NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
202 reports42,300 miles · Aug 31, 2009
Power Train
LEAKING TRANSMISSION COOLER AT 42,300 MILES. LEAKING FLUID IS BEING PICKED UP BY THE COOLING FAN AND AIR MOVING THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BEING SPREAD THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THUS A FIRE HAZARD. ALSO, IF THE LEAK HAD NOT BEEN CAUGHT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE RUN DRY AND LOCKED UP POTENTIALLY CAUSING A WRECK…
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LEAKING TRANSMISSION COOLER AT 42,300 MILES. LEAKING FLUID IS BEING PICKED UP BY THE COOLING FAN AND AIR MOVING THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BEING SPREAD THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THUS A FIRE HAZARD. ALSO, IF THE LEAK HAD NOT BEEN CAUGHT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE RUN DRY AND LOCKED UP POTENTIALLY CAUSING A WRECK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10282428
42,000 miles · Jul 1, 2009
Power Train
AUTO TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKING FLUID "FIRE HAZARD". *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275490
48,000 miles · May 22, 2009
Power Train
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND LURCHING FORWARD WHEN IT ENGAGED AT AROUND 20MPH WITH NO WARNING. CHECKED FLUID AND ALMOST NONE LEFT. 14 MONTHS OLD AND 48,500 MILES. DEALER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION/AC COOLER NEEDS REPLACEMENT AND THAT IT IS NOT PART OF THE 50,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. $900. PLUS TO FIX.THIS IS A DEFINITE SA…
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TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND LURCHING FORWARD WHEN IT ENGAGED AT AROUND 20MPH WITH NO WARNING. CHECKED FLUID AND ALMOST NONE LEFT. 14 MONTHS OLD AND 48,500 MILES. DEALER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION/AC COOLER NEEDS REPLACEMENT AND THAT IT IS NOT PART OF THE 50,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. $900. PLUS TO FIX.THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE LURCHING AND IF IT IS A PIECE THAT IS NEEDED BY THE TRANSMISSION TO WORK PROPERLY, IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. SAFETY BULLETIN ALREADY RELEASED ON THE ESCAPES AND HYBRIDS. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269691
13,000 miles · Apr 13, 2009
SuspensionWheels
I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH 13,000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK I NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS TILTED OUT OR IN TECHNICAL TERMS IT HAD EXTREME NEGATIVE CAMBER. I GOT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD COME OUT OF THE CONTROL ARM. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS DESIGNED FOR THE BALL JOINT TO FIT IN A STAMPE…
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I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH 13,000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK I NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS TILTED OUT OR IN TECHNICAL TERMS IT HAD EXTREME NEGATIVE CAMBER. I GOT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT HAD COME OUT OF THE CONTROL ARM. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IS DESIGNED FOR THE BALL JOINT TO FIT IN A STAMPED STEEL SLEEVE THEN BOLT TIGHT TO THE REAR SPINDLE ONCE THE BALL JOINT IS DISLODGED FROM THE CONTROL ARM THE INTEGRITY OF THE BALL JOINT AND THE CONTROL ARM ARE COMPROMISED. I CALLED THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND HE TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN RIGHT AWAY FOR FEAR THAT THE REAR WHEEL COULD COLLAPSE UNDER THE VEHICLE. I'M WELL AWARE OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN BUT I'M MORE CONCERNED THAT A WARRANTY REPAIR WOULD NOT SOLVE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. I'M ALSO CONCERNED THE PROBLEM WOULD DIE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND NOT BE BROUGHT TO THE PROPER PERSONNEL ATTENTION. I'M GOING TO TAKE PICTURES OF THE BALL JOINT AND CONTROL ARM BEFORE I TAKE IT IN FOR THE REPAIR. I REALLY DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ANY OTHER TRIBUTE OR ESCAPE. I DON'T PLAN ON DRIVING THIS VEHICLE UNTIL I RECEIVE A RETURN RESPONSE FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265148
28,000 miles · Mar 21, 2009
Interior LightingPower TrainTires
MAJOR TRANSMISSION LEAK, IT KEPT LEAKING EVERYWHERE EVEN AT THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS LEAKING, BUT FOR SOME REASON THE CAR DROVE NORMAL, THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS FAST, MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR 28,000 MILES AND THE BRAKES ARE MAKING GRUMBLING NOISES WHEN ITS LEFT TO COOL FOR LIKE 19 MINUTES, PLUS ONE OF THE SPEAKERS SOUND DISTOR…
