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2000-2011 · 12 model years

Mazda Tribute Problems by year

Owners have filed 2,148 complaints about the Mazda Tribute across 12 model years, and it has 22 recalls. The 2001 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (564), while 2000, 2007, 2011 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling, followed by the body, doors & structure.

Most complaints for its age2001564 complaints · 15 recallsSee the 2001
Complaints
2,148
Recalls
22
Crashes
114
Fires
55
Injuries
96
Deaths
5

Tribute complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
201114020SteeringA
201039300Transmission & drivetrainA
200935220SteeringA
2008202561SteeringC
20074100Acceleration & cruise controlA
2006135391Acceleration & cruise controlC
20053834164SuspensionD
20041827213SuspensionD
20032008179AirbagsD
200238591924Engine & coolingF
2001564152113Engine & coolingF
20005010Engine & coolingA

Most common Tribute problems

Mazda Tribute recalls 22

Latest Tribute complaints

2008 Mazda TributeSteering

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and inoperable, with the maintenance warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 274,300.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11725529
2008 Mazda TributeAirbagsCrash2 injuries

The contact owned a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH and attempting to make a turn, another vehicle unexpectedly T-boned the vehicle, impacting the passenger front side. The contact and a passenger sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was taken to a local emergency room. The contact suffered a back injury and was placed on medical leave from employment due to the accident. The passenger sustained bruises and lacerations. The contact stated that the driver and...

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side curtain deployed; however, the front passenger airbag failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for further assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 245,000.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11718610
2004 Mazda TributeAcceleration & cruise controlCrash4 injuries1 death

I am submitting this formal complaint regarding a potential recall failure involving a 2005 Mazda Tribute driven by my fiancé, [[redacted]], who died following a crash on [[redacted]]. Mazda has opened Case #[[redacted]] in response to my inquiry, and I am requesting federal oversight of this investigation. Joey's vehicle may have been affected by NHTSA Recall 12V357000, which addresses throttle body malfunction and unintended acceleration. Service records show that a dealership performed a recall service, but the...

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parts used may have been ineffective or incomplete. The crash sequence - rear-ending a stopped vehicle followed by veering into oncoming traffic - matches known symptoms of this defect. I am requesting: •A formal review of Mazda's handling of Recall 12V357000 •Verification of Joey's VIN-specific recall compliance •Investigation into the dealership's repair actions and part quality •Oversight of Mazda's internal case (#[[redacted]]) and its findings This issue raises serious concerns about manufacturer accountability and public safety. I am submitting supporting documentation and service records for review. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11696863
2010 Mazda TributeElectrical systemFuel system

Everytime I fill the car up with gas it does this thing where I lose power when I stop or when I turn the wheel. So I have to stop and start the car. Its very dangerous because it has cut off while I was making a turn. We have tried to fix it several times. We replaced the fuel pump and that helped for a month or two but then it goes right back to cutting off after it is filled up with gas.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11694516
2003 Mazda TributeFuel systemCrash1 injury

NHTSA report 7.19.2015 July 19, 2025 NHSTA Report This is what happened to me [[redacted]]: I was at an off ramp stop waiting for cars to pass. I eased forward to see if everyone had passed. The car accelerated on its own and I tried to stop. When I braked it accelerated faster. I had both feet on the brakes and tried to stop, but each time the car accelerated. It accelerated three times until I crashed. I crashed into a utility trailer and the wheel well of the trailer caught on my front left bumper on the...

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driver's side. I was drug along the road around 60 miles per hour until the bumper bent and I could pull over onto the side of the road. The car was a total loss. The attached notice from Mazda matches the uncontrollable acceleration of my car. I contacted Mazda Corporation on the same day ([[redacted]]) and was told there is no VIN record of the car since I owned it. Additionally, they told me it was repaired in 2005 as a throttle recall. But there is a subsequent notice attached dated July, 2012 and no record of that recall repair. I called WA state Dept of Licensing to see if there is a new owner. They do not have a record of such. I contacted Copart in Arlington WA today to find out if the car was there for parts so nobody would buy the accelerator cable. Copart told me today they sold the car in 2024 but cannot release the name of whoever bought it. They said my insurance company would know. Whoever owns the car now needs to know there is a faulty accelerator cable causing a accident and they need to have it examined and replaced correctly. Please help find who owns this car and remedy a potential crash. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11674766
2008 Mazda TributeBrakes

My brakes went out with no warning, or light on dashboard. I had the master cylinder changed and all brakes bled. The brakes went out 2months later,so changed the master cylinder again. 1 month after the brakes went out again. So I called Mazda service department and the gentleman told me to try and change the brake booster. So I changed the brake booster and master cylinder. 6 days later my brakes went out again, mazda told me they having issues with older model mazda tribute brakes going out. I have to get a...

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rebuilt master cylinder for my car. My brakes have gone out on me 4 times and I almost wrecked each time. This is ridiculous I am scared to drive my car now and I have to keep paying a mechanic to do the repair and it's not working.

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 11660221

Questions about the Mazda Tribute

Which Mazda Tribute years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2001 (564), 2002 (385), 2005 (383). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2001 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Mazda Tribute years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2000, 2007, 2011 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other Tribute years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Mazda Tribute problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the engine & cooling (431), body, doors & structure (355), acceleration & cruise control (346) most often.

How many recalls does the Mazda Tribute have?

NHTSA lists 22 recalls across all Mazda Tribute model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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