Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports24 fire reports11 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

60 reports

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Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2012

Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicFire

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MY SON HAS DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2008, WHEN WE PURCHASED IT FOR HIM TO USE WHILE IN COLLEGE. HE WAS DRIVING ONTO CAMPUS AND WHEN APPROACHING THE PARKING LOT, HE NOTICED ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON AND OFF ON THE DASHBOARD. AS HE PARKED HE REALIZED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE OPENED THE HOOD, SAW A FIRE, AND CALLED 911 IMMEDIATELY. THEY ARRIVED QUICKLY AND SUCCESSFULLY PUT THE FIRE OUT. FIREMEN TOLD HIM IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN ELECTRICAL AND HE WAS LUCKY THEY GOT THERE AS QUICK AS THEY DID. INSURANCE CLAIM ADJUSTER TOOK IT TO A FORD SHOP (CLOSEST) WHERE THEY HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND SAID THEY COULDN'T GET PARTS, BUT WERE AWARE OF A RECALL COMING ON THE AREA THE FIRE HAD OCCURRED IN (THE WIRING HARNESS AND ABS MODULE). IT WAS THEN SENT TO A MAZDA DEALER, THAT HAD IT FOR 10 DAYS, AND FINALLY SAID THE NEEDED PARTS WERE OBSOLETE AND THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. CLAIMS ADJUSTER CHECKED WITH ANOTHER FORD AND ANOTHER MAZDA DEALER, GETTING THE SAME ANSWERS FROM BOTH. BY THE WAY, WHEN THEY CHECKED ON THE VIN, THEY SAID IT WAS NOT ON ANY MAZDA RECALLS. THIS WAS AT THE END OF JANUARY/BEGINNING OF FEBRUARY 2012. SO AFTER ALL THIS, THEY HAD TO TOTAL A VEHICLE THAT ONLY HAD ABOUT 77,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION OTHERWISE. THE DAY I GET HOME FROM HAVING DOCUMENTS NOTARIZED FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY, IN MY MAILBOX IS A RECALL FROM MAZDA....THIS VERY ONE 6712A, WHICH I HAD ALREADY FOUND ONLINE DAYS PRIOR TO THE MAZDA DEALERS DENYING OUR VIN WAS INCLUDED. THE RECALL LETTER STATES THE WORK FROM A PRIOR RECALL IN 2007 REGARDING THIS ISSUE HAD BEEN DONE. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL THIS FIRE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR MORE SERIOUS EMERGENCY SITUATION. AND WE ARE GRATEFUL OUR INSURANCE COMPANY ISN'T HOLDING THINGS UP DUE TO MAZDA'S LACK OF HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448498

80,000 miles · Feb 17, 2012

Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicFire

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, AND THE ENGINE RELEASED A BURNING ODOR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD THE RADIATOR, HEATER COIL AND THE BRAKE PADS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RELEASE A BURNING ODOR AND THERE WAS A CONTINUAL INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10448298

185,000 miles · Feb 16, 2012

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V016000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE), BUT NOTICED THAT THE SERVICES WOULD NOT BE PERFORMED UNTIL THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE YEAR. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE AND TO PARK THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM BUILDINGS UNTIL THE REPAIR COULD BE PERFORMED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE TO A SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THE TIME DELAY IN HAVING THE REPAIRS PERFORMED WHEN A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 185,000.

NHTSA ODI #10448193

175,000 miles · Feb 1, 2012

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YEARS ON MY MAZDA TRIBUTE. IT CONSTANTLY LEAKS AND EVENTUALLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED MAZDA TODAY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT CURRENTLY ON THE LIST OF THE RECALL BUT I REQUESTED A CONFIRMATION # OF MY CALL JUST IN CASE I HAVE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. I TOLD THEM THAT CURRENTLY MY BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE GENTLEMEN ON THE OTHER SIDE STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO NOW BUT THAT I SHOULD PARK MY CAR ON THE OUTSIDE. WHAT KIND OF ANSWER IS THIS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10446158

