2011 Mazda Tribute problems
The Mazda Tribute (Japanese: マツダ・トリビュート, Matsuda Toribyūto) (Code J14) is a compact SUV made by Japanese automaker Mazda from 2000 to 2011. It was jointly developed with Ford Motor Company and based on the front-wheel drive Mazda 626 platform, which was in turn the basis for the similar Ford Escape on the CD2 platform. The Tribute was priced below the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner in Ford's CD2 SUV lineup.
The Tribute and Escape debuted in 2000, offering front- or all-wheel drive and a choice of a transversely mounted 2.0 L Ford Zetec 4-cylinder engine or 3.0 L Ford Duratec V6. The Ford Escape was also sold as the Ford Maverick in Europe with a Ford 2.0 L I4 Zeta engine with manual transmission, or 3.0 L Duratec coupled to automatic transmission.
One main difference between the Tribute and the Ford Escape/Maverick is that the Tribute's suspension is tuned for a firmer ride than the Escape/Maverick, in order to correspond with Mazda's sporty image. As Mazda had offered "spiced up" models in other segments such as the Mazda3 and CX-7, the utilitarian Tribute was replaced by the more aggressively styled and in-house-designed Mazda CX-5 in North America.
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Common 2011 Mazda Tribute problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Mazda Tribute 2011, several common problems have been reported:
- Engine Issues: The 2011 Mazda Tribute has been associated with engine problems, including stalling while driving or acceleration issues that could potentially lead to accidents. Owners have reported instances of the engine dying while in operation or causing speed control issues, which have resulted in accidents. This problem typically occurs in vehicles with around 80,000 miles on their odometers.
- Rust in Struts: A serious issue reported by owners of the 2011 Mazda Tribute is rusting in the struts, particularly severe in the 2005 model year. This rusting problem can lead to costly repairs, with an average cost of around $1,000 to address this issue. Rust in critical components like struts can compromise the structural integrity and safety of the vehicle.
- Recalls: The 2011 Mazda Tribute has been subject to recalls related to steering torque sensor issues and fuel system problems. The steering torque sensor recall addresses a potential loss of Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist, while the fuel system recall involves a cracked Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) that could lead to fuel leaks. These recalls highlight safety concerns that owners should be aware of and address promptly to ensure the vehicle's proper functioning and safety.
These common problems reported by owners of the Mazda Tribute 2011 underscore the importance of regular maintenance, prompt attention to any warning signs, and awareness of potential issues to ensure the safety and reliability of the vehicle.
What is the common problem with Mazda Tribute?
Problem: The most common fault we have found is the failure of ignition coils (COP- coil on plug). This coil failure may be due to either the age of unit or premature failure as a result of air leaks causing coils to overload and oil leaks causing contamination of spark plug tubes.
How many miles will a Mazda Tribute last?
Fantastic Car
You know it's a good car when it can have 180000 miles on it and survive a year plus of a new driver navigating mountain roads both too quickly and too slowly.
What is the power steering problem on a 2011 Mazda Tribute?
A malfunction of the electric power steering system can occur, causing loss of steering assist. This could make it difficult to steer and control the vehicle. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Tribute vehicles manufactured October 5, 2006, through September 11, 2010.
Are Mazda Tribute good SUVS?
In its favor, it has handsome exterior styling, a choice of a powerful four-cylinder or V6 engine and top-notch safety scores. But the Tribute also has a number of small failings, and overall they add up to keep this SUV from truly matching other competitors. Number one on the list is an outdated interior.
2011 Mazda Tribute car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mazda Tribute problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Air bags problems
- Power train problems
- Engine problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2011 Mazda Tribute vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2011 Mazda Tribute complaints
The NHTSA has received 7 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2011 Mazda Tribute.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-10-26
- VIN: 4F2CY0GG5BK
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: A RECALL 16V-788 WAS PUBLISHED ON OCT. 26,2016 AND HAS YET TO BE REMEDIED. THE STATUS SHOWS "RECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE". IT HAS BEEN OVER 14 MONTHS. THIS NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED. WE HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL (THAT WE CAN REMEMBER) NOR CAN IT BE COMPLETED OVER 14 MONTHS LATER.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-08-01
- VIN: 4F2CY9GGBKM
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 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 PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2014-05-13
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 4F2CY9C73BK
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH POWER POLE AT 55 MPH. DRIVER AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. (NO PASSENGERS ON BOARD). *TR
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-02-01
- VIN: 4F2CY9GG7BK
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-05-01
- VIN: 4F2CY0C74BK
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: CAR BEGIN TO SHIMMY BETWEEN GEAR SHIFTS FELT LIKE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING TO FALL OUT ON THE ROAD. SLIPPED BETWEEN GEAR SHIFTS INTERMITTENTLY AFTERWORDS
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-03-28
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: THE AUTOMATIC PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. MY WIFE WEIGHS ABOUT 120 POUNDS AND THE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF AT RANDOM ON THE HIGHWAY ARE JUST SITTING STILL. THE DEALER HAS ZERO SOLUTIONS AND WE ARE FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE MANUAL WHICH STATES THE WEIGHT THRESHOLD TO BE 80 LBS. IF WE'RE IN AN ACCIDENT AND HER AIRBAG DOESN'T DEPLOY THERE WILL BE A PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS AN 2011 MAZDA TRIBUTE. *TR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-12-29
- VIN: 4F2CY9C7XBK
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, HE WOULD HAPHAZARDLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS WITH THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO PEDALS AND STATED THAT THEY WERE ENTIRELY TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5.
