IllustrationTHE STEERING COLUMN "CLUNKED" AS I WAS TURNING RIGHT INTO A PARKING SPOT. AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES A METALLIC CLUNK SOUND IF I TURN RIGHT OR LEFT AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tribute years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
160–25K
2525–50K
3750–75K
2675–100K
38100–150K
28150K+
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
What owners actually said
202 reportsFOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE HAS COME AND GONE AT VARIOUS TIMES MOSTLY OCCURRING IN THE WINTER MONTHS. AT FIRST I WOULD JUST RESTART MY CAR A FEW TIMES AND MOST OF THE TIME IT WOULD COME BACK ON. A FEW TIMES IT WOULD GO OUT WHEN I WAS ON THE INTERESTED GOING 70 MPH. IT IS VERY DANG…
Read full complaint
FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, THE POWER STEERING IN MY 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE HAS COME AND GONE AT VARIOUS TIMES MOSTLY OCCURRING IN THE WINTER MONTHS. AT FIRST I WOULD JUST RESTART MY CAR A FEW TIMES AND MOST OF THE TIME IT WOULD COME BACK ON. A FEW TIMES IT WOULD GO OUT WHEN I WAS ON THE INTERESTED GOING 70 MPH. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ME TO BE DRIVING AT SUCH SPEEDS WITHOUT POWER STEERING. RECENTLY THERE HAS BEEN NO POWER STEERING AT ALL. IT IS COMPLETELY GONE. I HAVE TALKED ABOUT ESTIMATES TO GET IT FIXED AND THE COST IS ANYWHERE BETWEEN $1200-$2000 TO REPAIR IT. I HAVE ALSO RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND JUST READ THAT FORD HAS RECALLED THEIR 2008 FORD ESCAPE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS PRETTY MUCH THE EXACT SAME VEHICLE. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FOR 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTES AS WELL BEFORE AND SERIOUS INJURY CAN OCCUR. *TR
FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW I HAVE A RANDOM TIMES WHEN STARTING THE CAR WHERE THE STEERING WOULDN'T WORK. I WOULD START THE CAR AND TRY TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING LOT OR SOMETHING AND THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN. I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND THE STEERING WOULD WORK JUST FINE. I TOOK IT TO A FEW AUTO REPAIR SHOPS AND CO…
Read full complaint
FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW I HAVE A RANDOM TIMES WHEN STARTING THE CAR WHERE THE STEERING WOULDN'T WORK. I WOULD START THE CAR AND TRY TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING LOT OR SOMETHING AND THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN. I WOULD TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND THE STEERING WOULD WORK JUST FINE. I TOOK IT TO A FEW AUTO REPAIR SHOPS AND COULD NEVER REPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY WOULD TELL ME THAT THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND SUGGEST IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH MY IGNITION KEY LOCKING THE STEERING. SO I DIDN'T LOOK INTO IT ANYMORE BECAUSE FOR A MONTH OR TWO IT STOPPED HAPPENING. THEN OUT OF NOWHERE TODAY, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AROUND 60-70 MPH WHEN I NOTICED THE STEERING GOT REALLY STIFF. IT WAS REALLY SCARY BECAUSE IT FELT LIKE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER THE STEERING OF THE CAR. SO I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE STEERING WORKED LONG ENOUGH TO GET TO THE NEXT EXIT WHERE I PARKED AT A AUTO REPAIR SHOP. I'M WAITING RIGHT NOW FOR THE REPAIR SHOP TOMORROW TO SEE HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO FIX. *TR
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 …
Read full complaint
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.
TOTAL FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED ,POSSIBLY AVOIDING AN ACCIDENT. THE REPAIR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE POWER STEERING UNIT. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I GLANCED DOWN TO SEE I WAS GOING 75MPH. WHEN I BACKED OFF THE GAS, THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. IT KEPT GOING TO 75 MPH EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT USING CRUISE CONTROL. I MANAGED TO APPLY THE BREAKS HARD ENOUGH TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. (IT TOOK ALL MY WEIGHT ON THE BREAK…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I GLANCED DOWN TO SEE I WAS GOING 75MPH. WHEN I BACKED OFF THE GAS, THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. IT KEPT GOING TO 75 MPH EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT USING CRUISE CONTROL. I MANAGED TO APPLY THE BREAKS HARD ENOUGH TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. (IT TOOK ALL MY WEIGHT ON THE BREAK TO SLOW IT DOWN) I HAD THE CAR TOWED WHERE THE DEALER SAID THE ONLY THING THEY COULD FIND WAS THAT THE RUBBER MAT WAS WEDGED UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. (I SPECIFICALLY REMEMBER STICKING MY FOOT UNDER THE PEDAL AND LIFTING IT UPWARD IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE ACCELERATION AND SLOW THE CAR.) THE MATS ARE HEAVY DUTY AND DO NOT SLIDE AROUND OR BUNCH UP. *TT
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
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 …
Read full complaint
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
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…
Read full complaint
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
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…
Read full complaint
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.
Official recalls
415V677000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.