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
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2014
Steering
THIS WEEK, AT A LOW SPEED OR IDLE, MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE SLIGHTLY. TODAY, I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. UPON RETURNING THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY...MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I PULLED INTO AN AUTO ZONE TO CHECK STEERING FLUID AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR HAS AN ELECTRIC POWER ASSISTED STEERING…
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THIS WEEK, AT A LOW SPEED OR IDLE, MY STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE SLIGHTLY. TODAY, I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. UPON RETURNING THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY...MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I PULLED INTO AN AUTO ZONE TO CHECK STEERING FLUID AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR HAS AN ELECTRIC POWER ASSISTED STEERING SYSTEM. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, IT WAS WORKING FINE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL POSTS THAT THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT WHILE DRIVING. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. SO DANGEROUS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565199
62,000 miles · Feb 20, 2014
Steering
THE STEERING STARTED SHAKING AROUND THE 10TH OF FEBRUARY JUST WHEN IT WAS IN PARK. NOW IT IS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY EVEN WHEN WE ARE DRIVING IT. THE STEERING HAS ALSO LOCKED UP ON ME TO THE POINT I HAD NO STEERING AT ALL. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF 1,500.00 OR SO. IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRI…
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THE STEERING STARTED SHAKING AROUND THE 10TH OF FEBRUARY JUST WHEN IT WAS IN PARK. NOW IT IS SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY EVEN WHEN WE ARE DRIVING IT. THE STEERING HAS ALSO LOCKED UP ON ME TO THE POINT I HAD NO STEERING AT ALL. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF 1,500.00 OR SO. IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE HOWEVER TRYING TO GET IT FIXED AT A REPUTABLE PLACE HAS BEEN A LITTLE MORE CHALLENGING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10565087
180,000 miles · Feb 17, 2014
Steering
I HAVE NOTICED ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO WHEN DRIVING... COMING TO STOP. MY WHEEL SHAKES AND MAKES THIS NOISE. THEN MY WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP SO I HAVE TO CUT MY CAR OFF AND TAKE THE KEY OUT FOR IT TO LOOSEN UP. THEN PAST COUPLE OF DAYS THE WHEEL BEEN LOCKING UP WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE TO CUT OFF AND TAKE THE KEY OUT TO UNLOCK THE WHEEL…
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I HAVE NOTICED ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO WHEN DRIVING... COMING TO STOP. MY WHEEL SHAKES AND MAKES THIS NOISE. THEN MY WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP SO I HAVE TO CUT MY CAR OFF AND TAKE THE KEY OUT FOR IT TO LOOSEN UP. THEN PAST COUPLE OF DAYS THE WHEEL BEEN LOCKING UP WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE TO CUT OFF AND TAKE THE KEY OUT TO UNLOCK THE WHEEL. I SEE ALL THESE COMPLAINTS BUT MAZDA HASN'T HAD A RECALL ON THEM YET. IT'S CRAZY.....SOMEONE NEEDS TO GET A LAWSUIT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564642
104,000 miles · Feb 4, 2014
Steering
MY POWER STEERING STARTED GOING OUT ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND WOULD START WORKING AGAIN AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING. NOW IT IS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH NO WARNING AND IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL IS TWITCHING WHILE RUNNING AND WHEN YOU SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN…
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MY POWER STEERING STARTED GOING OUT ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND WOULD START WORKING AGAIN AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTING. NOW IT IS GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH NO WARNING AND IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE STEERING WHEEL IS TWITCHING WHILE RUNNING AND WHEN YOU SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER THEY EXPLAINED THERE HAVE BEEN A HUGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS. I REALLY THINK THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IF A RECALL IS NOT DONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10562877
64,000 miles · Jan 27, 2014
Steering
STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND SHOOK WHEN STOPPED AND SLOWING DOWN AFTER STARTING CAR, STEERING FROZE, TURNED CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN, STEERING WAS FINE STEERING BECAME HARDER AND HARDER AS I DROVE- STOPPED USING AND TOOK TO AUTO SHOP NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON MECHANIC FOUND THAT ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT HAD FAILED- THERE IS…
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STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND SHOOK WHEN STOPPED AND SLOWING DOWN AFTER STARTING CAR, STEERING FROZE, TURNED CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN, STEERING WAS FINE STEERING BECAME HARDER AND HARDER AS I DROVE- STOPPED USING AND TOOK TO AUTO SHOP NO INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON MECHANIC FOUND THAT ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT HAD FAILED- THERE IS NO POWER STEERING ON MY CAR NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561632
91,200 miles · Jan 19, 2014
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND I REACHED A STOP LIGHT. I PUSHED THE GAS AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND REVVED UP VERY HIGH BUT DID NOT MOVE. I DID THIS THREE TIMES. THE THIRD TIME I DID THIS IT REVVED AND WENT TO FLOOR BUT ACTUALLY MOVED AS NORMAL. THIS CYCLE HAPPENED TWICE THROUGH STOP LIGHTS BEFORE THE ORANGE WRENCH CAME ON. …
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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND I REACHED A STOP LIGHT. I PUSHED THE GAS AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND REVVED UP VERY HIGH BUT DID NOT MOVE. I DID THIS THREE TIMES. THE THIRD TIME I DID THIS IT REVVED AND WENT TO FLOOR BUT ACTUALLY MOVED AS NORMAL. THIS CYCLE HAPPENED TWICE THROUGH STOP LIGHTS BEFORE THE ORANGE WRENCH CAME ON. IT BEGAN FEELING VERY WEIRD TO DRIVE SO I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO A FIRESTONE WHERE THEY TOLD ME MY TRANSMISSION WAS ALMOST SHOT. THIS CAR IS VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND WAS FINE THAT MORNING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. IT WAS SCARY TO DRIVE AND CONTINUED FOR 18 MILES UNTIL I REACHED THE FIRESTONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10560562
104,000 miles · Jan 16, 2014
Steering
STEERING FAILS. DEALER REPORTS STEERING TORQUE SENSOR HAS FAILED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10560244
Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2013
Steering
A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN MOVING ON ITS OWN TRYING TO GET BACK LEFT - SHAKING UNCONTROBALLY. THE PEDAL BEGAN GETTING VERY STIFF AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO PRESS ON IT FOR GAS IN ORDER TO MOVE. WHEN I CUT THE CAR OFF AND CUT IT BACK ON THE ISSUE GOES AWAY. SOMETIMES IT TAKES THE CAR A FEW TIMES TO GET GOING…
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A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN MOVING ON ITS OWN TRYING TO GET BACK LEFT - SHAKING UNCONTROBALLY. THE PEDAL BEGAN GETTING VERY STIFF AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO PRESS ON IT FOR GAS IN ORDER TO MOVE. WHEN I CUT THE CAR OFF AND CUT IT BACK ON THE ISSUE GOES AWAY. SOMETIMES IT TAKES THE CAR A FEW TIMES TO GET GOING. MEANING I HAVE TO CUT IT OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES. THE WHEEL CONTINUES TO SHAKE ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS NOT ON. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SO I TOOK IT TO BE SERVICED BUT EVERYTHING WAS OK. RECENTLY (FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS) THE CAR'S STEERING HAS GOTTEN WORSE AS IF THERE IS NO POWER STEERING IN THE CAR. WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO TURN THE VEHICLE AT ALL. WHILE IT RUNS I CANNOT STEER MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I TOOK IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER TO GET ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM IN AWE THAT A CAR SO NEW HAS THIS MANY MAJOR MECHANICAL ISSUES. I NOW HAVE NO OTHER OPTION BUT TO GET THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED AS I AM TOLD THIS IS HTE ONLY THING THAT WILL FIX THE STEERING ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551824
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
90,000 miles · Jul 8, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHO STATED THAT THE KEY WAS NOT REACHING THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE CURRE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHO STATED THAT THE KEY WAS NOT REACHING THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,418 UPDATED 8/12/13 *CNN
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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