats have child restraint anchorages or explain the markings that show where lower anchorages are located. This can lead to improper child seat attachment in a crash.
What the fix does
Owners will receive updated manuals and free labels with installation instructions to locate and use child restraint anchorages correctly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The owner's manuals don't identify which seats have child restraint anchorages or explain the markings that show where the lower anchorages are located.
What the fix does
Owners will receive revised manuals that clearly identify child restraint anchorage locations and explain the seat markings.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rubber seals in the fuel line connector at the fuel filter outlet may have been damaged during assembly, potentially causing fuel to leak or create fuel odor.
What the fix does
Your vehicle will be inspected, and the fuel line will be replaced if damage is found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
O-ring seals in the fuel line connector at the fuel filter outlet were damaged during assembly. This can cause fuel odor or fuel dripping from the connection.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the fuel line and replace it if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some 4×2 sport utility vehicles without antilock brakes may have 4×4 rear hubs installed instead of the correct 4×2 hubs. This can cause rear wheels to loosen or separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear hubs and replace them if they are incorrect.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The speed control cable servo cap may have a cracked or missing locating tab. This tab can enter the servo clutch cavity and jam the clutch, or water can enter and cause corrosion that interferes with speed control operation.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the speed control cable and replace it if it came from specific manufacturing cavities.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The nut securing the steering wheel to the steering column may be installed upside down or cracked. This can overstress or fracture the steering column shaft when tightened during assembly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the steering wheel retention nut and steering column if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
