Mazda Tribute Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability

Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.

24
Total Recalls
1358
Total Complaints
73
Total Crashes
64
Reported Injuries
5
Reported Deaths
2001
Worst Year
2007
Best Year
0
Poor
Overall Reliability Score (0–100)

Own a Mazda Tribute? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.

Mazda Tribute — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison

YearVerdictRecallsComplaintsCrashesInjuriesDeathsTop Issue
2011Excellent5SteeringFull report →
2010Excellent124Power TrainFull report →
2009Excellent1251SteeringFull report →
2008Good3111710SteeringFull report →
2007BestExcellent2Service Brakes / AirFull report →
2006Good163312Vehicle Speed ControlFull report →
2005Avoid2258129SuspensionFull report →
2004Caution21189143SuspensionFull report →
2003Caution41311513Air BagsFull report →
2002Avoid42481110Engine And Engine CoolingFull report →
2001WorstAvoid6373157Engine And Engine CoolingFull report →

11 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.

Most Common Mazda Tribute Problems

Engine And Engine Cooling
170
Vehicle Speed Control
150
Structure
132
Power Train
121
Suspension
115
Electrical System
98
Steering
98
Service Brakes / Hydraulic
84
Air Bags
77
Latches/Locks/Linkages
45
Engine
38
Fuel System / Gasoline
36

Based on 1,358 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.

Tribute Years to Avoid

2001 Tribute
373 complaints · 6 recalls · 15 crashes
Details →
2005 Tribute
258 complaints · 2 recalls · 12 crashes
Details →
2002 Tribute
248 complaints · 4 recalls · 11 crashes
Details →

Ranked by combined complaints, recalls, crashes, injuries, and deaths.

Best Tribute Years to Buy

2007 Tribute
2 complaints · 0 recalls
Details →
2011 Tribute
5 complaints · 0 recalls
Details →

Years with fewest complaints and recalls.

Mazda Tribute Problems by Year

Select a year to see detailed complaints, recall notices, and safety incident data.

Frequently Asked Questions — Mazda Tribute Reliability

What year Tribute has the most problems?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2001 Mazda Tribute had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 373 complaints and 6 safety recalls. See the full 2001 report for specific defects.

Is the Mazda Tribute reliable?

The Mazda Tribute has accumulated 1,358 owner-filed complaints and 24 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. There have been 5 reported deaths associated with complaints. The 2007 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Tribute.

What are the most common Tribute problems?

The most frequently cited problem areas are: Engine And Engine Cooling (170 reports), Vehicle Speed Control (150 reports), Structure (132 reports), Power Train (121 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.

How do I check if my Tribute has an open recall?

Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.

Check a Specific Mazda Tribute VIN

Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.

Run a Free Mazda Tribute VIN Report →

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