2009 Mazda TRIBUTE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
85,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 35 complaints (54.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 20 | 57.1% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 8.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 19 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Steering: 19; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 3; Power Train: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2012: 3; 2014: 3; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 6; 2019: 6; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 4; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10595034 · 2014-05-30 (May 30, 2014)
THE POWERING STEERING WENT OUT COMPLETELY. THERE WERE SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING; AND WE PARKED THE VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES, CLUNKS AND GOES OUT. THIS IS NOT A SAFE CONDITION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 131,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10595034 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10608377 · 2014-07-05 (July 5, 2014)
I CAN BE SITTING AT THE LIGHT MY POWER STEERING WOULD GET TIGHT I WOULD HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF TO LOOSE IT UP AGAIN IT KEPT ON DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN UNTIL IT JUST STOP WORKING WHILE I'M DRIVING IT COST ME AROUND 1700 TO GET IT FIX AT BROWN&WOOD MAZDA DEALER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 109,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10608377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10335469 · 2010-06-09 (June 9, 2010)
I PURCHASED A NEW 2009 MAZDA TRIBUTE. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE. IT HAS APX. 15000 MILES. THE LAST OIL CHANGE AT ABOUT 9,100 MILES I COMPLAINED ABOUT SQUEAKING BRAKES. THEY VERIFIED THAT THEY WERE CHECKED AND FOUND IN GOOD CONDITION. ON JUNE 8, 2010 I WAS TURNING INTO A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP OR SLOW DOWN. I CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. EARLIER THAT DAY I EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR PROBLEM WHILE BRAKING BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO THE RAIN. WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IT HAD JUST STOPPED DRIZZLING AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10335469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10837849 · 2016-02-23 (February 23, 2016)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10837849 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10460263 · 2012-06-01 (June 1, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE SPEED INCREASED FROM 70 TO 80 MPH SIX TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AS IF IT WERE GOING DOWN HILL AND WOULD THEN SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT MADE FOUR ATTEMPTS TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WAS NO DEFECT. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED HIGH SPEEDS AND NEVER HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT LOWER SPEEDS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,848. …
Owner-reported narrative. 22,848 miles reported. Look up ODI 10460263 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11319462 · 2020-03-27 (March 27, 2020)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11319462 at NHTSA ↗