NHTSA — Steering Problems

2008 Mazda Tribute (Page 1 of 5)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
87,150 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 steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Mazda Tribute:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2008 Mazda Tribute Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #87

Feb 012023

Tribute

  • 180,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel was shaking uncontrollably. There was a lot of tension in the steering wheel. While driving approximately 45 mph, making a turn, the steering wheel jerked but went in another 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 the failure was due to the brakes. 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 who stated the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V282000 (steering) but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #86

Dec 242022

Tribute

  • miles
Power steering failed all of a sudden without warning. Lost almost all control of steering. PSCM

- Torrington, CT, USA

problem #85

Sep 132022

Tribute

  • miles
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 #84

Apr 222022

Tribute

  • 218,100 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 218,100.

- Robertsville, MO, USA

problem #83

Jan 212022

Tribute

  • miles
Driving my car pulling out of driveway when power steering cut out and steering became very difficult Had car brought to mechanic and he found there was a recall on steering torque sensor. Mazda said that was replaced on 8/10/2016 but the part they replaced it with failed just like the original recalled part did. They refused to fix it again saying they completed the recall on this car. Wouldn-€™t even have a next level supervisor call me to talk about fixing the safety issue

- Effort , PA, USA

problem #82

Dec 052021

Tribute

  • miles
It just hard and cant really drive

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #81

Jun 252021

Tribute 4-cyl

  • 167,968 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, the power steering failed which caused the steering wheel to shake. The vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the steering shaft torque sensor malfunctioned, there was an open or short in the power steering control module, and an internal failure with the torque sensor. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was a recall repair for the electronic power steering performed in 2014, and that was a one-time recall repair. The failure mileage was 167,968.

- Livingston, MT, USA

problem #80

Feb 272021

Tribute

  • miles
Power steering became unuseable could not control auto was in motion on city street had it towed to two service center could not fix. ; mavis tire & repair, lackawanna, NY and lukes enterprise southwestern blvd orchard park,

- Orchard Park, NY, USA

problem #79

Nov 182020

Tribute

  • 140,000 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. Well in 2014 a month after the recall we took the car to the dealer for air filters and they happened to "fix" the solution while there without notifying us. They never fixed it because there was never an issue until now. And they wont fix it because they said that it was already repaired. In fact it wasn't. the electric power steering system is very dangerous and I pray that Mazda contacts dealerships and has them actually replace the column as needed and not just clear codes. It does nothing but reset it for it to happen at a later date. I almost ran off the road!

- Splendora, TX, USA

problem #78

Oct 302020

Tribute

  • miles
Powe steering has went out & I can hardly turn the steering wheel after I stopped it & tried to go again

- Leander, LA, USA

problem #77

Sep 182020

Tribute

  • 213,000 miles

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

I was driving my car to the store as I turned a corner a beep went off I looked on my dashboard and saw the wrench light on a few minutes later the beep went off again I felt a tightness in the steering I drove approx 4 more miles to the parking lot reviewed book noticed it said it was a power train issue. I went in store got my groceries came out upon starting car it seemed as if it did not want to steer at all. After a few days leaving it there we got it to the shop they said its a dealer issue we researched the problem called dealer they state the epas system was replaced under recall in 2016 when we took it in for an ignition key problem that we paid close to 500 for I did find the receipt and yes it was replaced then however we had no problems with it it was the ignition switch we took it in for. The dealer states they cant replace again for free they will examine car for $130 if we can get it to them 38 miles away. This is the dealer we purchased it from brand new it even had to have a replaced transmission at our cost when the car was only about 7 years old. We maintain the vehicle and I wonder if this replaced epas. Although the receipts doesnt actually say replaced now that I read it it says it was updated to the latest calibration and codes were cleared according to recall 7614E. Now I am hearing it may be 1500 to 2000 to repair "?????" bad timing for me to need another car. This car has had a lot of problems I wonder now after research if the transmission was a recall as well

