Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

14 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor4

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 2transmission slipping 1fluid leaks 1
A recent report: 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

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11331433 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor1

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration.

unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10393058 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor5

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 5
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11519445 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading2

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

airbags not deploying 2
A recent report: HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH POWER POLE AT 55 MPH. DRIVER AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. (NO PASSENGERS ON BOARD). *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10604610 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading1

Most reports here involve corrosion. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

corrosion 1
A recent report: 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)

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11505960 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor1

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 1
A recent report: 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…
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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.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11062562 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 14 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2023, roughly 1 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.