My 2002 Tribute inside driver's side door handle broke too. The dealer wants $395.00. to fix it. It seems to me this part should last a lot longer for safety's sake.

 

Mine broke too, go to car-part.com and search for the part. If you aren't sure it fits, call the phone # listed to speak to someone. Babyhuey gave me that link. It helped. I ordered mine for 25 bucks.

 

HOLY COW sadiesaks. Your inner door handle is only chorme plated. You must be getting a very special gold or platinum plated handle to be charged that much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or maybe the entire door is being replaced.
If door will open from the outside handle ok then you just need a replacment inner handle. Inner door handle breakage is not at all uncommon ( part that breaks is a small plastic hook ) and the inner handle is available as a separate part (in only chrome plating I might add ) for only $82.39 suggested retail. We usually only charge 1/2 hour or so which would bring total charges to around $120. So where is the remaining $275 going too????
That part has superceeded with changes and improvements about a dozen times so a replacement handle will be much stronger and less likely tobreak. You can also purchase the part yourself from
www.onlinemazdaparts.com for only $65.91. Use OE part number ec01-59-330p for drivers inner handle.

 

Can anyone tell me how to remove the external handle on Tribute (2002) door? I have inner panel etc reomoved no prob... and the screws removed from the handle assy, but I'm having trouble separating the externalhandlefrom the internal mount assy. Any ideas?

Pete

 

This seems to be a common problem. Both my husband and I drive 2001 Tributes and can't open the door from the inside (driver's side).
You should file a complaint with the NHTSA:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

Maybe they will do a recall and we can all get it fixed for free!