Most common 2009 Mazda Tribute problems
Share of the 35 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 →
2009 Mazda Tribute recalls (1)
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.
What 2009 Mazda Tribute owners say
Steering
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed without warning. The contact used excessive force to drive the vehicle back to his residence. The next day, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where he was informed that he could not service the vehicle for a month; however, after cancellation, the mechanic was able to repair the vehicle. Prior to the repair, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V282000 (Steering). The contact made several attempts to reach the manufacturer however, the attempts were unsuccessful. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to exit the highway and noticed that the steering wheel was becoming more difficult to turn. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V282000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,141.
Fuel & propulsion system
Takata recall: the brakes fail when depressed to come to complete stop. The ABS control module failed when needing to stop instantly. As I was driving down the highway and made an instant stop the SUV did not stop right away as it would jerk forward and then swerve before making a stop almost causing lost of control of the vehicle. The engine light stay on because of the gas cap error but the vehicle does not require a gas cap it is a cap-less tank. Causes gas to seep through.
Car will lose power during driving. Engine begins to sputter, which results in a jerking motion of the vehicle. Pressing the gas does nothing. Engine revs according to RPM dial, but car will not accelerate. RPM dial will continue to show engine revving while idling (after I pull over and put car in park). This has happened twice - 8/22/19 and again 8/27/19. Diagnostic run on car on 8/22/2019 lists no error codes, for me to fix issue. Video taken, but still images wont help.
Brakes
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Mazda Tribute. While approaching a stop sign at 35 MPH, the brakes failed when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a tree. The contact sustained injuries to the abdomen and had trouble breathing due to a cracked spleen. Medical attention was required. The insurance company deemed the vehicle as destroyed. The vehicle was towed and a police report was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.
I purchased a new 2009 Mazda Tribute. I have always taken it to the dealer for maintenance. It has apx. 15000 miles. The last oil change at about 9,100 miles I complained about squeaking brakes. They verified that they were checked and found in good condition. On June 8, 2010 I was turning into a residential area and the car would not stop or slow down. I crashed into a median. Earlier that day I experienced a similar problem while braking but I thought it was due to the rain. When the accident occurred it had just stopped drizzling and the ground was visibly dry. I pressed on the brakes. They did not squeal, but the car would not stop. Something went really wrong.
2009 Mazda Tribute engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 34 / 31 / 32 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | 4WD/AWD | 29 / 27 / 28 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 22 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Mazda Tribute a good car?
Based on 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Tribute rates better than average: 80% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Tribute at the same age. It is one of the best Tribute years by this measure. 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 2009 Mazda Tribute?
The steering — 19 complaints, 54% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (4) and brakes (3).
How many recalls does the 2009 Mazda Tribute have?
There is 1 recall for the 2009 Mazda Tribute, the most recent from May 29, 2014 (electric power assist system). 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 2009 Mazda Tribute problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 85,000 miles; 34% 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.