MazdaTribute2010Overview/mazda/tribute/2010/base/

2010 Mazda Tribute

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 Tribute.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2010 Mazda Tribute is a midsize SUV built on the same platform that underpins its crossover siblings, paired with a six‑speed automatic transmission and delivering an EPA‑rated 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and a combined 23 mpg. Its modest fuel economy is balanced by a relatively low tally of 39 owner complaints for the model year, though steering issues surface as the most frequent grievance and the vehicle carries three recalls. Within the broader 2000‑2011 complaint record, the Tribute’s 2010 figures sit comfortably toward the lower end of the spectrum, far above the 2001 peak of 581 complaints yet well above the 2007 trough of four, indicating a generally reliable period in the model’s history.

Model year201120102009200820062005200420032002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/26/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96R · 500 CCA battery, OE oil filter LF0514302B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 96R · 500 CCAOEM · verified
High beam bulbMSOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterLF0514302B alt ZZC423802
Engine air filterZZC423603 alt ZZCA23603
Spark plugZZC418110B
Front wiper bladesZZDA67330A
Serpentine beltZZC418381 alt CY0115908D
ThermostatAJ5715171A alt LF0315165A
Cabin air filterZZCA61J6X

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.8 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight3395 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 26 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tribute of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.2–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 2001 LX V-6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001LX V-6 3.0L V68.20 sec16.40 sec200 hpAWD
2001ES V-6 3.0L V68.40 sec16.70 sec200 hpAWD
2001ES V-6 3.0L V68.70 sec16.40 sec200 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0-22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 Pints
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4.9-5.1
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13.3 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts35 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub222 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Ignition Timing10 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil TypePAG
Standard BCI Group Number96R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca
Standard BCI Group Number40R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Standard BCI Group Number40R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194 °F
Pressure Test21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature183-190 °F
Pressure Test21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket37 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle129 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket129 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.456 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11 turn at a time until tight., Step 262 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
171-76 ft. lbs., step 2: 87-9371–76 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Maximum cylinder head bolt length should not exceed 146.0 mm. Replace bolts if they exceed maximum length. Coat bolts with clean engine oil. · Step 1 · 2.2-8.0 ft. lbs.

29.5-12.5 ft. lbs.9.5–12.5 ft. lbs
332.0-34.0 ft. lbs.32–34 ft. lbs
488 degrees-92 degrees88 degrees
588 degrees-92 degrees88 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt threads with clean engine oil.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Loosen bolts 360 degrees360 degrees
430.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
590 degrees90 degrees
690 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59 ft. lbs., Step 3: 8337 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs.,upper intake only: step 2: turn 457.4 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install 6 new exhaust manifold stud9 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs, Step 3: 9044 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 1589 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 90,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 37,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEmission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 90,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2010 Mazda Tribute sits near the end of a generation that saw a dramatic improvement after a troubled start. Complaints peaked at 581 in 2001 and remained elevated through 2005, but by 2010 the count had dropped to just 39, with only 3 recalls and no investigations—a pattern of refinement that continued into 2011 (14 complaints, 3 recalls). The top complaint areas for 2010 are steering (9 reports) and powertrain (6), though the data does not specify root causes, and there are zero crash or fire complaints. This model year falls in a stable, low-incident plateau following the mid-cycle refresh, indicating that many early-generation defects were addressed. For a used purchase, the 2010 Tribute represents a mature and relatively trouble-free option within this generation.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
137
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
39
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 39 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering9
Power Train6
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Engine2
Air Bags2
Power Train,Engine2
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control2
Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V788000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 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… Remedy: 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…

15E045000Suspension:Front:Wheel BearingReported 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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 137 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
09-038-242024-08-08Electrical SystemIn accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…
SA-011-24b2024-07-29Unknown Or OtherMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…
SA-011-24a2024-06-07Unknown Or OtherMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…
SA-011-242024-02-12SteeringMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tribute. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2010 Tribute have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Tribute get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpg.