Problems · NHTSA complaints
2009 Mazda Tribute problems
Owners filed 35 complaints about the 2009 Mazda Tribute with NHTSA between Jun 2009 and Jan 2024. The most-cited component is steering (19).
Complaints
35
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering19
- Power train3
- Electrical system3
- Engine3
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Service brakes2
- Structure2
- Air bags2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Lane departure1
- Wheels1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Visibility1
- Visibility/wiper1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
3
0
3
0
3
0
3
2
6
6
1
1
4
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
19 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while parking, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The service warning light illuminated. The contact then heard a beeping sound. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.”
Power train
3 reports
“AutoZone said that the part is called steering angle sensor and is locking up my car I am not able to press the gas as it only accelerates the engine and nothing else and the steering wheel lock I usually have my car turn on in the middle of traffic the part number they gave me is SU14859”
Electrical system
3 reports
“POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK. STARTED UP MY CAR AND I AM UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEELS AT LOW SPEED. ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING UNIT. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ATTEMPTED TO CALL MAZDA SERVICE LINE, SAYS RECALL SERVICE FOR EXACT ISSUE STATED WAS COMPLETED IN 2014 FOR RECALL # 7614E 'CLOSED'. I DID NOT OWN THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. ATTEMPTED TO CALL DEALER WHO PERFORMED SERVICE FOR ANSWERS. DEALER #42175, NO ANSWERS OR INFORMATION GIVEN.”
Engine
3 reports
“CAR WILL LOSE POWER DURING DRIVING. ENGINE BEGINS TO SPUTTER, WHICH RESULTS IN A JERKING MOTION OF THE VEHICLE. PRESSING THE GAS DOES NOTHING. ENGINE REVS ACCORDING TO RPM DIAL, BUT CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. RPM DIAL WILL CONTINUE TO SHOW ENGINE REVVING WHILE IDLING (AFTER I PULL OVER AND PUT CAR IN PARK). THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE - 8/22/19 AND AGAIN 8/27/19. DIAGNOSTIC RUN ON CAR ON 8/22/2019 LISTS NO ERROR CODES, FOR ME TO FIX ISSUE. VIDEO TAKEN, BUT STILL IMAGES WONT HELP.”
Fuel/propulsion system
2 reports
“TAKATA RECALL: THE BRAKES FAIL WHEN DEPRESSED TO COME TO COMPLETE STOP. THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED WHEN NEEDING TO STOP INSTANTLY. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MADE AN INSTANT STOP THE SUV DID NOT STOP RIGHT AWAY AS IT WOULD JERK FORWARD AND THEN SWERVE BEFORE MAKING A STOP ALMOST CAUSING LOST OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON BECAUSE OF THE GAS CAP ERROR BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT REQUIRE A GAS CAP IT IS A CAP-LESS TANK. CAUSES GAS TO SEEP THROUGH.”
Service brakes
2 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE ABDOMEN AND HAD TROUBLE BREATHING DUE TO A CRACKED SPLEEN. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.