The 2008 Mazda Tribute has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 250,927 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 251 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN15V6770002015-10-194 affected
Defect
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. These service repair…
Consequence
If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear…
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. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number…
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.
Consequence
If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7814I.
STEERING14V2820002014-05-2933,000 affected
Defect
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. As a result, the system could remove the…
Consequence
If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy,…
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12V3570002012-07-27217,500 affected
Defect
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. …
Consequence
A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
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. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.
Complaints by component
STEERING
92
1crashes2injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
47
1crashes
POWER TRAIN
19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
15
SERVICE BRAKES
10
ENGINE
7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
5
1fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
5
Total complaints251
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2008 mazda tribute. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and inoperable, with the maintenance warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The dealer was not…”
“The contact owned a 2008 mazda tribute. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 mph and attempting to make a turn, another vehicle unexpectedly t-boned the vehicle, impacting the passenger front side. The contact and a passenger sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was…”
“My brakes went out with no warning, or light on dashboard. I had the master cylinder changed and all brakes bled. The brakes went out 2months later,so changed the master cylinder again. 1 month after the brakes went out again. So I called mazda service department and the gentleman told me to try…”
“Unknown, electric steering no longer works, abs light, traction control light engine light air bag light and tool light are on the, brakes will be faulty at times mainly when abs and traction control light turn on. There is google fact that 2008 mazda had recall for eps, also faulty air bag and…”
“Unknown, electric steering no longer works, abs light, traction control light engine light air bag light and tool light are on the, brakes will be faulty at times mainly when abs and traction control light turn on. There is google fact that 2008 mazda had recall for eps, also faulty air bag and…”
“Unknown, electric steering no longer works, abs light, traction control light engine light air bag light and tool light are on the, brakes will be faulty at times mainly when abs and traction control light turn on. There is google fact that 2008 mazda had recall for eps, also faulty air bag and…”
“The steering is very tight, and sometimes the wheel gets stripped out of your hands, vehicle has been brought to the dealer for a diagnosis”
“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,…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 Mazda Tribute as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.