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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.

About this comparison →

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

Steering complaints

94 reports
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185,000 miles · Jul 17, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NELSON MAZDA TULSA (9902 S MEMORIAL DR., TULSA, OK 74133, (918) 296-7897) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NELSON MAZDA TULSA (9902 S MEMORIAL DR., TULSA, OK 74133, (918) 296-7897) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PREVIOUSLY BY NELSON MAZDA TULSA PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V282000 (STEERING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

NHTSA ODI #11111905

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2018
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 142820000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DAVIS GAINESVILLE CHEVROLET (2600 N MAIN ST, GAIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 142820000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DAVIS GAINESVILLE CHEVROLET (2600 N MAIN ST, GAINESVILLE, FL 32609) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST AND TORQUE SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THE RECALL WAS ALREADY REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11078675

25 miles · Jan 14, 2018
Steering

ON DEC 29, 2017 DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING AND VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. I BECAME EXTREMELY NERVOUS AND AFRAID OF BEING STRANDED OR EVEN WORSE WRECKING. LUCKILY, I WENT STRAIGHT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WHEN HE STARTED IT UP THE STEERING WHEEL HAD COMPLETE…

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ON DEC 29, 2017 DRIVING MY 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN SHAKING AND VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. I BECAME EXTREMELY NERVOUS AND AFRAID OF BEING STRANDED OR EVEN WORSE WRECKING. LUCKILY, I WENT STRAIGHT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WHEN HE STARTED IT UP THE STEERING WHEEL HAD COMPLETELY LOCKED UP AND THE ERROR 'POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT' WAS DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD EVER HAPPENED AND AFTER RUNNING THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THE CODE B2278 INDICATED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL NHSTA # 14V282000 IN 2014 CAUSING THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE MECHANIC CONTACTED THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO CONFIRM IF THE RECALL HAD BEEN DONE. THE RECALL WAS ON THE STEERING TORQUE SENSOR WHICH AFFECTS THE ABILITY TO PROPERLY DETECT THE DRIVER STEERING INPUT. THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THAT THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED IN 2014 AND MAZDA WAS NOT GOING TO REPLACE THE SENSOR AGAIN. I DECIDED TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS ANOTHER 30 MINUTES AWAY, BUT NOW THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKING UP AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL. SO AFTER THEY INSPECTED THE TRIBUTE I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED THE TORQUE SENSOR REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST ME $877 AND IF THAT DIDN'T FIX IT THEN THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE PART. SO THE TORQUE SENSOR DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING EVEN MORE UNCONTROLLABLY. NOW I HAVE ANOTHER $1500 I HAVE TO PAY AND TOTALING $2400. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OVER THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, THEREFORE THIS SHOULD BE HONORED UNDER A RECALL. IN ADDITION THE PART THAT'S NEEDED IS ON BACK ORDER AND MY VEHICLE WON'T BE READY UNTIL THE FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY.

NHTSA ODI #11062652

161,000 miles · Nov 3, 2017
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TO TURN AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

NHTSA ODI #11042910

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2017
Steering

THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN 2016 AS PART OF NHTSA RECALL #14V282000, BUT THE PCSM SOFTWARE WAS ONLY UPDATED. NO PARTS WERE REPLACED.THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THE ISSUE AGAIN WAS OCTOBER 2017. I WAS STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN IDLE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO JERK BACK AND FORTH. THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUES…

