NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
94 reportsClear category filter60,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
Steering
EVERY OTHER TIME THAT I TURN MY CAR ON, THE POWER STEERING IS GONE. THE STEERING WHEEL IS EXTREMELY TIGHT AND VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A FEW SECONDS, THEN TURN IT BACK ON WHILE PULLING HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL, THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO "COME BACK." THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR MANY REASONS. ONE, I'M …
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EVERY OTHER TIME THAT I TURN MY CAR ON, THE POWER STEERING IS GONE. THE STEERING WHEEL IS EXTREMELY TIGHT AND VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A FEW SECONDS, THEN TURN IT BACK ON WHILE PULLING HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL, THE POWER STEERING SEEMS TO "COME BACK." THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR MANY REASONS. ONE, I'M WORRIED THAT THE POWER STEERING IS GOING TO GO OUT WHILE DRIVING, NOT JUST WHEN I TURN THE CAR ON AND OFF. ALSO, I FEEL LIKE IM WASTING A LOT OF MONEY ON GAS BY HAVING TO TURN MY CAR ON AND OFF MULTIPLE TIME. LASTLY, IT JUST PLAIN DIFFICULT. IT TAKES A LOT OF UPPER BODY STRENGTH TO MANUALLY TURN AN ENTIRE MINI SUV. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576301
90,000 miles · Mar 29, 2014
Steering
POWER STEERING IS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING BECOMES VERY TIGHT AND DIFFICULT DURING AN OCCURRENCE. UPON TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON THE STEERING IS RESTORED. THIS CONDITION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS A PERSON WITHOUT ENORMOUS UPPER BODY STRENGTH WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SAFELY STEER THE VEHIC…
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POWER STEERING IS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING BECOMES VERY TIGHT AND DIFFICULT DURING AN OCCURRENCE. UPON TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON THE STEERING IS RESTORED. THIS CONDITION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS A PERSON WITHOUT ENORMOUS UPPER BODY STRENGTH WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SAFELY STEER THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575644
109,000 miles · Mar 25, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
NHTSA ODI #10574791
59,473 miles · Mar 24, 2014
Steering
WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING SUDDENLY BEGAN TO GRIND AND FELT UNCONTROLLABLE. MY PREGNANT WIFE WAS IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME SO IT WAS ESPECIALLY WORRISOME. I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE INTO THE PARKING LOT WITHOUT CRASHING BUT I THINK A RECALL IS IN ORDER. THIS TRIBUTE STILL HAS UNDER 60,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574463
112,000 miles · Mar 13, 2014
Steering
STEERING WHEEL BECOMES HARD TO TURN WHILE DRIVING. POWER STEERING MODULE STOPS WORKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10569058
85,500 miles · Mar 5, 2014
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I WOULD TURN IT OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES AND IT WOULD BE FINE, STILL SHAKE BUT I COULD AT LEAST STEER. DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AT 65-70 AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. VERY SCARY!! NOW I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT ANYWHERE OTHER THAN WORK BECAUSE IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. REC…
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THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I WOULD TURN IT OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES AND IT WOULD BE FINE, STILL SHAKE BUT I COULD AT LEAST STEER. DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE AT 65-70 AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. VERY SCARY!! NOW I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT ANYWHERE OTHER THAN WORK BECAUSE IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. RECALL!!! THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD! UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS GOING TO GO ON UNTIL SOMEBODY IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. RECALLS ARE BASED ON COST TO REPAIR VS COST OF BEING SUED. RIGHT NOW IT COSTS MAZDA MORE TO REPAIR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES THAN IT WOULD TO PAY IF THEY GOT SUED BECAUSE NOBODY HAS DIED. THEY ARE WAITING FOR THAT. SICK SICK SICK! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10567118
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
84,000 miles · Mar 3, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM OUT A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM OUT A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566892
82,000 miles · Mar 3, 2014
Steering
STOPPED FOR GAS. UPON TURNING VEHICLE BACK ON THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. TURNED VEHICLE OFF THEN BACK ON, STILL NO POWER STEERING. IT HAS NEVER COME BACK, AND ON MOST DAYS STEERING IS CLOSE TO IMPOSSIBLE, (STEERING WHEEL VERY TIGHT, WILL NOT TURN). DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH NO POWER STEERING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. MUST DRIVE …
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STOPPED FOR GAS. UPON TURNING VEHICLE BACK ON THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. TURNED VEHICLE OFF THEN BACK ON, STILL NO POWER STEERING. IT HAS NEVER COME BACK, AND ON MOST DAYS STEERING IS CLOSE TO IMPOSSIBLE, (STEERING WHEEL VERY TIGHT, WILL NOT TURN). DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WITH NO POWER STEERING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. MUST DRIVE DAILY FOR WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566882
95,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10566378
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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