The Lemon IndexMazda Tribute reliability.
Is it reliable? Not really. 3× the average car's complaints.
Avoid · 2001–2008
20082nd generation
What owners say on YouTube: we haven't studied Mazda Tribute videos yet. When that study runs, the most-watched owner reviews and buyer guides for each generation, and what owners praise and complain about, show up here.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-tribute/" title="Mazda Tribute reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mazda-tribute/">Lemon Index</a> (Mazda Tribute reliability by year)</p>Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Compare the Mazda Tribute.
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Quick answers.
Is the Mazda Tribute reliable?
Not really. It draws 3× the average car's complaints. Fewest complaints: 2004. Most complaints: 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Is the Mazda Tribute a good car?
Not overall: it draws more complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2001-2008: Lemon Index 301; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: 2004 drew the fewest complaints and 2001 the most.
What are the best Mazda Tribute years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2004. 2004 drew the fewest.
What Mazda Tribute years should you stay away from?
The 3 years with the most complaints per car sold: 2001 (avoid, Lemon Index 505), 2002 (avoid, Lemon Index 449), 2005 (avoid, Lemon Index 200). 100 is the average car; lower is better.
How many recalls does the Mazda Tribute have?
60 safety recalls across the 11 model years we track. Most: 2001 (15), 2002 (9), 2003 (8). Each year's page lists them, and every Mazda Tribute recall is in one list here.
What are the most common Mazda Tribute problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, transmission & drivetrain and electrical most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 505 | about 5 times the average car's complaints | 355 | engine (42%) | 15 | — | 18–23 |
| 2002 | 449 | about 4 times the average car's complaints | 206 | engine (56%) | 9 | — | 18–22 |
| 2003 | 156 | about one and a half times the average car's complaints | 63 | speed control (24%) | 8 | — | 18–22 |
| 2004 | 89 | somewhat fewer complaints than the average car | 31 | speed control (26%) | 7 | — | 18–22 |
| 2005 | 200 | about twice the average car's complaints | 51 | speed control (25%) | 4 | — | 17–24 |
| 2006 | 142 | about one and a half times the average car's complaints | 24 | speed control (25%) | 3 | — | 19–27 |
| 2007 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 2 | service brakes, air (50%) | 1 | — | — |
| 2008 | 194 | about twice the average car's complaints | 47 | speed control (47%) | 5 | — | 19–32 |
| 2009 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 7 | speed control (29%) | 2 | — | 20–32 |
| 2010 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 11 | transmission & drivetrain (64%) | 3 | — | 20–32 |
| 2011 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 6 | speed control (33%) | 3 | ★★★☆☆ | 20–32 |
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. U.S. sales source: goodcarbadcar.net. How it works
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Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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