Before you buy
This 2010 Mazda Tribute has 39 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2010 Mazda Tribute Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 5 2010 Mazda Tribute trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 5 trims analysed.
2010 Mazda Tribute Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not Rated20.4% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
20.4% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
MAZDA TRIBUTE 2010 has 39 NHTSA complaints, with transmission/drivetrain (13) and steering (11) as top issues. Three recalls exist, but no crash complaints were filed. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Mazda
- Model
- Tribute
- Model year
- 2010
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 39
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Safety recall campaigns
- 3
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Good Record
- EPA MPG combined
- 23
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 26
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 3/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2010 Mazda Tribute problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Steering Defects
Engine Problems
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Steering Defects, Engine Problems. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2010 Mazda Tribute?
The 2010 Mazda Tribute may be worth considering only if thoroughly inspected, as transmission and steering complaints are notable. However, low complaint volume and no crash reports suggest many owners had no major issues.
Transmission and steering problems can lead to costly repairs and safety concerns. These patterns help buyers prioritize inspection areas before purchase.
May Suit
Budget-conscious buyers willing to invest in a pre-purchase inspection and accept some risk on transmission and steering components.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking maximum reliability with minimal maintenance risk should avoid this year due to transmission and steering complaint clusters.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2010 Mazda Tribute
Inspection Focus
- Inspect transmission for slipping, hard shifting, or leaks.
- Check steering system for play, noise, or power assist issues.
- Review engine for stalling, hesitation, or check engine light history.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect transmission and steering systems before purchase.
- Verify all three open recalls have been completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission, steering, and engine repairs.
- Test drive to check for unintended acceleration or drivetrain issues.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2010 Mazda Tribute, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2010 Mazda Tribute shows a low confidence pattern of 39 complaints, primarily in the transmission/drivetrain (13) and steering (11). Three recalls exist, but no crash-related complaints were filed. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Compared to other model years, 2010 has a moderate complaint count, but low confidence limits direct comparisons.
Recall context: Three recalls indicate a need to verify all recall repairs were completed before purchase.
- Transmission/drivetrain complaints total 13, the highest among all components.
- Steering defects account for 11 complaints, the second most reported issue.
- No crash-related complaints were filed, despite 39 total complaints.
- Transmission / Drivetrain: 13 complaints suggest potential for shifting or failure issues.
- Steering Defects: 11 complaints indicate possible steering system problems.
- Engine Problems: 7 complaints point to potential engine reliability concerns.
Full breakdown
All 2010 Mazda Tribute complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Mazda Tribute. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2010 Mazda Tribute. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Everytime I fill the car up with gas it does this thing where I lose power when I stop or when I turn the wheel. So I have to stop and start the car. Its very dangerous because it has cut off while I was making a turn. We have tried to fix it several times. We replaced the fuel…
Two years ago my vehicle started loosing electrical power steering.. there is a recall for this issue… my vehicle was not experiencing this issue at the time of the recall. I have not been able to drive my vehicle because it randomly looses power steering deeming it extremely da…
While driving at low speed (less than 50 mph) truck experienced brake loss. Was able to slow down and have no accident. Towed truck to mechanic and the next day brakes worked fine. Took truck to both AAA and to Mazda dealership for repair and no one can duplicate the issue. No in…
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became very stiff and was difficult to turn in either direction. The contact drove the vehicle with manual steering to his destination. The contact stated that the …
There's no power steering as I was Driving it just got hard to steer and almost got into an accident car is not drivable at all
THE STEERING BEGAN TWITCHING WHILE DRIVING AND THEN WHILE BACKING THE STEERING WENT OUT AND STOPPED RESPONDING MID-BACKING IN MY DRIVEWAY.
STEERING IS OFF LINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND AN UNKNOWN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THERE WERE FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL…
WHILE THE CAR WAS IN USE AND RUNNING, THE TIMING CHAIN COVER FAILED RESULTING IN THE SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER COMING DETACHED. THE SERPENTINE TENSIONER MOUNT BROKE OFF THE TIMING CHAN COVER, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF ALL LOADS DRIVEN FROM THE SERPENTINE BELT. THIS FAILURE PRESENT…
POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK AND NOT ALLOW MOVEMENT OF STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH UP A MOUNTAIN, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERRA MAZDA (1503 GADSDEN HWY, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35235, (205) 304-4075) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS FAILING. …
2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH 57K ON IT JUST DIED WHILE DOING 80 DOWN THE FREEWAY, HAD TO GET IT TOWED. IT SIMPLY SHUTOFF. I THINK ITS THE FUEL PUMP BUT I AM NOT REALLY SURE. PLUGGED IT INTO A SCANNER AND NO CODES. IT STARTED UP AFTER THE TOW. THE GOOGLES SAYS THIS IS COMMON IN THE TRI…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT DROVE SLOWLY AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAPITAL MAZDA OF CARY (525 CROSSROADS BLVD, CARY, NC 27511, (919) 8…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V788000 (FUEL PROPULSION); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR TH…
FUEL FILL NECK DIAGNOSTIC CODE PO457 OCCURRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHICH SEEMED TO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SPUTTER, AND TO HAVE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. UPON INSPECTION THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE PART. UPON A GOOGLE SEARCH OTHER HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND …
HATCH DOES NOT OPEN CONSISTENTLY. VEHICLE STALLS THEN ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN, IN ADDITION, THROTTLE BODY LIGHT STAYS ON. POWER WINDOWS FAIL TO COME UP AND DOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V788000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. T…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V788000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. T…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CHECK ENGINE AND FUEL CAP WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. T…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2010 Mazda Tribute.
Safety recalls
2010 Mazda Tribute recalls
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2010 Mazda Tribute. Three recalls indicate a need to verify all recall repairs were completed before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2010 Mazda Tribute buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2010 Mazda Tribute reliable?▾
Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 39 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2010 Mazda Tribute may be worth considering only if thoroughly inspected, as transmission and steering complaints are notable. However, low complaint volume and no crash reports suggest many owners had no major issues. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Mazda Tribute?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (13 complaints). #2: Steering Defects (11 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (7 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2010 Mazda Tribute?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2010 Mazda Tribute?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2010 Mazda Tribute, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 39 total complaints. 2 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2010 Mazda Tribute have any recalls?▾
Yes. 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2010 Mazda Tribute. A major recall area is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Three recalls indicate a need to verify all recall repairs were completed before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2010 Mazda Tribute?▾
The 2010 Mazda Tribute may be worth considering only if thoroughly inspected, as transmission and steering complaints are notable. However, low complaint volume and no crash reports suggest many owners had no major issues. Transmission and steering problems can lead to costly repairs and safety concerns. These patterns help buyers prioritize inspection areas before purchase. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Mazda Tribute reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2010 Mazda Tribute based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.