Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Mazda Tribute problems
Owners filed 14 complaints about the 2011 Mazda Tribute with NHTSA between Mar 2011 and Apr 2023. The most-cited component is steering (5).
Complaints
14
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering5
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Vehicle speed control2
- Air bags2
- Power train2
- Structure1
- Electrical system1
- Engine1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
0
1
2
0
0
0
1
0
2
1
1
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
5 reports
“The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel became firm and failed to respond to driver input. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights started to flicker, and the vehicle stalled. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred; however, the steering wheel became loose and unresponsive to driver input. The contact stated that on another occasion the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel locked and could not be turned in either direction. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.”
Fuel/propulsion system
3 reports
“GAS FILLER NECK GROSS EVAP LEAK / CANISTER PURGE VALVE LEAK/ CODES P0455 P0457 I WAS TOLD THAT FORD MAKES MAZDA PARTS AND FORD ESCAPE SUV TRUCKS ARE KNOWN FOR THESE PROBLEMS WITH EVAP SYSTEM?? *TR”
Vehicle speed control
2 reports
“DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, ENGINE JUST FAILED TO ACCELERATE SUDDENLY AND HAD TO COAST OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. ENGINE DID NOT TURN COMPLETELY OFF AS IT CONTINUED TO HESITATE AND RPMS FLUCTUATED BETWEEN 500-1000 BUT GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT ACCELERATE CAR. IMMEDIATELY PUT HAZARD LIGHTS ON SO CARS BEHIND ME WOULD KNOW THAR I WAS NOT AT CONSTANT SPEED ANYMORE. *TR”
Air bags
2 reports1 crash
“HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH POWER POLE AT 55 MPH. DRIVER AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. (NO PASSENGERS ON BOARD). *TR”
Power train
2 reports
“I HAVE ALWAYS HAD AN ACCELERATION ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. MANY MANY TIMES, FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS JUST NOT GOING TO MOVE WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE. ABOUT 4 WEEKS, AGO, CAR LITERALLY JUST WOULDN'T MOVE WHEN I WAS IN TRAFFIC, THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING A TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND NOTHING. 2 DAYS AGO, EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, IN TRAFFIC. WE HAD THE CAR AGAIN TOWED, AND THIS TIME THEY FOUND THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I THINK IT WAS ALWAYS BAD, BUT 2011 WAS NOT A VEHICLE YEAR INCLUDED IN THE THROTTLE RECALL FOR THE MAZDA TRIBUTE. *TR”
Structure
1 report1 crash
“The passenger subframe is rusted and broke the axel when driving. Glad im ok….So dangerous and the driver side is fine so bad design by ford (the tribute is like the escape)”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.