2008 Mazda Tribute i Grand Touring
4F2CZ02Z78KM23530
Vehicle history report for the 2008 Mazda Tribute i Grand Touring (VIN 4F2CZ02Z78KM23530). Gray, sport utility vehicle [suv]/multipurpose vehicle [mpv], 2.3L 4-cyl 153 hp, gasoline. 274,361 mi reported. Registered in Fl. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year. Unlock full title, salvage, lien
![Stock photo of a 2008 Mazda Tribute i Grand Touring, Gray, Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] — not the actual vehicle with VIN 4F2CZ02Z78KM23530](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7d/%2708_Mazda_Tribute_%28Montreal%29.jpg)
Should you buy it? Worth a look — but negotiate
Weighed from safety recalls, known problems and market price.
- 5 recall campaigns exist for this model year. Check this VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm the repairs were done.
- Owners most often report steering trouble on this model — inspect it closely.
- Higher mileage than typical — about 274,361 mi vs ~216,000 expected for a 18-year-old car. Use it to negotiate.
- Listed below the typical range — worth asking why (condition, history or a quick sale).
💵 A fair offer is around $5,144 (typical range $2,700–$7,800). Start a little below and leave room for anything the inspection turns up.
Full vehicle history report
Everything below is in the paid report for VIN 4F2CZ02Z78KM23530, compiled live from NMVTIS and licensed providers the moment you unlock it. Not every vehicle has every record type — the report shows what is on file, and says so when nothing is. The 5 recall campaigns for this model year are shown further down.
📜 Title & ownership
- Title statusClean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon — from the national title database (NMVTIS)🔒
- Title brand historyEvery brand ever applied, by state, with what each one means🔒
- Title & registration recordsHow many times it has been titled, where, and the years-per-owner pace🔒
- Decode consistency checkThe provider's decode cross-checked against ours — a mismatch is a cloned-VIN warning sign🔒
🛞 Odometer
- Odometer timelineEvery reported reading with its date and state, drawn as a timeline🔒
- Rollback checkFlags any reading that goes backwards🔒
- Miles per yearThis car's pace against the US average🔒
💥 Damage, loss & theft
- Total-loss recordsInsurance total-loss declarations, with the reporting insurer type and date🔒
- Salvage & junk-yard recordsSalvage, junk and auction dispositions, including export flags🔒
- Theft screenActive and recovered theft records🔒
- Accident indicatorsDamage events reflected in title data (NMVTIS does not carry police crash reports)🔒
- Flood-exposure checkTitle activity in a disaster area soon after a major flood or hurricane🔒
💰 Liens & value
- Liens, impounds & exportOpen liens with the lender, tow/impound and export records🔒
- Market value for this exact carRetail adjusted for its mileage and state, trade-in, loan value, auction low/avg/high and retail by condition🔒
- DepreciationDrop from original MSRP, yearly rate and a one-year projection🔒
- Sticker vs dealer invoiceWhat it cost new, and what the dealer paid🔒
🧰 Factory warranty & equipment
- Remaining warrantyBasic, powertrain and rust coverage left, estimated from the first title date and odometer🔒
- Standard equipment & coloursWhat this trim came with from the factory, and the colours it was offered in🔒
🚨 Recalls on this VIN
- Per-VIN recall statusWhether each campaign has been repaired on THIS car, remedy availability, do-not-drive and stop-sale flags, dealer labour time🔒
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
🧾 Window sticker / build sheet → All 2008 Mazda Tribute data →
Safety & driver-assistance equipment
Equipment the manufacturer reported to NHTSA for this VIN.
"Optional" means the feature was offered on this model but the VIN alone can't confirm it was fitted. Source: NHTSA vPIC.
📋 All factory specifications on file6 more fields from the manufacturer's VIN record (NHTSA vPIC)
📐 Body, chassis & dimensions
🛡️ Safety & driver assistance
Values are as reported by the manufacturer for this VIN pattern; blank or "not applicable" fields are omitted.
What's a 2008 Mazda Tribute worth?
What comparable 2008 Mazda Tribute vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.
See this car's exact value →MPG & running costs
U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2008 Mazda Tribute with this engine.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 5 versions with this engine; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages. Actual mileage varies with trim and driving conditions.
Crash-test safety ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Mazda Tribute.
Rollover risk: 20.4% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program, tested as the 2008 Mazda Tribute 4-DR. w/SAB (Later release). Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2008 Mazda Tribute costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($5,144) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,508), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2008 Mazda Tribute — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 126
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 126.
Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid. It has been unpublished and superseded by the Field Quality Information Report (FQIR) reporting system.
