10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,994 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Mazda Tribute engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Mazda Tribute:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2008 Mazda Tribute Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #47

Apr 042021

Tribute

  • 2 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In colder Florida weather, freezing isn't required, upon start up and driving for several minutes before everything is warmed up the accelerator pedal will stick and be very hard to push down. When it does break free it can be sudden which results in excessive acceleration for a moment. There is no pedal obstruction, such as a floor mat. This happens when cooler weather, stationary or in motion on street, highway etc until it warms up. Not long after buying this used car, the accelerator pedal cable broke while driving. Had to have it towed to dealer for a new cable. They said they had never seen this happen. This sticking pedal has been going on for a long time. My daughter drives this car so I was unaware of the issue until today when I went to fill it up with gas. I'm a grown man and I had to push down very hard to get it to move.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #46

Jan 022020

Tribute

  • 100,000 miles
As I am driving the ABS and traction control lights come on and the car will start kicking like something is trying to in gage itself this has caused the transmission to go out so I have had it rebuilt thinking maybe the transmission was bad I have the car back now and the car is doing the same thing as it was doing before transition went out it has done it almost every time I drive it dry pavement city and or country roads worried to drive it now don't want to have to replace transmission again over 3000 dollars to repair any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

- Union, KY, USA

problem #45

Aug 012019

Tribute

  • 108,455 miles
Gas pedal sticks and has to be knocked loose. Happens while vehicle is in motion.

- Mcmechen, WV, USA

problem #44

Dec 012016

Tribute

  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. While operating the vehicle, the accelerator pedal became stuck and could not be depressed. The failure also occurred when the vehicle was first started in cold temperatures. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle was faulty. The vehcile was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V357000 (engine), although the failures were identical. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Rutherford, NJ, USA

problem #43

Jun 172011

Tribute

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that at various speeds while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate without any warning indicator. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

- Chico, CA, USA

problem #42

Feb 092016

Tribute

  • 151,397 miles
I was turning into a parking spot and of a sudden I couldn't turn my steering wheel. I got it towed to a dealership they said it was the power steering. They replaced the torqgue sensor. Then my next problem was my gas pedal sometimes just wouldn't accelerate. I was driving on the highway in the fast lane with cruise control on I turned it off. Then I tried to push my gas pedal it wouldn't accelerate so I had to hurry up and pull on the side of the highway because cars where behind me. It eventually just started back and another time it was 3 am and I was driving on a back road. I pushed my gas pedal but it wouldn't accelerate so I started hitting it as hard as I could. It still wasn't working so I pulled over and put it in park. I just kept on pushing the gas pedal and after 15 mins it started back working. I took my tuck to another Mazda dealership and they replace the throttle cable and retainer. A month later I started having the same problem again. I was turning on to a highway ramp and it wouldn't accelerate. Since I was turning I wasn't going that fast so I had to just let my truck roll to the side of the highway until it started back working. I called mazada to see if they had a recall on the gas pedal. They said no but there was a recall on the power steering but it ended Sept. 2015. Today was March 21,2016 I'm just finding out about it, and I didn't receive anything in the mail about it. They really need to have a recall on the gas pedal I still don't know what the problem is. I'm so scared I'm going to get in an accident.

- Oxford, NC, USA

problem #41

Jan 232016

Tribute 4-cyl

  • 207,934 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The gas throttle sticks, you can't give it gas, even after driving it for 15 mins, it will still get stuck again. Almost caused me to have several accidents. The power steering also goes out and you have to turn the car off and back on to get it to work again. I did have the spring on the gas pedal replaced about 5 yrs ago, because it got stuck and I kept pushing on it till it broke. There needs to be a recall on these vehicles due to these problems. Thank you. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- White Pine, TN, USA

problem #40

Jul 012015

Tribute

  • 124,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. While driving at unknown speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The contact noticed that there was a sudden increase of engine rpms and the throttle and power train warning lights illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #39

Feb 142015

Tribute 4WD 4-cyl

  • miles
After turning a corner, the car started uncontrollably accelerating and did not respond when the brake pedal was fully engaged. The engine continued to grow louder as the car continued to gain speed. The driver's foot was not on the gas pedal as the car accelerated, in fact, the driver pushed the brake pedal down as far as it could go. Engaging the brake did not affect the speed of the vehicle, which continued to accelerate with no pressure applied to the gas pedal and consistent pressure being applied to the brake pedal. The driver attempted to downshift the car while pressing on the horn in an attempt to alert other drivers and pedestrians that the vehicle was out of control. The driver continued to downshift the car while holding down the brake pedal and used the emergency brake before the car eventually slowed down and stopped. The driver put the car in park when it stopped, turned it off, and called a tow truck. The driver called Mazda to file a report.

