2008 Mazda TRIBUTE: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE SWAYS VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVING OVER BRIDGES WITH IRON GRATES. THE FAILURE CAUSES HIM TO GRIP THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTLY IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED THE FIRST DAY THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 705.

Owner-reported narrative. 705 miles reported. Look up ODI 10199051 at NHTSA ↗

AUTO ACCIDENT WHCH I WAS HIT ON THE LEFT SIDE. BOTH FRONT AND BACK DOOR CAVED IN AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ( CURTAIN ARBAGS ). *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10219157 at NHTSA ↗

THE BARS OF THE FRONT HEAD RESTS PROTRUDE FROM THE REAR OF THE SEAT AS THERE IS NO PROTECTION BETWEEN THE BARS AND THE CLOTH OF THE SEAT. BECAUSE OF THIS, IT IS VERY EASY FOR ONE TO HIT THEIR LEGS/KNEES WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THAT IT SEEMS LIKE THERE COULD BE A VERY HIGH POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS LEG/KNEE INJURIES IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM CAN AFFECT YOUNG TEENS TO ADULTS AS MY MOM, WHO IS ONLY 5' 1" TALL, EASILY HIT ONE OF THE BARS WITH HER KNEE AS DID I WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE BAC…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10233568 at NHTSA ↗

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN DECLARED TOTAL LOSS. THERE ARE INJURIES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY DEPLOYMENT. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED BY MY FATHER I BELIEVE IN JUNE AND HE WAS DRIVING. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10241094 at NHTSA ↗

WE ARE HAVING TRANSMISSION COOLER PROBLEMS. OUR 2008 TRIBUTE HAS A MAJOR LEAK...OR SHALL I SAY POUR. THE ITEM IS RECALLED. WE LIVE 1100 KM AWAY FROM DEALERSHIP.....SO WE COULD POTENTIALLY RUIN THE TRANSMISSION IF WE DRIVE THAT FAR...AND WE DO NOT HAVE 4000.00 TO GET IT TOWED. SO HERE WE ARE WITH A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT WE CAN NOT DRIVE BECAUSE OF A TRANNY LEAK. WHAT TO DO. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241813 at NHTSA ↗

AT ALL SPEEDS OTHER THAN IDLE THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY LOSES POWER AND SMOKES. THIS IS A NEW 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE DANGER IS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEED SUDDENLY THE PROBLEM OCCURS AND THE CONDITION BECOMES UNSAFE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 4,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258330 at NHTSA ↗

2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE CONDENSATION IN SEALED BEAM HEADLIGHT. DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THAT MAZDA CORPORATE SENT OUT AN EMAIL DISALLOWING THE REPAIR OF HEADLIGHTS WITH CONDENSATION IN THEM. THE CORPORATE EMAIL APPARENTLY STATES THAT THIS IS A "NORMAL" OCCURRENCE AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS COULD IMPAIR OUR NIGHT VISION OR LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE VEHICLE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE VALIDITY OF MAZDAS CLAIM SINCE WATER SHOULD NOT BE IN THE HEADLIGHT. CAR IS AT TOWN NORTH MAZDA IN RICHARDSON TX. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259678 at NHTSA ↗

MAJOR TRANSMISSION LEAK, IT KEPT LEAKING EVERYWHERE EVEN AT THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS LEAKING, BUT FOR SOME REASON THE CAR DROVE NORMAL, THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS FAST, MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR 28,000 MILES AND THE BRAKES ARE MAKING GRUMBLING NOISES WHEN ITS LEFT TO COOL FOR LIKE 19 MINUTES, PLUS ONE OF THE SPEAKERS SOUND DISTORTED. TRANSMISSION LEAKED AND NOW MY PREFECT GARAGE AND READ TRANNY FLUID EVERYWHERE!!! MAZDA AND FORD PLEASE STOP MAKING CARS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262614 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2012-07-27 (July 27, 2012)

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Reported: 2014-05-29 (May 29, 2014)

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Tribute vehicles manufactured October 5, 2006, through September 11, 2010. 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the recall remedy, the affected components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7614E.

Reported: 2014-09-10 (September 10, 2014)

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.

Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall began November 5, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7814I.

Reported: 2015-10-19 (October 19, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission and if necessary tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8815J.