Power steering failed all of a sudden without warning. Lost almost all control of steering. PSCM
2008 mazda Tribute steering problems
moderate 94 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
94
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ALSO NO POWER STEERING ABILITY AND THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V282000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V282000 (STEERING). THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
It just hard and cant really drive it
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE STEERING COLUMN EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS R…
WHEN I WENT FROM LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY ONTO THE ST WE LIVE ON I HAD NO PWER STEERING SO I CONTINUED TO GO TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS VERY LUCKY AS WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN COULDN'T STEER IT, HARD TO AND HARDLY STEER AT ALL, ENDED UP ON THE LEFT SIDE OF A MAIN ST AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE RIGHT, THIS WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE AND DON'T KNOW WHY MAZDA HASN'T PUT A RECALL ON THE TRIBUTE THEY K…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO COMPLETE A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AS IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS LATER TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED…
MY WHEEL STARTED VIBRATING BACK AND FORTH WHILE IN PARK AND I STARTED AND THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE. THEN TURNED CAR OFF WENT IN THE STORE AND CAME OUT AND IT DIDN'T WANNA WORK. TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON IT WORKED FINE. ON THE WAY HOME COMING AROUND A SHARP CURVE IT DECIDED TO GO OUT AND THE WHEEL TIGHTENED AT 45. I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES AND TRY MY HARDEST TO KEEP FROM GOING OFF THE ROAD.…
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2008 mazda Tribute?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 94 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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