Mazda Tribute: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
2,099 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mazda Tribute, model years 2000 to 2011. 2 model years stand out for the engine or transmission: 2001 (engine 16×, transmission 4.9×); 2002 (engine 13×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2009, 2010, 2006. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 TributeFEW REPORTS | 5 | — | 0 | |
| 2001 Tribute | 562 | engine 16×, transmission 4.9× | 15 | |
| 2002 Tribute | 384 | engine 13× | 9 | |
| 2003 Tribute | 198 | — | 8 | |
| 2004 Tribute | 157 | — | 7 | |
| 2005 Tribute | 377 | — | 4 | |
| 2006 TributeFEW REPORTS | 130 | quiet: 3 of 9 | 3 | |
| 2007 TributeFEW REPORTS | 4 | — | 1 | |
| 2008 Tribute | 201 | — | 5 | |
| 2009 TributeFEW REPORTS | 35 | quiet: 1 of 9 | 2 | |
| 2010 TributeFEW REPORTS | 39 | quiet: 2 of 9 | 3 | |
| 2011 TributeFEW REPORTS | 7 | — | 0 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Mazda models
Mazda 626 · Mazda B-Series Truck · Mazda CX-30 · Mazda CX-5 · Mazda CX-50 · Mazda CX-7 · Mazda CX-9 · Mazda CX-90 · Mazda MPV · Mazda MX-5 · Mazda Mazda3 · Mazda Mazda5 · Mazda Mazda6 · Mazda Protege · Mazda RX-8. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 200120022003200420052008