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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

7 reports
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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

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2021
Lane DepartureSteeringUnknown Or Other

POWER STEERING BECAME UNUSEABLE COULD NOT CONTROL AUTO WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET HAD IT TOWED TO TWO SERVICE CENTER COULD NOT FIX. ; MAVIS TIRE & REPAIR, LACKAWANNA, NY AND LUKES ENTERPRISE SOUTHWESTERN BLVD ORCHARD PARK,NY

NHTSA ODI #11398710

150,000 miles · Oct 6, 2020
Unknown Or Other

THE IGNITION SWITCH TURNS ACCESSORIES ON, BUT WILL NOT EASILY START THE ENGINE WHEN TURNED TO THE START POSITION. IT TAKES SEVERAL REPETITIONS OF WIGGLING AND PUSHING THE KEY IN WHEN TURNING IT TO THE START POSITION UNTIL THE CAR RESPONDS TO THE KEY START POSITION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GE…

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THE IGNITION SWITCH TURNS ACCESSORIES ON, BUT WILL NOT EASILY START THE ENGINE WHEN TURNED TO THE START POSITION. IT TAKES SEVERAL REPETITIONS OF WIGGLING AND PUSHING THE KEY IN WHEN TURNING IT TO THE START POSITION UNTIL THE CAR RESPONDS TO THE KEY START POSITION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THE KEY SWITCH TO START THE ENGINE, SPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS A STICK SHIFT MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHERE IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET OR INTERSECTION DUE TO INEXPERIENCED DRIVER, AND IF THIS HAPPENS, STARTING THE CAR AGAIN IS A CHALLENGE WHEN THE KEY DOESN'T EASILY START THE CAR IGNITION.

NHTSA ODI #11362976

178,000 miles · Feb 23, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

MY 2008 TRIBUTE HAS HAD 3 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED BEFORE THE 4TH WAS A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION THAT WAS PUT IN. LAST NIGHT MY TRIBUTE WAS IN PARK AND KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND IT ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY OUT IN TO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE IT RAN OVER HIM. HE PULLED IT BACK IN THE D…

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MY 2008 TRIBUTE HAS HAD 3 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED BEFORE THE 4TH WAS A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION THAT WAS PUT IN. LAST NIGHT MY TRIBUTE WAS IN PARK AND KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND IT ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY OUT IN TO THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE IT RAN OVER HIM. HE PULLED IT BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY AND SET THE PARKING BRAKE. IT ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AGAIN. THIS DEATH TRAP OF A VEHICLE IS LISTED IN ONE OF THE RECALLS ON THE SHIFT LINKAGE. MY TRANSMISSIONS WERE REPLACED IN KILLEEN, TEXAS IN 2012. THE 3RD REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED AND PULLED RIGHT BACK OUT. THAT'S HOW THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO REPLACE IT WITH A BRAND NEW ONE. LAST NIGHT MY HUSBAND PULLED IN FORWARD INTO ARE DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE SUV IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF, AND GOT OUT OF THE SUV AND WENT TO GET A CEILING FAN BOX OUT OF THE BACK AND HE FELT THE SUV ROLLING BACK ON HIM. HE THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO MOVE TO THE SIDE AS IT ROLLED BACK OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY TO THE MIDDLE OF OUR STREET. HE GOT THE KEYS FROM ME AND DROVE IT BACK INTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND SET THE PARKING BREAK. WE WALKED OUT FRONT THIS MORNING AND IT ROLLED BACK DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF OUR DRIVEWAY. HE PUT CHALK BLOCKS BEHIND THE TIRES AND SET THE PARK BACK BRAKE AGAIN. MY HUSBAND IS AN ACTIVE DUTY SOLDIER. WE BOUGHT THE SUV WHILE WE WERE STATIONED AT FT. HOOD AND NOW WE ARE STATIONED AT FT. CARSON IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO. I'M LEAVING HIS CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOU. I WILL ALSO INCLUDE MY RING DOORBELL VIDEO FROM LAST NIGHT. THANK YOU, [XXX] MY HUSBAND [XXX] MY EMAIL ([XX] HUSBAND'S EMAIL [XXX]. LINK FROM RING DOORBELL : [XXX] VIN # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

NHTSA ODI #11182140

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2018
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

CABLE TO GAS PEDAL BROKEN -- CANNOT BE DRIVEN.

NHTSA ODI #11096671

118,000 miles · Jan 19, 2016
Unknown Or Other

STICKING THROLLE ON VEHICLE OCCURS WHEN TEMPERATURE IS COLD. I COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR AT ALL. GAS PEDAL IS STUCK. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT A RED LIGHT AS WELL AND ALMOST CAUSED SOMEONE TO HIT ME FROM BEHIND. HOWEVER ON 1/18 I COULD NOT GET THE THROLLE UNSTUCK AT ALL. MAZDA SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL AND REFUSES TO REPAIR MY…

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STICKING THROLLE ON VEHICLE OCCURS WHEN TEMPERATURE IS COLD. I COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR AT ALL. GAS PEDAL IS STUCK. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT A RED LIGHT AS WELL AND ALMOST CAUSED SOMEONE TO HIT ME FROM BEHIND. HOWEVER ON 1/18 I COULD NOT GET THE THROLLE UNSTUCK AT ALL. MAZDA SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL AND REFUSES TO REPAIR MY CAR FREE OF CHARGE, THEY DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALL AT ALL. THOUGH THERE IS A TON OF INFORMATION ON LINE FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. CARS.COM AND BLOGS RE. THIS ISSUE AFFECTING OVER 218,000 VEHICLES. SEE ARTICLES ATTACHED IS WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED TO ME.

NHTSA ODI #10821012

73,000 miles · Mar 10, 2015
SteeringUnknown Or Other

ON MY WAY OUT TO STORE I BACKED UP OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AS I SWITCHED GEARS AND WENT INTO DRIVE MY GAS PEDAL WAS HARD TO PUSH DOWN ON. I TRIED AGAIN THEN PEDAL WAS STICKING THEN DROPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FLOOR. I LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL CAR CONTINUED TO GO IN DRIVE, I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED ON BREAKS THEY WERE THEN ALSO H…

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ON MY WAY OUT TO STORE I BACKED UP OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AS I SWITCHED GEARS AND WENT INTO DRIVE MY GAS PEDAL WAS HARD TO PUSH DOWN ON. I TRIED AGAIN THEN PEDAL WAS STICKING THEN DROPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FLOOR. I LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL CAR CONTINUED TO GO IN DRIVE, I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED ON BREAKS THEY WERE THEN ALSO HARD TO PUSH SO I PLACED CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10693376

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.