2009 Mazda Tribute hybrid problems
The Mazda Tribute (Japanese: マツダ・トリビュート, Matsuda Toribyūto) (Code J14) is a compact SUV made by Japanese automaker Mazda from 2000 to 2011. It was jointly developed with Ford Motor Company and based on the front-wheel drive Mazda 626 platform, which was in turn the basis for the similar Ford Escape on the CD2 platform. The Tribute was priced below the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner in Ford's CD2 SUV lineup.
The Tribute and Escape debuted in 2000, offering front- or all-wheel drive and a choice of a transversely mounted 2.0 L Ford Zetec 4-cylinder engine or 3.0 L Ford Duratec V6. The Ford Escape was also sold as the Ford Maverick in Europe with a Ford 2.0 L I4 Zeta engine with manual transmission, or 3.0 L Duratec coupled to automatic transmission.
One main difference between the Tribute and the Ford Escape/Maverick is that the Tribute's suspension is tuned for a firmer ride than the Escape/Maverick, in order to correspond with Mazda's sporty image. As Mazda had offered "spiced up" models in other segments such as the Mazda3 and CX-7, the utilitarian Tribute was replaced by the more aggressively styled and in-house-designed Mazda CX-5 in North America.
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Common 2009 Mazda Tribute hybrid problems
The Mazda Tribute Hybrid, introduced in 2009, is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) aimed at customers seeking a balance between the ruggedness of an SUV and the fuel efficiency of a compact car. It is offered only in California and shares its unit-body design, powertrain, and fully-independent suspension with its corporate cousins, the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. However, it has a nicer interior than its counterparts
Despite its advantages, the Mazda Tribute Hybrid has faced several common problems based on complaints from its owners. One major issue is related to the transmission, particularly in the 2009 model year. The V6 Tribute, specifically the 2009 model, experienced problems with the variable timing system. Additionally, transmission problems, rust, and issues with the electrical power steering were reported. These problems are expensive to repair and may require significant maintenance costs.
Another problem reported by owners is the engine's reliability. While the V6 engine is generally reliable, the 2009 V6 Tribute had issues with the variable timing system. The 2.5L 4-cylinder engine is mechanically solid but feels underpowered with a full load. It is crucial to check for leaks underneath the engine and transmission, burned oil smell under the hood, and warning lights staying on while driving. During the test drive, pay attention to the way the transmission shifts and any issues with electric steering assist.
The Mazda Tribute Hybrid also has issues with its transmission. Transmission failures were reported in the 2001, 2006, and 2008 model years, with failures occurring around 90,000 to 100,000 miles. These failures are expensive to repair, with owners reporting costs between $2,300 and $3,400.
The engine's performance is another area of concern. The 2006 Tribute had speed control issues causing three crashes and one injury. The 2001 Tribute had similar problems, with many owners reporting their cars simply stalling in traffic. The 2005 Tribute had a severe issue with its struts rusting before they should be rusting, costing around $1,000 to repair on average.
The early model years of the Mazda Tribute were co-designed with Ford, which may have contributed to many of the Tribute's problems. Ford's track record in designing SUVs has been lackluster, and the Tribute was not an exception. However, after the Tribute's failure, Mazda developed a new SUV for the American market, the CX-5, which has been widely beloved by American customers.
What is the common problem of Mazda Tribute?
Problem: The most common fault we have found is the failure of ignition coils (COP- coil on plug). This coil failure may be due to either the age of unit or premature failure as a result of air leaks causing coils to overload and oil leaks causing contamination of spark plug tubes.
How many miles will a Mazda Tribute last?
Fantastic Car
You know it's a good car when it can have 180000 miles on it and survive a year plus of a new driver navigating mountain roads both too quickly and too slowly.
How many miles per gallon does a Mazda Tribute Hybrid get?
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| 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid 4WD | |
|---|---|
| EPA MPG | Regular Gasoline 28 combined city/highway MPG 29 city 27 highway 3.6 gals/100 miles |
| Unofficial MPG Estimates Shared by Vehicle Owners | Owner MPG Estimates are not yet available for this vehicle. How can I share my MPG? |
| Vehicle Specification Data |
Are Mazda Tribute good SUVS?
In its favor, it has handsome exterior styling, a choice of a powerful four-cylinder or V6 engine and top-notch safety scores. But the Tribute also has a number of small failings, and overall they add up to keep this SUV from truly matching other competitors. Number one on the list is an outdated interior.
