Mazda Tribute Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Mazda Tribute model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2007 drew the fewest (4) and the 2001 the most (563).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Among the fewest complaints |
4 | 0 | Vehicle speed control | — | — |
| 2000 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 0 | Engine and engine cooling | — | — |
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
7 | 0 | Steering | 3★ | 20–32 |
| 2009 | 35 | 1 | Steering | — | 20–32 |
| 2010 | 39 | 2 | Power train | — | 20–32 |
| 2006 | 130 | 2 | Vehicle speed control | — | 19–27 |
| 2004 | 157 | 5 | Suspension | — | 18–22 |
| 2003 | 199 | 6 | Air bags | — | 18–22 |
| 2008 | 202 | 4 | Steering | — | 19–32 |
| 2005 Among the most complaints |
377 | 3 | Suspension | — | 17–24 |
| 2002 Among the most complaints |
384 | 7 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 18–22 |
| 2001 Among the most complaints |
563 | 13 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 18–23 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Mazda Tribute years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2001 Mazda Tribute: 563 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 167 (30%); Electrical system 81 (14%); Power train 69 (12%).
Reports mention 21 crashes, 13 fires, 15 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 68,538 miles. 13 recall campaigns listed.
2002 Mazda Tribute: 384 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 124 (32%); Service brakes 80 (21%); Electrical system 41 (11%).
Reports mention 19 crashes, 24 fires, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 68,900 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2005 Mazda Tribute: 377 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 137 (36%); Structure 126 (33%); Vehicle speed control 85 (23%).
Reports mention 16 crashes, 4 fires, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 101,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The Mazda Tribute years with the fewest complaints
2007 Mazda Tribute: 4 complaints
Most-reported: Vehicle speed control 2 (50%); Fuel system 1 (25%); Power train 1 (25%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2000 Mazda Tribute: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 3 (60%); Service brakes 1 (20%); Structure 1 (20%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2011 Mazda Tribute: 7 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 5 (71%); Electrical system 1 (14%); Fuel/propulsion system 1 (14%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Mazda Tribute owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 58,269 |
| 2009 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 85,200 |
| 2008 | 202 | 6 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 82,000 |
| 2007 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 130 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 76,000 |
| 2005 | 377 | 16 | 4 | 13 | 0 | 101,000 |
| 2004 | 157 | 15 | 3 | 15 | 2 | 100,000 |
| 2003 | 199 | 17 | 9 | 16 | 0 | 75,000 |
| 2002 | 384 | 19 | 24 | 13 | 0 | 68,900 |
| 2001 | 563 | 21 | 13 | 15 | 0 | 68,538 |
| 2000 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Mazda Tribute recalls
- Speed Control Cable Connector Interference (2001–2008 model years; 217,500 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2012; 12V357000)
- MAZDA/ACCELERATOR CABLE (2002–2004 model years; 121,000 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2004; 04V583000)
- Lower Control Arm Corrosion-Regional Recall (2001–2004 model years; 109,000 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2014; 14V174000)
- MAZDA/PCM/ENGINE STALLING (2001–2003 model years; 106,000 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2004; 04V175000)
- ABS MODULE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS (2001–2004 model years; 95,300 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2007; 07V157000)
All 20 Mazda Tribute recall campaigns · Mazda Tribute problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Mazda Tribute years FAQ
Which Mazda Tribute year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2007 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (4). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Mazda Tribute years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2001, 2002 and 2005 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine and engine cooling. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Mazda Tribute problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine and engine cooling (343 of 2,102 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Mazda Tribute have?
NHTSA lists 20 recall campaigns covering the Mazda Tribute. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mazda Tribute recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.