Bulletin SA-055-26 · Aug 2026This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit inoperative electric rear window defroster grid lines, integral antenna concerns causing radio…
Bulletin 09-022-26 · Electrical System, Visibility/wiper · Jul 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems.…
Bulletin SA-029-26 · Power Train, Service Brakes, Engine · Apr 2026In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer’s responsibility to comply with Federal, S…
Bulletin 09-038-24 · Electrical System · Aug 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services perform…
Bulletin SA-011-24b · Jul 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services perform…
Bulletin SA-011-24a · Jun 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services perform…
Bulletin SA-011-24 · Steering, Power Train, Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2024Speedometer replacement procedure
Bulletin 09-016-23 · Electrical System · Feb 2023Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guideli…
Bulletin 02-004-22a · Suspension · Nov 2022In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.
Bulletin 09-024-22 · Electrical System · Jul 2022Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the TRIBUTE FWD/AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2008 Mazda Tribute. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Powertrain
A safety defect may exist in vehicles in which remanufactured automatic transmissions were installed as service replacement parts. The shift lever bolt may not have been torqued to the proper torque specification. If the improperly torqued shift level bolt loosens and backs out, the shift lever may disengage from the transmission without warning, and the transmission may not re…
Transport Canada #2015490 · Oct 2015Steering
On certain vehicles, a fault in the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system could result in an immediate loss of power steering assist without warning to the driver. This would unexpectedly increase the steering effort force necessary to steer the vehicle at lower vehicle speeds, which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers…
Transport Canada #2014197 · May 2014Other
On certain vehicles equipped with a 3.0L V6 engine 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. A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to slow or stop the vehicle if the transmission is n…
Transport Canada #2012237 · Jul 2012Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
Safety recall campaigns 5
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2008 Tribute vehicles manufactured February 9, 2007 to April 22, 2008. The affected vehicles have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a re…
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission and if necessary tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6.
NHTSA Campaign #15V677000 · manufacturer #8815J · 19/10/2015SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 7…
Remedy: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
NHTSA Campaign #15E045000 · 03/06/2015HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid vehicles manufactured October 10, 2006, to May 23, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail, resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall began November 5, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7814I.
NHTSA Campaign #14V552000 · manufacturer #7814I · 10/09/2014STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
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.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a history of a loss of the torque sensor signal or fault codes relating to the PSCM when the vehicle is brought in for the
NHTSA Campaign #14V282000 · manufacturer #7614E · 29/05/2014VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Campaign #12V357000 · manufacturer #6812G · 27/07/2012These are NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year, last checked 14 Oct 2026. They don't show whether this particular car has had the repair done — check this VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.
We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on all 202 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Mazda Tribute, here are the most-reported problem areas — and what to check before you buy.
💥 6 involved a crash 🔥 1 involved a fire 🚑 12 reported injuries
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 202
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2008 Mazda Tribute.
STEERING
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and inoperable, with the maintenance warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer …
NHTSA ODI #11725529AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH and attempting to make a turn, another vehicle unexpectedly T-boned the vehicle, impacting the passenger front side. The contact and a passenger sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was taken to a local emergency room. The contact suffered a back inju…
Crash · 2 injured · NHTSA ODI #11718610SERVICE BRAKES
My brakes went out with no warning, or light on dashboard. I had the master cylinder changed and all brakes bled. The brakes went out 2months later,so changed the master cylinder again. 1 month after the brakes went out again. So I called Mazda service department and the gentleman told me to try and change the brake booster. So I changed the brake booster an…
NHTSA ODI #11660221STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Unknown, Electric steering no longer works, ABS light, traction control light engine light air bag light and tool light are on the, brakes will be faulty at times mainly when ABS and traction control light turn on. There is Google fact that 2008 Mazda had recall for EPS, also faulty air bag and more the vehicle recalls need to be fixed desperately it's going…
NHTSA ODI #11652901STEERING
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving at low speeds and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the roadway. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed; however, the failure recu…
NHTSA ODI #11545165STEERING
The steering is very tight, and sometimes the wheel gets stripped out of your hands, vehicle has been brought to the dealer for a diagnosis
NHTSA ODI #11544127STEERING
The contact's son owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while her son was driving and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's son was able to veer to the side of the road by using physical force to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed…
NHTSA ODI #11518769STEERING
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was shaking uncontrollably. There was a lot of tension in the steering wheel. While driving approximately 45 mph and making a turn, the steering wheel jerked but went in the other direction. While driving at high speeds, the tires were rid…
NHTSA ODI #11507472+ 194 more complaints on record.
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