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2008 Mazda Tribute

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Mazda Tribute do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 143.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

170 reports with mileage · 32 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 94 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

Engine complaints

7 reports
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118,000 miles · Jun 18, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A LOUD BANGING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A LOUD BANGING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A PISTON SHOT THROUGH THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000. *TT

NHTSA ODI #11102445

50,000 miles · Jan 26, 2017
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS FAULTY. THE VEHCILE WAS NOT REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS FAULTY. THE VEHCILE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V357000 (ENGINE), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10947708

55,000 miles · May 11, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10715612

50,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COOL (SUB 50F) THE GAS PEDAL WILL STICK. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED AND YOU GO TO PUSH IT DOWN IT STICKS. WHEN THIS STICKING FINALLY LETS GO THE VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD. THE V6 VERSION OF THIS SUV HAS A RECALL ON THE PEDAL BUT I OWN THE V4. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649583

35,000 miles · Apr 23, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATION PEDAL AT ANY SPEED, THERE WAS A REVVING NOISE AS THE ACCELERATION PEDAL VIBRATED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING AND WOULD BECOME MORE PROMINENT WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THERE WAS ALSO AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATION PEDAL AT ANY SPEED, THERE WAS A REVVING NOISE AS THE ACCELERATION PEDAL VIBRATED. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING AND WOULD BECOME MORE PROMINENT WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THERE WAS ALSO AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES WITH A 4-CYLINDER STICK SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35000.

NHTSA ODI #10584450

72,000 miles · Aug 13, 2012
EnginePower Train

TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FIRESTONE STORE FOR SERVICE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND FLUSHED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS LEAKING AND THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE AND FORD ESCORT AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RADIATOR BECAUSE THEY WERE BUILT INT…

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TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FIRESTONE STORE FOR SERVICE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND FLUSHED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS LEAKING AND THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE AND FORD ESCORT AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RADIATOR BECAUSE THEY WERE BUILT INTO THE SAME PART. THEY TOLD ME $550 MIN. TO REPLACE. I THEN DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND WENT TO THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT MAZDA HAD A PROGRAM TO FIX THIS BUT THE DATE WAS UP AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO DO BUT PAY TO FIX IT. THE MAZDA DEALER SAID $1100 TO FIX IT. I WENT NUTS AND TOLD THEM THIS WAS A RIP-OFF. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL MAZDA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING TO HELP WITH THE COST SINCE THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A PROGRAM TO FIX IT FOR CUSTOMERS. THEY CALL BACK LAST THURSDAY TO TELL ME THAT MAZDA WAS NOT INTERESTED IN HELPING IN ANYWAY AND REJECTED THE REQUEST. I TOLD THEM THIS WOULD MAKE THE DECISION FOR ME ON BUYING A FOURTH MAZDA. I'M A REPEAT CUSTOMER AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN ASK THAT INFORMATION PRIOR TO MAKING A DECISION. THE IS A BAD PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND MAZDA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX IT!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470337

510,000 miles · Jul 29, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

FROM A STOP SWITCHING TO GAS PEDAL OR ACCELERATOR THE PEDAL STICKS AND HARD TO PRESS AND DOES IT BACK TO BACK FOR A FEW MINUTES. ALSO IT CAN DO IT AT RANDOM AFTER DRIVING FOR AWHILE AND STOP AT A LIGHT IT WILL STICK WHEN TRYING TO GO. ONCE IT STOPS STICKING I HAVE TO QUICKLY HIT THE BRAKES TO NOT CAUSE OVER ACCELERATION. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10468148

Official recalls

4

15V677000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Oct 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.

14V552000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

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.

14V282000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System

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.

12V357000 · Engine And Engine Cooling; Vehicle Speed Control:cables

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.