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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

Wheels complaints

4 reports
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100,000 miles · Feb 15, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceVehicle Speed ControlWheelsCrash

AS I AM DRIVING THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR WILL START KICKING LIKE SOMETHING IS TRYING TO IN GAGE ITSELF THIS HAS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT SO I HAVE HAD IT REBUILT THINKING MAYBE THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD I HAVE THE CAR BACK NOW AND THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING AS IT WAS DOING BEFORE TRANS…

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AS I AM DRIVING THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR WILL START KICKING LIKE SOMETHING IS TRYING TO IN GAGE ITSELF THIS HAS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT SO I HAVE HAD IT REBUILT THINKING MAYBE THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD I HAVE THE CAR BACK NOW AND THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING AS IT WAS DOING BEFORE TRANSITION WENT OUT IT HAS DONE IT ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT DRY PAVEMENT CITY AND OR COUNTRY ROADS WORRIED TO DRIVE IT NOW DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AGAIN OVER 3000 DOLLARS TO REPAIR ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

NHTSA ODI #11396225

104,900 miles · Aug 4, 2017
Power TrainWheels

I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WHEN TRYING TO RIDE IN 5TH GEAR SINCE ITS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION IT KEEPS POPPING OUT OF 5TH GEAR EVERY TIME I'M DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY NO MATTER WHAT I'M DOING I GO TO PUT IN 5TH GEAR AND IT POPS BACK OUT EVERY TIME UNLESS I HOLD THE GEAR SHIFT IN PLACE....I JUST HAD BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE T SWARTZ AUTO …

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I'M DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WHEN TRYING TO RIDE IN 5TH GEAR SINCE ITS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION IT KEEPS POPPING OUT OF 5TH GEAR EVERY TIME I'M DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY NO MATTER WHAT I'M DOING I GO TO PUT IN 5TH GEAR AND IT POPS BACK OUT EVERY TIME UNLESS I HOLD THE GEAR SHIFT IN PLACE....I JUST HAD BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE T SWARTZ AUTO SALES IN HARRISONBURG VA AND I BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION FOR WHICH THEY'RE NOT WANTING TO HELP ON THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE JUST GOTTEN IT LITERALLY LAST WEEK N ONLY HAVE PUT MAYBE 250 MILES AND NOT ONLY THAT THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT IT BROUGHT IT UP HOME WASHED IT UP I THEN REALIZED THAT THE TIRES ARE DRY ROTTED WHICH I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES IT HAS AN INSPECTION STICKER STATING ITS GOOD TIL MARCH 18 NOT SURE HOW THESE TIRES EVEN PASSED INSPECTION I TOOK TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND HE ADVISED ME THAT THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN PASSED. AND WHILE TAKING OFF IN 1ST GEAR ITS A RATTLING OR MORE LIKE A SQUEEKING TO IT? COULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND ALSO MAYBE THE TRANSMISSION IS NO GOOD? IT DOES HAVE A RECALL ON IT WHICH I WILL ATTACH THAT AS WELL THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11012892

180,000 miles · Apr 2, 2014
SteeringWheels

THE FRONT WHEELS FELT LIKE THEY WERE LOOSE & THE TIRE COULD COME OFF AT ANY MOMENT. THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT WENT I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS CHARGED APPROX $2100 TO REPLACE THE STEERING PROBLEM. MAZDA WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576762

13,000 miles · Apr 13, 2009
SuspensionWheels

I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH 13,000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK I NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS TILTED OUT OR IN TECHNICAL TERMS IT HAD EXTREME NEGATIVE CAMBER. I GOT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD COME OUT OF THE CONTROL ARM. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS DESIGNED FOR THE BALL JOINT TO FIT IN A STAMPE…

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I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH 13,000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK I NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS TILTED OUT OR IN TECHNICAL TERMS IT HAD EXTREME NEGATIVE CAMBER. I GOT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD COME OUT OF THE CONTROL ARM. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS DESIGNED FOR THE BALL JOINT TO FIT IN A STAMPED STEEL SLEEVE THEN BOLT TIGHT TO THE REAR SPINDLE ONCE THE BALL JOINT IS DISLODGED FROM THE CONTROL ARM THE INTEGRITY OF THE BALL JOINT AND THE CONTROL ARM ARE COMPROMISED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND HE TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN RIGHT AWAY FOR FEAR THAT THE REAR WHEEL COULD COLLAPSE UNDER THE VEHICLE. I'M WELL AWARE OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN BUT I'M MORE CONCERNED THAT A WARRANTY REPAIR WOULD NOT SOLVE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. I'M ALSO CONCERNED THE PROBLEM WOULD DIE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND NOT BE BROUGHT TO THE PROPER PERSONNEL ATTENTION. I'M GOING TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM BEFORE I TAKE IT IN FOR THE REPAIR. I REALLY DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ANY OTHER TRIBUTE OR ESCAPE. I DON'T PLAN ON DRIVING THIS VEHICLE UNTIL I RECEIVE A RETURN RESPONSE FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265148

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.