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2010 Mazda Tribute Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2010 Mazda Tribute carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering fuel pump and wheel bearing. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Recall 16V788000 repair parts unavailable.” Mazda's Skyactiv engines use unusually high compression ratios (13:1 to 16:1) and require strict adherence to oil intervals — extending oil life on a Skyactiv engine accelerates carbon buildup on intake valves. Mazda's published Schedule 1 (severe) covers most US driving conditions. Mazda3, CX-5, CX-30, and CX-50 share the Skyactiv-G platform.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Campaign #16V788000 · Oct 28, 2016

Issue: 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.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

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 remedy parts are in stock. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0416J.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

Campaign #15E045000 · Mar 6, 2015

Issue: 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.

Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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

Campaign #14V282000 · May 29, 2014

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

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 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2010 Mazda Tribute.

Reported to NHTSA

Recall 16V788000 repair parts unavailable

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2017-07 → 2017-12

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V788000 (FUEL PROPULSION); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11055574
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V788000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11004645
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V788000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11003018

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear liftgate glass spontaneous shatter

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 NHTSA complaints · 2012-10 → 2013-12

“I CLOSED THE REAR LIFTGATE AND THE REAR GLASS SHATTERED EVERYWHERE. NOTHING WAS IN THE BACK AND NOTHING TOUCHED THE GLASS, IT JUST SHATTERED NIGH SPONTANEOUSLY. IT WAS 21 DEGREES OUTSIDE AT THE TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10556091
“INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 10/20/2012 AT 7:00 PM IN THE FRED MEYER PARKING LOT IN KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON. TEMPERATURE OUT 40 DEGREES. TAILGATE WINDOW SHATTERED IN PARKING LOT ON MY 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10481293

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electric power steering loss while driving

STEERING

9 NHTSA complaints · 2014-05 → 2025-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED AND AN UNKNOWN INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THERE WERE FAULTY COMPONENTS IN THE STEERING WHEEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11279972
“There's no power steering as I was Driving it just got hard to steer and almost got into an accident car is not drivable at all”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11423050
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT DROVE SLOWLY AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11065831

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Throttle body failure with wrench-light loss of acceleration

POWER TRAIN

12 NHTSA complaints · 2013-06 → 2014-06

“DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH FOR THE HOLIDAYS WHEN I LOST ALL ACCELERATION. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND A WRENCH LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH BOARD. ENGINE WAS IDLING VERY RUFF AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN FORWARD OR REVERSE LIKE THE POWER TRAIN WAS BROKEN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10558167
“AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH I SUDDENLY FELT A TUG AND THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN GOING DOWN AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE WRENCH CAME ON. I PULLED OVER AND WAITED TO BE TOWED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10521081
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10467926

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall and loss of power

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

7 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2025-10

“2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH 57K ON IT JUST DIED WHILE DOING 80 DOWN THE FREEWAY, HAD TO GET IT TOWED. IT SIMPLY SHUTOFF. I THINK ITS THE FUEL PUMP BUT I AM NOT REALLY SURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11092585
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH UP A MOUNTAIN, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERRA MAZDA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11098755
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10659189

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2 (highway-only): 7,500 miles. Mazda CX-50 Turbo and CX-9: 5,000 miles regardless of schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. AWD CX-5, CX-50, and CX-9: 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear from front-biased AWD coupling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Mazda3 and CX-5 front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Skyactiv-G direct injection is sensitive to airflow restriction — inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Replace ATF every 60,000 miles severe / 100,000 normal. Use Mazda FZ ATF — substitutes cause harsh 1-2 shifts and torque converter shudder.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs every 60,000 miles on Skyactiv-G 2.0L and 2.5L. CX-50 Turbo and CX-9 Turbo: 45,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

FL-22 Long-Life Coolant

Every 60,000 mi

Mazda FL-22 (yellow): first change at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 60,000. Do not substitute — silicate-free formula prevents water pump damage on Skyactiv engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)

Every 60,000 mi

AWD CX-5, CX-50, CX-9: replace transfer case fluid and rear diff fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Behind the glove box on Mazda3, CX-5, CX-30, and CX-50.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

3 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

0

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2010 Mazda Tribute reflects Mazda's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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