The Lemon Index
200820102nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 5,525 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 7 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–32 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Toyota RAV4 1272009 Honda CR-V 332009 Nissan Rogue 61
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 6 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 15E045000 (suspension) and 14V282000 (steering) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Mazda sent dealers 136 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Clicking or rubbing noise from the left front wheel speed sensor and/or”?
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 7 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 0K to 42K miles (0K to 69K km) on the car (6 of all 7 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.
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 136 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Clicking or rubbing noise from the left front wheel speed sensor and/or
- No c rank condition and/or dtcs p0706, p0707 or p1702
- Harsh 3-1 or 2-1 rolling stop downshift or downshift hesitation
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- 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.
- Steering · recall issued 2014
The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input.
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–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Mazda Tribute year. 2009 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 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-tribute/?y=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Mazda Tribute reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Mazda Tribute reliable?
We can't score it: only 5,525 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Mazda Tribute problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (29%), airbags (14%) and fuel system, other (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Mazda Tribute have?
2 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Mazda Tribute get?
20 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Mazda Tribute have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Mazda Tribute cost in fuel a year?
About $1,900 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Mazda Tribute have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Mazda Tribute year is better than the 2009?
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