NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
15 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Apr 5, 2025
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering
Unknown, Electric steering no longer works, ABS light, traction control light engine light air bag light and tool light are on the, brakes will be faulty at times mainly when ABS and traction control light turn on. There is Google fact that 2008 Mazda had recall for EPS, also faulty air bag and more the vehicle recalls need to b…
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Unknown, Electric steering no longer works, ABS light, traction control light engine light air bag light and tool light are on the, brakes will be faulty at times mainly when ABS and traction control light turn on. There is Google fact that 2008 Mazda had recall for EPS, also faulty air bag and more the vehicle recalls need to be fixed desperately it's going to cause safety problems while driving if not took care of.
NHTSA ODI #11652901
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2022
Electrical SystemSteeringUnknown Or Other
I have to put the key in the ignition a certain way and press on it to get the car to start and was told it is a pin that gets stuck in the steering column and it won't let the vehicle start and they said it is a Steering column lock module and there should be a recall on it. This is a big problem my fiance' has cancer and needs…
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I have to put the key in the ignition a certain way and press on it to get the car to start and was told it is a pin that gets stuck in the steering column and it won't let the vehicle start and they said it is a Steering column lock module and there should be a recall on it. This is a big problem my fiance' has cancer and needs to be at her appointments when she has them not when the vehicle decides to let me get her there. It won't start all the time.
NHTSA ODI #11488049
275,000 miles · Feb 9, 2021
Electrical System
STEERING WHEEL RANDOMLY LOCKS WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT RECALL IS CLOSED.
NHTSA ODI #11395483
146,000 miles · May 22, 2018
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY NEEDED TO BE VIGOROUSLY PRESSED AND TURNED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY NEEDED TO BE VIGOROUSLY PRESSED AND TURNED IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
NHTSA ODI #11097275
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2017
Electrical System
STEERING COLOM IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE FELLS TO CRANK. THE LOCK ATTACHES AROUND THE STEERING COLOM IN WHICH THE IGNITION SWITCH GOES IN TO. THIS IS THE 3RD REPLACEMENT OF FACTORY OEM PARTS AND IT CONTINUES TO GO BAD. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WHEN
NHTSA ODI #11031437
135,000 miles · Jul 18, 2017
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension
IGNITION SWITCH NOT WORKING. TRANSMISSION 2ND AND 5TH GEAR NOT WORKING AND CONTROL ARMS FOR ALL 4 WHEELS SEEM TO BE GOING BAD
NHTSA ODI #11006088
100,000 miles · Mar 8, 2017
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V282000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10959562
100,090 miles · Oct 29, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,090.
NHTSA ODI #10786977
60,000 miles · Sep 4, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE KEY WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HOUSING W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE KEY WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HOUSING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10630651
83,000 miles · Mar 4, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING UNIT IN MT TRIBUTE IS SHOT! IT STARTED GOING OUT RANDOMLY AND WOULD COME BACK ON AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND TURNING IT BACK ON. OVER THE WEEKEND IT WENT OUT ON US WHILE DRIVING 70MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY! IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION THAT COULD'VE WENT BAD. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THROUGH MAZDA A…
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THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING UNIT IN MT TRIBUTE IS SHOT! IT STARTED GOING OUT RANDOMLY AND WOULD COME BACK ON AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND TURNING IT BACK ON. OVER THE WEEKEND IT WENT OUT ON US WHILE DRIVING 70MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY! IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION THAT COULD'VE WENT BAD. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THROUGH MAZDA AND SHOULD BE RECALLED! IT IS THE SAME UNIT THAT WAS IN THE MAZDA 3 AND 5; WHICH WAS RECALLED. THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE ASAP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567014
Official recalls
4Oct 19, 2015
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2008 Tribute vehicles manufactured February 9, 2007 to April 22, 2008. The affected vehicles have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission and if necessary tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8815J.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2008 Tribute vehicles manufactured February 9, 2007 to April 22, 2008. The affected vehicles have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission and if necessary tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8815J.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2008 Tribute vehicles manufactured February 9, 2007 to April 22, 2008. The affected vehicles have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission and if necessary tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8815J.
Sep 10, 2014
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 10, 2006, to May 23, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail, resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall began November 5, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7814I.
May 29, 2014
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Tribute vehicles manufactured October 5, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7614E.
Jul 27, 2012
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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