1.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
118,221 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Mazda Tribute electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Mazda Tribute Owner Comments

problem #14

Sep 132022

Tribute

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have to put the key in the ignition a certain way and press on it to get the car to start and was told it is a pin that gets stuck in the steering column and it won't let the vehicle start and they said it is a Steering column lock module and there should be a recall on it. This is a big problem my fiance' has cancer and needs to be at her appointments when she has them not when the vehicle decides to let me get her there. It won't start all the time.

- House Springs, MO, USA

problem #13

Feb 072021

Tribute

  • 275,000 miles
Steering wheel randomly locks while driving and sometimes in the middle of a turn. Dealership says that recall is closed.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #12

Jan 102018

Tribute

  • 146,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. In order to start the vehicle, the key needed to be vigorously pressed and turned in the ignition. The contact called an unknown local dealer and was advised that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was 146,000.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #11

Oct 022017

Tribute

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering colom ignition switch. The vehicle fells to crank. The lock attaches around the steering colom in which the ignition switch goes in to. This is the 3rd replacement of factory oem parts and it continues to go bad. The vehicle is stationary when

- Dunn, NC, USA

problem #10

Jun 062017

Tribute

  • 135,000 miles
Ignition switch not working. Transmission 2nd and 5th gear not working and control arms for all 4 wheels seem to be going bad

- Moulton, AL, USA

problem #9

Nov 282016

Tribute

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact had to apply excessive force to the accelerator pedal in order to accelerate. In addition, the vehicle stalled while driving 55 mph and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver when making turns. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, but not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V282000 (steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Taylor, AR, USA

problem #8

Oct 072015

Tribute

  • 100,090 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. While driving 35 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,090.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #7

Sep 062012

Tribute

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while attempting to start, the vehicle failed to start. The contact indicated that in order to start the vehicle pressure was applied to the key when turning the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ignition switch housing would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Metairie, LA, USA

problem #6

Feb 122014

Tribute 4-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
The electronic power steering unit in mt Tribute is shot! it started going out randomly and would come back on after turning the car off and turning it back on. Over the weekend it went out on us while driving 70mph down the highway! it was a very scary situation that could've went bad. This is a known defect through Mazda and should be recalled! it is the same unit that was in the Mazda 3 and 5; which was recalled. This needs to be done asap!

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

problem #5

Jun 012012

Tribute 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed to start. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostics, who stated that the key was not reaching the ignition. The vehicle was repaired. The failure was reported to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 90,000. The current mileage was 96,418 updated 8/12/13

- Carson , CA, USA

problem #4

Feb 202012

Tribute 4-cyl

  • 510,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

From a stop switching to gas pedal or accelerator the pedal sticks and hard to press and does it back to back for a few minutes. Also it can do it at random after driving for awhile and stop at a light it will stick when trying to go. Once it stops sticking I have to quickly hit the brakes to not cause over acceleration.

- Simpsonville , SC, USA

problem #3

May 172012

Tribute

  • 60,000 miles
Lock issue - hatchback and back window only this is an issue that I have always had, and it is a pain in the neck. The hatchback door or window will not open using either the remote or the door unlock button in the car. After having groceries in the back, pizza, material being moved, etc. One has to do the following to access that area of the vehicle: 1.) climb over the seat - many times not possible to really get at items in the back. 2.) wait about 5 mins or so, and then the remote will unlock the door/window. 3.) discovered that putting the key back in and turning it to accessory and then removing the key, the door/window can be unlocked. Not sure what the story is or exactly what steps must be done for this issue to occur, but it occurs often. Usually the sequence is, shut the car engine off, remove the key, shut off the cars lights, then try to access the back with the remote. When that doesn't work, try opening the car door and unlocking all the doors again. This won't work either. Try locking the vehicle again using the remote and try opening up the doors and the back. I believe that the 'doors' will unlock at all times, but not the back or the back window. Really a pain......and embarrassing to have people watch you try to get into the back of the car, when there should be no problem.

- Methuen, MA, USA

problem #2

May 012012

Tribute 4-cyl

  • 41,000 miles
While driving on the road, the power steering failed in the middle. There was no power to the steering et all. Pulled over, stopped the car and restarted it went away. Drove couple of more miles, again when the car went back to drive on battery power the power steering failed again.had to stop and restart again. The "wrench" symbol came on the dashboard. Took it to the mechanic, he said the code shows power steering module inside the steering is "bad", checked with Mazda and they said there is no recall on power steering for Mazda Tribute, but only to Mazda 3 and 5.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #1

May 122010

Tribute

  • 55,000 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.

- Westminster, MD, USA

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