2008 Mazda Tribute Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Mazda Tribute ranks 2nd worst out of 7 model years, with a complaint index of 83 and 202 NHTSA complaints. Steering problems dominate at 47% of complaints, backed by 4 recalls, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Tribute years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 83/100
- #2 of 7 Tribute years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 202
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 20 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
Top 2008 Mazda Tribute problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering94 (47%)
- Engine58 (29%)
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (12%)
- Electrical System17 (8%)
- Brakes11 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (4%)
- Fuel System8 (4%)
- Other7 (3%)
- Structure & Body5 (2%)
- Airbags3 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel locks up suddenly while changing lanes or turning, leading to loss of control.
- Accelerator pedal goes to the floorboard and the engine stalls or surges unpredictably while driving.
- ABS and traction control warning lights come on along with a jerking sensation, sometimes followed by transmission failure.
- Rear end of the vehicle sways violently when driving over grated surfaces like bridges.
- Transmission cooler leaks heavily, with owners reporting the vehicle becomes undrivable due to fluid loss.
- Airbags fail to deploy during moderate-speed collisions, resulting in injuries.
2008 Mazda Tribute recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V677000Oct 19, 2015Transmission & Powertrain4 vehicles
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.
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 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.
- NHTSA 14V552000Sep 10, 2014Fuel System423 vehicles
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.
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.
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.
- NHTSA 14V282000May 29, 2014Steering33,000 vehicles
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.
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.
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.
2008 Mazda Tribute fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Mazda Tribute reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Tribute ranks 2nd worst of 7 model years with a complaint index of 83, mainly due to steering complaints. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Tribute years.
- What problems does the 2008 Mazda Tribute have?
- NHTSA lists 202 complaints for the 2008 Tribute, with steering issues making up 47% of them, followed by engine problems at 29% and transmission and powertrain issues at 12%. Median mileage at steering failure was 102,045 miles.
- Does the 2008 Mazda Tribute have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering the transmission, fuel system (hybrid coolant pump), steering torque sensor, and engine speed control cable clearance.
- What year Mazda Tribute should I avoid?
- The 2005 Tribute has the highest complaint index at 100 and an Avoid verdict, followed by the 2008 Tribute at 83, also rated Avoid. The 2011 Tribute has the lowest complaint index at 17 and is rated Best.
- What is the median mileage for engine failures on the 2008 Tribute?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 60,000 miles at the time of reported engine failures for the 2008 Tribute.