2008 Mazda Tribute Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 94about this part
- Share
- 47%of 202 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,045miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 94 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Mazda Tribute, 47% of the 202 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,045 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Turning off a road into a parking lot I lost all power steering and had to man handle the Tribute into a parking space. Once there I turned off the engine and after a couple of minutes restarted and the steering worked fine. I'm concerned as to when it will happen again. This is the first time this has happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11014021, filed 2017-08, 80,000 miles“My battery charging malfunction light began to come on intermittently two days ago. Today, the power steering has begun to go out while driving at low speeds (so far) had the NHTSA campaign number: 14v282000 (steering) performed less than 2 months ago and am wondering if they are linked somehow. Will be taking my vehicle to the dealer for diagnosis asap.”
NHTSA complaint #10762043, filed 2015-09, 53,575 miles“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“My wheel started vibrating back and forth while in park and I started and the power steering worked fine. Then turned car off went in the store and came out and it didn't wanna work. Turned car off and back on it worked fine. On the way home coming around a sharp curve it decided to go out and the wheel tightened at 45. I had to slam on my brakes and try my hardest to keep from going off the road. Took it to the mechanic and he said it's a recall to take it to the dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #11375310, filed 2020-11, 140,000 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 milesRelated recalls
- 14V282000May 29, 2014Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Tribute vehicles manufactured October 5, 2006, through September 11, 2010…Covers: Mazda Tribute 2008–2010, Tribute Hybrid 2011
Related service bulletins
- 10251387Feb 12, 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10208556Feb 23, 2022Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10153318Jan 23, 2019Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10154139Dec 11, 2018If a vehicle has body vibration or steering wheel shimmy while driving and the root cause is determined to be tire balance, re-balance the tires using a Hunter GSP9700 or…
- 10142519May 8, 2018Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10185904Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3" even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10101062Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10090812Mar 7, 2016Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10059471Nov 4, 2014Summary to be provided on a future date.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 5 | 71% |
| 2010 | 11 | 28% |
| 2009 | 19 | 54% |
| 2008 | 94 | 47% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 2% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 15 | 4% |
| 2001 | 35 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2008 Mazda Tribute
53 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Mazda Tribute
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology