Most common 2008 Mazda Tribute problems
Share of the 202 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda Tribute complaints by model year
Best Tribute years: 2011, 2000, 2009. Years to avoid: 2001, 2002, 2005, 2008. Compare all years →
2008 Mazda Tribute recalls (4)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Vehicle speed control › Cables
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012.
What 2008 Mazda Tribute owners say
Steering all 94 →
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving at low speeds and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the roadway. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed; however, the failure recurred while making a turn. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving and making a turn and had become a persistent failure after turning off and restarting the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would be charged a fee for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V282000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was shaking uncontrollably. There was a lot of tension in the steering wheel. While driving approximately 45 mph and making a turn, the steering wheel jerked but went in the other direction. While driving at high speeds, the tires were riding roughly. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was due to the brake pads. The contact called the local dealer who informed her about an unknown steering wheel component replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V282000 (Steering) but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
Speed control & acceleration all 53 →
As I am driving the ABS and traction control lights come on and the car will start kicking like something is trying to in gage itself this has caused the transmission to go out so I have had it rebuilt thinking maybe the transmission was bad I have the car back now and the car is doing the same thing as it was doing before transition went out it has done it almost every time I drive it dry pavement city and or country roads worried to drive it now don't want to have to replace transmission again over 3000 dollars to repair any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
I was turning into a parking spot and of a sudden I couldn't turn my steering wheel. I got it towed to a dealership they said it was the power steering. They replaced the torqgue sensor. Then my next problem was my gas pedal sometimes just wouldn't accelerate. I was driving on the highway in the fast lane with cruise control on I turned it off. Then I tried to push my gas pedal it wouldn't accelerate so I had to hurry up and pull on the side of the highway because cars where behind me. It eventually just started back and another time it was 3 am and I was driving on a back road. I pushed my gas pedal but it wouldn't accelerate so I started hitting it as hard as I could. It still wasn't working so I pulled over and put it in park. I just kept on pushing the gas pedal and after 15 mins it started back working. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 25 →
I'm driving down the road and when trying to ride in 5th gear since its a manual transmission it keeps popping out of 5th gear every time I'm driving down highway no matter what I'm doing I go to put in 5th gear and it pops back out every time unless I hold the gear shift in place....I just had bought this vehicle t swartz auto sales in harrisonburg va and I brought it to their attention for which they're not wanting to help on this issue even though I have just gotten it literally last week n only have put maybe 250 miles and not only that the first day I bought it brought it up home washed it up I then realized that the tires are dry rotted which I have attached pictures it has an inspection sticker stating its good til March 18 not sure how these tires even passed inspection I took to my regular mechanic and he advised me that they shouldn't have been passed. …
While driving I stopped at a stop sing, when I went to take off the vehicle started rolling backwards. I stopped turned off the car. Then when I started it again and put it in reverse it went forwards. When I put it in drive it was in neutral, and natural was reverse. After turning it off again and restarting it all gear positions did not function and acted as if they were in neutral. Now every time I try to put it in a gear it May be the right gear and sometimes its not and some times it jumps to neutral out of no where. There is a recall on this exact issue, when I contacted Mazda I was informed that my car was not covered in the recall and there was nothing they would about it.
2008 Mazda Tribute engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 34 / 30 / 32 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | 4WD/AWD | 29 / 27 / 28 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 26 / 22 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Mazda Tribute a good car?
Based on 202 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Tribute rates use caution: 1.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the Tribute at the same age. It is one of the Tribute years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Mazda Tribute?
The steering — 94 complaints, 47% of all complaints for this model year, most often about linkages › tie rod assembly. Next are the speed control & acceleration (53) and transmission & drivetrain (25).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda Tribute have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2008 Mazda Tribute, the most recent from October 19, 2015 (floor shift). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda Tribute?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2000 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2008. See the full Mazda Tribute years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda Tribute problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 82,000 miles; 24% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.