Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Mazda Tribute owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
In colder florida weather, freezing isn't required, upon start up and driving for several minutes before everything is warmed up the accelerator pedal will stick and be very hard to push down. When it does break free it can be sudden which results in excessive acceleration for a moment. There is no pedal obstruction, such as a floor mat. This happens when cooler weather, stationary or in motion on street, highway etc until it warms up. Not long after buying this used car, the accelerator pedal cable broke while driving. Had to have it towed to dealer for a new cable. They said they had never seen this happen. This sticking pedal has been going on for a long time. My daughter drives this car so I was unaware of the issue until today when I went to fill it up with gas. I'm a grown man and I had to push down very hard to get it to move.
The gas throttle sticks, you can't give it gas, even after driving it for 15 mins, it will still get stuck again. Almost caused me to have several accidents. The power steering also goes out and you have to turn the car off and back on to get it to work again. I did have the spring on the gas pedal replaced about 5 yrs ago, because it got stuck and I kept pushing on it till it broke. There needs to be a recall on these vehicles due to these problems. Thank you. [redacted]
Happens more during cold weather. When you push on the accelerator it sticks and when it finally lets go you lurch forward. Luckily I have not had any accidents over this yet, but feel that is always a possibility and feel like it is unsafe. I was told it has to do with the butterfly valve. It has been happening for at least 4-5 years. I have asked numerous times if there has been a recall because from what I can see there have been many complaints by other consumers. If this ever causes me to have an accident, I will be suing Mazda!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. While operating the vehicle, the accelerator pedal became stuck and could not be depressed. The failure also occurred when the vehicle was first started in cold temperatures. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle was faulty. The vehcile was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V357000 (engine), although the failures were identical. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck and caused the vehicle to accelerate independently. The failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 12V357000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control); however, the part was unavailable to perform the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. While driving at unknown speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The contact noticed that there was a sudden increase of engine rpms and the throttle and power train warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck while depressed. The failure recurred occasionally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V357000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that at various speeds while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate without any warning indicator. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.
Related recalls
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.
Acceleration complaints in other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2008 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2008 Mazda Tribute, 26% of the model year's 202 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Mazda Tribute acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-357 (cables, Jul 27, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda Tribute acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.