The 2010 Mazda Tribute has 3 safety recalls and 39 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (13 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints39filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
NHTSA recall 16V788000 · Oct 28, 2016 · 912 vehicles
Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Tribute vehicles manufactured March 3, 2009, to May 26, 2011. On vehicles with a 3.0L engine, the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may crack, causing a fuel leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the FDM flange with one that has a redesigned fuel supply port, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety recall were mailed on December 23, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts are in stock. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0416J.
Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing
NHTSA recall 15E045000 · Jun 3, 2015 · 576 vehicles
Problem: The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Steering › Electric power assist system
NHTSA recall 14V282000 · May 29, 2014 · 33,000 vehicles
Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Tribute vehicles manufactured October 5, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7614E.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2010 Mazda Tribute 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
20.4%
2010 Mazda Tribute Hybrid 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
20.4%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Tribute Hybrid 2WD Hybrid
32mpg combined
City / highway
34 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,100/year to fuel
Tribute Hybrid 4WD Hybrid
29mpg combined
City / highway
30 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
Tribute FWD
24mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Tribute FWD
23mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Tribute 4WD
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Tribute FWD FFV FFV
21mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Tribute 4WD FFV FFV
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Automatic transmission
13
0
0
0
44,500 mi
Steering
11
0
0
0
81,078 mi
Engine
7
0
0
0
58,634 mi
Vehicle speed control
6
0
0
0
60,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
6
0
0
0
59,000 mi
Electrical system
3
0
0
0
—
Air bags Frontal
2
0
0
0
—
Visibility/wiper
2
0
0
2
—
Structure Body › Tailgate; Body
2
0
0
1
—
Service brakes
2
0
0
0
—
Electronic stability control (esc)
1
0
0
0
—
Parking brake Driveline › Hydraulic › Actuator
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 3, 2025Fuel/propulsion 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.
Oct 10, 2022Steering Two years ago my vehicle started loosing electrical power steering.. there is a recall for this issue⦠my vehicle was not experiencing this issue at the time of the recall. I have not been able to drive my vehicle because it randomly looses power steering deeming it extremely dangerous to drive.. I informed mazda who stated there system shows it was repaired during the recall will not cover the cost, but this is not true. Iâm the only owner and I canât drive it due to this issue
Dec 20, 2021 · 108,000 milesService brakes While driving at low speed (less than 50 mph) truck experienced brake loss. Was able to slow down and have no accident. Towed truck to mechanic and the next day brakes worked fine. Took truck to both AAA and to Mazda dealership for repair and no one can duplicate the issue. No instrument lights came on and no code was given for additional information. It has been stated that ABS Master cylinder and brake booster have been tested as well as the relays and fuses. This isnt the first time this has happened but the pedal has never stayed as mushy or required to go to the ground as long as it had this time.
Oct 6, 2021 · 123,000 milesSteering The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became very stiff and was difficult to turn in either direction. The contact drove the vehicle with manual steering to his destination. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
Apr 5, 2021Steering There's no power steering as I was Driving it just got hard to steer and almost got into an accident car is not drivable at all
Mar 28, 2020Steering THE STEERING BEGAN TWITCHING WHILE DRIVING AND THEN WHILE BACKING THE STEERING WENT OUT AND STOPPED RESPONDING MID-BACKING IN MY DRIVEWAY.
Jan 11, 2020 · 10 milesSteering STEERING IS OFF LINE
Nov 13, 2019 · 106,000 milesSteering TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND AN UNKNOWN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THERE WERE FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. CAPITAL MAZDA OF CARY (525 CROSSROADS BLVD, CARY, NC 27511, (919) 859-2000) SUGGESTED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL IN 2014, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COSTS, CONTACT STATED HE RETIRED TECHNICIAN FROM CATERPILLAR INC…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.