2009 Mazda Tribute problems
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Mazda Tribute. Steering is the most reported problem area, at 41% of complaints. Next are fuel system (9%) and brakes (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 46 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 41% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 84,000 miles 38 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 9 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 3 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 3 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 7 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 38 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 84,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 109,000 miles (15 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a crash; 1 injury reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 80% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2009 ranks 9th most-complained-about out of 9 model years of the Mazda Tribute with enough data (13 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 mazda tribute. While approaching a stop sign at 35 MPH, the brakes failed when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a tree. The contact sustained injuries to the abdomen and had trouble breathing due to a cracked spleen. Medical attention was required. The insurance company deemed the vehicle as destroyed. The vehicle was towed and a police report was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 9,000.
I purchased a new 2009 mazda tribute. I have always taken it to the dealer for maintenance. It has apx. 15000 miles. The last oil change at about 9,100 miles I complained about squeaking brakes. They verified that they were checked and found in good condition. On june 8, 2010 I was turning into a residential area and the car would not stop or slow down. I crashed into a median. Earlier that day I experienced a similar problem while braking but I thought it was due to the rain.
Tl*the contact owns a 2009 mazda tribute. When the contact started the engine, the "passenger air bag off" warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The front passenger side air bag seat senor disabled when an adult weighing 105 pounds occupied the seat. The warning indicator illuminated spontaneously. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and they stated that the senor was functioning properly. There were no resolutions. The failure mileage was 200 and current mileage was 450.
5 total incidents -car begins to shutter, lose power. All warnings lights illuminate and throttle is unresponsive. Engine is still running. Must shut down and restart car in the middle of the road. Serviced vehicle, stored code p2111 "throttle actuator control system...stuck open". Vehicle is less than 5 years old, and has under 32k on it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 mazda tribute. While the vehicle was stationary, the power steering failed. Paul miller mazda in lexington, kentucky was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.