The Lemon Index
2007
20092nd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: speed control
Better years to buy
47 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–32 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Toyota RAV4 1042008 Honda CR-V 462008 Nissan Rogue 76
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2008 Mazda Tribute
- Steering rack / power steering26 complaintsmostly at 84,000–150,000 miles (135,000–241,000 km)
- Throttle body / loss of power8 complaintsmostly at 28,000–50,000 miles (45,000–80,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 202 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Mazda Tribute (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 24,000 and 54,000 miles (39,000–86,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 47 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 15V677000 (transmission & drivetrain), 15E045000 (suspension) and 14V552000 (hybrid propulsion system) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Mazda sent dealers 126 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Cd4e automatic transmission - fluid leak from transmission cooler”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mazda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 47 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 24K to 53K miles (39K to 86K km) on the car (44 of all 47 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Accelerator became stiff on cold mornings. Accelerator cable clip broke, Tribute would not accelerate at all. (fell to floor) clip replaced, still sticking. Taking back to dealership to see what else is going on.
2008 Mazda Tribute owner · NHTSA complaint 10369373
More owner reports
My gas pedal keeps sticking on occasion when in idle or slow driving. I need to press the gas pedal harder to get it from being stuck and then my vehicle lunges forward. Called for a service appointment.
NHTSA complaint 10440012
Auto transmission cooler leaking fluid "fire hazard".
NHTSA complaint 10275490
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 126 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Cd4e automatic transmission - fluid leak from transmission cooler
- Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
- Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015.
- Suspension · recall issued 2015
The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
- Hybrid propulsion system · recall issued 2014 Hybrid only
The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail, resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Show all 5 recalls
- Steering · recall issued 2014
The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input.
- Engine · recall issued 2012 3.0L engines only
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,900–$3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Mazda Tribute year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-tribute/?y=2008" title="Mazda Tribute reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mazda-tribute/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Mazda Tribute reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Mazda Tribute reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 194; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mazda Tribute year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2004.
What are the most common 2008 Mazda Tribute problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (47%), transmission & drivetrain (19%) and suspension (6%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda Tribute have?
5 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Mazda Tribute get?
19 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Mazda Tribute problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 24,000 and 54,000 miles (39,000–86,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 47 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2008 Mazda Tribute have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Mazda Tribute cost in fuel a year?
About $1,900 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Mazda Tribute have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Mazda Tribute year is better than the 2008?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2004 drew the fewest (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works