2009 Mazda Tribute hybrid car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mazda Tribute hybrid problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Electronic stability control (esc) problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2009 Mazda Tribute hybrid vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2009 Mazda Tribute hybrid complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2009 Mazda Tribute hybrid.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-02-12
- VIN: 4F2CZ49379K
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: PARKED VEHICLE IN GARAGE AFTER DRIVING, NEXT MORNING THE BATTERY WAS FULLY CHARGED BUT WOULD NOT TRY TO START WITH A STOP SAFELY NOW WARNING DISPLAYED...THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES NOW - SPENT $600 AND A TOW BILL FIRST TIME. FORD SAID THEY REPLACED A LEAKING THERMOSTAT AND REPROGRAMMED IT (WHICH I DO NOT BELIEVE). NEXT MORNING, SAME PROBLEM BUT LATER (3 DAYS LATER) IT STARTED, DROVE IT SEVERAL TIMES, NEXT MORNING IT WOULD NOT TRY TO START AGAIN. TOTALLY BROKE DOWN NOW WITH A FULLY CHARGED BATTERY. I THINK IT IS A FAULTY WIRING IN THE BATTERY HARNESS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE HYBRID BATTERY TO START AS I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET WITH RECALLS FOR OTHER FORD HYBRID VEHICLES THAT TELL THE SAME STORY. PLEASE ISSUE ME A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE; WITHOUT IT, THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS TO ME AS OTHERS GET RECALLS FOR THIS VERY FRUSTRATING PROBLEM THAT IS NO FAULT OF MY OWN.
Negative 2009 Mazda Tribute hybrid car reviews
Positive 2009 Mazda Tribute hybrid car reviews
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I test drove several small SUVs like the Jeep Patriot, Hyundai Tucson, and Honda CR-V. While all of these (Ford Escape and Mercury, are similar to the Mazda) had their good points, the Mazda Tribute fit the bill for me in terms of comforts, space and fuel economy (especially with fuel prices climbing). I was able to purchase my Mazda Tribute Hybrid with Grand Touring pkg, AWD, and NAV System for a good price just over 30K. The fuel economy in the SF Bay area is an impressive 32 MPG! When you press the accelerator, it is really peppy combining both electric and gas engine power. I regularly drive in snow and ice, and it drives very nicely, although it does take some getting used to the AWD engaging.
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We bought the car in February and took a trip from Sacramento to San Diego and back a month later. The car comfortably fits 3-4 people and a large dog in the back. I really enjoy driving it. During our trip to San Diego, we averaged 30 MPG, and in town, we get between 28-31 MPG. You may find yourself driving a little slower to drive farther in electric mode, but we are really glad we bought it!
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I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying your first Mazda and Hybrid! It's great to hear that you've been getting around 32 MPG's since day 1, which is really impressive. I can understand why you chose the Mazda over the Ford Escape, as the interior is more comfortable and looks better. It's also great to hear that the SUV drives well and has plenty of legroom in the back seat. Overall, it sounds like you made a great purchase and I'm happy for you!
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This has been a great choice of vehicle. I test drove the Ford Escape version and, in comparison, the Mazda vehicle feels better appointed inside. I really like the piano-black center console, it looks a lot better than the one in the Escape version of the vehicle. I highly recommend purchasing the navigation package, as the whole fun of driving a hybrid is checking your fuel economy! Additionally, I suggest getting the HomeLink Mirror, which is really inexpensive and a must-have accessory.
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Congratulations to your wife on getting her new driver's license! I love how you decided to go green and opt for a hybrid SUV made by Mazda. The spark blue color you picked sounds lovely and it's great to hear that you were able to find the perfect one in socal. With an average of 29 mpg, it's definitely an eco-friendly choice. I'm glad to hear that the handling is quite good and that the audio system exceeded your expectations. It's always a plus when even picky parents approve of the back seats being comfortable.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2009 Mazda Tribute hybrid problems:
Common Problems with 2009 Mazda Tribute: No Steering ...
Aug 26, 2023 ... No steering on 2009 mazda tribute, replaced the sensor with no improvement, then replaced sensor and steering box, - Answered by a verified ...
A Buyer's Guide to the 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid | YourMechanic ...
Dec 10, 2015 ... Common Issues. Driver complaints range from a lack of handling to poor braking performance and finicky interior adjustments. Mazda Tribute ...
2009 Tribute Spec
Compass/ AutoDim Mirror with Homelink (MRH) (NA Hybrid GT) ... Bright Mazda logo badge - front & rear liftgate ... COMMON. GAS. HEV. HEV. Intelligent Four Wheel ...
Mazda Tribute Transmission Problems — Car Forums at Edmunds ...
Dec 6, 2007 ... I would like to check out the Escape Hybrid too. But - after reading all of the posts with the transmission issues I may turn back to Toyota.
2009 Tribute with charging issues - Mazda Forum - Mazda ...
Apr 12, 2018 ... Mazda Tribute - 2009 Tribute with charging issues - I have a rather unique charging issue here. Trying to avoid the dealership at all costs ...
Other years of Mazda Tribute hybrid
Are you having problems with your 2009 Mazda Tribute hybrid?
Ian Kuhn 2024-10-24
I've only had it for 2 months and so far, there haven't been any major problems. The average mpg is up to 27.8, which is around what I expected. Overall, I would definitely recommend it to someone who wants an environmentally friendly SUV.