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Used 2008 Mazda Tribute Consumer Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
59 reviews
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1.75 out of 5 stars

From new to now problems continue

gz408, 03/03/2012
2008 Mazda Tribute i Sport 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 4A)
29 of 30 people found this review helpful

-4K miles Transmission cooler leaking (replaced under warranty) -8K miles Hard shifting (serviced under warranty) -22K miles transmission stuck in 2nd gear (covered under warranty) -24K miles replaced front brakes and rotors (pulsating and noisy) -Window regulator failure -26K L+R Tie rod end replacement (warranty) -35K engine knocking/tapping (warranty) -35K Serpentine belt tensioner failure (warranty) -46K Transmission shifting hard (not fixed yet) This vehicle is horribly built. Interior is noisy from all the cheap plastics. Suspension and ride quality is really bad too. I would not recommend purchasing this, you're better off with a Kia!!

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4.25 out of 5 stars

Rust Problems Here Too

ChicagoDriver, 10/17/2010
2008 Mazda Tribute i Sport 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 4A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful

So I hate to say anything bad about my 2008 Tribute, which we just traded in last week, and I loved owning. It was a simple car without any fuss, and perfect for me! The only bad thing about it is the rust. I noticed a few other reviews mentioning this, and i found it a little too coincidental that we all have found the same rust problems. Mazda must have gotten cheap on their materials, or they stared buying steel from China. I bent down to check on my tires one day and I couldn't believe how badly rusted out the wheel well was. I traded the car in a week later.

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3.75 out of 5 stars

Window Regulator Should be Recalled

swflmazda, 11/18/2011
2008 Mazda Tribute i Sport 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Ok.. So not a bad car as my first mazda purchase. I am totally surprised there hasn't been a recall on these, that all but one of my power window regulators have snapped. Really poor poor poor design and cheap materials. Dealership wants me to pay for labor, will cost be around $800. No-way since this is faulty equipment. not standard wear and tear.. Also gas pedal gets stuck. Incredibly dangerous. Not sure what's worse; windows that do not work or a gas pedal that gets stuck. Other than that.. seems to be a decent car.

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2 out of 5 stars

Wish I'd never bought it!

Kathy, 09/10/2015
2008 Mazda Tribute i Touring 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 4A)
10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Rusting! Thought that was a thing of the past! 90,000 miles the accelerator pedal went limp & SUV stopped moving. Had to have it towed. Now the transmission went out at 128,000. 2 yrs. before that cruise control went out. Friends' vehicles that aren't Mazdas have 200,000+ miles w/ no issues.

Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
2 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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3.25 out of 5 stars

In response to "May Have A Lemon"

jewhite1972, 01/05/2010
2008 Mazda Tribute i Grand Touring 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I also purchased the Grand Touring model. At first during the summer it drove perfectly, up until a month ago. It started with jerking on acceleration, then the tires would screech loudly, and also it would stall when I stepped from the brake pedal onto the gas pedal. I've only had this truck for 6 months now and had to take it in to the service department where I brought it from...to no one's surprise but my own, it was the transmission. Thought that was a little uncommon, being that the truck is only a 2008. Seems that the Mazda Tribute transmissions problems is not at all that uncommon...so buyer beware and by all means do your research. Wish I had!

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