KnownCarProblems2008 Mazda Tribute Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 202 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Mazda Tribute, most often about the steering (47% of complaints, typically around 102,000 miles). It is 4th of 12 Tribute model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2008 Mazda Tribute problems
Steering
94 complaints · 47%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, electric power assist system.
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…
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel shook violently and became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated there was a failure with the charging unit and replaced the battery.…
Speed control
53 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cables.
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…
Happens more during cold weather. When you push on the accelerator it sticks and when it finally lets go you lurch forward. Luckily I have not had any accidents over this yet, but feel that is always a possibility and feel like it is unsafe. I was told it has to do with the butterfly valve. It has been happening for…
Transmission
25 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Took the vehicle to the local firestone store for service to have the transmission fluid changed and flushed and they told me that the transmission cooler was leaking and this was a common problem with the 2008 Mazda Tribute and ford escort and the only way to fix it was to replace the entire radiator because they…
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that transmission fluid was leaking from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that he believe that the transmission cooler was cracked and causing the leak. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure…
Electrical
15 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
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 electronic power steering unit in mt Tribute is shot! It started going out randomly and would come back on after turning the car off and turning it back on. Over the weekend it went out on US while driving 70mph down the highway! It was a very scary situation that could've went bad. This is a known defect through…
Brakes
10 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 135,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. While driving at any speed and attempting to apply the brakes, the brake pedal traveled to the floor without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and replaced the master cylinder and the brake booster. The failure recurred and the vehicle was…
My wheel started vibrating back and forth while in park and I started and the power steering worked fine. Then turned car off went in the store and came out and it didn't wanna work. Turned car off and back on it worked fine. On the way home coming around a sharp curve it decided to go out and the wheel tightened at…
Engine
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
When the weather gets cool (sub 50f) the gas pedal will stick. When the gas pedal is fully depressed and you go to push it down it sticks. When this sticking finally lets go the vehicle jumps forward. The v6 version of this SUV has a recall on the pedal but I own the v4.
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. While operating the vehicle, the accelerator pedal became stuck and could not be depressed. The failure also occurred when the vehicle was first started in cold temperatures. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle was faulty. The vehcile was…
Fuel system
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
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…
When the weather gets cool (sub 50f) the gas pedal will stick. When the gas pedal is fully depressed and you go to push it down it sticks. When this sticking finally lets go the vehicle jumps forward. The v6 version of this SUV has a recall on the pedal but I own the v4.
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 4%On my way out to store I backed up out of my driveway as I switched gears and went into drive my gas pedal was hard to push down on. I tried again then pedal was sticking then dropped all the way down to floor. I lift my foot off the gas pedal car continued to go in drive, I immediately pushed on breaks they were then…
Sticking throlle on vehicle occurs when temperature is cold. I could not move the car at all. Gas pedal is stuck. It has happened to me at a red light as well and almost caused someone to hit me from behind. However on 1/18 I could not get the throlle unstuck at all. Mazda says there is no recall and refuses to repair…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Mazda Tribute recalls
Transmission: floor shift
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 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 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Hybrid system: hybrid propulsion system
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: electric power assist system
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 is 7614e.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: cables
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2008 Mazda Tribute
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda Tribute?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (94 complaints, typically around 102,000 miles); speed control (53 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); transmission (25 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda Tribute have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 19, 2015 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Mazda Tribute?
- It is 4th of 12 Tribute model years by number of complaints, with 202 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.