2008 Mazda Tribute problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (86) · Vehicle Speed Control (46) · Power Train (14)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mazda Tribute model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
170 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift 2015-10-19 · campaign 15V677000 · 4 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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
Fix: 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.
Suspension:front:wheel Bearing 2015-06-03 · campaign 15E045000 · 576 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Hybrid Propulsion System 2014-09-10 · campaign 14V552000 · 423 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2014-05-29 · campaign 14V282000 · 33,000 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
Vehicle Speed Control:cables 2012-07-27 · campaign 12V357000 · 217,500 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (126)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-20 · SA-055-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
product quality information (pqi) description service information mt-041/12 is no longer valid. it has been unpublished and superseded by the field quality information report (fqir) reporting system.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-07-29 · 09-022-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 description some vehicles may exhibit inoperative electric rear window defroster grid lines, integral antenna concerns causing radio reception issues or terminal tabs pulled
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-21 · SA-029-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service alert supersedes the previously issued sa listed below: the changes are noted in red. sa-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 description mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. mazda recommends dealers follow the sch
Unknown Or Other 2024-08-08 · 09-038-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
in accordance with federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. note: tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by federal, and state laws. it is the dealer’s responsibility to comply with federal, state, and local laws concerning odometer
Unknown Or Other 2024-07-29 · SA-011-24b · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. services performed outside of mazda's factory scheduled
Unknown Or Other 2024-06-07 · SA-011-24a · Other
mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. services performed outside of mazda's factory scheduled
Showing the 6 most recent of 126 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-19 · Steering · 274,300 mi“the contact owns a 2008 mazda tribute. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and inoperable, with the maintenance warning light illuminated. the contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. the dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the man…”
2026-02-17 · Air Bags · 245,000 mi · 💥 crash“the contact owned a 2008 mazda tribute. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 mph and attempting to make a turn, another vehicle unexpectedly t-boned the vehicle, impacting the passenger front side. the contact and a passenger sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was taken to a local emergency room. the contact suffered a…”
2025-05-11 · Service Brakes“my brakes went out with no warning, or light on dashboard. i had the master cylinder changed and all brakes bled. the brakes went out 2months later,so changed the master cylinder again. 1 month after the brakes went out again. so i called mazda service department and the gentleman told me to try and change the brake booster. so i changed the brake …”
2025-04-05 · Steering“unknown, electric steering no longer works, abs light, traction control light engine light air bag light and tool light are on the, brakes will be faulty at times mainly when abs and traction control light turn on. there is google fact that 2008 mazda had recall for eps, also faulty air bag and more the vehicle recalls need to be fixed desperately …”
2023-09-18 · Steering · 125,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 mazda tribute. the contact stated while driving at low speeds and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. the power steering warning light was illuminated. the contact veered to the side of the roadway. the contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed; however, the fa…”
2023-09-12 · Steering“the steering is very tight, and sometimes the wheel gets stripped out of your hands, vehicle has been brought to the dealer for a diagnosis…”
2023-04-24 · Steering · 150,000 mi“the contact's son owns a 2008 mazda tribute. the contact stated while her son was driving and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact's son was able to veer to the side of the road by using physical force to steer the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was…”
2023-02-15 · Steering · 180,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 mazda tribute. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was shaking uncontrollably. there was a lot of tension in the steering wheel. while driving approximately 45 mph and making a turn, the steering wheel jerked but went in the other direction. while driving at high speeds, the tire…”
2022-12-24 · Steering“power steering failed all of a sudden without warning. lost almost all control of steering. pscm …”
2022-10-05 · Unknown Or Other“i have to put the key in the ignition a certain way and press on it to get the car to start and was told it is a pin that gets stuck in the steering column and it won't let the vehicle start and they said it is a steering column lock module and there should be a recall on it. this is a big problem my fiance' has cancer and needs to be at her appoin…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.