- Defuniak Springs, FL, USA

problem #76

Aug 242020

Tribute

  • 145,600 miles
Issue #1 - left front caliper locks up preventing vehicle to move. On multiple occasions the left front brake caliper has locked up after the vehicle had been traveling at several different speeds and coming to either a complete or sudden stop after hard braking. The issue makes it extremely difficult to drive the vehicle which causes the brake pads to overheat and smoke. I've replaced the caliper 3 times and have had the same issue with each new caliper. The underlying cause for the brake lock up has been a malfunction in the ABS and traction control unit and sensors. Temporary remedy has been to remove the 50amp ABS fuse for 24 hours and replace. System works like it is designed to do afterwards. Issue #2 - power assisted steering. The vehicle had shown systems of a vibrating and twitching steering wheel while at idle in park and while in gear while sitting at a stop. After 2 days of the moving steering wheel the vehicle was turned off and then restarted 5 hours later with no more jumping steering wheel but now with no power assisted steering at all. Making it extremely difficult to steer while under no to very low speed. The vehicle continues to have no power assisted steering as there is no consistent resource on what to do for those vehicles that have already been through the recall for this issue.

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #75

Jun 222020

Tribute

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that at vehicle start-up, the power steering failed to operate as designed, with the service indicator warning light illuminated. The contact added power steering fluid to the reservoir however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14V282000 (steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #74

Feb 172020

Tribute

  • miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering ceased without warning. The driver was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic to have the vehicle diagnosed. The driver was informed that the torque sensor kit, upper steering column bot, and steering column assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Nelson Mazda cool springs located at 7104 S. springs dr, franklin, tn 37067, was contacted and informed of the failure. The driver was then referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The driver was informed that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V282000 (steering) and that a second repair would not be offered. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #73

Feb 052020

Tribute

  • 145,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that at start up, the power steering was inoperable. The contact stated that it was difficult to maneuver the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V282000 (steering) however, the failure recurred. An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

- Davis, CA, USA

problem #72

Aug 082014

Tribute

  • 163,611 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V282000 (steering) however, the failure stated in the recall was experienced. The vehicle was repaired at murray Mazda located at 85 griffith rd, muncy, pa 17756, (570) 546-2222. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 163,611.

- Trout Run, PA, USA

problem #71

Jan 212020

Tribute

  • 141,220 miles
Issues with electric power steering. Attempted to exit gas station and steering wheel would not turn. Bought SUV used, recall issue was fixed September 2014. Recall is now closed.

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

problem #70

Dec 052019

Tribute

  • 190,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. While driving, the steering wheel shook and became difficult to steer. The contact stated that there was also no power steering ability and the wrench warning icon illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V282000 (steering); however, the repair did not correct the failure. The failure recurred. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to laird noller Mazda topeka (2946 S Kansas ave, topeka, ks 66611, (888) 312-2714) where it was diagnosed that an electronic part in the steering column failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that it could not be the same failure because it was previously repaired. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 190,000. The VIN was not available.

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #69

Nov 132019

Tribute

  • 156,745 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. When the vehicle was started, the wrench icon illuminated and the power steering failed to operate. The contact took the vehicle to paul miller Mazda (1029 E new circle rd, lexington, ky 40505, (800) 528-1710) where it was determined that the torque sensor needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 14V282000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 156,745.

- Brodhead, KY, USA

problem #68

Mar 012019

Tribute

  • 150,000 miles
2008 Mazda Tribute recall for electric power steering assist module failure. Vehicle taken to dealership and issue reortedly corrected by dealership. At least 2 instances have since occurred in which the steering assist failed. One incident nearly resulted in an accident. While attempting to turn in an intersection, the steering became unmanageable, resulting in a near collision with a stone wall. The dealer and Mazda corporate were both contacted. The dealer advised that at the least there would be a $150 charge for diagnostics. Mazda customer service advised that they would not address the issue as the recall had been addressed and closed for my vehicle.

- Lago Vista, TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?