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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

5 reports
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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

60,000 miles · Aug 25, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

ON COLD MORNINGS THE GAS PEDDLE STICKS AND WON'T PRESS DOWN UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP COMPLETELY. SOMETIMES TAKES ALONG AS 15 MINUTES TO WARM UP ENOUGH TO ENGAGE THE GAS PEDDLE. AND SOMETIMES AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL MILES (AS MANY AS 15 MILES) THE GAS PEDDLE STICKS AGAIN AND NO GAS IS BEING SUPPLIED. I'VE HAD TO JUST C…

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ON COLD MORNINGS THE GAS PEDDLE STICKS AND WON'T PRESS DOWN UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP COMPLETELY. SOMETIMES TAKES ALONG AS 15 MINUTES TO WARM UP ENOUGH TO ENGAGE THE GAS PEDDLE. AND SOMETIMES AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL MILES (AS MANY AS 15 MILES) THE GAS PEDDLE STICKS AGAIN AND NO GAS IS BEING SUPPLIED. I'VE HAD TO JUST COAST OFF THE ROAD AND PAT THE GAS PEDDLE UNTIL IT BREAKS LOOSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10537119

72,800 miles · Dec 27, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10372471

25,185 miles · May 4, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CHANGED LANES TO PASS A VEHICLE BUT WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SPEED UP, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE ONLY RACED UP AND DOWN WITH NO RESPONSE FRO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CHANGED LANES TO PASS A VEHICLE BUT WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SPEED UP, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE ONLY RACED UP AND DOWN WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR FILTER AND FUEL CONTROL MODULE HAD BURNED OUT AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 25,185. UPDATED 07/22/10 *BF UPDATED 09/23/10 *BF UPDATED 09/24/10 THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/27/10

NHTSA ODI #10328794

34,000 miles · Apr 22, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS STICKY. IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO PUSH, THEN WILL SUDDENLY RELEASE AND ALLOW YOU TO ACCELERATE. HAPPENS EVERY MORNING, AND LASTS FOR ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES. CONDITION IS WORSENING. DEALER "CLEANED THROTTLE BODY", BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THE THROTTLE B…

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ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS STICKY. IT BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO PUSH, THEN WILL SUDDENLY RELEASE AND ALLOW YOU TO ACCELERATE. HAPPENS EVERY MORNING, AND LASTS FOR ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES. CONDITION IS WORSENING. DEALER "CLEANED THROTTLE BODY", BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THE THROTTLE BODY SHOULD BE REPLACED. MAZDA EXTENDED WARRANTY INITIALLY DENIED MY CLAIM FOR REPAIR STATING "NOT A COVERED PART". HOWEVER, THEY NOW SAY IT IS A COVERED PART, BUT STILL HAVE NOT YET AGREED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I PAY $100 THAT THE DEALER WOULD RUN SOME TYPE OF CLEANER INTO MY GAS TANK, BUT WITH NO GUARANTEE IT WOULD WORK. THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. A BADLY STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL SHOULD NOW BE CLASSIFIED AS A SAFETY CONCERN! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326972

Official recalls

4

15V677000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.