2010 Mazda Tribute Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2010 Mazda Tribute has a complaint index of 33, ranks 5th worst out of 7 model years, and earns a Good verdict. It has 39 complaints, 2 recalls, and no crashes or fires reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #5 of 7 Tribute years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 39
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2010 Mazda Tribute problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (33%)
- Engine12 (31%)
- Steering11 (28%)
- Fuel System6 (15%)
- Brakes4 (10%)
- Electrical System3 (8%)
- Airbags2 (5%)
- Structure & Body2 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (5%)
- Other1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report a squealing noise from the rear of the vehicle upon acceleration from a stop, tied to the transfer case or drive shaft.
- Some drivers describe sudden loss of acceleration on the highway with the check-engine wrench light coming on, traced to the throttle body.
- Owners report the transmission slipping or the vehicle lurching forward even while braking, especially when shifting out of park or reverse.
- Several complaints describe the rear liftgate glass shattering on its own while closing the tailgate in cold weather.
- One owner reported the passenger airbag warning light cycling on and off with a light-weight passenger seated.
- Owners describe intermittent loss of power in traffic followed by violent jerking until the engine was shut off.
2010 Mazda Tribute recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V788000Oct 28, 2016Fuel System912 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
Risk: 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 14V282000May 29, 2014Steering33,000 vehicles
Steering:electric power assist system
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.
Risk: 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.
2010 Mazda Tribute fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Mazda Tribute reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2010 Tribute has a complaint index of 33 and ranks 5th worst of 7 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Tribute years.
- What are the most common problems on the 2010 Mazda Tribute?
- The top problem area is Transmission & Powertrain with 13 complaints (33% share), followed by Engine issues (12 complaints, 31%) and Steering (11 complaints, 28%).
- Does the 2010 Mazda Tribute have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls: one for a Fuel Delivery Module that may crack on 3.0L engines, and one for a steering torque sensor that could fail, requiring a software update.
- How does the 2010 Tribute compare to other model years?
- The 2010 model (complaint index 33) is far below the worst year, 2005, which has a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, and the 2008 model, which also rates Avoid at 83.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Mazda Tribute?
- EPA rates the 2010 Tribute at 23 mpg combined (21 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.