Model year guide

2011 Mazda Tribute

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2011 Mazda Tribute is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

2011 Mazda Tribute — representative photo
Representative photo

2011 Mazda Tribute at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints14
Overall safety3 / 5 ★
Combined20–32 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2011 Mazda Tribute recalls 3

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #16V788000 · manufacturer #0416J · NHTSA lists this under Tribute Hybrid · 28/10/2016

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.

Fix: 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…

Suspension:front:wheel Bearing NHTSA Campaign #15E045000 · NHTSA lists this under Tribute Hybrid · 03/06/2015

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…

Fix: 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.

Steering:electric Power Assist System NHTSA Campaign #14V282000 · manufacturer #7614E · NHTSA lists this under Tribute Hybrid · 29/05/2014

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.

Fix: 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…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2011 Mazda Tribute common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2011 Mazda Tribute safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★

Rollover risk: 20.4% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2011 Mazda Tribute 4DR SUV 4x4. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2011 Mazda Tribute MPG & running costs

Combined20–32 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,800
EPA size classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Transmission3 options
Engine start-stopOn some versions
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 7 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2011 Mazda Tribute costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,000
Fuel only$14,000
Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
174.8 in
Width
71.3 in
Height
68.1 in
Wheelbase
103.1 in
Curb weight
3,274–3,556 lb
Front track
61.4 in
Rear track
60.6 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2011 Mazda Tribute — ranges cover the 4 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 131

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 131.

Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid. It has been unpublished and superseded by the Field Quality Information Report (FQIR) reporting system.

Bulletin SA-055-26 · Aug 2026

This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit inoperative electric rear window defroster grid lines, integral antenna concerns causing radio…

Bulletin 09-022-26 · Electrical System, Visibility/wiper · Jul 2026

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems.…

Bulletin SA-029-26 · Power Train, Service Brakes, Engine · Apr 2026

In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer’s responsibility to comply with Federal, S…

Bulletin 09-038-24 · Electrical System · Aug 2024

Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services perform…

Bulletin SA-011-24b · Jul 2024

Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services perform…

Bulletin SA-011-24 · Steering, Power Train, Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2024

Speedometer replacement procedure

Bulletin 09-016-23 · Electrical System · Feb 2023

Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guideli…

Bulletin 02-004-22a · Suspension · Nov 2022

In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.

Bulletin 09-024-22 · Electrical System · Jul 2022

This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce unnecessary battery replacement cost. For new vehicles in stock at the dealer, in…

Bulletin 01-006-22 · Electrical System · Jun 2022

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the TRIBUTE 4x2. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2011 Mazda Tribute. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Fuel System

On certain vehicles, the thickness of the port wall of the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) may be below specification and could result in the supply port cracking. If a crack were to develop in the vertical portion of the FDM fuel supply port, a fuel leak could occur. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire causing injury and/or property damage. Corr…

Transport Canada #2017079 · Feb 2017

Steering

On certain vehicles, a fault in the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system could result in an immediate loss of power steering assist without warning to the driver. This would unexpectedly increase the steering effort force necessary to steer the vehicle at lower vehicle speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers…

Transport Canada #2014197 · May 2014

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

2011 Mazda Tribute vehicles on record

Other Mazda Tribute model years

2011 Mazda Tribute — frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Mazda Tribute have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2011 Mazda Tribute. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Mazda Tribute?

Across all 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, fuel/propulsion system, vehicle speed control.

What is the 2011 Mazda Tribute safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2011 Mazda Tribute an overall crash-test rating of 3 out of 5 stars (frontal 3★, side 3★, rollover 3★).

What gas mileage does the 2011 Mazda Tribute get?

The 2011 Mazda Tribute has U.S. EPA estimates of 20–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (7 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.