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2012

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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LEAKING RESERVOIR CAP ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. I'M AWARE THAT FORD IS RECALLING 01 AND 02 ESCAPES FOR THIS ISSUE. I HAVE A MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT IS IDENTICAL TO THE FORD ESCAPE AND WAS ASSEMBLED IN THE SAME FACTORY AS THE ESCAPE. WILL THE RECALL FOR THE LEAKING RESERVOIR CAP EXTEND TO THE TRIBUTE AS WELL? I FOUND MY RESERVOIR CAP LEAKING A FEW YEARS BACK AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND APPLIED A FIX AT THE TIME WITH CARDBOARD BUT DON'T FEEL THAT IT'S A SAFE FIX. I WOULD HOPE THIS RECALL WILL ALSO EXTEND TO THE 01 AND 02 TRIBUTES AS THEY ARE THE IDENTICAL IN EVERY WAY TO THE FORD EXCEPT FOR A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT BODY STYLE. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE NEW. IN A SEPARATE ISSUE I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEAL LEAKS IN THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IN BOTH REAR AXLES AND THE PINION SEAL. MY TRIBUTE IS A 4X4. I FEEL THIS IS UNSAFE AS THE LEAKS WERE SEVERE ENOUGH THAT IF THE LEVEL OF FLUID WERE LOW ENOUGH COULD HAVE CAUSED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TO CEASE UP WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE RECENTLY (1\2012) HAD TO HAVE BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS, PINION SEAL AND PINION FLANGE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I ALSO HAD A REAR AXLE SEAL REPLACED BY THE DEALER I HAD ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ABOUT 3.5 YEARS INTO OWNERSHIP. THIS LAST TIME WHEN THE LEAKS OCCURRED IT WAS SPRAYING DIFFERENTIAL FLUID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AND LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND WHILE PARKED. IF THE FLUID HAD SPRAYED ON A HOT EXHAUST WHILE DRIVING IT CAN ALSO POSE A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443576

90,000 miles · Nov 25, 2011

Service Brakes, HydraulicFire

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V157000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10437232

75,000 miles · Oct 25, 2011

Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

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WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, I APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND EVERYTIME I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE ENGINE STALLED. AFTER LETTING IT SIT FOR 1/2 HOUR, IT RAN FINE. TWO DAYS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND AN INDEPENDANT AUTO SHOP RAN DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THE CAR WAS FINE. IT STALLS LIKE THIS EVERY 3-4 DAYS WITH NO WARNING. YOU WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE TO BRAKE AND IT STALLS COMPLETELY. NO POWER TO STEERING OR ACCELERATION. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10432806

71,540 miles · Oct 8, 2011

Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

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I WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE{THE TOP PORTION} WHEN IT BROKE IT BLEW OUT MY TIRE AND LODGED A PIECE OF IT IN BETWEEN THE BRAKE ROTOR SOME HOW TEARING THE TIRE TO BITS. AND THEN APX A MONTH AFTER THAT THE OTHER ONE BROKE LUCKILY IT DI NOT DO THE SAME DAMAGE AS THE FIRST TIME. SO BECAUSE OF THE CHEAPLY MADE AND WRONGFULLY HEAT TREATED METAL THE SPRING BROKE. WHICH COST ME A TIRE OF 165.00 AND TO REPLACE THE SPRING AT THE COST OF 273.69 THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE AFTER LOOKING IN TO IT FORD EXPLORER,AND THE ESCAPE WHICH IS THE EXACT SAME AS THE MAZDA I FOUND THIS HAS BEEN A ISSUE FOR ALOT OF PEOPLE. A SPRING OF ALL PARTS OF A CAR SHOULD NEVER BREAK LIKE THIS. THIS COULD HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY NOT OVER HEATING THE STEEL THAT THE SPRING WAS MADE OUT OF THE IS CLEARLY NEGLECT ON FORD MANUFACTURING AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER MY CAR SO I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING THE NEXT PERSON MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY.... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10429198

120,000 miles · Oct 5, 2011

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicFire

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I STARTED MY CAR AND THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT FLASHED ON-AND-OFF. THINKING IT WOULD GO AWAY, I DROVE TO ROUTE 3 IN SOUTH SHORE, MA. ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE LIGHT DID NOT STOP FLASHING, SO I PULLED OVER. THIRTY SECONDS AFTER PULLING OVER IN A REST AREA, WHITE SMOKE APPEARED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. 10 SECONDS LATER, BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM THE HOOD WHICH WAS ACCOMPANIED WITH A BURNING SMELL. LUCKILY, SOMEONE FROM MASSDOT WAS IN THE REST AREA AND WE DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A CAR FIRE. WE PROCEEDED TO STEP BACK AND CALL 911 FROM A SAFE DISTANCE. THE ENGINE AREA OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428792

