MazdaTribute2008Overview/mazda/tribute/2008/base/

2008 Mazda Tribute

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Tribute.

Body SUV

The 2008 Mazda Tribute enters the record as a compact SUV with 202 owner complaints and five recalls, steering leading the complaint categories. Across the model's 2000–2011 complaint history, this year lands far below the 2001 high of 581 reports but comfortably above the 2007 low of four, marking a mid-range showing. The figures indicate a meaningful improvement over the early-generation peak while still reflecting more owner-reported issues than the quietest year in the cycle.

Model year201120102009200820062005200420032002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 40R · 590 CCA battery, OE oil filter AJTM14302. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 40R · 590 CCAOEM · verified
High beam bulbMSOEM · verified
Tire size235-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterAJTM14302 alt LF0514302B
Engine air filterYF0913Z40 alt ZZCA23603
Fuel filterZZL013470A
Spark plugL84518110 alt ZZC218110A
Front wiper bladesZZDA67330A
Serpentine beltAJ5815908 alt ZZCA18381
ThermostatAJ5715171A alt LF0315165A
Cabin air filterZZCA61J6X

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.8 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight3355 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tribute of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.2–8.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 2001 LX V-6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001LX V-6 3.0L V68.20 sec16.40 sec200 hpAWD
2001ES V-6 3.0L V68.40 sec16.70 sec200 hpAWD
2001ES V-6 3.0L V68.70 sec16.40 sec200 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0-22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.5 Pints
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4.9-5.1
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) BearingsSOHC: 30-36 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsSOHC: 14-22 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13.0-16.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32.0-47.0 ft-lbs
Main BearingsSOHC: 75-85 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-22.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugAT: 25.0, MT: 35.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub222 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 Turbo rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition TimingTurbo: 10, Non-Turbo: 8 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm
Ignition Timing10 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.57 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-193 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)39
RPM39 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11.4
Engine Oil Pressure45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM2000 rpm

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket37 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle129 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket129 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle100 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.456 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
171-77 ft. lbs., step 2: 87-9371–77 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
188 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 35-39 ft. lbs., step 4: 85-9588 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Maximum cylinder head bolt length should not exceed 146.0 mm. Replace bolts if they exceed maximum length. Coat bolts with clean engine oil. · Step 1 · 2.2-8.0 ft. lbs.

29.5-12.5 ft. lbs.9.5–12.5 ft. lbs
332.0-34.0 ft. lbs.32–34 ft. lbs
488 degrees-92 degrees88 degrees
588 degrees-92 degrees88 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Loosen bolts 360 degrees360 degrees
430.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
590 degrees90 degrees
690 degrees90 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
145

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 90,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 10,000 miHybrid Battery Compartment Air Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 90,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (replace)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The Mazda Tribute's federal record shows high volatility in early production, peaking in 2001, before stabilizing significantly between 2003 and 2007. The 2008 model year disrupts this downward trend, recording 202 complaints and 5 recalls, a sharp increase from the 4 complaints and 1 recall seen in 2007. For 2008, the most frequent complaint areas are Steering (78) and Vehicle Speed Control (39), although the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. This spike is temporary, as complaints drop to 35 in 2009 and continue to decline through 2011. With 124 TSBs and a localized increase in federal complaints compared to the years immediately surrounding it, 2008 is not a recommended year to buy.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
124
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
202
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 202 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering78
Vehicle Speed Control39
Power Train17
Service Brakes7
Electrical System6
Steering,Electrical System4
Fuel System, Gasoline,Vehicle Speed Control4
Air Bags3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V677000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)Reported 19/10/2015

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… 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…

15E045000Suspension:Front:Wheel BearingReported 03/06/2015

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 124 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
09-038-242024-08-08Electrical SystemIn accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…
SA-011-24b2024-07-29Unknown Or OtherMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…
SA-011-24a2024-06-07Unknown Or OtherMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…
SA-011-242024-02-12SteeringMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tribute. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2008 Tribute have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.