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
35,982 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Power Train
MY 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE AWD 4I GAS PEDAL STICKS IN COLD WEATHER AND SOMETIMES IN WARM WEATHER (EXACT PROBLEM COMPARED TO 2005 MODEL YEAR COMPLAINTS). IT HAPPENS USUALLY WHEN I GET INTO THE CAR ON A COLD MORNING AND HAVE NOT PROPERLY WARMED THE CAR UP. A FEW TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER I HAVE FULLY TAKEN MY FOOT OFF …
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MY 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE AWD 4I GAS PEDAL STICKS IN COLD WEATHER AND SOMETIMES IN WARM WEATHER (EXACT PROBLEM COMPARED TO 2005 MODEL YEAR COMPLAINTS). IT HAPPENS USUALLY WHEN I GET INTO THE CAR ON A COLD MORNING AND HAVE NOT PROPERLY WARMED THE CAR UP. A FEW TIMES IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER I HAVE FULLY TAKEN MY FOOT OFF THE GAS (SAY TO BRAKE) AND THEN RETURN MY FOOT TO THE GAS PEDAL. THE PEDAL WILL REFUSE TO PUSH DOWN EVEN WITH MY FULL BODY WEIGHT (240LB MAN) ON THE PEDAL. I FIND I HAVE TO JIGGLE MY FOOT AND STEP ON THE PEDAL MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET IT TO GO DOWN. A FEW TIMES I HAD TO PULL OVER AND PLAY WITH IT. EVERY TIME I GET IT TO THE DEALER, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY AND THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT ALL THE COMPLAINTS FROM THE 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING AND I AM WORRIED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314105
42,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT TOOK OFF AND THE ACCELERATOR GOT STIFF AND STUCK. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STIFF, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND NEARLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE FAILUR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT TOOK OFF AND THE ACCELERATOR GOT STIFF AND STUCK. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STIFF, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND NEARLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #10313875
69,896 miles · Feb 18, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
THE GAS PEDAL OF MY VEHICLE STICKS WHEN IT IS FIRST DEPRESSED, AFTER SETTING IDLE AT TRAFFIC STOPS. IT ALSO STICKS WHEN FIRST ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE ON MOST MORNINGS. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES, AND HAS BECOME VERY FREQUENT. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2010. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311928
50,000 miles · Jan 20, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
THE GAS PEDAL STICKS. YOU MUST PRESS GAS PEDAL ABNORMALLY HARD AND THEN WHEN IT GIVES THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD DANGEROUSLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. REQUIRES REPEATED THROTTLE BODY CLEANING. DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY EVERY TIME--A $130 PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10300482
24,750 miles · Jan 3, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
GAS PEDAL STICKING INTERMITTENTLY & HAS OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY TYPICALLY DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65-70MPH. NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS DAILY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297888
48,000 miles · Dec 27, 2009
Power Train
I TOOK MY 2008 TRIBUTE (PURCHASED IN JULY 2007) FOR SERVICE WHEN AT THE 50, 300 MILES. I REPORTED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT MY VEHICLE DOES A MILD OR HARD JERK WHEN COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT I HAD A SMALL HOLE IN THE CONDENSER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE TRANSMISSION OIL. I DO A LOT OF HIGHWAY D…
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I TOOK MY 2008 TRIBUTE (PURCHASED IN JULY 2007) FOR SERVICE WHEN AT THE 50, 300 MILES. I REPORTED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT MY VEHICLE DOES A MILD OR HARD JERK WHEN COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT I HAD A SMALL HOLE IN THE CONDENSER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE TRANSMISSION OIL. I DO A LOT OF HIGHWAY DRIVING THUS THE HIGH MILEAGE SO THEY SURMISED THAT MAYBE A ROCK HIT IT. I THOUGHT THIS WAS OUTRAGEOUS BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSE TO BE DURABLE SINCE IT IS A SUV. MY DRIVING IS NOT IN ROUGH TERRAIN JUST SMOOTH HIGHWAYS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THE STYLE HAS THESE EXPOSED OR OPEN AREAS IN THE FRONT LOWER PART OF THE SUV SO BECAUSE THEY SAW A TINY ROCK EMBEDDED IN THE GRILL OF THE RADIATOR THAT POSSIBLY THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CONDENSER. I FELT IF I HAVE EXPOSED OR OPEN AREAS THEN THE PARTS EXPOSED SHOULD BE STRONG/DURABLE ENOUGH TO TAKE A ROCK HIT. I HAVE NO FRONT IN DAMAGE AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. A TRANSMISSION OIL LEAK WAS THE FARTHEST THING IN MY MIND, WHICH BY THE WAY WILL COST ME $580 TO FIX. SINCE THIS DISCOVERY WAS ON 12/15/09, TEN DAYS FROM XMAS, I DID NOT HAVE IT FIXED. MY FEAR IS THAT THERE ARE SUBSTANDARD PARTS THAT WERE PUT ON MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I FEEL THAT THE PARTS SHOULD BE DURABLE ENOUGH THIS IS AN 2008 VEHICLE I BOUGHT BRAND NEW SO IT IS NOT AN EARLIER MODEL AND THIS DID NOT HAPPENED FROM A LOT OF WEAR AND TEAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MODEL FOR SUBSTANDARD PARTS. I JUST KNEW THAT I WOULD HAVE THIS VEHICLE FOR A FEW MORE YEARS BEFORE ANY MAJOR WORK WAS DONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297062
10,954 miles · Nov 29, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE - GAS PEDAL STICKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293930
45,995 miles · Nov 12, 2009
Power Train
TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE LEAK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292015
5,310 miles · Oct 5, 2009
SeatsCrashInjury
REAR END COLLISION 10/4/09. STOPPED WITH TURN SIGNAL ON TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. REAR ENDED, BOTH FRONT PASSENGERS HAD SEAT BELTS ON. WE WERE THROWN FORWARD AND THEN BACKWARD BREAKING BOTH FRONT SEATS. INJURIES BACK, HIP, BROKEN VERTEBRA IN NECK FROM BEING THROWN AROUND. VERY DISAPPOINTED AT THE SEAT BREAKING CAUSING US MORE …
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REAR END COLLISION 10/4/09. STOPPED WITH TURN SIGNAL ON TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. REAR ENDED, BOTH FRONT PASSENGERS HAD SEAT BELTS ON. WE WERE THROWN FORWARD AND THEN BACKWARD BREAKING BOTH FRONT SEATS. INJURIES BACK, HIP, BROKEN VERTEBRA IN NECK FROM BEING THROWN AROUND. VERY DISAPPOINTED AT THE SEAT BREAKING CAUSING US MORE BODY DAMAGE. ENTIRE BACK OF VEHICLE PUSHED IN AND BUCKLED ROOF. CAR WAS PURCHASED 4/19/08 AND HAD LESS THEN 6000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A DEFINITE FAILURE IN THE SEATS OR VERY POOR DESIGN ON BOTH SEATS.
NHTSA ODI #10286274
15,000 miles · Sep 16, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages
1998 MAZDA TRIBUTE. HOOD LATCH DID NOT ENGAGE . MAZDA DEALER SAID LATCH WORKS AS PRESCRIBED. MAZDA "PEOPLE" SAID NO PROBLEM. COLLISION REPAIR SHOP UNDER CONTRACT WITH DEALER SAYS LATCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FAILURE OF LATCH AND SAFETY CATCH CAUSED BLOWN UP HOOD. *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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