60,000 miles · Aug 18, 2011

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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MY 2002 MAZDA TRIBUTE'S ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I NOTICED A PULSATING IN THE BRAKE THAT GOT WORSE FAIRLY QUICKLY. THE SENSOR RING FOR THE ABS, LOCATED ON THE AXLE, WAS CRACKED. FIRST ONE SIDE, AND WITHIN A FEW MONTHS, THE OTHER SIDE DID THE SAME THING. NOT A CHEAP FIX CONSIDERING THE COMPLETE AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. I REALLY LIKE MY TRIBUTE, SO MUCH SO, I INSISTED MY MOTHER BUY ONE WHEN SHE WAS LOOKING FOR A NEW VEHICLE. SHE OPTED FOR A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. LOW AND BEHOLD, SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM! *KB

NHTSA ODI #10419931

Official recalls

14V174000 · Structure:frame And Members

Apr 4, 2014

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, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 number for this recall is 7514D.

12V357000 · Engine And Engine Cooling; Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Jul 27, 2012

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-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Consequence: 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.

12V016000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Jan 20, 2012

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 CONNECTOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CORROSION MAY DEVELOP IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LEADING MELTING, SMOKING OR POSSIBLE FIRE.

Remedy: 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 OWNERS SHOULD PARK THEIR VEHICLES OUTSIDE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 22, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION 6.

07V157000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Apr 10, 2007

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE ABS MODULE FOR MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

04V605000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

Dec 23, 2004

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

04V583000 · Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Dec 10, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500, OPTION #4.

04V175000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Apr 9, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 DURATEC ENGINES , DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WITH THE APPROPRIATE CALIBRATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 3, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

DP12005 · Cruise Control Cable

Opened Jul 17, 2012 · Closed Jul 17, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control; Vehicle Speed Control:linkages; Vehicle Speed Control:springs

On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles.The petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.ODI IDs referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 10155817, 10159048, 10164205, 10165007, 10177337, 10184382, 10195378,10199728, 10201424, 10203178, 10204179, 10207677, 10214472, 10218668, 10222869, 10229600, 10255417,10256387, 10258046, 10259777, 10260591, 10266150, 10273613, 10291508, 10303282, 10303434, 10316154,10321828, 10323339, 10325817, 10331278, 10334038, 10335779, 10341773, 10342450, 10345004, 10363982,10370338, 10379444, 10432635, 10451652, 10466261, 891605, 10053779, 10125132, 10146998, 10149101,10160004, 10161052, 10170988, 10178811, 10204780, 10215610, 10222996, 10239609, 10252790, 10253666,10262773, 10264280, 10280669, 10289784, 10294932, 10312464, 10316440, 10343662, 10354530, 10413665,10461195

Additional source detail variants (6)

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

Vehicle Speed Control

Vehicle Speed Control:springs

PE12019 · Stuck Throttle

Opened Jul 17, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:cables; Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed (cruise) control.A redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in MY 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.Similarly on July 26, 2012 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) on behalf of Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan submitted a DIR to NHTSA, NHTSA Recall No. 12V-357, identifying the safety defect described above in MY 2001 through MY 2006 and MY 2008 Mazda Tribute vehicles (no Tribute vehicles were produced in MY 2007) equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control.Unlike the Ford Escape recall scope, the Mazda Tribute scope is broader as Mazda Tribute vehicles incorporated a similar engine cover design as related to the clearance to the speed control cable in MYs 2001 through 2006 and MY 2008.The failure report summary above reflects reports identified by ODI in review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and reports submitted to Ford and to Mazda.ODI identified 44 reports likely related to the safety defect described in the DIRs; 39 involving Ford Escape vehicles and 5 involving Mazda Tribute vehicles. This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers: 10116267, 10128545, 10128681, 10137520, 10153327, 10165007, 10199728, 10234846, 10335779, 10466261, and 10468307.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control

