Mazda Tribute problems
0 safety recalls. 35 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I JUST LOST MY STEERING NO ELECTRIC POWER TO STEER I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY BLOCK AND THEN NO STEERING WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR BACK TO MY HOUSE. ITS SUNDAY SO I WILL CALL MAZDA IN THE MORNING I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A CALL BACK FOR THIS PROBLEM SO I WILL CHECK THIS OUT WITH MAZDZ.
TAKATA RECALL: THE BRAKES FAIL WHEN DEPRESSED TO COME TO COMPLETE STOP. THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED WHEN NEEDING TO STOP INSTANTLY. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MADE AN INSTANT STOP THE SUV DID NOT STOP RIGHT AWAY AS IT WOULD JERK FORWARD AND THEN SWERVE BEFORE MAKING…
THE REAR HUTCH IS DEFECTED. WHEN PRESSING THE BUTTON THE HUTCH WILL NOT OPEN. THE ENTIRE PUMP HAS TO BE REPLACED TO OPEN THE REAR HUTCH OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFELY HAZARD IN CASE OF EMERGENCY AND ONE NEED TO GET OUT. I HAD THE PUMP REPLACED AND LESS THAN 8 MONTHS THE PUMP…
AutoZone said that the part is called steering angle sensor and is locking up my car I am not able to press the gas as it only accelerates the engine and nothing else and the steering wheel lock I usually have my car turn on in the middle of traffic the part number they gave me…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Mazda Tribute reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Mazda Tribute is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Mazda Tribute?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 19 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mazda Tribute has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Mazda Tribute?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 35 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.