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 reports
83,000 miles · Nov 19, 2012
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO COMPLETE A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AS IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO COMPLETE A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AS IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 01/09/13*LJ UPDATED 1/11/2013 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10485144
120,078 miles · Nov 4, 2012
Steering
THE LOWER STEERING UNIVERSAL JOINT AND 2 INNER TIE RODS 1 OUTER WERE ALL FOUND TO CONTRIBUTE TO POOR ALIGNMENT-THE STEERING U-JOINT WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED[MAZDA] WHEN NEW --AS THE JOINT WAS SUPPOSED TO MOVE FREELY IN 4 DIRECTIONS FLUIDLY--BUT, WHEN REMOVED IT WAS FROZEN;----AND U- JOINT MOVEMENT WASN'T POSSIBLE IN TWO POINTS…
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THE LOWER STEERING UNIVERSAL JOINT AND 2 INNER TIE RODS 1 OUTER WERE ALL FOUND TO CONTRIBUTE TO POOR ALIGNMENT-THE STEERING U-JOINT WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED[MAZDA] WHEN NEW --AS THE JOINT WAS SUPPOSED TO MOVE FREELY IN 4 DIRECTIONS FLUIDLY--BUT, WHEN REMOVED IT WAS FROZEN;----AND U- JOINT MOVEMENT WASN'T POSSIBLE IN TWO POINTS OR DIRECTION ; I.E. FOUND LOOSE -NOT GREASED--LEADING TO SLACK AND FAILURE OF THE OTHER NAMED PARTS--WHICH CAUSED EXCESSIVE SLACK OVERALL IN STEERING WHEEL! OVERALL THE WARRANTY --WAS WORTHLESS AND COSTS 2500.00 OF SELL PRICE-SO BETWEEN THESE FAILURES AND A PREVIOUS REPORT WE'VE SPENT OVER 2500.00 ON REPAIRS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON MAZDA--THESE ARE REPAIRS THAT WERE SUPPOSEDLY COVERED BY WARRANTY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10483303
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V357000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES). THE DEALER ONLY HAD CERTAIN PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIRS AND THE REMAINING PARTS WOULD NOT BECOME AVAILABLE UNTIL LATE OCTOBER 2012. THE CONTACT STATED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V357000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES). THE DEALER ONLY HAD CERTAIN PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIRS AND THE REMAINING PARTS WOULD NOT BECOME AVAILABLE UNTIL LATE OCTOBER 2012. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR TIME HAD EXCEEDED THE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME AND STATED THAT NOT HAVING THE SPEED CONTROL COMPONENT REPAIRED WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10478476
15,000 miles · Sep 24, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO FULLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS VEHICLE SURGED ABRUPTLY BEFORE FINALLY ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO FULLY DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS VEHICLE SURGED ABRUPTLY BEFORE FINALLY ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY CARBON BUILD-UP ON THE THROTTLE BODY. THE REMEDY WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODY HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
NHTSA ODI #10476863
70,000 miles · Sep 19, 2012
Visibility
WE HAVE NOW HAD TO REPLACE 3 WINDOW REGULATORS. (3 DIFFERENT DOORS.) NO WARNING THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH WINDOW. 1 TIME WE WERE DRIVING WHEN WINDOW JUST DROPPED OPEN. WE LIVE IN FLORIDA AND RARELY USE THE WINDOWS AT ALL. THE 2 BACK WINDOWS FAILED WITHIN A 2 WEEK PERIOD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475911
72,000 miles · Aug 13, 2012
EnginePower Train
TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FIRESTONE STORE FOR SERVICE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND FLUSHED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS LEAKING AND THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE AND FORD ESCORT AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RADIATOR BECAUSE THEY WERE BUILT INT…
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TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FIRESTONE STORE FOR SERVICE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AND FLUSHED AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WAS LEAKING AND THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE AND FORD ESCORT AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RADIATOR BECAUSE THEY WERE BUILT INTO THE SAME PART. THEY TOLD ME $550 MIN. TO REPLACE. I THEN DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND WENT TO THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT MAZDA HAD A PROGRAM TO FIX THIS BUT THE DATE WAS UP AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO DO BUT PAY TO FIX IT. THE MAZDA DEALER SAID $1100 TO FIX IT. I WENT NUTS AND TOLD THEM THIS WAS A RIP-OFF. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL MAZDA TO SEE IF THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING TO HELP WITH THE COST SINCE THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A PROGRAM TO FIX IT FOR CUSTOMERS. THEY CALL BACK LAST THURSDAY TO TELL ME THAT MAZDA WAS NOT INTERESTED IN HELPING IN ANYWAY AND REJECTED THE REQUEST. I TOLD THEM THIS WOULD MAKE THE DECISION FOR ME ON BUYING A FOURTH MAZDA. I'M A REPEAT CUSTOMER AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN ASK THAT INFORMATION PRIOR TO MAKING A DECISION. THE IS A BAD PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND MAZDA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND FIX IT!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470337
510,000 miles · Jul 29, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
FROM A STOP SWITCHING TO GAS PEDAL OR ACCELERATOR THE PEDAL STICKS AND HARD TO PRESS AND DOES IT BACK TO BACK FOR A FEW MINUTES. ALSO IT CAN DO IT AT RANDOM AFTER DRIVING FOR AWHILE AND STOP AT A LIGHT IT WILL STICK WHEN TRYING TO GO. ONCE IT STOPS STICKING I HAVE TO QUICKLY HIT THE BRAKES TO NOT CAUSE OVER ACCELERATION. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10468148
51,000 miles · Jul 23, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
WAS DRIVING ON THE WAY HOME AT 45MPH AND THE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR. I PULL ON SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT THE BRAKE PUT IN PARK. AFTER FEW MINUTE I TRIED TO HIT THE PEDAL AND IT COME BACK .THIS IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE IF I HAVE MY KIDS WITH ME AND I WILL BE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY ROAD. THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY MAZ…
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WAS DRIVING ON THE WAY HOME AT 45MPH AND THE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR. I PULL ON SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HIT THE BRAKE PUT IN PARK. AFTER FEW MINUTE I TRIED TO HIT THE PEDAL AND IT COME BACK .THIS IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE IF I HAVE MY KIDS WITH ME AND I WILL BE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY ROAD. THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY MAZDA AS THIS CALL SO MUCH DANGER TO THE PUBLIC. THANKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467072
61,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKING FROM TRANSMISSION COOLER. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462525
Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2012
Steering
WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL A LOUD CLUNK NOISE IS APPARENT AND STEERING FEELS DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
2008 Mazda Tribute Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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