CarBrief

NHTSA has 202 owner complaints for the 2008 Mazda Tribute, and steering is the biggest group[1][2]. Four recalls cover the model year, so confirm the ones that apply to the car were done[3][4][5][6].

202owner complaints[1]
4recalls[7]
19–32MPG combined (EPA)[8]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 202 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Six mention a crash and one a fire, and 12 injuries are reported[1]. No deaths were reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Smaller groups are brakes with 10 complaints[12], engine with 9[13] and suspension with 5[14]. The engine group includes the one fire complaint[13].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year. Each has a free remedy.

Ask the seller for proof that each recall that applies to the car was done.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on engine and drive. All use regular gas.

Version City / Hwy / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
FWD 2.3L 4-cyl, manual 5-spd[15] 22 / 28 / 24 $2,800
FWD 2.3L 4-cyl, automatic 4-spd[16] 20 / 26 / 22 $3,050
FWD 3.0L 6-cyl, automatic 4-spd[17] 18 / 24 / 20 $3,350
4WD 2.3L 4-cyl, automatic 4-spd[18] 19 / 24 / 21 $3,200
4WD 3.0L 6-cyl, automatic 4-spd[19] 17 / 22 / 19 $3,550
Hybrid 2WD[8] 34 / 30 / 32 $2,100
Hybrid 4WD[20] 29 / 27 / 28 $2,400

EPA fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door FWD/AWD Tribute 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 20.4%[21]. The Tribute Hybrid has the same rollover result[22].

Engine and size

Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. All three listed versions share the same size: length 175 in, width 71 in, height 68 in and wheelbase 103 in[23][24][25]. Curb weight differs:

Version Curb weight
GX 4DR SUV FWD[25] 3,232 lb
GS 4DR SUV FWD[23] 3,355 lb
GT 4DR SUV AWD[24] 3,503 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

2001: 563 complaints, 13 recalls20012002: 384 complaints, 7 recalls20022003: 199 complaints, 6 recalls20032004: 157 complaints, 5 recalls20042005: 377 complaints, 3 recalls20052006: 135 complaints, 2 recalls20062008: 202 complaints, 4 recalls20220082009: 36 complaints, 1 recalls20092010: 39 complaints, 2 recalls20102011: 14 complaints, 2 recalls2011
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Tribute model year. The 2008 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200156313
20023847
20031996
20041575
20053773
20061352
20082024
2009361
2010392
2011142

Among the ten Tribute model years in the NHTSA list, 2008 has 202 complaints and 4 recalls[7]. Only three years have more complaints: 2001 with 563[7], 2002 with 384[7] and 2005 with 377[7]. Four years have more recalls: 2001 with 13, 2002 with 7, 2003 with 6 and 2004 with 5[7]. The list has no 2007 entry.

Later years show fewer complaints: 36 for 2009, 39 for 2010 and 14 for 2011[7]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show a pattern and not a risk rate.

Should you buy a used 2008 Tribute?

The record is mixed. Steering has the most complaints, and the steering recall covers that kind of failure[2][5]. Sticking accelerator pedals fill our sample of speed control complaints[9]. Before buying, confirm that the steering recall was done, check whether the throttle recall applies to a V6 car, and ask about transmission cooler leaks[10][5][6]. Our data does not cover price or reliability scores, so compare those separately.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda Tribute?
Steering has the most NHTSA complaints at 94, then speed control at 53 and power train at 25[2][9][10]. In the samples we read, owners describe lost steering assist, sticking accelerator pedals and transmission fluid leaks.
Does the 2008 Mazda Tribute have recalls?
Yes, four: shift lever 15V677, hybrid coolant pump 14V552, power steering 14V282 and stuck throttle 12V357[3][4][5][6].
What gas mileage does the 2008 Tribute get?
EPA combined ratings run from 19 MPG for the 4WD 3.0L V6 to 32 MPG for the Hybrid 2WD[19][8].
Is the 2008 Tribute a good year compared with others?
It has 202 complaints, fewer than 2001, 2002 and 2005 but more than 2009 to 2011[7]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 202 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Mazda Tribute (6 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 12 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 94 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 102,045). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 15V677, filed October 19, 2015: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever And Linkage › Floor Shift. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 14V552, filed September 10, 2014: Hybrid Propulsion System. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 14V282, filed May 29, 2014: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 12V357, filed July 27, 2012: Vehicle Speed Control › Cables. NHTSA recall database
  7. Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda Tribute model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Tribute Hybrid 2WD, 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 34 city / 30 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. 53 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 25 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 15 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 10 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 135,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 9 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 5 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,567). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for Tribute FWD, 2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Tribute FWD, 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Tribute FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Tribute 4WD, 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Tribute 4WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Tribute Hybrid 4WD, 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 27 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE GS 4DR SUV FWD: length 175 in, width 71 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,355 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE GT 4DR SUV AWD: length 175 in, width 71 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,503 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TRIBUTE GX 4DR SUV FWD: length 175 in, width 71 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,232 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.