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
65,000 miles · Sep 21, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
MY GAS PEDDLE DROPS AND I CANNOT ACCELERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 10 TIMES WHEN I'M DRIVING. I THOUGHT THAT I POSSIBLY SLID THE CARPET TO KNOCK THE GAS PEDAL OFF, BUT I HAVE REMOVED MY CARPET AND IT HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THEN. I'VE BEEN IN INTERSECTIONS AND MY GAS PEDAL JUST DROPS TO THE FLOOR. THIS COULD BE VERY SERI…
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MY GAS PEDDLE DROPS AND I CANNOT ACCELERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 10 TIMES WHEN I'M DRIVING. I THOUGHT THAT I POSSIBLY SLID THE CARPET TO KNOCK THE GAS PEDAL OFF, BUT I HAVE REMOVED MY CARPET AND IT HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THEN. I'VE BEEN IN INTERSECTIONS AND MY GAS PEDAL JUST DROPS TO THE FLOOR. THIS COULD BE VERY SERIOUS IF I HAPPENED TO HAVE BEEN PASSING SOMEONE. IN THESE SITUATIONS, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS PULLING IT BACK UP, I DID MANAGE TO GET THE PEDDLE TO WORK AGAIN. BUT I'M AFRAID I WON'T ALWAYS BE SO LUCKY. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO A MAZDA DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE A BULLETIN THAT REQUIRES A CABLE CHANGE AND A CLIP AT THE COST OF APPROX. $140.00. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AT APPROX. 65000 MILES, AND I NOW HAVE 80K MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10637830
178,901 miles · Sep 5, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,901.
NHTSA ODI #10631080
178,901 miles · Sep 5, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,901.
NHTSA ODI #10631078
60,000 miles · Sep 4, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE KEY WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HOUSING W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE KEY WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HOUSING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10630651
40,000 miles · Sep 3, 2014
Power Train
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60+ MPH) WITH RED TRIANGLE WARNING SYMBOL AND "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE. EVENT HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH SIMILAR SAFETY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACING THROTTLE BODY SIMILAR TO CUSTOMER SERVICE…
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VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60+ MPH) WITH RED TRIANGLE WARNING SYMBOL AND "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE. EVENT HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH SIMILAR SAFETY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH UNEXPECTED LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACING THROTTLE BODY SIMILAR TO CUSTOMER SERVICE REPLACEMENT UNDER WAY WITH FORD ESCAPE (SAME VEHICLE, DIFFERENT BADGE). HOWEVER, MAZDA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE/ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THE MATTER AND TREATS THE INCIDENT AS JUST ANOTHER SERVICE EVENT. UNPREDICTABLE CONDITION PUTS DRIVERS AT SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK. NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED GIVEN THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE FORD VARIANT. MAZDA'S SMALLER SHARE OF THE MARKET IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO IGNORE THE SAFETY RISK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10630367
66,200 miles · Aug 6, 2014
Steering
TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE STEERING MADE A GRINDING CLUNKING SOUND AS I WAS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK VEHICLE FOR A TEST DRIVE AROUND BLOCK. AS I TURNED INTO A SIDE STREET THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AS IF THE STEERING SHAFT WAS BINDING UP AND NOT TURNING FREELY. AFTER THAT WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL TO STEER AROUND…
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TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE STEERING MADE A GRINDING CLUNKING SOUND AS I WAS TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. TOOK VEHICLE FOR A TEST DRIVE AROUND BLOCK. AS I TURNED INTO A SIDE STREET THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AS IF THE STEERING SHAFT WAS BINDING UP AND NOT TURNING FREELY. AFTER THAT WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL TO STEER AROUND A CORNER THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN RIGHT AWAY. AS I TURNED THE WHEEL MORE THE CLUNKING SOUND CAME BACK AND FINALLY THE STEERING CAUGHT AND THE WHEELS TURNED. BROUGHT TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS A FAILED STEERING SHAFT COUPLER. FORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED WHILE NEAR HOME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY MAZDA ON THE 2008 TRIBUTE WITH A RECALL. THE TRIBUTE ONLY HAS AROUND 66K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10619323
62,000 miles · Jul 22, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE CABLE AND THE CLIP TO THE PEDAL. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE CABLE AND THE CLIP TO THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
NHTSA ODI #10615284
79,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY SEIZED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY SEIZED MAKING THE STEERING WHEEL VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
NHTSA ODI #10608701
33,000 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Service Brakes
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN 5 YEARS THAT WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ABS TONE RING BECAUSE IT HAS BROKEN/CRUMBLED AND CAUSED OUR BRAKES TO GO OUT WHILE DRIVING! THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THE QUALITY OF THIS PRODUCT?? I FEAR FOR MY LIFE AT ALL TIMES, NEVER KNOWING WHEN ITS GOING TO DECIDE TO BREAK AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605405
68,000 miles · Jun 20, 2014
Steering
MY 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE, 3.0L V6, DEVELOPED A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE POWER STEERING COLUMN UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT'S A CLUNK THAT CAN BE HEARD AND FELT AT SLOWER SPEEDS. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, IT IS YET ANOTHER 2008 TRIBUTE STEERING U-JOINT FAILURE. *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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