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
85,000 miles · Mar 17, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V282000 (STEERING) AND INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHIN A YEAR OF THE REPAIR. THE DEALER UPDATED THE PSCM, BUT IT WAS NOT CONFIRMED IF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE WAS ALSO UPDATED. WH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V282000 (STEERING) AND INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHIN A YEAR OF THE REPAIR. THE DEALER UPDATED THE PSCM, BUT IT WAS NOT CONFIRMED IF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MODULE WAS ALSO UPDATED. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN SHOOK AND VIBRATED AND THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10694808
73,000 miles · Mar 10, 2015
SteeringUnknown Or Other
ON MY WAY OUT TO STORE I BACKED UP OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AS I SWITCHED GEARS AND WENT INTO DRIVE MY GAS PEDAL WAS HARD TO PUSH DOWN ON. I TRIED AGAIN THEN PEDAL WAS STICKING THEN DROPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FLOOR. I LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL CAR CONTINUED TO GO IN DRIVE, I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED ON BREAKS THEY WERE THEN ALSO H…
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ON MY WAY OUT TO STORE I BACKED UP OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AS I SWITCHED GEARS AND WENT INTO DRIVE MY GAS PEDAL WAS HARD TO PUSH DOWN ON. I TRIED AGAIN THEN PEDAL WAS STICKING THEN DROPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO FLOOR. I LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL CAR CONTINUED TO GO IN DRIVE, I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED ON BREAKS THEY WERE THEN ALSO HARD TO PUSH SO I PLACED CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10693376
43,000 miles · Mar 3, 2015
Seat Belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA ODI #10691914
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
AFTER TURNING A CORNER, THE CAR STARTED UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATING AND DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FULLY ENGAGED. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO GROW LOUDER AS THE CAR CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED. THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AS THE CAR ACCELERATED, IN FACT, THE DRIVER PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN AS FAR AS IT …
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AFTER TURNING A CORNER, THE CAR STARTED UNCONTROLLABLY ACCELERATING AND DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FULLY ENGAGED. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO GROW LOUDER AS THE CAR CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED. THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AS THE CAR ACCELERATED, IN FACT, THE DRIVER PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN AS FAR AS IT COULD GO. ENGAGING THE BRAKE DID NOT AFFECT THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH NO PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL AND CONSISTENT PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DOWNSHIFT THE CAR WHILE PRESSING ON THE HORN IN AN ATTEMPT TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO DOWNSHIFT THE CAR WHILE HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE THE CAR EVENTUALLY SLOWED DOWN AND STOPPED. THE DRIVER PUT THE CAR IN PARK WHEN IT STOPPED, TURNED IT OFF, AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE DRIVER CALLED MAZDA TO FILE A REPORT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10683603
37,764 miles · Jan 29, 2015
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOST OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V282000 (STEERING).THE TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE TORQUE SENSOR AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOST OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V282000 (STEERING).THE TECHNICIAN REPAIRED THE TORQUE SENSOR AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,764.
NHTSA ODI #10679765
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2015
SteeringCrashInjury
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET IN LEFT LANE TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND COLLIDE WITH AN ON COMING VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10676323
60,000 miles · Jan 4, 2015
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
HAPPENS MORE DURING COLD WEATHER. WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR IT STICKS AND WHEN IT FINALLY LETS GO YOU LURCH FORWARD. LUCKILY I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS OVER THIS YET, BUT FEEL THAT IS ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY AND FEEL LIKE IT IS UNSAFE. I WAS TOLD IT HAS TO DO WITH THE BUTTERFLY VALVE. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AT LEAST…
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HAPPENS MORE DURING COLD WEATHER. WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR IT STICKS AND WHEN IT FINALLY LETS GO YOU LURCH FORWARD. LUCKILY I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS OVER THIS YET, BUT FEEL THAT IS ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY AND FEEL LIKE IT IS UNSAFE. I WAS TOLD IT HAS TO DO WITH THE BUTTERFLY VALVE. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AT LEAST 4-5 YEARS. I HAVE ASKED NUMEROUS TIMES IF THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL BECAUSE FROM WHAT I CAN SEE THERE HAVE BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS BY OTHER CONSUMERS. IF THIS EVER CAUSES ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT, I WILL BE SUING MAZDA! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10669932
83,000 miles · Dec 2, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED TO VIBRATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED TO VIBRATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
NHTSA ODI #10661806
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. HOWEVER, HE NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER.*CW
NHTSA ODI #10653284
50,000 miles · Oct 24, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COOL (SUB 50F) THE GAS PEDAL WILL STICK. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED AND YOU GO TO PUSH IT DOWN IT STICKS. WHEN THIS STICKING FINALLY LETS GO THE VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD. THE V6 VERSION OF THIS SUV HAS A RECALL ON THE PEDAL BUT I OWN THE V4. *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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