Is the 2008 Mazda Tribute a bad year?
201 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Tribute years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2008 Mazda Tribute are in line with other Tribute years. Steering stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Tribute owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 104,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 94 (47%) | 81k–145k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 25 (12%) | 42k–121k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 52 (26%) | 36k–83k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 15 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 8 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 104,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 201 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 6 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Mar 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I was driving home from work and I reached a stop light. I pushed the gas and it went to the floor and revved up very high but did not move.
2008 Mazda tribute, all scheduled maintenance done on time. At 118,110 miles transmission went out within a day no warning.
Leaking transmission cooler at 42,300 miles. Leaking fluid is being picked up by the cooling fan and air moving through the engine compartment and being spread through the engine compartment and thus a fire hazard.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 104,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2008 Mazda Tribute: 5
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. 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.
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. Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail, resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating. If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist. 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.
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. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mazda: 98
Repair instructions Mazda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Mazda Tribute. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission…
On some vehicles, a sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor may be noticed coming from the exhaust system
Always be sure to use the correct automatic transmission fluid when replacing ATF
The engine is stalling when stopping or engaging into drive or reverse
Neighbouring years
2009 Tribute: 35 complaints, keep it.
Every Mazda Tribute year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · All Tribute years side by side
Other Mazda models: Mazda 626 · Mazda B-Series Truck · Mazda CX-30 · Mazda CX-5 · Mazda CX-50 · Mazda CX-7 · Mazda CX-9 · Mazda CX-90 · Mazda MPV · Mazda MX-5 · Mazda Mazda3 · Mazda Mazda5 · Mazda Mazda6 · Mazda Protege · Mazda RX-8. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2008 Mazda Tribute a bad year?
201 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Tribute years. At 104,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda Tribute?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: steering (94), transmission and drivetrain (25), speed control (52), electrical system (15), brakes (10).
How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda Tribute have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 15V-677), Suspension (NHTSA 15E045000), Hybrid system (NHTSA 14V-552), Steering (NHTSA 14V-282) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.