- Bridgewater, MA, USA

problem #38

Jan 012010

Tribute 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
Happens more during cold weather. When you push on the accelerator it sticks and when it finally lets go you lurch forward. Luckily I have not had any accidents over this yet, but feel that is always a possibility and feel like it is unsafe. I was told it has to do with the butterfly valve. It has been happening for at least 4-5 years. I have asked numerous times if there has been a recall because from what I can see there have been many complaints by other consumers. If this ever causes me to have an accident, I will be suing Mazda!

- Rowlett, TX, USA

problem #37

Nov 262014

Tribute

  • 83,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped and the brakes were applied, the vehicle started to accelerate independently and the wrench warning icon illuminated. Also, the steering column started to vibrate abnormally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign id number: 12V357000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control), but the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #36

Nov 032014

Tribute 4-cyl

  • miles
2008 Mazda Tribute. Consumer stated that there was a recall. However, he never received a letter.

- Williamson, WV, USA

problem #35

Oct 012010

Tribute

  • 50,000 miles
When the weather gets cool (sub 50F) the gas pedal will stick. When the gas pedal is fully depressed and you go to push it down it sticks. When this sticking finally lets go the vehicle jumps forward. The V6 version of this SUV has a recall on the pedal but I own the V4.

- Prairieville, LA, USA

problem #34

Sep 042014

Tribute

  • 178,901 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact also stated that the wrench warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 178,901.

- Columbia, MS, USA

problem #33

Nov 232013

Tribute

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal failed to respond. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle would not accelerate when the accelerator pedal failed was applied. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the cable and the clip to the pedal. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

- East Orange , NJ, USA

problem #32

Feb 012011

Tribute

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that when depressing the acceleration pedal at any speed, there was a revving noise as the acceleration pedal vibrated. The failure was recurring and would become more prominent when driving in inclement weather. There was also an increase in engine rpms. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 12V357000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control) but the contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same failure multiple times with a 4-cylinder stick shift. The vehicle was to be inspected, diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35000.

- Waxhaw, NC, USA

problem #31

Mar 262014

Tribute

  • 84,000 miles
While driving on the interstate, I glanced down to see I was going 75mph. When I backed off the gas, the car did not slow down. It kept going to 75 mph even though I was not using cruise control. I managed to apply the breaks hard enough to slow the car down and get to the side of the road. (it took all my weight on the break to slow it down) I had the car towed where the dealer said the only thing they could find was that the rubber mat was wedged under the gas pedal. (I specifically remember sticking my foot under the pedal and lifting it upward in an attempt to stop the acceleration and slow the car.) the mats are heavy duty and do not slide around or bunch up.

- Weatherly , PA, USA

problem #30

Jan 032011

Tribute

  • miles
The accelerator sticks causing the vehicle to stop while you are driving down the road because the accelerator done stuck. I found out that Mazda had a recall on the 2008 Mazda Tribute for the exact same problem but I was told my vehicle wasn't among them. I've tried too contact Mazda but I get no answer and no one return my calls.

- Surry, VA, USA

problem #29

Jan 012010

Tribute 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
On cold mornings the gas peddle sticks and won't press down until the car warms up completely. Sometimes takes along as 15 minutes to warm up enough to engage the gas peddle. And sometimes after driving the car for several miles (as many as 15 miles) the gas peddle sticks again and no gas is being supplied. I've had to just coast off the road and pat the gas peddle until it breaks loose.

- Dawsonville, GA, USA

problem #28

May 172013

Tribute

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the accelerator and brakes failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis where it was advised to the contact that the throttle cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was not available.

- Norwood, MA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?