2008 Mazda Tribute Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2008 Mazda Tribute most often complain about the electric power steering cutting out or going heavy, typically at higher mileage and sometimes after the 2014 steering recall repair was already done. A second cluster of complaints describes a sticking or unresponsive accelerator pedal, often in cold weather, and a smaller group reports automatic transmission problems around 70,000-120,000 miles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Loss of power steering assist / steering goes heavy

   Mentioned in 25 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the steering suddenly becoming very hard to turn, often during a turn or right after start-up, and sometimes with the wrench or power steering warning light on. Several say turning the vehicle off and restarting restored assist temporarily, while others report it stayed out. Complaints frequently mention that the 14V282000 steering recall repair (torque sensor or PSCM update) had already been performed on the vehicle, and that dealers described the recall as closed when the symptom returned; some were quoted steering column or control module replacement. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 275,000 miles, with many clustered above 100,000.

   Recall 14V2820001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the 14V282000 steering recall was performed and whether any steering sensor, module or column work followed. On a test drive, note any heaviness or intermittent loss of assist at low speed and listen for clunking or grinding while turning.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Steering wheel vibrated and shook when stopped and slowing down after starting car, steering froze, turned car off and on again, steering was fine steering became harder and harder as I drove- stopped using and took to auto shop no indicator lights came on mechanic found that electric power steering unit had failed- there is no power steering on my car now.”

   NHTSA complaint #10561632, filed 2014-01, 64,000 miles

   “When turning into a parking lot, the steering suddenly began to grind and felt uncontrollable. My pregnant wife was in the vehicle with me so it was especially worrisome. I was able to navigate into the parking lot without crashing but I think a recall is in order. This Tribute still has under 60,000 miles on it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10574463, filed 2014-03, 59,473 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Accelerator pedal sticks or does not respond

   • 46 complaints (23%)
   • median 59,500 mi at 3.5 yrs old (44 state mileage)
   • filed 2009–2021

   Owners describe the gas pedal becoming stiff or stuck, especially on cold mornings, then releasing suddenly with a surge of acceleration. Others report the opposite: the pedal goes down but the vehicle does not accelerate, and in some cases the pedal drops to the floor. Complaints mention throttle body cleaning or replacement, accelerator cable and clip replacement, and carbon buildup on the throttle body; some say the problem came back after the repair. Often reported under 70,000 miles, and repeatedly linked to cold or cool weather and the first minutes of driving.

   Recall 12V357000

   What to check: On a cold start, press the pedal slowly and feel for stiffness or a catch before it moves. Ask whether the throttle body, accelerator cable or cable clip has been cleaned or replaced, and whether the 12V357000 speed control cable recall applies and was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 2008 Mazda Tribute that has a sticking accelerator, especially when the weather is cold. Even after the car is warm the accelerator will sometimes stick and will not allow the vehicle to accelerate. Today after driving the vehicle about five miles it would not accelerate when I tried to get on the interstate. This has been going on that I have noticed for about a year. It first happened october 2009.”

   NHTSA complaint #10369339, filed 2010-12, 25,000 miles

   “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 also hard to push so I placed car in neutral and put on emergency brake to stop the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10693376, filed 2015-03, 73,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission slipping, delayed or wrong gears

   • 17 complaints (8%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 3.4 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2021

   Complaints describe the transmission slipping or lurching into gear, delayed engagement, failure to shift into certain gears, and in some cases odd gear selection where drive acts like neutral. Owners report fluid loss from the transmission cooler and lines, and shops quoting cooler/line replacement, valve body or belt work, or a full rebuild. Mostly reported between about 20,000 and 190,000 miles, with many in the 60,000-120,000 range.

   Recall 15V6770001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check transmission fluid level and condition, and look for leaks at the cooler and lines. During the test drive, watch for delayed or harsh engagement and any hesitation shifting between gears.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We are having transmission cooler problems. Our 2008 Tribute has a major leak...or shall I say pour. The item is recalled. We live 1100 km away from dealership.....so we could potentially ruin the transmission if we drive that far...and we do not have 4000.00 to get it towed. So here we are with a 2008 Mazda Tribute that we can not drive because of a tranny leak. What to do.”

   NHTSA complaint #10241813, filed 2008-09, 17,000 miles

   “After driving around for about an hour, I stopped at a store and after that the vehicle wouldn't excel correctly. Vehicle wouldn't shift into 2nd or 4th gears. Shop said it was a 2/4 belt or something like that which had to be replaced. They had called Mazda to determine which transmission my vehicle had, thankfully it was the one that could be replaced without tearing down the whole transmission. Sounds like this was a common issue for this transmission.”

   NHTSA complaint #11310716, filed 2020-02, 190,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch hard to turn / intermittent no-start

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the key does not easily reach the start position and that the engine only cranks after pushing and wiggling the key, sometimes taking several attempts. Some complaints describe the vehicle intermittently failing to start at all, and one describes the engine shutting off at highway speed with an anti-theft code stored. Dealers reportedly diagnosed the ignition switch or switch housing. Reported from about 60,000 to 150,000 miles.

   What to check: Try starting the car several times and see whether the key turns smoothly to start without pushing or wiggling. Ask whether the ignition switch or housing has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2008 Mazda Tribute always maintained good, first when driving on wet bridges SUV tends to glide. This happens the time a bridge is wet. Car is no longer under warranty and im scared they might overcharge me. $100.0 just to check it. Another problem is the front bearings in the front had to be replaced, and brakes make a swushing noise ever time I apply the brakes . Ignition key has to be push while turning it to start car. Took it to my mechanic and he says that the ignition switch is bad. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10335994, filed 2010-06, 32,567 miles

   “Vehicle engine stopped running at highway speed. Dangerous total shut-off of engine while driving. Could not re-start vehicle. Starter would turn engine but engine would not start. Vehicle towed to independent repair shop. Shop retrieved code p1260 anti-theft system signal detected - engine disabled . Most tow vehicle to Mazda dealer for service.”

   NHTSA complaint #10330239, filed 2010-05, 55,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal to the floor / ABS-related braking trouble

   • 10 complaints (5%)
   • median 117,500 mi at 8.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2012–2025

   Owners describe the brake pedal traveling to the floorboard with little or no braking, and in some cases a front caliper locking up after braking or an ABS tone ring breaking. Complaints mention diagnosis pointing to the ABS module or a malfunction in the ABS and traction control system, with repairs quoted but not always completed. Reported from about 33,000 to 145,000 miles, with several above 100,000.

   What to check: Check brake pedal firmness with the engine running and look for ABS or traction control warning lights. Ask for service records on the ABS module, calipers and tone rings.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This is the third time in 5 years that we have had to replace the ABS tone ring because it has broken/crumbled and caused our brakes to go out while driving! There seems to be some serious issues with the quality of this product?? I fear for my life at all times, never knowing when its going to decide to break again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10605405, filed 2014-06, 33,000 miles

   “Issue #1 - left front caliper locks up preventing vehicle to move. On multiple occasions the left front brake caliper has locked up after the vehicle had been traveling at several different speeds and coming to either a complete or sudden stop after hard braking. The issue makes it extremely difficult to drive the vehicle which causes the brake pads to overheat and smoke. I've replaced the caliper 3 times and have had the same issue with each new caliper. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11362494, filed 2020-10, 145,600 miles

Buying note. The steering complaints are the most common by a wide margin, so confirm the 14V282000 recall was done and budget for a careful steering check on any test drive. Also test the accelerator from a cold start and check transmission fluid and shift quality, since those are the next most frequently reported areas.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.