2011 Mazda Tribute recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2011 Mazda Tribute.
- Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: 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: 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.
- Manufacturer: Timken Company
- Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
- Summary: The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
- Consequence: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
- Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
- Components: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
- Summary: 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: 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.
Negative 2011 Mazda Tribute car reviews
Positive 2011 Mazda Tribute car reviews
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I'm a bit late to the party, but for anyone considering buying a used car, I highly recommend the Tribute. I purchased mine in 2018 with 130k on the odometer and, like any used car, I've had a few minor issues (such as an AC condenser leak, valve cover gasket, and electronic gremlins), but they were all easy fixes. The powertrain has been bulletproof and has never left me stranded. In fact, I recently drove it from Tennessee to Arizona and back (at 190k) without any issues. However, the main reason I'm writing this review is because of the car's safety. I was rear-ended on the interstate this morning and the car was completely destroyed. Despite this, I walked away without a single scratch or bruise. The car protected me amazingly well. Overall, I would definitely recommend the Tribute. It's practical, comfortable, and surprisingly fun to drive on back roads for an SUV.
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The Mazda Tribute is still the best value for your money when it comes to SUVs. I still have my 2004 Tribute ES and my wife, who has a bad back, absolutely loves it. We both love the V6 engine, which provides a great driving experience. We recently decided to purchase a new Tribute and were thrilled to find a V6 model with all the latest features, including Michelin tires, a backup camera, a sunroof, and heated front seats (which are perfect for bad backs). We test drove other SUVs, such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, and Mercury Mariner, but ultimately decided to stick with the Mazda Tribute because it was the best fit for us. Despite being 6'4
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I was searching for a Ford Escape Limited, but unfortunately it wasn't available when my Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer was due. Instead, I opted for a Tribute AWD S Grand Touring and I must say, I'm extremely pleased with my decision. After driving 6K miles, I haven't encountered any issues, even while towing my boat around. The car is comfortable, highly responsive, drives smoothly and has great mileage. I'm even planning on installing the remote start feature before winter arrives. Additionally, I added white wall porta walls to my tires as I felt it gave the car a little something extra.
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The vehicle is great and I am pleased overall. However, there is one major disappointment with the interior. The headliner has a large gap across the entire area where it meets the front windshield, which is due to a large cable that goes from the rear view mirror to the rear view camera. Unfortunately, the installation was extremely poor and lacked any thought or attention to detail. Despite this, Mazda claims that all vehicles are like this and therefore it is not covered under warranty. I have attempted to contact the dealer multiple times via phone and email, but have not received a response.
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My wife and I test drove the Mazda Tribute 'Sport' FWD/6spd/4cyl and had a great experience. We ended up purchasing the same car.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2011 Mazda Tribute problems:
Buying the 2008-2011 Mazda Tribute: Pros and Cons, Problems
Jan 8, 2024 ... The V6 engine is generally reliable, however the 2009 V6 Tribute had problems with the variable timing system. Watch out for transmission ...
Common 2011 Mazda Tribute Problems: Intermittent Starting ...
Oct 1, 2021 ... Our 2011 Mazda Tribute has intermittent starting issues. We have had the ignition switch and cylinder replaced.
2011 MAZDA Tribute Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2011 MAZDA Tribute? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Common Problems with 2011 Mazda Tribute: Q&A on Rear Wiper ...
Apr 19, 2015 ... The first thing you'll want to do is check fuses. Make sure fuses 19, 27, and 43 in the box inside are good. If the fuses are good then it could ...
2011 Mazda Tribute Problems and Complaints - 1 Issues
Problem with your 2011 Mazda Tribute? Our list of 1 known complaint reported can help you fix your 2011 Mazda Tribute.
Junior Luettgen 2024-09-12
Overall, this is a good vehicle. However, I had the same experience as another contributor with an extremely poor installation of the rearview camera cable at the forward edge of the headliner. It seems that no thought was given to the installation process, as they simply pulled the large cable through the headliner front edge, causing a gap across the entire headliner at the windshield. Despite Mazda's claim that this was by design, I believe that this is a substandard installation and that their customer service was extremely poor. It is disappointing to say that Mazda has lost a lifetime customer due to this issue.
Damien Fahey 2024-05-29
I wanted to share my experience with the shifting smoothness of my car. Specifically, I have noticed that when accelerating from 20 mph up to 40-50 mph, the car seems to hard shift and feels like it's dragging. Additionally, when downshifting, there is a strong feeling of jerking into gears. Unfortunately, this situation seems to be hurting my gas mileage. Despite seeking help from the dealer service manager and Mazda area rep, they have all said that this is normal. I am currently waiting for answers from another dealer. Interestingly, I have driven a 2010 6-cylinder Ford Escape and did not experience this odd shifting. Lastly, I have noticed that the interior has a black shiny dashboard that attracts a lot of dust. I sure wish they would go back to a dull finish. Thank you for listening to my experience.