2010 Mazda Tribute: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 39 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (24% of complaints); the 2011 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2025
“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. I'm the only owner and I can't drive it due to this issue”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2022
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2021
“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”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2021
“The steering began twitching while driving and then while backing the steering went out and stopped responding mid-backing in my driveway.”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 mazda tribute. While driving 55 mph up a mountain, the engine stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to serra mazda (1503 gadsden hwy, birmingham, al 35235, (205) 304-4075) where it was diagnosed that the throttle was failing. The dealer stated that they could not repair the vehicle because the warning indicator did not illuminate. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 88,000.”Owner report · Engine · May 2018
“2010 mazda tribute with 57k on it just died while doing 80 down the freeway, had to get it towed. It simply shutoff. I think its the fuel pump but I am not really sure. Plugged it into a scanner and no codes. It started up after the tow. The googles says this is common in the tribute/ ford escapes. Not safe at all.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 mazda tribute. While driving 30 mph, the power steering failed to operate. The contact drove slowly and parked the vehicle. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to capital mazda of cary (525 crossroads blvd, cary, nc 27511, (919) 859-2000) where it was diagnosed, but not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2018
“Hatch does not open consistently. Vehicle stalls then accelerates on its own, in addition, throttle body light stays on. Power windows fail to come up and down.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2010 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Tribute by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Mazda Tribute reliable?
NHTSA has 39 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Mazda Tribute. The most complained-about area is power train (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Mazda Tribute problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 59,000 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Mazda Tribute have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.