IllustrationWHEN 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
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 reportsSTEERING WHEEL BECOMES HARD TO TURN WHILE DRIVING. POWER STEERING MODULE STOPS WORKING. *TR
THE ACCELERATOR STICKS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR DONE STUCK. I FOUND OUT THAT MAZDA HAD A RECALL ON THE 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WASN'T AMONG THEM. I'VE TRIED TOO CONTACT MAZDA BUT I GET NO ANSWER AND NO ONE RETUR…
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THE ACCELERATOR STICKS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR DONE STUCK. I FOUND OUT THAT MAZDA HAD A RECALL ON THE 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT I WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WASN'T AMONG THEM. I'VE TRIED TOO CONTACT MAZDA BUT I GET NO ANSWER AND NO ONE RETURN MY CALLS. *TR
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
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
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
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
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.
STARTED VEHICLE AT MALL, PUT IN REVERSE AND OUT OF NOWHERE (NO WARNING) WE HAD NO POWER STEERING. DROVE THAT WAY FOR ABOUT 5 MILES, STOPPED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, RESTARTED AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS THE STEERING WHEEL STARTING SHAKING WHEN IDLE OR EVEN IN PARK AND I AGAIN HAVE LOST POWER STEERING …
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STARTED VEHICLE AT MALL, PUT IN REVERSE AND OUT OF NOWHERE (NO WARNING) WE HAD NO POWER STEERING. DROVE THAT WAY FOR ABOUT 5 MILES, STOPPED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, RESTARTED AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS THE STEERING WHEEL STARTING SHAKING WHEN IDLE OR EVEN IN PARK AND I AGAIN HAVE LOST POWER STEERING SEVERAL TIMES. TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY TOLD US WE WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR OF THE SENSOR MODULAR IN THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS I CANNOT TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY GOES OUT, IT IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED MY MAZDA BEFORE SOMEONE GET SERIOUSLY HURT... *TR
POWER STEERING BECAME VERY INTERMITTENT OVER THE PERIOD OF THREE WEEKS - WOULD WORK ONE DAY SOMETIMES AND NOT THE NEXT BEFORE QUITTING COMPLETELY LAST WEEK. WHEN IT WOULD WORK IT WOULD VIBRATE AND SHAKE AS TO NEED TWO HANDS ON THE WHEEL TO DRIVE AT ALL TIMES. EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE A PROPER RIGHT HAND TURN.…
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POWER STEERING BECAME VERY INTERMITTENT OVER THE PERIOD OF THREE WEEKS - WOULD WORK ONE DAY SOMETIMES AND NOT THE NEXT BEFORE QUITTING COMPLETELY LAST WEEK. WHEN IT WOULD WORK IT WOULD VIBRATE AND SHAKE AS TO NEED TWO HANDS ON THE WHEEL TO DRIVE AT ALL TIMES. EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE A PROPER RIGHT HAND TURN. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC TODAY AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT IS THE STEERING COLUMN TORQUE SENSOR AND THE VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM ON THE TRIBUTES. MAZDA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART FAILURE AS IT IS VERY UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS!!!!! *TR
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.