FaultScore

Mazda Tribute steering problems

197 of the 2,831 complaints filed about the Mazda Tribute are about the steering — 7% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2008.

197

Complaints

7%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

1

Fires

Steering complaints by model year

2001 Tribute 36 18.3%

Median failure at 61,500 miles

2002 Tribute 15 7.6%

Median failure at 70,400 miles

2003 Tribute 9 4.6%

Median failure at 112,345 miles

2004 Tribute 3 1.5%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

2005 Tribute 2 1.0%

Median failure at 21,562 miles

2006 Tribute 3 1.5%

Median failure at 35,000 miles

2008 Tribute 94 47.7%

Median failure at 102,045 miles

2009 Tribute 19 9.6%

Median failure at 109,000 miles

2010 Tribute 11 5.6%

Median failure at 81,078 miles

2011 Tribute 5 2.5%

Median failure at 114,000 miles

What owners said

2008 Mazda Tribute at 274,300 miles Fayetteville, GA

STEERING

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and inoperable, with the maintenance warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 274,300.

NHTSA complaint #11725529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Mazda Tribute Gibsonton, FL

STEERING

Two years ago my vehicle started loosing electrical power steering.. there is a recall for this issue… my vehicle was not experiencing this issue at the time of the recall. I have not been able to drive my vehicle because it randomly looses power steering deeming it extremely dangerous to drive.. I informed mazda who stated there system shows it was repaired during the recall will not cover the cost, but this is not true. I’m the only owner and I can’t drive it due to this issue

NHTSA complaint #11657107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mazda Tribute Morristown, TN

STEERING

Unknown, Electric steering no longer works, ABS light, traction control light engine light air bag light and tool light are on the, brakes will be faulty at times mainly when ABS and traction control light turn on. There is Google fact that 2008 Mazda had recall for EPS, also faulty air bag and more the vehicle recalls need to be fixed desperately it's going to cause safety problems while driving if not took care of.

NHTSA complaint #11652901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Mazda Tribute Exeter, PA

STEERING

Corroded Subframe led to almost complete separation of drivers side control arm, 72k original miles, took my problem to Bergery Mazda where no one cared. If the part was already replaced in 2014 how is it possibly broken already.

NHTSA complaint #11604380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Mazda Tribute Houston, TX

STEERING

Lost of power steering hard to steer the steering wheel

NHTSA complaint #11566885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mazda Tribute at 125,000 miles Huron, OH

STEERING

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving at low speeds and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the roadway. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed; however, the failure recurred while making a turn. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving and making a turn and had become a persistent failure after turning off and restarting the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that he would be charged a fee for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V282000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA complaint #11545165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mazda Tribute Fort ann, NY

STEERING

The steering is very tight, and sometimes the wheel gets stripped out of your hands, vehicle has been brought to the dealer for a diagnosis

NHTSA complaint #11544127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Mazda Tribute at 103,000 miles Cedar Hill, TX

STEERING:COLUMN

The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel became firm and failed to respond to driver input. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights started to flicker, and the vehicle stalled. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred; however, the steering wheel became loose and unresponsive to driver input. The contact stated that on another occasion the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel locked and could not be turned in either direction. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

NHTSA complaint #11519445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mazda Tribute at 150,000 miles Granite City, IL

STEERING

The contact's son owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while her son was driving and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's son was able to veer to the side of the road by using physical force to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V282000 (Steering), and any additional repair was at the owner's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11518769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Mazda Tribute at 87,000 miles Lima, OH

STEERING

The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and turning the steering wheel to the left, there was a slight vibration coming from the steering wheel. The vehicle then lost power steering functionality. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off the roadway, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle regained power steering functionality. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had occurred twice in one month. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V282000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

NHTSA complaint #11518784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mazda Tribute at 180,000 miles Minneapolis, MN

STEERING

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was shaking uncontrollably. There was a lot of tension in the steering wheel. While driving approximately 45 mph and making a turn, the steering wheel jerked but went in the other direction. While driving at high speeds, the tires were riding roughly. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was due to the brake pads. The contact called the local dealer who informed her about an unknown steering wheel component replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V282000 (Steering) but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

