2009 Mazda Tribute Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Mazda Tribute has 35 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 50, ranking it 4th worst of 7 model years with a Caution verdict. Steering problems dominate, making up 54% of complaints, tied to a 2014 recall for the power steering torque sensor.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #4 of 7 Tribute years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 35
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2009 Mazda Tribute problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering19 (54%)
- Engine5 (14%)
- Fuel System4 (11%)
- Brakes3 (9%)
- Electrical System3 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (9%)
- Airbags2 (6%)
- Structure & Body2 (6%)
- Lane Departure1 (3%)
- Other1 (3%)
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 becomes difficult to turn or stiffens up suddenly, sometimes requiring the engine to be shut off to release it.
- Electronic power steering fails at highway speed, with dealers diagnosing a need to replace the system.
- Brakes fail to stop or slow the vehicle when the pedal is depressed, leading to crashes at low speeds.
- Throttle actuator sticks open, causing the vehicle to lose power, shudder, and require a restart while driving.
- Passenger airbag warning light illuminates unexpectedly even when an adult occupies the seat.
- Power window cable kinks and breaks, causing the window to fall open unexpectedly during normal door use.
2009 Mazda Tribute recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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.
2009 Mazda Tribute fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 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.
2009 compared with other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Mazda Tribute reliable?
- Compared to other Tribute model years, the 2009 ranks 4th worst out of 7 with a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict. Steering complaints, which make up 54% of reports, are the main concern.
- Does the 2009 Mazda Tribute have a steering recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 14V282000 covers 2008-2011 Tribute vehicles with a power steering torque sensor issue; Mazda's remedy updates the power steering control module and instrument panel software.
- What is the most common problem on the 2009 Mazda Tribute?
- Steering issues are most common, accounting for 19 of 35 complaints (54%), with a median failure mileage of 109,000 miles.
- How does the 2009 Tribute compare to other years?
- The 2009 model (complaint index 50, Caution) is better than 2005, 2006, and 2008, which are rated Avoid, but worse than 2010 (Good) and 2011 (Best).