The 2001 Mazda Tribute is a SUV that came with a choice of 2.0L 4-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl engines. At 25 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl |
| Transmissions | Manual 5-spd, Automatic 4-spd |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 16–21 city / 22–26 highway / 18–23 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,900–$3,700 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 386–494 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 4 configurations: Tribute 2WD, Tribute 4WD |
| Age | 25 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls covering the 2001 Mazda Tribute. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
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…
Risk: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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…
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.
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.
Risk: Corrosion may develop in the electrical connector leading melting, smoking or possible fire.
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.
Risk: 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 ign
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…
Risk: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 duratec engines , during deceleration, the engine can stall.
Risk: Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
On certain sport utility vehicles, a post within the safety belt buckle covers could fracture, which could affect latch function, resulting in either a "no latch" or "partial latch" condition. In the "partial latch" condition, the buckle tongue can be inserted into the buckle and appear to be engaged, but will release from the buckle…
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The windshield wiper linkage can disengage due to a broken ball socket.
Risk: This condition will likely result in sudden and complete loss of the windshield wiper function, or of the wiper function on the driver side only, increasing the risk of a crash.
Vehicle description: certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the owner's manuals do not indicate which seating positions are equipped with child restraint anchorages. Also, the manuals do not explain the markings in the vehicles that locate the lower…
Risk: In the event of a crash, the child seat may not be properly attached increasing the risk of injury to the child.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The o-ring seals in the fuel line connector at the outlet end of the fuel filter were damaged when the line was connected to the filter during vehicle assembly. In some cases, this damage could result in a fuel odor, or possibly in fuel dripping from the connection.
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Vehicle description: some 4x2 sport utility vehicles not equipped with an antilock braking system may have inadvertently been built with 4x4 rear hubs instead of 4x2 hubs. If the incorrect hubs are installed on a 4x2 vehicle, the rear wheels can loosen, or in some cases, separate from the vehicle.
Risk: This condition could cause loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control. The speed control cable can have a cracked or missing speed control cable servo cap locating tab. The locating tab could enter the servo clutch cavity and interfere with the speed control servo clutch. Also, water could enter those units that contain a cracked…
Risk: If either of these conditions occurs and the speed control is used, the speed control could prevent the throttle from returning to idle, resulting in a stuck throttle. A stuck throttle could result in a crash.
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. These vehicles may have a mis-assembled or incorrectly manufactured nut that attaches the steering wheel assembly to the steering column. The nut could be upside down in the steering wheel assembly, which could overstress the steering column shaft when the nut is tightened. In addition…
Risk: Either of these conditions can lead to the steering wheel becoming loose or separating from the steering column, resulting in loss of steering control.
Owners have filed 563 complaints about the 2001 Mazda Tribute with NHTSA. 21 reports involved a crash and 13 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 15 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Mazda Tribute.
| Version | Overall | Frontal crash | Side crash | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Dr | Not rated | — | — | ★★★☆☆ | — |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.
Manufacturers have filed 179 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2001 Mazda Tribute. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibit
Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance t
Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance t
Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance t
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 10 defect investigations covering the 2001 Mazda Tribute.
Cruise Control Cable
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 Nort
Stuck Throttle
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 vehicle
Engine Compartment Fire
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 app
Engine compartment fire
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 m
Engine compartment fire
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
Engine compartment fire
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 approximat
Safety belt buckle failure
This investigation was opened on july 14, 2003 based on 4 reports alleging the driver's safety belt buckle failed to latch or remain latched.Mazda notified odi that it transferred engineering responsibility to ford when the vehicle design was brought to the united states for production in ford's assembly plants.ford de
Engine stalling
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 c
Engine stalling
Gasoline vapor intrusion
There is no summary currently available
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 2001 Tributes that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2001 Mazda Tribute; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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