2009 Mazda Tribute Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Mazda Tribute.

20082010
Complaints
46
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 2009 Mazda Tribute Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#119 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:104,041 mi
#23 complaints

Electrical Faults

#33 complaints

Engine Problems

Considering a 2009 Mazda Tribute?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Mazda Tribute.

Steering Defects
19
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
104,041
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Other
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Assist
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Electric
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Mazda Tribute. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 Mazda Tribute

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~33,000 vehicles.

14V282000Steering:electric Power Assist System
~33,000 affected

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Tribute vehicles manufactured October 5, 2006, through September 11, 2010. The affected vehicles have a steering torque sensor that may not be able to properly detect driver steering input. As a result, the system could remove the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist.

Other Mazda Tribute Years

2009 Mazda Tribute — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2009 Mazda Tribute reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2009 Mazda Tribute has 46 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 19 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 Mazda Tribute?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (19 complaints, avg 104,041 mi); Electrical Faults (3 complaints); Engine Problems (3 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Mazda Tribute?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 104,041 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Mazda Tribute include 2 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 1 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2009 Mazda Tribute have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 33,000 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2009 Mazda Tribute?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Mazda Tribute reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2009 Mazda Tribute

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99