POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL); POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
2008 Mazda Tribute
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 202 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Mazda Tribute, most frequently naming the steering, driver assistance and powertrain (other) categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 125 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 107 |
| Sep 2014 | 5 | 112 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 113 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 114 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 115 |
| Jan 2015 | 3 | 118 |
| Feb 2015 | 1 | 119 |
| Mar 2015 | 4 | 123 |
| May 2015 | 1 | 124 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 125 |
| Jul 2015 | 2 | 127 |
| Sep 2015 | 1 | 128 |
| Oct 2015 | 2 | 130 |
| Nov 2015 | 2 | 132 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 133 |
| Jan 2016 | 3 | 136 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 137 |
| Dec 2016 | 2 | 139 |
| Jan 2017 | 3 | 142 |
| Mar 2017 | 2 | 144 |
| Apr 2017 | 2 | 146 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 147 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 148 |
| Aug 2017 | 2 | 150 |
| Oct 2017 | 3 | 153 |
| Nov 2017 | 2 | 155 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 156 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 157 |
| May 2018 | 2 | 159 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 160 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 161 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 162 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 163 |
| Feb 2019 | 4 | 167 |
| Jun 2019 | 1 | 168 |
| Sep 2019 | 1 | 169 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 170 |
| Dec 2019 | 1 | 171 |
| Jan 2020 | 2 | 173 |
| Feb 2020 | 4 | 177 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 178 |
| Oct 2020 | 3 | 181 |
| Nov 2020 | 2 | 183 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 184 |
| Feb 2021 | 2 | 186 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 187 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 188 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 189 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 190 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 191 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 192 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 193 |
| Dec 2022 | 1 | 194 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 195 |
| Apr 2023 | 1 | 196 |
| Sep 2023 | 2 | 198 |
| Apr 2025 | 1 | 199 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 200 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | 201 |
| Mar 2026 | 1 | 202 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Steering9439.0%
- Driver assistance5623.2%
- Powertrain (other)197.9%
- Electrical156.2%
- Brakes104.1%
- Engine93.7%
- Fuel system83.3%
- Transmission62.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
5 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 274,300.
- NHTSA ID
- 11725529
- Incident
- Mar 19, 2026
- Mileage
- 274,300 mi
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 back injury and was placed on medical leave from employment due to the accident. The passenger sustained bruises and lacerations. The contact stated that the driver and side curtain deployed; however, the front passenger airbag failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for further assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 245,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11718610
- Incident
- Feb 17, 2026
- Mileage
- 245,000 mi
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 booster and master cylinder. 6 days later my brakes went out again, mazda told me they having issues with older model mazda tribute brakes going out. I have to get a rebuilt master cylinder for my car. My brakes have gone out on me 4 times and I almost wrecked each time. This is ridiculous I am scared to drive my car now and I have to keep paying a mechanic to do the repair and it's not working.
- NHTSA ID
- 11660221
- Incident
- May 2, 2025
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 it's going to cause safety problems while driving if not took care of.
- NHTSA ID
- 11652901
- Incident
- Jan 26, 2025
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 failure recurred while making a turn. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving and making a turn and had become a persistent failure after turning off and restarting the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would be charged a fee for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V282000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11545165
- Incident
- Sep 11, 2023
- Mileage
- 125,000 mi
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11544127
- Incident
- Sep 12, 2023
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 diagnosed that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V282000 (Steering), and any additional repair was at the owner's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11518769
- Incident
- Oct 24, 2022
- Mileage
- 150,000 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 tires were riding roughly. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was due to the brake pads. The contact called the local dealer who informed her about an unknown steering wheel component replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V282000 (Steering) but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11507472
- Incident
- Feb 1, 2023
- Mileage
- 180,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY/WIPER
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 from the rear window glass. Follow the diagnostic and repair procedures included in this service information to inspect and service rear defroster grid lines, integral antenna concerns or broken terminal tabs.
ENGINE; POWER TRAIN; SERVICE BRAKES
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 scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Refer to the applicable Workshop Manual or Owner's Manual for vehicle -specific manufacturer scheduled maintenance. Workshop Manual - Refer to section 00-00 SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. Owner's Manual - Refer to section 8 Maintenance and Care. b. Note: Please refer to the information below outlining the services not included in Mazda's Factory Scheduled Maintenance: IMPORTANT: Recommending fluid flushes when not necessary can lead to customer confusion and dissatisfaction. Fluid flushing for preventive maintenance purposes is strongly discouraged, unless otherwise specified in a published procedure (Owner’s Manual, Workshop Manual, Technical Service Bulletin, etc.).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the “Speedometer Replacement Label”. Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda’s vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service. With the use of SPECMO’s services, it is possible that the odometer will be set between 10 to 31 miles over the odometer mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs. Please make sure that the customer is aware that there may be a slight variance to the odometer, in which case the customer may have to accept the slightly higher mileage. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after- warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.
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 maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
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 maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; STEERING; TIRES; WHEELS
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 maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.