NHTSA complaint #11507472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Mazda Tribute Phoenix, AZ

STEERING

The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while parking, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The service warning light illuminated. The contact then heard a beeping sound. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

NHTSA complaint #11500777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mazda Tribute Torrington, CT

STEERING

Power steering failed all of a sudden without warning. Lost almost all control of steering. PSCM

NHTSA complaint #11498758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mazda Tribute Corvallis, OR

STEERING

My vehicle took off and accelerated without me depressing the gas pedal and it was very scary and hard to get stopped I was doing almost 80 mph. It had a safety recall for the throttle cable for this but you show no open recalls yet Mazda does and told me if recalls we're taken care of they would show up on the car fax which they do not my vehicle is a 2002 but this doesn't mean it was ever fixed has several other issues also the front lower control arm which is also on a recall and does not show on the car fax the entire front end on the passenger side sounds like it's really loose and could break and my tire come loose as others have reported when filing same complaint. This has happened more than once to me. I call it now a death trap I need help to get this safe to drive thank you.

NHTSA complaint #11497822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mazda Tribute House Springs, MO

STEERING

I have to put the key in the ignition a certain way and press on it to get the car to start and was told it is a pin that gets stuck in the steering column and it won't let the vehicle start and they said it is a Steering column lock module and there should be a recall on it. This is a big problem my fiance' has cancer and needs to be at her appointments when she has them not when the vehicle decides to let me get her there. It won't start all the time.

NHTSA complaint #11488049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mazda Tribute at 218,100 miles Robertsville, MO

STEERING

The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 218,100.

NHTSA complaint #11463031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Mazda Tribute Amarillo, TX

STEERING

I pulled out of my driveway and my pporr steering did not work..parked vehicle. When I called the dealership I was told about recall on software for power steering control module (PSCM) but was told Mazda would not cover this that it was done in 2014 . I bought the vehicle used in 2019 ...never knew til now that it had a recall on it. What am I to do?

NHTSA complaint #11455916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Mazda Tribute Bedford, MA

STEERING

I bought the car used several years ago and in the past year have experienced the steering wheel all of a sudden appear to be locking up. I looked up the recall and found that this is a known issue with the Mazda Tribute vehicles. I checked with dealer and they agreed. I contact Mazda customer service on 3 different occasions in the last month and they have issued a case number but will not acknowledge that my vehicle is a covered VIN to be fixed. They said its not part of the recall. It is and I have asked them to look into it. When I drive and pull into a parking lot such as a Starbucks and have to make a turn off a main road the vehicle steering locks up and the recall is 7614E Mazda acknowledges that the recall is correct in which the power steering torque sensor fails but refuses to cover my specific Mazda Tribute which is 2011. This range is covered and they said they wont cover it. I need the NHTSA to investigate this and contact Mazda to enforce it being covered under the recall. When this happens I am fearful that I will not be able to turn and hit a car, a person, or a building because it becomes so hard to turn. Only remedy is to shut car off and wait 20 minutes then turn back on. Sadly Mazda keeps tell me they wont cover it.

NHTSA complaint #11455055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Mazda Tribute at 95,000 miles Cocoa Beach, FL

STEERING:COLUMN

The contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel felt as if it was detached from the steering column. Additionally, there was a grinding noise coming from the passenger’s side front wheel well. The contact did not notice any warning lights. The contact was able to drive the vehicle safely back to his residence. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V174000 (Structure) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA complaint #11454744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Mazda Tribute Effort, PA

STEERING

Driving my car pulling out of driveway when power steering cut out and steering became very difficult Had car brought to mechanic and he found there was a recall on steering torque sensor. Mazda said that was replaced on 8/10/2016 but the part they replaced it with failed just like the original recalled part did. They refused to fix it again saying they completed the recall on this car. Wouldn’t even have a next level supervisor call me to talk about fixing the safety issue

NHTSA complaint #11451491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Mazda Tribute problems