2009 Mazda Tribute Mazda Tribute 2009

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2009 Mazda Tribute repairs by problem area

Engine (33%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)

Brakes and Traction Control (2%)

Suspension and Steering (10%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (25%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (15%)

Other (6%)

Chart based on 48 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2009 Mazda Tribute.

2009 Mazda Tribute repair cost distribution

$2500+ (3%)

$1000 - $2499 (0%)

$500 - $999 (3%)

$100 - $499 (20%)

< $100 (73%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 30 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2009 Mazda Tribute 4dr SUV

240-horsepower 3.0L V6 6-speed automatic AWD

Mazda Tribute in Ontario, Canada
Mar 2009 - Mar 2013
Mar 2013

40300 mi

C $200
ABS/Traction control would constantly engage. ABS Speed sensor is faulty, replaced. Knocking noise from front end. Stabilizer links replaced. 
Mazda Tribute in Alberta, Canada
Jul 2009 - Jun 2011
Feb 2010

2560 mi
Vehicle went in for Preventive Maintenance (Oil Change, etc) and to have rough (harsh) shifting checked out. Shop could not replicate problem, but performed a PCM Update (TSB 05-06-05) to improve shifting. Problem persists anyway. 
Jun 2010

4340 mi
Harsh shifting persisting. Could not be replicated. Dealer noted that problem was now recorded for second time. Not questioning their integrity, will have to wait for winter, when problem is most prevalent. 
Sep 2010

4960 mi
Trany was programmed as per recall. Hope problem is finally resolved. Will have to wait for winter when shifting was harsh in the past. 
Apr 2011

6200 mi
Steering failed! Also dealer replaced seals and gasket in transfer case where oil was leaking. Dealer was also reminded that harsh shifting still existed, even after they performed a recall for trany. Usual answer, " Could not replicate."  
Jun 2011

6200 mi
Traded because dealer could never replicate hard shifting. 

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2009 Mazda Tribute 4dr SUV

171-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed automatic FWD

Mazda Tribute in Virginia, United States
Mar 2011 - May 2018
Aug 2011

15700 mi
Removed and replaced faulty tailgate latch. 
Apr 2018

75000 mi

US $500
Replacing starter cured the intermittent no crank issue. Vehicle does not crank starter. This happens randomly. The ignition lock module was replaced. No codes are listed. Dealers do not know what the problem is. The fault never occurs at the shop. I have had to get the vehicle towed twice. Both times it started right off the wrecker. I have tried to start it for 2 hours before calling the wrecker. Pushing in the key and changing the shifter do not work when the fault occurs. Its maddening. Now the vehicle cannot be trusted. 
Mazda Tribute in Quebec, Canada
Apr 2013 - Apr 2015
May 2013

44640 mi
Left rear turning signal Driver control cannot roll up windows on rear window on drivers side Rear windshield wiper motor 
Apr 2015

62000 mi

C $3000
Transmission failure. Wrench light on. Required rebuild, including 4th and 5th gear, as well as faulty valve. 

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2009 Mazda Tribute 4dr SUV

171-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed automatic AWD

Mazda Tribute in Illinois, United States
Jun 2009 - Dec 2016
Feb 2011

18000 mi
Left side half shaft leaking. Apparently there is a TSB and a national backorder on parts with no ETA. The 6F35 trans is installed to multiple Fords and this Ford built Mazda and the issue affects all of them 2009-10-11. 
Aug 2012

33000 mi
Alternator drive belt idler pulley developed a wobble that would make a terrible rattle. Ford has a TSB for this on the Escape. Mazda wasn't read in on it. I had to bring it to their attention and lobby for repair under warranty. 
Mazda Tribute in Massachusetts, United States
Dec 2010 - Oct 2014
Nov 2013

68000 mi

US $50
Battery was on the low side. Lasted 4 yrs (from new) 
Aug 2014

76000 mi

US $450
Gas filler tube and tank fume leak. The first repair was the fill tube, but after a smoke test they found the tank had a leak as well. 

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2009 Mazda Tribute 4dr SUV

171-horsepower 2.5L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Mazda Tribute in Virginia, United States
Jun 2009 - Jul 2020
Aug 2009

7000 mi
Excessive vibration while idling (especially at a stop light) 1 engine mount replaced. 2nd engine mount was backorderd. 
Mazda Tribute in Quebec, Canada
Nov 2010 - Jan 2013
May 2011

17980 mi

C $40
Car does not start when the weather is cold (0 degrees C)and wet . Trunk intermittently refuses to unlock (every 2 days on average) Rear noisy bushings had to be replaced. 
Aug 2011

22320 mi
Noise from the front left wheel while driving. Front left link was replaced. All windows noisy when opening and scratched. Windows and other parts changed. Noise while driving from rear suspension. Right rear shock was replaced. Motor noise on startup. Idler replaced. Water leaks from the rear hatchback door when raining.  AC stopped working on vacation. Resistor must be changed, but canadian parts not in stock in USA. Had to wait until back home to make repair. 
Dec 2011

26040 mi

C $113
Water leaks from the hatchback window. They are still looking for the source. Trunk doesn't unlock sometimes Vibration on accelerator pedal at 70 km/k Lighter socket broken and doesn't stay in place 
Mar 2012

27900 mi
The car has no power and the motor stalls. The computer of the car had corrosion problems and was replaced. 
Sep 2012

31620 mi
Water leaks fixed. Accelerator vibration fixed. 
Jan 2013 Battery would sometimes drain by itself, Mazda hadn't solved. Hatch didn't unlock sometimes 
Mazda Tribute in Ontario, Canada
Apr 2009 - Mar 2018
Dec 2009

3720 mi
one line of rear defroster not working replaced rear window 
May 2011

10840 mi
replaced window gasket at flip-up rear window 
Nov 2012

18800 mi

C $360
replaced defective rear liftgate latch 
May 2015

32240 mi
replaced corroding hatch glass hinges 

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2009 Mazda Tribute 4dr SUV

153-horsepower 2.5L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD

Mazda Tribute in California, United States
Apr 2009 - Sep 2017
Aug 2009

5000 mi
Evap code P0456. Dealer reprogrammed PCM as recommended in TSB 01-017/09, which resolved the issue. 
May 2011

25000 mi
Leak in the capless fuel filler was causing intermittent check engine light. Fuel filler neck was replaced under warranty. 
Jun 2011

26000 mi
Engine developed a bad misfire and was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed low compression in one cylinder. After much delay, cause was determined to be a bad fuel injector, which was replaced under warranty. In 300 miles since, no problems. 
Oct 2011

29300 mi
Rear hatch window rattled badly. Molding was replaced and the problem has improved. 
Mar 2012

33000 mi
Actuator motor controlling temp blending and recirculate functions was failing, causing random clicking/popping noises in dash. The actuators were replaced. 
Apr 2017

62000 mi
Evaporative emissions system leak, error code P2450. Evaporative emissions canister vent replaced under California's extended emissions warranty. 

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2009 Mazda Tribute Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2009 Mazda Tribute problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.