One problem related to starter has been reported for the 2002 Mazda Tribute.
Starter problem
1 Intermittently while driving there was a screeching noise that sounded as if the ignition was re-engaging itself. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership. The failure occurred in their presence: also in acc mode, the vehicle started by itself. The dealership kept the vehicle for a week, performed diagnostic test, but no failure code was found they were unable to identify the cause of the failure. A week later the noise recurred but worse. The following day the starter burned out while attempting to the start vehicle. The vehicle was towed back to the dealership. The starter was replaced, but the vehicle is still at the dealership, because they indicated that the starter will burn out again unless they can find and fix the cause of the failure. A factory rep,. From the CA bureau of automotive repair is going to inspect the vehicle.