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MAJOR TRANSMISSION LEAK, IT KEPT LEAKING EVERYWHERE EVEN AT THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS LEAKING, BUT FOR SOME REASON THE CAR DROVE NORMAL, THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS FAST, MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR 28,000 MILES AND THE BRAKES ARE MAKING GRUMBLING NOISES WHEN ITS LEFT TO COOL FOR LIKE 19 MINUTES, PLUS ONE OF THE SPEAKERS SOUND DISTORTED. TRANSMISSION LEAKED AND NOW MY PREFECT GARAGE AND READ TRANNY FLUID EVERYWHERE!!! MAZDA AND FORD PLEASE STOP MAKING CARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262614
20,000 miles · Feb 23, 2009
Exterior Lighting
2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE CONDENSATION IN SEALED BEAM HEADLIGHT. DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT MAZDA CORPORATE SENT OUT AN EMAIL DISALLOWING THE REPAIR OF HEADLIGHTS WITH CONDENSATION IN THEM. THE CORPORATE EMAIL APPARENTLY STATES THAT THIS IS A "NORMAL" OCCURRENCE AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS COULD IMPA…
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2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE CONDENSATION IN SEALED BEAM HEADLIGHT. DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT MAZDA CORPORATE SENT OUT AN EMAIL DISALLOWING THE REPAIR OF HEADLIGHTS WITH CONDENSATION IN THEM. THE CORPORATE EMAIL APPARENTLY STATES THAT THIS IS A "NORMAL" OCCURRENCE AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS COULD IMPAIR OUR NIGHT VISION OR LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE VALIDITY OF MAZDAS CLAIM SINCE WATER SHOULD NOT BE IN THE HEADLIGHT. CAR IS AT TOWN NORTH MAZDA IN RICHARDSON TX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259678
4,100 miles · Feb 11, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
AT ALL SPEEDS OTHER THAN IDLE THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY LOSES POWER AND SMOKES. THIS IS A NEW 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE DANGER IS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEED SUDDENLY THE PROBLEM OCCURS AND THE CONDITION BECOMES UNSAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258330
17,000 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Power Train
WE ARE HAVING TRANSMISSION COOLER PROBLEMS. OUR 2008 TRIBUTE HAS A MAJOR LEAK...OR SHALL I SAY POUR. THE ITEM IS RECALLED. WE LIVE 1100 KM AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP.....SO WE COULD POTENTIALLY RUIN THE TRANSMISSION IF WE DRIVE THAT FAR...AND WE DO NOT HAVE 4000.00 TO GET IT TOWED. SO HERE WE ARE WITH A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT WE CAN …
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WE ARE HAVING TRANSMISSION COOLER PROBLEMS. OUR 2008 TRIBUTE HAS A MAJOR LEAK...OR SHALL I SAY POUR. THE ITEM IS RECALLED. WE LIVE 1100 KM AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP.....SO WE COULD POTENTIALLY RUIN THE TRANSMISSION IF WE DRIVE THAT FAR...AND WE DO NOT HAVE 4000.00 TO GET IT TOWED. SO HERE WE ARE WITH A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT WE CAN NOT DRIVE BECAUSE OF A TRANNY LEAK. WHAT TO DO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241813
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN DECLARED TOTAL LOSS. THERE ARE INJURIES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY DEPLOYMENT. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED BY MY FATHER I BELIEVE IN JUNE AND HE WAS DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241094
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2008
SeatsInjury
THE BARS OF THE FRONT HEAD RESTS PROTRUDE FROM THE REAR OF THE SEAT AS THERE IS NO PROTECTION BETWEEN THE BARS AND THE CLOTH OF THE SEAT. BECAUSE OF THIS, IT IS VERY EASY FOR ONE TO HIT THEIR LEGS/KNEES WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT IT SEEMS LIKE THERE COULD BE A VERY HIGH POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS L…
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THE BARS OF THE FRONT HEAD RESTS PROTRUDE FROM THE REAR OF THE SEAT AS THERE IS NO PROTECTION BETWEEN THE BARS AND THE CLOTH OF THE SEAT. BECAUSE OF THIS, IT IS VERY EASY FOR ONE TO HIT THEIR LEGS/KNEES WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT IT SEEMS LIKE THERE COULD BE A VERY HIGH POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS LEG/KNEE INJURIES IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM CAN AFFECT YOUNG TEENS TO ADULTS AS MY MOM, WHO IS ONLY 5' 1" TALL, EASILY HIT ONE OF THE BARS WITH HER KNEE AS DID I WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE BACK SEATS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233568
Official recalls
4Oct 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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