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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Mazda TributeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 202 owner complaints for the 2008 Mazda Tribute. Most complaints involve steering (94) and vehicle speed control (53). The EPA rates it 19–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–24mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Oct 2015
Owner complaints
202
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: gear position indication (prndl)

Free remedy

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 part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

Power trainReported Oct 19, 2015NHTSA 15V677000

Suspension: wheel bearing

Free remedy

The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.

SuspensionReported Jun 3, 2015NHTSA 15E045000

Hybrid propulsion system

Free remedy

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.

Hybrid propulsion systemReported Sep 10, 2014NHTSA 14V552000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

202 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2007 – Mar 2026
  1. Steering94
  2. Vehicle speed control53
  3. Power train25
  4. Electrical system15
  5. Service brakes10
  6. Engine7
  7. Suspension5
  8. Fuel system, gasoline5
  9. Wheels4

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2001564
2002385
2003200
2004182
2005383
2006135
2008202
200935
201039
201114
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

94 reports1 crash
“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 contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 274,300.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2026SteeringODI 11725529

Vehicle speed control

53 reports1 crash
“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 MOMENT. THERE IS NO PEDAL OBSTRUCTION, SUCH AS A FLOOR MAT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN COOLER WEATHER, STATIONARY OR IN MOTION ON STREET, HIGHWAY ETC UNTIL IT WARMS UP. NOT LONG AFTER BUYING THIS USED CAR, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CABLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER FOR A NEW CABLE. THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN. THIS STICKING PEDAL HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME. MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR SO I WAS UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE UNTIL TODAY WHEN I WENT TO FILL IT UP WITH GAS. I'M A GROWN MAN AND I HAD TO PUSH DOWN VERY HARD TO GET IT TO MOVE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 4, 2021Vehicle speed controlODI 11406329

Power train

25 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2021Power trainODI 11386250
All 2008 Tribute problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
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 Oct 28, 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 FWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222824$2,700370
Tribute FWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900404
Tribute 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050423
Tribute FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200444
Tribute 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400468
  • Tribute FWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L
    22 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Tribute FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Tribute 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L
    19 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Tribute FWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Tribute 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Mazda Tribute as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 2541Vehicle 2382
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

2008 Tribute questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda Tribute have?

5 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Mazda Tribute problems?

Owners filed 202 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (94), vehicle speed control (53), power train (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Mazda Tribute get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Mazda Tribute at 19–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026