2008 Mazda Tribute reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2008 Mazda Tribute — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 251
- 24 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- STEERING
- 92 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 4
- see below
- Reported harm
- 9 reported crashes · 15 injuries · 2 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#2,115
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Mazda median
+55
median 196 across 81 Mazda records
Vs 2006-2010
-21
median 272 complaints in 785 records
Top component share
37%
Steering: 92 complaints
What owners report fails — 2008 Mazda Tribute
- STEERING 92
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 47
- POWER TRAIN 19
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15
- SERVICE BRAKES 10
4 recalls on record for the 2008 Mazda Tribute
- NHTSA 15V677000 · 2015 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated sh
- NHTSA 14V282000 · 2014 · STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing
- NHTSA 14V552000 · 2014 · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increa
- NHTSA 12V357000 · 2012 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could c
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2008 Mazda Tribute
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2008 Mazda Tribute units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Mazda Tribute reliable?
NHTSA has 251 consumer complaints on record for the 2008 Mazda Tribute and 4 recalls. The most-reported problem area is steering (92 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2008 Mazda Tribute units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Mazda Tribute?
Owners most often report problems with: steering (92), vehicle speed control (47), power train (19), electrical system (15). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2008 Mazda Tribute?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.