Vehicle Speed Control

EA10002 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Jan 14, 2010 · Closed Feb 29, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Ford and Mazda recalled model year (MY) 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape (07V-156) and Mazda Tribute (07V-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.Approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns. The campaigns addressed potentially damaged, missing or misplaced seals in the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector that could allow brake fluid to enter the connector, possibly resulting in corrosion, short-circuit, melting, smoke and/or fire.Since the recall, the agency is aware of 260 subject vehicles that have reportedly experienced non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating at or near the ABS control module in vehicles some time after being serviced under the campaign. The post-recall repair incident rates for MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles are 90.9 and 126.7 (normalized per 100,000 vehicles serviced under the recall campaigns), respectively.These rates are much higher than the post-recall repair incident rate for MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles, which are 5.0 and 3.7 per 100K, respectively.Similarly, the post-recall repair key-off fire incident rates in the MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles is 54.3 per 100K, compared to 0.5 per 100K for the MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles.The agency is aware of 12 key-off fire incidents, all involving MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles, where the vehicle was parked inside a structure when the fire started.In five of those incidents, the fire spread from the vehicle to the structure itself.Ford has identified the brake master cylinder reservoir cap in certain MY 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles as a potential source for brake fluid leaks that could affect ABS module connector integrity.The reservoir caps used on the MY 2003 and 2004 subject vehicles are reportedly an improved design from those used on the earlier models.By letter dated January 4, 2012, Ford notified the agency that it would conduct another safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-005 and Ford Recall No. 11S24) of certain MY 2001 and 2002 Ford Escape vehicles to perform a more thorough remedy to address the risk of fire originating at the ABS control module.In addition to double-checking the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector weather seal (which should have been addressed under the previous recall campaign), Ford will replace brake master cylinder reservoir caps to address the leaking cap problem and reduce the risk of brake fluid entering the subject electrical connector.Ford will also modify the electrical system such that the ABS control module is de-energized when the ignition key is switched off to further reduce the risk of an unattended vehicle fire in units that may have sustained some small loss of connector integrity that may not be evident upon visual examination.Similarly, Mazda notified the agency by letter dated January 19, 2012, that it would also conduct a safety recall (identified by NTHSA Recall No. 12V-016 and Mazda Recall No. 6712A) of certain MY 2001 and 2002 Mazda Tribute vehicles.Ford estimates repair parts will be available beginning the second quarter of 2012. Until recall repairs are made both Ford and Mazda are advising owners of affected vehicles to reduce the safety concern by parking their vehicles outdoors away from structures to prevent a potential fire from spreading.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

RQ09002 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Apr 15, 2009 · Closed Jan 15, 2010

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

IN LETTERS DATED MARCH 30, 2007, FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD) AND MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS (MAZDA) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT RECALLS 07V-156 AND 07V-157, RESPECTIVELY, TO REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT MAY RESULT IN FIRE IN A WIRING CONNECTOR USED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS.THE RECALL CAMPAIGN PRESCRIBES AN INSPECTION OF THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS, WHICH SHALL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED ONLY IF NECESSARY.IF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE PASSES THE VISUAL INSPECTION THEN THE RECALL INSTRUCTS THE TECHNICIAN TO APPLY ELECTRICAL GREASE (FORD PART NUMBER XG-12) TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR AND VERIFY SYSTEM OPERATION.TO DATE, APPROXIMATELY 388,500 SUBJECT VEHICLES (71.7% OF THE TOTAL RECALL POPULATION) HAVE BEEN SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHICH (373,985) PASSED THE VISUAL INSPECTION AND RECEIVED ONLY THE ELECTRICAL GREASE APPLIED TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR. THE AGENCY IS AWARE OF AT LEAST 86 UNIQUE SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT HAVE REPORTEDLY EXPERIENCED NON-CRASH FIRE INCIDENTS ORIGINATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE SOME TIME AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE SUBJECT RECALL.THE MANUFACTURER HAS PROVIDED SOME INFORMATION THAT INDICATES CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE IMPROPERLY SERVICED UNDER THE SUBJECT RECALL AS EVIDENCED BY THE FACTORY WIRE TIE-WRAP NOT BEING REMOVED FROM THE WIRING HARNESS (WHICH INDICATES A PROPER INSPECTION COULD NOT HAVE BEEN PERFORMED) AND BY INCORRECT GREASE BEING APPLIED, INCORRECT AMOUNTS OF GREASE, AND EVEN INSTANCES WHERE NO GREASE WAS APPLIED TO THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR.ALSO, THERE REMAIN SOME QUESTIONS REGARDING THE SEVERITY OF THE REPORTED FIRE INCIDENTS.THE MANUFACTURER CONTENDS THAT MOST REPORTED FIRES WERE ACTUALLY NON-FIRE THERMAL EVENTS WITH DAMAGE LIMITED TO THE SUBJECT COMPONENTS AND THAT MOST VEHICLES ARE REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO SERVICE.HOWEVER, THE TREND APPEARS TO BE ONGOING WITH 5 REPORTED INCIDENTS HAVING OCCURRED IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS RECALL QUERY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RECALL REMEDY.

