What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2008 Mazda Tribute

Typical pattern

2.8% of complaints about the 2008 Mazda Tribute came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2008 vehicle — around the middle of the 262 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.5 yr in service. The most-reported system is steering (93 complaints), typically at 7.5 yr or about 104,000 miles.

Complaints
249
Median age at failure
6.5 yr
Median mileage
83,000 n=206
Crash / fire / tow
5.6% of reports
Safety recalls
5

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Steering
93 reports · 104,000 mi
7.5 yr
2.2%
Speed control
53 reports · 60,000 mi
4.1 yr
1.9%
Power train
25 reports · 72,000 mi
6.0 yr
0%
Electrical system
16 reports · 100,000 mi
9.2 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

15V677000 2015-10-19
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.

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 v

15E045000 2015-06-03
Suspension:front:wheel bearing

The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.

Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

14V552000 2014-09-10
Hybrid propulsion system

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.

If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.

14V282000 2014-05-29
Steering:electric power assist system

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.

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.

12V357000 2012-07-27
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.

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.

In owners’ own words

Power train 17,000 mi 1.0 yr in service
WE ARE HAVING TRANSMISSION COOLER PROBLEMS. OUR 2008 TRIBUTE HAS A MAJOR LEAK...OR SHALL I SAY POUR. THE ITEM IS RECALLED. WE LIVE 1100 KM AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP.....SO WE COULD POTENTIALLY RUIN THE TRANSMISSION IF WE DRIVE THAT FAR...AND WE DO NOT HAVE 4000.00 TO GET IT TOWED. SO HERE WE ARE WITH A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT WE CAN NOT DRIVE BECAUSE OF A TRANNY LEAK. WHAT TO DO. *TR
Power train 28,000 mi 1.5 yr in service
MAJOR TRANSMISSION LEAK, IT KEPT LEAKING EVERYWHERE EVEN AT THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS LEAKING, BUT FOR SOME REASON THE CAR DROVE NORMAL, THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS FAST, MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR 28,000 MILES AND THE BRAKES ARE MAKING GRUMBLING NOISES WHEN ITS LEFT TO COOL FOR LIKE 19 MINUTES, PLUS ONE OF THE SPEAKERS SOUND DISTORTED. TRANSMISSION LEAKED AND NOW MY PREFECT GARAGE AND READ TRANNY FLUID EVERYWHERE!!! MAZDA AND FORD PLEASE STOP MAKING CARS. *TR
Power train 48,000 mi 1.7 yr in service
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND LURCHING FORWARD WHEN IT ENGAGED AT AROUND 20MPH WITH NO WARNING. CHECKED FLUID AND ALMOST NONE LEFT. 14 MONTHS OLD AND 48,500 MILES. DEALER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION/AC COOLER NEEDS REPLACEMENT AND THAT IT IS NOT PART OF THE 50,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. $900. PLUS TO FIX.THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE LURCHING AND IF IT IS A PIECE THAT IS NEEDED BY THE TRANSMISSION TO WORK PROPERLY, IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. SAFETY BULLETIN ALREADY RELEASED ON THE ESCAPES AND HYBRIDS. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
Speed control 24,750 mi 2.3 yr in service
GAS PEDAL STICKING INTERMITTENTLY & HAS OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY TYPICALLY DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65-70MPH. NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS DAILY. *TR

Other Tribute model years

20092008200620052004200320022001

How to read this