MazdaTribute2009Overview/mazda/tribute/2009/base/

2009 Mazda Tribute

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 Tribute.

Body SUV

The 2009 Mazda Tribute is a compact SUV that accumulated just 35 owner complaints for the model year, with steering representing the most frequently cited concern alongside two factory recalls. These figures place the 2009 model firmly within the lower-complaint tier of the Tribute’s 2000–2011 production history, far removed from the 581 grievances logged against the 2001 model yet not quite matching the series low of four complaints recorded in 2007. This positioning indicates a generally reliable vintage that avoids the severe volume of issues seen in earlier iterations while remaining slightly less pristine than the lineage’s quietest years.

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 96R · 500 CCA battery, OE oil filter LF0514302B. 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 96R · 500 CCAOEM · verified
High beam bulbMSOEM · verified
Tire size235-70R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterLF0514302B alt ZZC423802
Engine air filterYF0913Z40 alt ZZC423603
Spark plugZZC418110B
Front wiper bladesZZDA67330A
Serpentine beltZZC418381 alt CY0115908D
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. 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 Capacity9
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

Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13.3 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts35 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug25.0 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 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 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 Test21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature194 °F
Pressure Test21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature183-190 °F
Pressure Test21 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi

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

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11 turn at a time until tight., Step 262 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
171-76 ft. lbs., step 2: 87-9371–76 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

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat bolt threads with clean engine oil.

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
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59 ft. lbs., Step 3: 8337 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
144 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs, Step 3: 9044 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 inch lbs., Step 2: 1589 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 75,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 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 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 10,000 miHybrid Battery Compartment Air Filter (inspect)
At 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Frame Fasteners (torque) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEmission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)

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 2009 Mazda Tribute sits at a relative low point in this generation's federal record, with just 35 complaints and 2 recalls—a sharp drop from the 202 complaints and 5 recalls recorded for the 2008 model year, and notably below the generation's early peak of 581 complaints and 15 recalls in 2001. This places the target year in the lower, more stable portion of a clear downward arc: complaints and recalls were highest in the generation's first years (2001–2005), declined through the mid-decade refresh, and remained modest through 2011. The dominant complaint area for 2009 is steering, accounting for 16 of the 35 complaints, with the remainder scattered across electrical, structure, and air bag categories; the data does not specify a root cause for the steering issues. Crash complaints are minimal at 2, and there are zero fire complaints, which is consistent with the low-risk profile seen in the later years of this generation. Given its position in the mature, lower-complaint tail of the generation, the 2009 model represents one of the safer used buys within this Tribute lineup—provided the steering system is specifically inspected before purchase.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
134
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
35
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 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 35 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering16
Steering,Electrical System2
Structure2
Air Bags2
Power Train,Electrical System1
Steering,Lane Departure1
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Service Brakes,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

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…

14V282000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 29/05/2014

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… Remedy: Mazda will notify owners and dealers will update the software for the power steering control module (PSCM) and the instrument cluster module, free of charge. If a vehicle shows a…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 134 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 2009 Tribute have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.