2008 Mazda Tribute Vehicle Speed Control Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 19, 2026 · 53 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about vehicle speed control problems on the 2008 Mazda Tribute, 26% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 60,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “pedal sticks” (15% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Pedal sticks: mentioned in 8 of 53 complaints (15%)
  • Became stuck: mentioned in 5 of 53 complaints (9%)

At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems happen?

Based on 48 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles1 · 2%
10k–25k miles5 · 10%
25k–50k miles9 · 19%
50k–75k miles18 · 38%
75k–100k miles6 · 13%
100k–150k miles4 · 8%
150k+ miles5 · 10%

How serious are the reports?

Of 53 complaints, 1 mention a crash.

Mazda Tribute vehicle speed control complaints by model year

Peak: 2005, with 85 complaints
2000: 1200012001: 402001402002: 372002372003: 342003342004: 342004342005: 852005852006: 492006492007: 2200722008: 532008532009: 2200922010: 620106

n = 343 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearVehicle Speed Control complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2010 Tribute615%60,000
2009 Tribute26%11,435
2008 Tribute5326%60,000
2007 Tribute250%—
2006 Tribute4938%70,000
2005 Tribute8523%70,000
2004 Tribute3422%90,000
2003 Tribute3417%60,000
2002 Tribute3710%73,000
2001 Tribute407%111,140
2000 Tribute120%—

When owners reported it

Peak: 2010, with 13 complaints
2009: 1200912010: 132010132011: 8201182012: 6201262013: 3201332014: 9201492015: 4201542016: 4201642017: 1201712018: 1201812019: 1201912021: 220212

n = 53 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Vehicle speed control:cables; engine and engine coolingJul 27, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V357000 · 217,500 vehicles

Problem: Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Risk: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

In colder florida weather, freezing isn't required, upon start up and driving for several minutes before everything is warmed up the accelerator pedal will stick and be very hard to push down. When it does break free it can be sudden which results in excessive acceleration for a moment. There is no…

Received Apr 4, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11406329

As i am driving the abs and traction control lights come on and the car will start kicking like something is trying to in gage itself this has caused the transmission to go out so i have had it rebuilt thinking maybe the transmission was bad i have the car back now and the car is doing the same…

Received Feb 15, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11396225

Gas pedal sticks and has to be knocked loose. Happens while vehicle is in motion.

Received Sep 16, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11256028
Mazda Tribute
2001-2004 Mazda Tribute photographed in College Park, Maryland , USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2008 Mazda Tributes have vehicle speed control problems?

No. NHTSA has 53 owner complaints about vehicle speed control for the 2008 Mazda Tribute (26% of the 202 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Mazda Tribute vehicle speed control?

Yes: 1 safety recall list vehicle speed control. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems start?

The median reported mileage is 60,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

What do owners say about vehicle speed control problems on the 2008 Mazda Tribute?

The most frequent phrase is “pedal sticks”, in 8 of 53 complaints, followed by “became stuck” (5).

Other 2008 Mazda Tribute problems

See all 2008 Mazda Tribute problems or vehicle speed control problems across all Tribute years.