2010 Mazda TRIBUTE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
39 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
57,635 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 39 complaints (28.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 10 | 25.6% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 10.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 7.7% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 5.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 11 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Steering: 11; Power Train: 10; Engine: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Electrical System: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Service Brakes: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2013: 5; 2014: 9; 2016: 1; 2017: 5; 2018: 3; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10325450 · 2010-04-13 (April 13, 2010)
A PROBLEM HAS DEVELOPED WITH MY 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE PURCHASED NOV. 2010 SYMPTOM OF WHICH IS A SQUEAL EMANATING FROM THE BACK END UPON ACCELERATION FROM A FULL STOP. THE DRIVE SHAFT, TRANSFER CASE & TRANSMISSION HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. MAZDA IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, UNABLE TO FIX IT AND UNABLE ASSURE THAT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT REPRESENT A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10325450 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10328319 · 2010-05-01 (May 1, 2010)
I PURCHASED A 2010 MAZDA I GRAND TOURING 10/21/09. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WAS DEFECTIVE BY 10/24/09. THE DEALER COULD NOT GET THE PART . I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS TOO NEW. A NEW MAZDA WAS BROUGHT IN AND THE PART WAS TAKEN FROM IT AFTER 29 DAYS AT THE DEALER. I HAVE A SQUEAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR UPON ACCELERATION FROM A FULL STOP. MAZDA SAYS IT IS THE TRANSFER CASE THAT RUBS AND MAKES THE NOISE. NOTHING TO WORRY NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. CAR HAS 1500 MILES ON IT. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME SINCE THE ECS WAS REPLACED 1/9/10. NOT SURE W…
Owner-reported narrative. 744 miles reported. Look up ODI 10328319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10415188 · 2011-07-26 (July 26, 2011)
THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WHEN ONE 130 POUND PERSON SEATS ON THE SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEE WERE RUDE AND TRY TO CONVINCE US THAT IS 'NORMAL DEPEND HOW YOU SEAT..' (THE WEIGHT LIMIT TO ACTIVATE SENSOR, ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP EMPLOYEES, WAS 60 POUNDS, 90 POUNDS, AND 98.5 POUNDS ??? !!!). THE CAR HAS BEEN PURCHASED AS A NEW IN ONE ONTARIO'S DEALERSHIP AND IT IS DRIVEN AND REGISTERED IN ONTARIO (IT IS MY WIFE'S CAR). I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10415188 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10456769 · 2012-04-28 (April 28, 2012)
VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD EVEN THOUGH I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE ON THE HIGHWAY. TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED MOVING FROM PARK OR REVERSE TO DRIVE. I'M WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS THE LURCHING OCCURS FREQUENTLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. I ONLY OWN ONE VEHICLE AND HAVE TO DRIVE TO WORK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 22,232 miles reported. Look up ODI 10456769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10467926 · 2012-07-27 (July 27, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE WOULD PAY A PORTION OF THE REPAIR EXPENSES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. .. UPDATED 08-30-12…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10467926 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10481293 · 2012-10-21 (October 21, 2012)
INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 10/20/2012 AT 7:00 PM IN THE FRED MEYER PARKING LOT IN KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON. TEMPERATURE OUT 40 DEGREES. TAILGATE WINDOW SHATTERED IN PARKING LOT ON MY 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. I CAME OUT OF FRED MEYER. I OPENED THE TAILGATE TO LOAD A FEW ITEMS. I SHUT THE TAILGATE AND THE BACK WINDOW EXPLODED. SHATTERED GLASS FLEW OVER 10 FEET IN ALL DIRECTIONS, LANDED ON MY FEET, FELL INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. GLASS PIECES WERE TINY SHARDS THAT WERE VERY SHARP. I HAD NUMEROUS CUTS ON MY HANDS TRYING TO PICK UP THE LARGE PIECES. I HAD TW…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10481293 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10521081 · 2013-06-21 (June 21, 2013)
AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH I SUDDENLY FELT A TUG AND THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN GOING DOWN AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE WRENCH CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND WAITED TO BE TOWED. I JUST CALLED MAZDA, THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT PART OF THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. THE BIGGEST ISSUE, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER FOR A MONTH. THIS INDICATES TO ME THERE ARE NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. I AM NOW DOWN A CAR FOR A MONTH, UNACCEPTABLE. IN RESEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND OTHERS TO HAVE THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,034 miles reported. Look up ODI 10521081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10533072 · 2013-08-01 (August 1, 2013)
DRIVING NORMALLY, WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WITH THE GAS PEDAL. PULLED TO THE SHOULDER, PLACED VEHICLE IN PARK. BY THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING HARD. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, THEN RESTARTED. VEHICLE WAS FINE, DRIVING PERFECTLY. THIS STARTED HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY ABOUT ONCE A WEEK BUT THEN GREW MORE FREQUENT TO ONCE A DAY. THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10533072 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V282000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System
Reported: 2014-05-29 (May 29, 2014)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V788000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2016-10-28 (October 28, 2016)
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.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