2008 Mazda Tribute: jerking or lurching

Filed Feb 15, 2023 · Steering · 180,000 miles · MN

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 riding roughly. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was due to the brake pads. The contact called the local dealer who informed her about an unknown steering wheel component replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V282000 (Steering) but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Feb 19, 2019 · Driver assistance, Steering · 132,382 miles · NJ

Steering wheel violently jerks & vibrates while driving and in idle. Steering column / wheel makes a grinding noise when it jerks & vibrates. Accelerator pedal sticks, especially in colder weather, making it hard to control vehicle...ie accelerating to get onto a highway or even coming out of a side street onto a main road. Recall for electric power assist system was "fixed" by mazda in 2018, but I feel a major problem still exists. This is a dangerous mix for driving safely. I am fearful of driving this vehicle due to the fact that I cannot accelerate properly or hold onto my wheel without it jerking.

Filed Oct 29, 2017 · Steering · CA

The vehicle was serviced in 2016 as part of the federal safety agency recall #14v282000, but the pcsm software was only updated. No parts were replaced.the first time I noticed the issue again was october 2017. I was stopped at a stoplight, the vehicle was at an idle, and the steering wheel began to jerk back and forth. The steering wheel continues to jerk violently when the vehicle is at an idle. It takes great effort to keep the vehicle straight while driving 25-40 MPH on city streets. It also jerks mildly to moderately while I am driving at various speeds from 25mph on city streets-75mph on the highway or freeway. It jerks most violently when it is at an idle, moderately at 25-45 MPH, and mildly at 50-75 MPH. It jerks when I am driving straight. When the vehicle is in park, it jerks violently, but when the wheel is turned to about the 2 o'clock position it will stop unless it is moved slightly and then it will start jerking again. The vehicle was serviced in 2016 as part of the federal safety agency recall #14v282000, but the pcsm software was only updated. No parts were replaced at that time. The part at fault is a faulty steering torque sensor.

Filed Oct 16, 2015 · Steering · 100,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda tribute. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v282000 (steering). The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel began to jerk and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jan 4, 2015 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 60,000 miles · TX

Happens more during cold weather. When you push on the accelerator it sticks and when it finally lets go you lurch forward. Luckily I have not had any accidents over this yet, but feel that is always a possibility and feel like it is unsafe. I was told it has to do with the butterfly valve. It has been happening for at least 4-5 years. I have asked numerous times if there has been a recall because from what I can see there have been many complaints by other consumers. If this ever causes me to have an accident, I will be suing mazda!

Filed Mar 10, 2011 · Transmission · 21,590 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 mazda tribute. The contact stated that when driving at any speed, the vehicle would jerk abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told that transmission coolant was leaking and causing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 21,590.

Filed Jan 17, 2011 · Acceleration · 82,000 miles · NC

2008 mazda tribute gas pedal sticks. This has happened on several occasions even when having to accelerate. My vehicle jerks forward when I have to press the pedal hard to get my vehicle to move. It is uncomfortable and yet scary when driving.

Filed Nov 15, 2010 · Acceleration · 68,500 miles · IL

My 2008 mazda tribute has about 68,500 miles. The gas pedal stuck, at intervals, all through my drive back home from my parents. It is about a 25 mile drive on the highway. The pedal became stuck once I depressed it. In order to accelerate, I had to press on the pedal with abnormal force. The car would jerk forward once the pedal became unstuck and I was able to accelerate again. This is not the first time that my 2008 mazda tribute does this. It did a while back when my car had about 30,000 miles. It did it two times. However, it never did it again until today, 11-14-2010. This time, however, the pedal got stuck well over 10 times. The car would decelerate while I used more and more force on the gas pedal until the pedal gave and I was able to accelerate again. I had my wife and children in the car. I did not feel safe driving the SUV. Doing research on the net and on the federal safety agency this seems to be a problem which is happening to an abnormal number of 2008 mazda tributes throughout the USA. Why hasn't mazda done a recall? Why hasn't the federal safety agency ordered a recall? This is very dangerous!

Filed Dec 27, 2009 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · DC

I took my 2008 tribute (purchased in july 2007) for service when at the 50, 300 miles. I reported to the service department that my vehicle does a mild or hard jerk when coming from a complete stop. It was discovered that I had a small hole in the condenser causing the vehicle to lose transmission oil. I do a lot of highway driving thus the high mileage so they surmised that maybe a rock hit it. I thought this was outrageous because this vehicle was suppose to be durable since it is a SUV. My driving is not in rough terrain just smooth highways. The service department pointed out to me that the style has these exposed or open areas in the front lower part of the SUV so because they saw a tiny rock embedded in the grill of the radiator that possibly this is what happened to the condenser. I felt if I have exposed or open areas then the parts exposed should be strong/durable enough to take a rock hit. I have no front in damage and I have never been in an accident. A transmission oil leak was the farthest thing in my mind, which by the way will cost me $580 to fix. Since this discovery was on 12/15/09, ten days from xmas, I did not have it fixed. My fear is that there are substandard parts that were put on my vehicle because I feel that the parts should be durable enough this is an 2008 vehicle I bought brand new so it is not an earlier model and this did not happened from a lot of wear and tear. Please look into this model for substandard parts. I just knew that I would have this vehicle for a few more years before any major work was done.

Filed May 22, 2009 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · NJ

Transmission slipping and lurching forward when it engaged at around 20mph with no warning. Checked fluid and almost none left. 14 months old and 48,500 miles. Dealer states that the transmission/AC cooler needs replacement and that it is not part of the 50,000 mile powertrain warranty. $900. Plus to fix.this is a definite safety issue with the lurching and if it is a piece that is needed by the transmission to work properly, it should be covered under the powertrain warranty. Safety bulletin already released on the escapes and hybrids. A recall needs to be done.