Which year to buy
2010GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly power train and steering Extended coverage
38 serious complaints of 39, the most about power train (13) and steering (11); 1.5× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2010 vehicles. 3 recalls.
What owners report
“Driving normally, wrench light came on and lost the ability to accelerate with the gas pedal. Pulled to the shoulder, placed vehicle in park. By this time the vehicle was shaking hard. Turned the vehicle off, then restarted. Vehicle was fine, driving perfectly.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Aug 2013
“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..”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Apr 2025
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Mazda Motor Corporation is extending the warranty coverage for throttle body replacement on certain 2009-2011 Tribute vehicles produced from April 14, 2008 through May 30, 2011. The warranty for throttle body replacement will be extended to 10 years (120 months) from the original warranty start… (SSP95, Jul 2014)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
39 owner complaints · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 20–32 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2010 trims and features
Every Tribute year's verdict →
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
What changed for 2010
First year we have trim data for.
2010 Tribute trims
| i Grand Touring | i Sport | i Touring | s Grand Touring | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | ||||
| Engine | 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT | 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT | 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT | 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 with VVT |
| Horsepower | 171 hp | 171 hp | 171 hp | 240 hp |
| Torque | 171 lb-ft | 171 lb-ft | 171 lb-ft | 223 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed Sport with Adaptive Shift Logic | Automatic AWD: 6-speed Sport with Adaptive Shift Logic Manual FWD: — | 6-speed Sport with Adaptive Shift Logic | 6-speed Sport with Adaptive Shift Logic |
| Gears | 6 | Automatic AWD: 6 Manual FWD: 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Drivetrain | AWD / FWD | Automatic AWD / Automatic FWD / Manual FWD | AWD / FWD | AWD / FWD |
| Size and capability | ||||
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Max towing | 1,500 lb | 1,500 lb | 1,500 lb | 3,500 lb |
| Cargo behind last row | 31.4 cu ft | 31.4 cu ft | 31.4 cu ft | 31.4 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 67.1 cu ft | 67.2 cu ft | 67.2 cu ft | 67.1 cu ft |
| Ground clearance | AWD: 8.1 in FWD: 8.4 in | Automatic AWD: 8.1 in Automatic FWD: 8.4 in Manual FWD: 8.4 in | AWD: 8.1 in FWD: 8.4 in | AWD: 8.1 in FWD: 8.4 in |
| Length | 174.9 in | 174.9 in | 174.9 in | 174.9 in |
| Curb weight | AWD: 3,483 lb FWD: 3,337 lb | Automatic AWD: 3,483 lb Automatic FWD: 3,337 lb Manual FWD: 3,272 lb | AWD: 3,483 lb FWD: 3,337 lb | AWD: 3,555 lb FWD: 3,396 lb |
| Tech | ||||
| Apple CarPlay | — | Optional | Optional | — |
| Android Auto | — | Optional | Optional | — |
| Speakers | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 |
| Comfort | ||||
| Seats | Leather | Cloth | Cloth | Leather |
| Heated seats | Front | — | — | Front |
| Climate zones | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Second row | Split Bench | Split Bench | Split Bench | Split Bench |
| Exterior | ||||
| Sunroof | Tilt/Slide Moonroof | — | — | Tilt/Slide Moonroof |
| Wheels | 16 in | 16 in | 16 in | 16 in |
| Headlights | Halogen | Halogen | Halogen | Halogen |
Packages and options (21)
| i Grand Touring | i Sport | i Touring | s Grand Touring | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Spoiler | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Roof Rack with Cross Bars | Standard | Optional | Standard | Standard |
| Side Steps | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Trailer Hitch (Class II, 1,500-lb Capacity) | Optional | Optional | Optional | — |
| Wheel Locks | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| All-Weather Floor Mats | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass | — | Optional | Optional | — |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass and HomeLink | Standard | Optional | Optional | Standard |
| Cargo Mat (Carpet Type) | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Net | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Remote Engine Start | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Retractable Cargo Cover | Standard | Optional | Standard | Standard |
| SIRIUS Satellite Radio Receiver | Standard | Optional | Optional | Standard |
| Ingot Silver | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Monterey Gray | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Mystic Black | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Sangria Red | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Steel Blue | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| White Suede | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Charcoal | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Graystone | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Oem brochure. Still partial for this year: dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 155–177 hp 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 155–177 hp 3.0L 6-cyl, 240 hp manual available | 4WD, AWD, FWD | 20–32 mpg | 3 of 5 | 0 | 14 | Steering (5) | — |
| 2010 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 171–177 hp 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 171–177 hp 3.0L 6-cyl, 240 hp manual available | 4WD, FWD | 20–32 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 39 | Power train (13) | — |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Mazda Tribute 4DR SUV 4x4 | 3 | No | No | 3 | 14 |
| 2011 | Mazda Tribute 4DR SUV 4x2 | 3 | No | No | 3 | 14 |
| 2011 | Mazda Tribute HEV 4DR SUV 4x4 | 3 | No | No | 3 | 7 |
| 2011 | Mazda Tribute HEV 4DR SUV 4x2 | 3 | No | No | 3 | 7 |
| 2010 | Mazda Tribute 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 39 |
| 2010 | Mazda Tribute Hybrid 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 39 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Tribute 4WD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 22 |
| 2011 | Tribute 4WD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 20 |
| 2011 | Tribute FWD | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
23–25 |
| 2011 | Tribute FWD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 21 |
| 2011 | Tribute Hybrid 2WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 32 |
| 2011 | Tribute Hybrid 4WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 29 |
| 2010 | Tribute 4WD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 23 |
| 2010 | Tribute 4WD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 20 |
| 2010 | Tribute FWD | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
23–24 |
| 2010 | Tribute FWD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 21 |
| 2010 | Tribute Hybrid 2WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 32 |
| 2010 | Tribute Hybrid 4WD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 29 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.