What years of the Mazda Tribute should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2005 and 2008 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83, the two highest among all Tribute model years.

What is the best year for the Mazda Tribute?

The 2011 Tribute is rated Best, with a complaint index of 17 and just 7 complaints and zero recalls. The 2010 model is rated Good with a complaint index of 33.

What are the most common Mazda Tribute problems?

Across all years, engine issues account for 31% of complaints, followed by suspension, wheels and tires at 22%, structure and body at 19%, and steering at 17%.

Does the 2008 Mazda Tribute have a steering recall?

Yes. NHTSA recall 14V282000 covers 2008-2011 Tributes with a steering torque sensor that may malfunction, requiring a software update to the power steering control module.

Is the 2006 Mazda Tribute reliable?

The 2006 Tribute is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 67 and 130 complaints, mostly related to engine problems, ranking third-worst among all Tribute years.

Mazda Tribute Best and Worst Years (2005–2011)

Avoid the 2005 and 2008 Mazda Tribute, which rank worst with complaint indexes of 100 and 83 and multiple recalls covering suspension, structure, engine, steering and transmission issues. The 2011 model is the best year (complaint index 17), with 2010 also rated Good.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2008 Best 2011

Model years: 7; 2005–2011
NHTSA complaints: 794
Recall campaigns: 8
Crashes reported: 34
Fires reported: 6
Top problem area: Engine

Tribute Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mazda Tribute problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	100	377	16	4	3	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	20	—
2006	Caution	67	130	9	1	2	Engine	21	—
2007	No verdict	0	4	0	0	0	Engine	—	—
2008	Avoid	83	202	6	1	4	Steering	22	—
2009	Caution	50	35	2	0	1	Steering	23	—
2010	Good	33	39	0	0	2	Transmission & Powertrain	23	—
2011	Best	17	7	1	0	0	Steering	23	3★

Tribute years to avoid: what went wrong

2005 Mazda Tribute Index 100 · 377 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2005 Tribute has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and ranks worst overall with 377 complaints. Suspension, wheels and tires make up 39% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 125,131 miles, followed by structure and body issues (34%, median 125,262 miles) and engine problems (28%, median 80,250 miles). NHTSA lists three recalls, including one for engine cover clearance near the speed control cable and two involving structural and liftgate components. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes and seat and sunroof damage during collisions.

2005 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2005 structure & body problems →2005 engine problems →

2008 Mazda Tribute Index 83 · 202 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2008 Tribute ranks second-worst with 202 complaints and a complaint index of 83. Steering problems dominate at 47% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 102,045 miles, followed by engine issues (29%, median 60,000 miles) and transmission and powertrain problems (12%, median 72,000 miles). NHTSA lists four recalls, including a steering torque sensor software update, a transmission shift lever bolt inspection, and a hybrid coolant pump replacement. Owners reported airbags not deploying in crashes and accelerator pedals sticking or failing to respond.

2008 steering problems →2008 engine problems →2008 transmission & powertrain problems →

Most common Mazda Tribute problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine245 (31%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires175 (22%)
Structure & Body154 (19%)
Steering134 (17%)
Transmission & Powertrain80 (10%)
Brakes61 (8%)
Fuel System58 (7%)
Electrical System53 (7%)
Other38 (5%)
Airbags24 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Mazda Tribute should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2005 and 2008 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83, the two highest among all Tribute model years.
What is the best year for the Mazda Tribute?: The 2011 Tribute is rated Best, with a complaint index of 17 and just 7 complaints and zero recalls. The 2010 model is rated Good with a complaint index of 33.
What are the most common Mazda Tribute problems?: Across all years, engine issues account for 31% of complaints, followed by suspension, wheels and tires at 22%, structure and body at 19%, and steering at 17%.
Does the 2008 Mazda Tribute have a steering recall?: Yes. NHTSA recall 14V282000 covers 2008-2011 Tributes with a steering torque sensor that may malfunction, requiring a software update to the power steering control module.
Is the 2006 Mazda Tribute reliable?: The 2006 Tribute is rated Caution, with a complaint index of 67 and 130 complaints, mostly related to engine problems, ranking third-worst among all Tribute years.