2011 Mazda Tribute Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 103,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 3 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Mazda Tribute (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2011 Mazda Tribute. The part named most often is steering, with 5 complaints (71% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and fuel system (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 103,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 42 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 17 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Steering5 71%
- Electrical system1 14%
- Fuel system1 14%
- Body and structure1 14%
Example complaints
Steering: “I was driving my vehicle on a city street, and the steering suddenly began to lock up. The vehicle was in motion when this occurred. I was not able to turn or control the steering wheel; it became extremely hard. I was not on my brakes, I was driving straight with my feet on the gas. This happened twice in the last 4 days. I brought the vehicle to the Mazda dealership and they said the steering wheel column needed to be replaced, the torque sensor, and calibration. …”
NHTSA complaint #11365648, filed 2020-10, 125,000 milesElectrical system: “Twice, while driving under 25 MPH, and both times while turning to the right, the power steering has stopped working. When checked by a mechanic, it was determined to be the steering shaft torque sensor malfunctioned: code b2278-2f”
NHTSA complaint #11390984, filed 2021-02, 145,055 milesFuel system: “Gas filler neck gross evap leak / canister purge valve leak/ codes p0455 p0457 I was told that ford makes Mazda parts and ford escape SUV trucks are known for these problems with evap system??”
NHTSA complaint #11331433, filed 2020-06, 92,000 milesBody and structure: “The passenger subframe is rusted and broke the axel when driving. Glad im ok….So dangerous and the driver side is fine so bad design by ford (the tribute is like the escape)”
NHTSA complaint #11505960, filed 2023-02Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 92,000 and 125,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 Mazda Tribute. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribute · 4dr suv 4x2 | ★★★☆☆ | 2 / 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 · 23.7% risk |
| Tribute · 4dr suv 4x4 | ★★★☆☆ | 2 / 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 · 20.4% risk |
| Tribute HEV · 4dr suv 4x2 | ★★★☆☆ | 2 / 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 · 23.7% risk |
| Tribute HEV · 4dr suv 4x4 | ★★★☆☆ | 2 / 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 · 20.4% risk |
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2011 Mazda Tribute version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tribute 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Tribute FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 28 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Tribute FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Tribute 4WD FFV | 3.0L 6-cyl · flex-fuel | 6-speed automatic | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Tribute FWD FFV | 3.0L 6-cyl · flex-fuel | 6-speed automatic | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2011 Mazda Tribute in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 42 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037013Aug 20, 2026Other or unknown. Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid. It has been unpublished and superseded by the Field Quality Information Report (FQIR) reporting system.
- 11035599Jul 29, 2026Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit inoperative electric rear window…
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026Engine, Brakes, Other or unknown, Transmission and…. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended…
- 11006987Aug 8, 2024Electrical system, Other or unknown. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 11005671Jul 29, 2024Other or unknown. Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the…
- 10251387Feb 12, 2024Transmission and drivetrain, Steering, Wheels, Engine…. Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the…
- 10232299Feb 28, 2023Electrical system. Speedometer replacement procedure
- 10226814Nov 18, 2022Suspension. Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal…
- 10217209Jul 18, 2022Electrical system. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.
- 10215274Jun 22, 2022Electrical system. This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce unnecessary battery…
Other model years of the Mazda Tribute
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 7 | 103,000 | 0 | 3 | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 39 | 57,634 | 2 | — | 23 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2009 | 35 | 85,200 | 1 | — | 23 | 31 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2008 | 202 | 82,000 | 4 | — | 22 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2006 | 130 | 75,500 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 377 | 101,000 | 3 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 157 | 100,000 | 5 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 199 | 74,676 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 384 | 68,557 | 7 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 563 | 68,538 | 13 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 5 | 48,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Mazda Tribute model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011 Mazda Tribute have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2011 Mazda Tribute as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 Mazda Tribute is reported most often?
Steering is named most often, in 5 complaints (71% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 2011 Mazda Tribute been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2011 Mazda Tribute do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2011 Mazda Tribute 3 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Mazda Tribute get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Mazda Tribute (Tribute FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Mazda Tribute reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 103,000 miles and the middle half falls between 92,000 and 125,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.