Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
825–50K
950–75K
275–100K
5100–150K
1150K+
30 reports with mileage · 9 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
39 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2025
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
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 pump and that helped for a month or two but then …
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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 pump and that helped for a month or two but then it goes right back to cutting off after it is filled up with gas.
NHTSA ODI #11694516
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2025
Steering
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 dangerous to drive.. I informed mazda who stated the…
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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 dangerous to drive.. I informed mazda who stated there system shows it was repaired during the recall will not cover the cost, but this is not true. I’m the only owner and I can’t drive it due to this issue
NHTSA ODI #11657107
108,000 miles · Dec 28, 2021
Service Brakes
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 instrument lights came on and no code was given for …
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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 instrument lights came on and no code was given for additional information. It has been stated that ABS Master cylinder and brake booster have been tested as well as the relays and fuses. This isnt the first time this has happened but the pedal has never stayed as mushy or required to go to the ground as long as it had this time.
NHTSA ODI #11445225
123,000 miles · Nov 26, 2021
Steering
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 failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not diag…
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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 failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
NHTSA ODI #11441719
Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2021
Steering
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
NHTSA ODI #11423050
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2020
Steering
THE STEERING BEGAN TWITCHING WHILE DRIVING AND THEN WHILE BACKING THE STEERING WENT OUT AND STOPPED RESPONDING MID-BACKING IN MY DRIVEWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11320764
10 miles · Jan 11, 2020
Steering
STEERING IS OFF LINE
NHTSA ODI #11298513
106,000 miles · Nov 14, 2019
Steering
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 INTO A PARKING SPOT AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOM…
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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 INTO A PARKING SPOT AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED HOME. CAPITAL MAZDA OF CARY (525 CROSSROADS BLVD, CARY, NC 27511, (919) 859-2000) SUGGESTED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL IN 2014, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COSTS, CONTACT STATED HE RETIRED TECHNICIAN FROM CATERPILLAR INC CAN HANDLE MOST REPAIRS HIMSELF, HAD AESS TO A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER AND PULLED THE CODES FOR THE FAILURE, LOOKED UP THE CODES UP FOR A STEERING TORQUE SENSOR ORDERED ONE FROM CAPITAL MAZDA ON NOVEMBER 14TH FOR DELIVERY ON FRIDAY THE 15TH PICKED IT UP BUT DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO INSTALL TIL THE 16TH WHICH IS A SATURDAY. INSTALLED AND STILL HAVE THE SAME FAILURE. BUT THE SENSOR PART FROM MAZDA HAD BEEN USED AND PUT BACK IN BOX WHICH WERE ESTIMATED AT $2,800. THE SENSOR ALONE WAS $368.98 LOCATED A TRIBUTE IN A LOAD U-PULL-IT JUNKYARD GOT THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY FOR $35.44 GOT THE PART REMOVED AND REPLACED THE UNIT VEHICLE PERFORMED AS IT SHOULD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. *BF *TP
NHTSA ODI #11279972
62,156 miles · Apr 27, 2019
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering
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 PRESENTS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AS WITHOUT THE SERPENTINE …
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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 PRESENTS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AS WITHOUT THE SERPENTINE BELT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING THE ALTERNATOR WILL NOT GENERATE ELECTRICITY, THE BATTERY WILL BE DRAINED AND THEN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WILL FAIL. AN AVERAGE DRIVER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND BRAKE ASSISTANCE. UNTIL ALMOST ALL OF THE OIL HAS BEEN THROWN FROM THE ENGINE OR THE BATTERY DIES, THERE IS NO WARNING TO THE DRIVER -- THE DRIVER KNOWS NOTHING OF THIS FAILURE UNTIL THE LOW OIL PRESSURE, ALTERNATOR OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 62156 MILES WHEN THIS EXTRAORDINARY FAILURE OCCURRED.
NHTSA ODI #11204178
128,000 miles · Jan 7, 2019
Steering
POWER STEERING WOULD LOCK AND NOT ALLOW MOVEMENT OF STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2010 Mazda Tribute Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year