DP09003 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Apr 14, 2009 · Closed Apr 15, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION DATED MARCH 5, 2009 ALLEGING THAT THE PETITIONER NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY FOR 07V-156 AND THAT, AS A RESULT, THE PETITIONER'S MY2003 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE AT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE.IN RESPONSE TO ODI FOLLOW-UP, THE MANUFACTURER VERIFIED THAT THE PETITIONER'S VEHICLE HAD IN FACT RECEIVED SERVICE RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL 07V156 - A FACT LATER CORROBORATED BY THE PETITIONER.CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE FIRE EXPERIENCED IN THE PETITIONER'S REMEDIED VEHICLE INDICATE THAT THE REMEDY WAS INEFFECTIVE.ADDITIONAL REVIEW BY ODI IDENTIFIED AN ADDITIONAL 6 SIMILAR (ALLEGED TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ) NON-CRASH FIRE INCIDENTS IN SUBJECT VEHICLES KNOWN TO HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY.ACCORDINGLY, A RECALL QUERY (RQ09-002) HAS BEEN OPENED TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RECALL REMEDY.

PE06048 · Engine Compartment Fire

Opened Oct 30, 2006 · Closed Apr 17, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

IN LETTERS DATED MARCH 30, 2007, FORD AND MAZDA NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT SAFETY RECALLS TO REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT MAY RESULT IN FIRE IN A WIRING CONNECTOR USED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS.RECALL 07V-156 INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 446,450 MY 2001-2004 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 1999 THROUGH JANUARY 23, 2004.RECALL 07V-157 INVOLVES APPROXIMATELY 95,300 MY 2001-2004 TRIBUTE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 17, 2000 THROUGH DECEMBER 19, 2003. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURERS, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTORS TO THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WERE MANUFACTURED WITH WIRE SEALS MISSING OR IMPROPERLY INSTALLED IN SOME WIRING HARNESSES USED IN THE RECALL POPULATIONS.THIS MAY ALLOW ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS SUCH AS WATER OR BRAKE FLUID TO ENTER THE ABS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR INTERFACE AND CAUSE CORROSION OF THE ELECTRICAL TERMINALS.SUCH CORROSION MAY RESULT IN AN ILLUMINATED ABS TELLTALE, AN OPEN CIRCUIT, AND/OR AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE ORIGINATING AT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.TO REMEDY THE DEFECT, THE MANUFACTURERS WILL INSPECT THE CONNECTORS FOR SEAL INTEGRITY.IF A SEAL INTEGRITY ISSUE IS IDENTIFIED THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AS NECESSARY.ALL VEHICLES WILL HAVE DIELECTRIC GREASE APPLIED TO THE CONNECTORS TO FURTHER REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTAMINANTS ENTERING THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS. TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF 120 NON-CRASH RELATED FIRE INCIDENTS ALLEGED TO HAVE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT OR NEAR THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WHICH REPRESENT APPROXIMATELY 80 PERCENT OF THE RECALL POPULATION.OF THE 120 ALLEGED FIRES, 6 ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSIDE A GARAGE STRUCTURE.IN 4 INCIDENTS, COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THE STRUCTURE OR ADJOINING STRUCTURE(S) SUFFERED SMOKE DAMAGE, WHILE IN 2 INCIDENTS, THE ALLEGED FIRES CAUSED MORE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TOTALING APPROXIMATELY $50,000 EACH.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INJURIES OR FATALITIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.BASED ON THE FORD AND MAZDA RECALLS, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

EA02027 · Engine Stalling

Opened Sep 10, 2002 · Closed Apr 15, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

FORD'S AND MAZDA'S LETTERS TO NHTSA DATED APRIL 5 AND APRIL 9, 2004, STATE THAT THEY WILL RECALL MODEL YEAR 2001-03 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE VEHICLES WITH THE V6 ENGINE BUILT THRU SEPTEMBER 11, 2002.DEALERS WILL ADJUST ENGINE CALIBRATION IN THE PROGRAMMABLE CONTROL MODULE (PCM), WHICH IN ITS CURRENT SETTING, CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN IF THE VEHICLE IS DECELERATING AT SPEEDS BELOW 40 MPH. THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN DUE TO EXCESSIVELY RICH AIR-FUEL MIXTURES BEING SENT TO THE ENGINE.WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A LOSS OF POWER ASSIST FOR THEIR STEERING AND BRAKES. THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINANTS HAVE INDICATED TO THE AGENCY THAT THE STALL IS INTERMITTENT AND CAN HAPPEN MORE THAN ONCE.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling

PE01043 · Engine Stalling

Opened Dec 7, 2001 · Closed Sep 10, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

No summary supplied.