IllustrationPASSENGER FRONT DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN. *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 reportsGAS PEDAL STICKS ON ACCELERATION. MOSTLY HAPPENS ON COLD MORNINGS AND WHEN SHIFTING FROM LOW TO HIGH SPEEDS. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND IT SHOULD BE A MAZDA RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH AN ISSUE. AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET RESEARCH IT APPEARS THE GAS PEDA…
Read full complaint
GAS PEDAL STICKS ON ACCELERATION. MOSTLY HAPPENS ON COLD MORNINGS AND WHEN SHIFTING FROM LOW TO HIGH SPEEDS. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND IT SHOULD BE A MAZDA RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH AN ISSUE. AFTER DOING SOME INTERNET RESEARCH IT APPEARS THE GAS PEDAL IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE WITH THE 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. ALSO WHEN CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME MY WARRANTY EXPIRED THE DAY BEFORE AND REFUSED TO LOOK AT CAR WITHOUT CHARGING ME.
ACCELERATION ISSUE. THROTTLE CABLE SNAPPED AT THE FIREWALL NEAREST TO THE GAS PEDAL, SO I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE EXPRESSWAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION COOLANT WAS LEAKING AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION COOLANT WAS LEAKING AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,590.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT DEPRESS WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. AFTER APPLYING HEAVY PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY DURING COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT DEPRESS WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. AFTER APPLYING HEAVY PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY DURING COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE AND THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE GAS PEDAL STICKS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS EVEN WHEN HAVING TO ACCELERATE. MY VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD WHEN I HAVE TO PRESS THE PEDAL HARD TO GET MY VEHICLE TO MOVE. IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE AND YET SCARY WHEN DRIVING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE LAST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER W…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE POWER STEERING STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE LAST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE POWER STEERING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE, APPROX, 72,000 MILES. THE GAS PEDAL STICKS IN COLD WEATHER. WE LIVE IN THE BATON ROUGE AREA SO IT DOESN'T GET COLD OFTEN, BUT THE LAST FEW DAY'S WE'VE HAD LOWS IN THE 20'S AND THE GAS PEDAL HAS A STICKING ISSUE. IT'S HARD TO PRESS AND WHEN IT FINALLY DOES THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. WE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE LAS…
Read full complaint
2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE, APPROX, 72,000 MILES. THE GAS PEDAL STICKS IN COLD WEATHER. WE LIVE IN THE BATON ROUGE AREA SO IT DOESN'T GET COLD OFTEN, BUT THE LAST FEW DAY'S WE'VE HAD LOWS IN THE 20'S AND THE GAS PEDAL HAS A STICKING ISSUE. IT'S HARD TO PRESS AND WHEN IT FINALLY DOES THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. WE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE LAST YEAR WHEN IT ALSO GOT ABNORMALLY COLD FOR THIS AREA. *TR
ACCELERATOR BECAME STIFF ON COLD MORNINGS. ACCELERATOR CABLE CLIP BROKE, TRIBUTE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. (FELL TO FLOOR) CLIP REPLACED, STILL STICKING. TAKING BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON. *TR
I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT HAS A STICKING ACCELERATOR, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. EVEN AFTER THE CAR IS WARM THE ACCELERATOR WILL SOMETIMES STICK AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. TODAY AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT FIVE MILES IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I TRIED TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS HAS B…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT HAS A STICKING ACCELERATOR, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. EVEN AFTER THE CAR IS WARM THE ACCELERATOR WILL SOMETIMES STICK AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. TODAY AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT FIVE MILES IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I TRIED TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON THAT I HAVE NOTICED FOR ABOUT A YEAR. IT FIRST HAPPENED OCTOBER 2009. *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.