IllustrationACCELERATOR BECAME STIFF ON COLD MORNINGS. ACCELERATOR CABLE CLIP BROKE, TRIBUTE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. (FELL TO FLOOR) CLIP REPLACED, STILL STICKING. TAKING BACK TO DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tribute years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
53 reportsI HAVE A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT HAS A STICKING ACCELERATOR, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. EVEN AFTER THE CAR IS WARM THE ACCELERATOR WILL SOMETIMES STICK AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. TODAY AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT FIVE MILES IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I TRIED TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS HAS B…
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I HAVE A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT HAS A STICKING ACCELERATOR, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. EVEN AFTER THE CAR IS WARM THE ACCELERATOR WILL SOMETIMES STICK AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. TODAY AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE ABOUT FIVE MILES IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I TRIED TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON THAT I HAVE NOTICED FOR ABOUT A YEAR. IT FIRST HAPPENED OCTOBER 2009. *TR
MY 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE HAS ABOUT 68,500 MILES. THE GAS PEDAL STUCK, AT INTERVALS, ALL THROUGH MY DRIVE BACK HOME FROM MY PARENTS. IT IS ABOUT A 25 MILE DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PEDAL BECAME STUCK ONCE I DEPRESSED IT. IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE, I HAD TO PRESS ON THE PEDAL WITH ABNORMAL FORCE. THE CAR WOULD JERK FORWARD ONCE THE PEDA…
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MY 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE HAS ABOUT 68,500 MILES. THE GAS PEDAL STUCK, AT INTERVALS, ALL THROUGH MY DRIVE BACK HOME FROM MY PARENTS. IT IS ABOUT A 25 MILE DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PEDAL BECAME STUCK ONCE I DEPRESSED IT. IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE, I HAD TO PRESS ON THE PEDAL WITH ABNORMAL FORCE. THE CAR WOULD JERK FORWARD ONCE THE PEDAL BECAME UNSTUCK AND I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT MY 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE DOES THIS. IT DID A WHILE BACK WHEN MY CAR HAD ABOUT 30,000 MILES. IT DID IT TWO TIMES. HOWEVER, IT NEVER DID IT AGAIN UNTIL TODAY, 11-14-2010. THIS TIME, HOWEVER, THE PEDAL GOT STUCK WELL OVER 10 TIMES. THE CAR WOULD DECELERATE WHILE I USED MORE AND MORE FORCE ON THE GAS PEDAL UNTIL THE PEDAL GAVE AND I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. I HAD MY WIFE AND CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE SUV. DOING RESEARCH ON THE NET AND ON THE NHTSA THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WHICH IS HAPPENING TO AN ABNORMAL NUMBER OF 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTES THROUGHOUT THE USA. WHY HASN'T MAZDA DONE A RECALL? WHY HASN'T THE NHTSA ORDERED A RECALL? THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUNE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO DEFECTS FOUND WITHIN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE COULD BE REPLACED AT TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUNE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO DEFECTS FOUND WITHIN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE COULD BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
THE GAS PEDAL IS STICKING, NOT ALLOWING YOU TO ACCELERATE. MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED THIS CAR SO THAT OUR SON WOULD BE SAFE. IT HAS HAPPENED AT STOP SIGNS AND ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65-70MPH. IT HAPPENED AROUND TEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MOSTLY IN THE MORNING. I WOULD HATE FOR MY FAMILY TO BE IN THE CAR WHEN SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN. W…
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THE GAS PEDAL IS STICKING, NOT ALLOWING YOU TO ACCELERATE. MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED THIS CAR SO THAT OUR SON WOULD BE SAFE. IT HAS HAPPENED AT STOP SIGNS AND ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65-70MPH. IT HAPPENED AROUND TEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MOSTLY IN THE MORNING. I WOULD HATE FOR MY FAMILY TO BE IN THE CAR WHEN SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN. WE WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE A CHRONIC ISSUE WITH THE MAZDA TRIBUTE. WE LOVE OUR CAR. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP? *TR
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
GAS PEDAL STICKS, PREVENTING YOU FROM ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE. SO WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD YOU MIGHT BE FINE, OR YOU COULD BE SITTING IDLE, UNTIL THE GAS PEDAL WILL FREE UP. THIS HAS PROBABLY HAPPENED 30 TIMES OR MORE. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. ALSO AROUND 30,000 MILES THE PAINT STARTED COMING OFF ALL THE DOOR TRIM. *TR
2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE: ACCELERATOR STICKS IN THE UNACCELERATED POSITION. HAVE HAD I FIXED BEFORE AND THE MECHANIC NEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE FIXES AT LEAST TWO A WEEK. HE SAID THE THROTTLE CABLE RUNS THROUGH THE INTAKE AND IT ACCUMULATES GRIME UNTIL IT STICKS. COSTS ME $75 BUCKS EVERYTIME. ONE DAY MR MAZDA IS GOING …
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2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE: ACCELERATOR STICKS IN THE UNACCELERATED POSITION. HAVE HAD I FIXED BEFORE AND THE MECHANIC NEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE FIXES AT LEAST TWO A WEEK. HE SAID THE THROTTLE CABLE RUNS THROUGH THE INTAKE AND IT ACCUMULATES GRIME UNTIL IT STICKS. COSTS ME $75 BUCKS EVERYTIME. ONE DAY MR MAZDA IS GOING TO BE SITTING INFRONT OF A CONGRESSIONAL HEARING EXPLAINING WHY A MOTHER AND HER KIDS COULDN'T GET OFF OF THE RXR TRACKS IN TIME. BECAUSE HER PEDAL STUCK. *TR
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.
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
Official recalls
415V677000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.