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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2009 Mazda Tribute HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 1 owner complaint for the 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid. Most complaints involve electrical system (1) and electronic stability control (esc) (1). The EPA rates it 28–32 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
28–32mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
1
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$1,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2019 – Feb 2019
  1. Electrical system1
  2. Electronic stability control (esc)1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Tribute Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2008202
20091
201039
20117
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

1 report
“PARKED VEHICLE IN GARAGE AFTER DRIVING, NEXT MORNING THE BATTERY WAS FULLY CHARGED BUT WOULD NOT TRY TO START WITH A STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING DISPLAYED...THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES NOW - SPENT $600 AND A TOW BILL FIRST TIME. FORD SAID THEY REPLACED A LEAKING THERMOSTAT AND REPROGRAMMED IT (WHICH I DO NOT BELIEVE). NEXT MORNING, SAME PROBLEM BUT LATER (3 DAYS LATER) IT STARTED, DROVE IT SEVERAL TIMES, NEXT MORNING IT WOULD NOT TRY TO START AGAIN. TOTALLY BROKE DOWN NOW WITH A FULLY CHARGED BATTERY. I THINK IT IS A FAULTY WIRING IN THE BATTERY HARNESS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE HYBRID BATTERY TO START AS I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET WITH RECALLS FOR OTHER FORD HYBRID VEHICLES THAT TELL THE SAME STORY. PLEASE ISSUE ME A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE; WITHOUT IT, THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS TO ME AS OTHERS GET RECALLS FOR THIS VERY FRUSTRATING PROBLEM THAT IS NO FAULT OF MY OWN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2019Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11181274

Electronic stability control (esc)

1 report
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tribute Hybrid 2WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
343132$1,950278
Tribute Hybrid 4WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
292728$2,200317
  • Tribute Hybrid 2WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    34 city · 31 hwy · $1,950/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Tribute Hybrid 4WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    29 city · 27 hwy · $2,200/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 5253
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Tribute Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.

What are the most common 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (1), electronic stability control (esc) (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid at 28–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026