Sell your 2008 Mazda Tribute for cash

The 2008 Mazda Tribute is a SUV that came with a choice of 2.3L 4-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl engines. At 18 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2008 Mazda Tribute at a glance

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd, Automatic (variable gear ratios)
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy17–34 city / 22–30 highway / 19–32 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$2,100–$3,550 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂278–468 grams per mile
Curb weight (NHTSA test vehicle)3,565–3,587 lb
Versions tested by EPA7 configurations: Tribute FWD, Tribute Hybrid 2WD, Tribute 4WD, Tribute Hybrid 4WD
Age18 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data; weights from NHTSA crash-test records. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 18 years old, most of a 2008 Tribute's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: NHTSA's crash-test 2008 Tribute weighed 3,565–3,587 lb at curb weight. Scrap value is largely priced by weight, so this is a good starting point. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Hybrid battery: hybrid versions also carry a high-voltage battery pack, which recyclers and rebuilders pay for.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2008 Tribute. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the steering, typically around 104,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2008 Mazda Tribute recalls

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2008 Mazda Tribute. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Power TrainOct 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V677000

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…

Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is be

Hybrid Propulsion SystemSep 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V552000

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.

Risk: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.

SteeringMay 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V282000

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…

Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Vehicle Speed ControlJul 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V357000

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…

Risk: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Common 2008 Tribute problems

Owners have filed 202 complaints about the 2008 Mazda Tribute with NHTSA. 6 reports involved a crash and 1 report involved a fire. Owners reported 12 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Steering92
  • Vehicle Speed Control47
  • Power Train19
  • Electrical System15
  • Service Brakes10
  • Engine7

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Steering104,000 mi
  • Vehicle Speed Control60,000 mi
  • Power Train105,000 mi
  • Electrical System90,000 mi
  • Service Brakes140,000 mi
  • Engine55,000 mi

2008 Mazda Tribute crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Mazda Tribute.

VersionOverallFrontal crashSide crashRolloverRollover risk
4 Dr, FWD/AWDNot rated——★★★☆☆20.4%

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.

2008 Mazda Tribute service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 126 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2008 Mazda Tribute. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Equipment22
  • Electrical System12
  • Equipment12
  • Steering7
  • Equipment Adaptive/Mobility6
  • Electrical System5

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2026 · SA-055-26

    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 Re

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2026 · 09-022-26

    This 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 inope

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2026 · SA-029-26

    This 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

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2024 · 09-038-24

    In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibit

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 2023 · 09-016-23

    Speedometer replacement procedure

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2021 · 09-025-21-3824

    This service bulletin provides information regarding the proper use of the driver’s floor mat to avoid any potential interference with the foot pedals. The following

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 2008 Mazda Tribute.

Electrical SystemDP22005 · opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023Led to recall 22V063000

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pe

Other Mazda Tribute years

‹ Sell a 2006 Tribute · Sell a 2009 Tribute › · All Mazda Tribute years

Other 2008 Mazda models

Selling a 2008 Tribute: questions

How much is a 2008 Mazda Tribute worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2008 Tribute that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2008 Tributes that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2008 Tribute with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2008 Mazda Tribute; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2008 Tribute?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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