Before you buy
This 2008 Mazda Tribute has 202 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Steering Defects.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2008 Mazda Tribute Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 7 2008 Mazda Tribute trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 7 trims analysed.
2008 Mazda Tribute Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2008 Mazda Tribute 4-DR. w/SAB (Later release)Official crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not Rated20.4% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
20.4% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
MAZDA TRIBUTE 2008 has 202 NHTSA complaints, with steering defects (94) and unintended acceleration (53) as top issues. It also has 5 recalls. Buyers should inspect steering and verify recall repairs. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Mazda
- Model
- Tribute
- Model year
- 2008
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 202
- Crash-related complaints
- 6
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Top reported component
- Steering Defects
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 22
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 26
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 3/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2008 Mazda Tribute problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Steering Defects
Unintended Acceleration
Transmission / Drivetrain
Complaint patterns center on Steering Defects, Unintended Acceleration, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2008 Mazda Tribute?
The 2008 Mazda Tribute is a risky choice due to the high number of steering and unintended acceleration complaints. Only consider if a thorough inspection and recall verification are performed.
Steering defects and unintended acceleration can lead to loss of control, making these patterns critical for safety and reliability.
May Suit
This year may suit budget-conscious buyers willing to invest in pre-purchase inspections and accept higher risk.
May Want to Avoid
Safety-conscious buyers or those seeking a trouble-free used SUV should avoid the 2008 Tribute.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2008 Mazda Tribute
Inspection Focus
- Inspect steering rack, power steering system, and tie rods for play or leaks.
- Check for any history of unintended acceleration incidents or related repairs.
- Test transmission for smooth shifting and check for drivetrain noises.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect steering components thoroughly.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for steering, transmission, and electrical systems.
- Test drive to check for unintended acceleration or transmission issues.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2008 Mazda Tribute, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2008 Mazda Tribute shows a high volume of steering-related complaints (94) and unintended acceleration reports (53). With only 6 crash-related complaints and a low confidence level, buyers should be cautious but not alarmed. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: Compared to other model years, 2008 has the highest complaint count, but data for other years is not provided.
Recall context: With 5 recalls, buyers must verify all recall repairs were completed before purchase.
- Steering defects account for 94 of 202 total complaints.
- Unintended acceleration has 53 complaints, the second most common issue.
- Transmission/drivetrain problems total 25 complaints.
- Steering Defects (94 complaints)
- Unintended Acceleration (53 complaints)
- Transmission / Drivetrain (25 complaints)
Full breakdown
All 2008 Mazda Tribute complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Mazda Tribute. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 94 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 53 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 25 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 15 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 9 | — | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Mazda Tribute. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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…
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…
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 gentlema…
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 fau…
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 rest…
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's son owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while her son was driving and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's son was able to veer to the side of the road by using physical force t…
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was shaking uncontrollably. There was a lot of tension in the steering wheel. While driving approximately 45 mph and making a turn, the steering wheel jerked b…
Power steering failed all of a sudden without warning. Lost almost all control of steering. PSCM
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. Thi…
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 manu…
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 …
It just hard and cant really drive it
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 sens…
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 …
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,NY
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…
STEERING WHEEL RANDOMLY LOCKS WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT RECALL IS CLOSED.
2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE, ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DONE ON TIME. AT 118,110 MILES TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHIN A DAY NO WARNING. THE TRIBUTE, JUST STARTED LOSING POWER ON MY WAY HOME, THEN IN MY DRIVEWAY WOULD GO INTO ANY OF THE AUTOMATIC GEARS.
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…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2008 Mazda Tribute.
Safety recalls
2008 Mazda Tribute recalls
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2008 Mazda Tribute. With 5 recalls, buyers must verify all recall repairs were completed before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2008 Mazda Tribute buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2008 Mazda Tribute reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 202 owner complaints, 6 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2008 Mazda Tribute is a risky choice due to the high number of steering and unintended acceleration complaints. Only consider if a thorough inspection and recall verification are performed. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda Tribute?▾
#1: Steering Defects (94 complaints). #2: Unintended Acceleration (53 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (25 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Mazda Tribute?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2008 Mazda Tribute?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2008 Mazda Tribute, NHTSA complaints include 6 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 202 total complaints. 12 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2008 Mazda Tribute have any recalls?▾
Yes. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2008 Mazda Tribute. A major recall area is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). With 5 recalls, buyers must verify all recall repairs were completed before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2008 Mazda Tribute?▾
The 2008 Mazda Tribute is a risky choice due to the high number of steering and unintended acceleration complaints. Only consider if a thorough inspection and recall verification are performed. Steering defects and unintended acceleration can lead to loss of control, making these patterns critical for safety and reliability. Pay extra attention to Steering Defects during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Mazda Tribute reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2008 Mazda Tribute based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.