The most-reported Tribute run is 4F2CU08131K (2001 builds) with 19 complaints, 5.9× the typical run. Vehicle speed control problems make up 16% of reports; 2002 is the worst model year at 4.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 22 recall campaigns for Tribute model years 2001–2010.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mazda Tribute has 528 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 4% of every Tribute complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4F2CU08131K•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 4F2CU08141K•••••• | 2001 | 1 | 2 | |
| 4F2YU08192K•••••• | 2002 | — | 1 | |
| 4F2YU08171K•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 4F2CZ02Z38K•••••• | 2008 | 1 | — | |
| 4F2CU08101K•••••• | 2001 | — | 2 | |
| 4F2CU081X1K•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| 4F2YU08112K•••••• | 2002 | — | — | |
| 4F2CZ02Z48K•••••• | 2008 | — | — | |
| 4F2CU08181K•••••• | 2001 | 1 | — | |
| 4F2CU08171K•••••• | 2001 | — | 3 | |
| 4F2YU08191K•••••• | 2001 | — | — |
Each of the other 516 Tribute runs has 11 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mazda Tribute the gap between build years is 4.1×: a 2002 car draws 4.5 complaints per run, a 2011 one 1.1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 13 | 12 | 2 | |
| 2010 | 31 | 18 | — | |
| 2009 | 35 | 13 | 2 | |
| 2008 | 162 | 42 | 5 | |
| 2006 | 104 | 56 | 9 | |
| 2005 | 310 | 110 | 13 | |
| 2004 | 138 | 63 | 13 | |
| 2003 | 171 | 66 | 14 | |
| 2002 | 294 | 66 | 13 | |
| 2001 | 455 | 101 | 15 |
Heaviest year here is 2002 at 4.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2011 at 1.1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 16% of everything Mazda Tribute owners report: Vehicle Speed Control, 275 of 1,713 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 28 | 4 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 12 | |
| Structure | 8 | 1 | |
| Suspension | 3 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 13 | 22 | |
| Power Train | 4 | — | |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 2 | 14 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 22 recall campaigns on the Mazda Tribute; the 6 below cover build years 2001 to 2010. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 15E045000 | Suspension:front:wheel Bearing | 2001–2010 |
| 12V357000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | 2001–2008 |
| 04V605000 | Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock | 2001–2005 |
| 14V174000 | Structure:frame And Members | 2001–2004 |
| 07E023000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder | 2001–2004 |
| 07V157000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module | 2001–2004 |
The Tribute against its rivals
The Tribute draws 3.2 complaints per production run; the Jeep Liberty 7.6, the Dodge Nitro 4.2 and the Chrysler PT Cruiser 4.1. That is the lowest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda Tribute | 1,713 | 528 | 5% | |
| Jeep Liberty | 7,522 | 988 | 6.5% | |
| Dodge Nitro | 1,207 | 288 | 3.6% | |
| Chrysler PT Cruiser | 2,030 | 490 | 7.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,713 reports on the Mazda Tribute, 5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Mazda Tribute | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,713 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 86 (5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 52 (3%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 76 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 5 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mazda Tribute share of that is 1,713 complaints over 528 runs, 0.15% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mazda Tribute VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,713 NHTSA complaints from 528 Tribute runs and 22 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Tribute production run has the most complaints?
4F2CU08131K, a 2001 build, with 19 complaints. The typical Tribute run has 3.2.
Which Tribute years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2002 is heaviest at 4.5 complaints per run and 2011 lightest at 1.1.
Does the Tribute get more complaints than the Jeep Liberty?
No: 3.2 complaints per production run for the Tribute against 7.6 for the Jeep Liberty.
How many Tribute complaints involve a crash?
5% of 1,713 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 52 involved a fire.
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