I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A CITY STREET, AND THE STEERING SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN OR CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL; IT BECAME EXTREMELY HARD. I WAS NOT ON MY BRAKES, I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT WITH MY FEET ON THE GAS. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST 4 DAYS. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE STEERING WH…
2011 mazda Tribute steering problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel became firm and failed to respond to driver input. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights started to flicker, and the vehicle stalled. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replac…
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and turning the steering wheel to the left, there was a slight vibration coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle then lost power steering functionality. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off the roadway, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle regaine…
I bought the car used several years ago and in the past year have experienced the steering wheel all of a sudden appear to be locking up. I looked up the recall and found that this is a known issue with the Mazda Tribute vehicles. I checked with dealer and they agreed. I contact Mazda customer service on 3 different occasions in the last month and they have issued a case number but will not ackno…
TWICE, WHILE DRIVING UNDER 25 MPH, AND BOTH TIMES WHILE TURNING TO THE RIGHT, THE POWER STEERING HAS STOPPED WORKING. WHEN CHECKED BY A MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE STEERING SHAFT TORQUE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED: CODE B2278-2F
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2011 mazda Tribute?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
Some links on this page are affiliate links.