YearToAvoid

2009 Mazda Tribute Steering Problems

NHTSA has 19 owner complaints about steering problems in the 2009 Mazda Tribute, 54% of all 35 complaints for this model year. That is #2 highest steering complaint count among 7 Tribute model years. Median mileage at failure: 109,000 miles.

Steering complaints
19
54% of 35 complaints
All complaints this year
35
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
109,000 mi
Related recalls
1

When 2009 Mazda Tribute steering complaints were filed

First complaint May 30, 2014, latest Jan 22, 2024.

2009 Mazda Tribute steering complaints: complaints filed per month2May 2014Jan 2017Jan 2019Sep 2019Aug 2021Jan 2023
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2014 to Jan 2024; peak Jan 2017 (2).

Steering recalls for the 2009 Mazda Tribute

  1. 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.

Steering complaints by Tribute model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20052 (1%)
  2. 20063 (2%)
  3. 20070 (0%)
  4. 200894 (47%)
  5. 200919 (54%)
  6. 201011 (28%)
  7. 20115 (71%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Mazda Tribute have steering problems?
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints about the steering in the 2009 Mazda Tribute, 54% of all complaints for this model year. Median mileage at failure is 109,000 miles.
Which Mazda Tribute year has the most steering complaints?
The 2008 Mazda Tribute has the most steering complaints (94), compared with 19 for the 2009.
Is there a steering recall for the 2009 Mazda Tribute?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2009 Mazda Tribute concerns the steering: 14V282000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.