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THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN 2016 AS PART OF NHTSA RECALL #14V282000, BUT THE PCSM SOFTWARE WAS ONLY UPDATED. NO PARTS WERE REPLACED.THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THE ISSUE AGAIN WAS OCTOBER 2017. I WAS STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT, THE VEHICLE WAS AT AN IDLE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO JERK BACK AND FORTH. THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUES TO JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT AN IDLE. IT TAKES GREAT EFFORT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT WHILE DRIVING 25-40 MPH ON CITY STREETS. IT ALSO JERKS MILDLY TO MODERATELY WHILE I AM DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FROM 25MPH ON CITY STREETS-75MPH ON THE HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY. IT JERKS MOST VIOLENTLY WHEN IT IS AT AN IDLE, MODERATELY AT 25-45 MPH, AND MILDLY AT 50-75 MPH. IT JERKS WHEN I AM DRIVING STRAIGHT. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK, IT JERKS VIOLENTLY, BUT WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO ABOUT THE 2 O'CLOCK POSITION IT WILL STOP UNLESS IT IS MOVED SLIGHTLY AND THEN IT WILL START JERKING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN 2016 AS PART OF NHTSA RECALL #14V282000, BUT THE PCSM SOFTWARE WAS ONLY UPDATED. NO PARTS WERE REPLACED AT THAT TIME. THE PART AT FAULT IS A FAULTY STEERING TORQUE SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI #11040907

115,000 miles · Oct 11, 2017
Steering

COMPLETE & SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY

NHTSA ODI #11032995

80,000 miles · Aug 9, 2017
Steering

TURNING OFF A ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND HAD TO MAN HANDLE THE TRIBUTE INTO A PARKING SPACE. ONCE THERE I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES RESTARTED AND THE STEERING WORKED FINE. I'M CONCERNED AS TO WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI #11014021

135,000 miles · Jul 18, 2017
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension

IGNITION SWITCH NOT WORKING. TRANSMISSION 2ND AND 5TH GEAR NOT WORKING AND CONTROL ARMS FOR ALL 4 WHEELS SEEM TO BE GOING BAD

NHTSA ODI #11006088

135,000 miles · Apr 23, 2017
Steering

EVERY TIME I TURN MY STEERING WHEEL LEFT I HEAR A LOUD CLICKING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #10979987

225,000 miles · Apr 6, 2017
Steering

WHILE DRIVING BACK IN 2016 JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS AROUND DEC 14,2016 MY POWER STEERING IN THE TRIBUTE WENT COMPLETELY OUT!!! MAZDA TRIBUTE 2008 I RECEIVED A RECALL CARD IN THE MAIL STATING THAT I SHOULD BRING THE DEFECTIVE CAR IN I DID WHICH WAS AUGUST 2016, AS OF TODAY THEY CLAIM THE DEALERSHIP CLAIM THAT MY ISSUE WAS LOOKED AT …

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WHILE DRIVING BACK IN 2016 JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS AROUND DEC 14,2016 MY POWER STEERING IN THE TRIBUTE WENT COMPLETELY OUT!!! MAZDA TRIBUTE 2008 I RECEIVED A RECALL CARD IN THE MAIL STATING THAT I SHOULD BRING THE DEFECTIVE CAR IN I DID WHICH WAS AUGUST 2016, AS OF TODAY THEY CLAIM THE DEALERSHIP CLAIM THAT MY ISSUE WAS LOOKED AT REPROGRAMMED ALL SENSORS WERE CHECKED PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE CONCERNING MY ELECTRICAL SENSOR. THE TECH ADVISOR SAID THEY PERFORMED THE RECALL SPECIFIED IN CARD LETTER, THE SIGNALING OF THE TORQUE SENSOR WAS POORLY MISFIRING TO THE ASSIST. WELL UNKNOWN TO MY KNOWLEDGE THEY DID NO SUCH THING!!! THERE IS A SERIOUS RECALL CONCERNING THIS ISSUE 'I'VE GONE BACK IN SPOKEN WITH TECH MANAGERS AND GOT CHARGED 65.00 FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FOR A POWER STEERING FAULTY SENSOR NOT FIRING TO THE PSCM DUE TO THE FACT CLAIMED THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM WHY HAVE MY POWER STEERING GONE COMPLETELY OUT 3-4 MONTHS LATER?? IF THEY PERFORMED THE ELECTRICAL MODULE SENSORY PROGRAMMING AT FIRST NOT FEELING THIS AT ALL VERY DISATISFIED CUSTOMER

NHTSA ODI #10970935

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.