Reliability & cost of ownership
Mazda Tribute Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Mazda Tribute? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Mazda Tribute problems by model year
57 recall entries across 10 model years and 2,101 owner complaints across 12 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining 2 model years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Tribute | Not confirmed | 7 | 3.0 | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2010 Tribute | 3 | 39 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2009 Tribute | 2 | 35 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2008 Tribute | 5 | 202 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2007 Tribute | 1 | 4 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2006 Tribute | 3 | 130 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2005 Tribute | 4 | 377 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2004 Tribute | 7 | 157 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2003 Tribute | 8 | 199 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2002 Tribute | 9 | 383 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2001 Tribute | 15 | 563 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2000 Tribute | Not confirmed | 5 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Mazda Tribute, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- vehicle speed control343 complaints
- engine and engine cooling342 complaints
- structure290 complaints
- suspension249 complaints
- power train219 complaints
- steering196 complaints
- electrical system189 complaints
- service brakes, hydraulic158 complaints