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2005 Mazda Tribute

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tribute years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Mazda Tribute are substantially higher than the model-year median of 143.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

314 reports with mileage · 63 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 137 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 126 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports4 fire reports12 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

13 reports
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78,000 miles · Jan 8, 2015
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

CAR STOPS ACCELERATING DUE TO GAS PEDAL BEING STUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10671120

81,150 miles · Jul 22, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

WHEN APPROACHING A 4-WAY INTERSECTION DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, THE LIGHT TURNED YELLOW THEN RED. I TRIED TO STOP BY PRESSING MY BRAKE PEDAL. MY VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN, BUT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UP HILL. I PRESSED AS HARD AS POSSIBLE BUT MY VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND I RAN INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. I …

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WHEN APPROACHING A 4-WAY INTERSECTION DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, THE LIGHT TURNED YELLOW THEN RED. I TRIED TO STOP BY PRESSING MY BRAKE PEDAL. MY VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN, BUT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UP HILL. I PRESSED AS HARD AS POSSIBLE BUT MY VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND I RAN INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS ORIGINALLY GOING ABOUT 30MPH AND WHEN I HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE, I WAS GOING ABOUT 25MPH. MY VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE BUT CONTINUED TO REV HIGHER. I WAS INJURED WHEN MY ARMS BENT THE STEERING WHEEL FORWARD, THE SEAT BELT BRUISED ME AND MY RIGHT FOOT (TALUS BONE) WAS BROKEN BY THE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I REQUIRED SURGERY. I WAS OUT OF WORK FOR 3 WEEKS AND WORE A CAST FOR 7 WEEKS. THE POLICEMAN WHO REPORTED TO THE ACCIDENT SITE DISCOVERED THE GAS PEDAL WAS HALF WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND STUCK. THE OTHER DRIVER AND A WITNESS SAID THEY HEARD THE VEHICLE REVVING AFTER IT STOPPED AFTER IMPACT. THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS ON ITS OWN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THERE ARE SIMILAR REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING ON THE WEBSITE BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED. I HAD OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 5 YEARS AND 9 MONTHS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615350

151,551 miles · Jul 17, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolinePower Train

RUNNING ROUGH, STALLING AT LIGHTS, REPLACED IGNITION COILS, NEW IGNITION COILS FAILED, FURTHER DIAGNOSIS, PCM CAUSING FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10611233

9,000 miles · Jan 8, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE ACCELERATING, THE ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK AND THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWS DOWN TO A CRAWL. DRIVER HAS TO PULL OVER AND PUMP ACCELERATOR IN ORDER TO GET IT UNSTUCK. CHECKED WITH DEALER INITIALLY AND CALLED MAZDA TODAY JANUARY 8, 2014 TO ASK IF THERE HAVE BEEN A RECALL. WAS TOLD, NO. IN THE PAST, HAD TO TAKE CAR TO MECHANIC AN…

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WHILE ACCELERATING, THE ACCELERATOR GETS STUCK AND THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWS DOWN TO A CRAWL. DRIVER HAS TO PULL OVER AND PUMP ACCELERATOR IN ORDER TO GET IT UNSTUCK. CHECKED WITH DEALER INITIALLY AND CALLED MAZDA TODAY JANUARY 8, 2014 TO ASK IF THERE HAVE BEEN A RECALL. WAS TOLD, NO. IN THE PAST, HAD TO TAKE CAR TO MECHANIC AND LEFT IT TO BE TEST DRIVEN IN ORDER FOR MECHANIC TO REPLICATE PROBLEM. MECHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM AND CLEANED ACCELERATOR. PROBLEM CONTINUOUS SPORADICALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559117

100,000 miles · Jan 20, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK VENT PIPE COMPLETELY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD SIGNIFICANT CONCERN OF A POTENTIAL FIRE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK VENT PIPE COMPLETELY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD SIGNIFICANT CONCERN OF A POTENTIAL FIRE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10378018

110,000 miles · Sep 20, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

THE GAS PEDAL STICKS WHILE DRIVING, IT LOOSENS UP AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, (PUTTING THE ENTIRE FORCE OF MY BODY AGAINST PEDAL WILL NOT FREE IT UP) . THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MUCH MORE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. ALSO LAST WINTER WHEN IT WAS COLD AT NIGHT AS I PULLED FROM …

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THE GAS PEDAL STICKS WHILE DRIVING, IT LOOSENS UP AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, (PUTTING THE ENTIRE FORCE OF MY BODY AGAINST PEDAL WILL NOT FREE IT UP) . THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MUCH MORE OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. ALSO LAST WINTER WHEN IT WAS COLD AT NIGHT AS I PULLED FROM MY PARKING SPOT AT WORK THE ENGINE SEEMED TO REV SUDDENLY AS I PULLED AWAY. THIS WOULD ONLY HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY AND I FIGURED IT WAS DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER BUT I AM NOT SO SURE NOW. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS. THE DEALER CHARGES THEM SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2002-2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE FOR THE ACCELERATOR CABLE RECALL 2704L. IS IT POSSIBLE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356386

75,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FILLING THE GAS TANK BECAME A PROBLEM AS WEATHER BECAME COLDER. IT FILLS SLOWLY AND BACKS UP. IF NOT ANTICIPATING IT FUEL WILL SPRAY BACK AT YOU AN RUN BACK OUT FILLER TUBE IN FACT IT IS HARD NOT TO HAVE SOME FUEL SPILL DURING THE FILL. I SAW TSB ON THE ISSUE AND CONTACTED DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED ,A FORD DEALER, B…

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FILLING THE GAS TANK BECAME A PROBLEM AS WEATHER BECAME COLDER. IT FILLS SLOWLY AND BACKS UP. IF NOT ANTICIPATING IT FUEL WILL SPRAY BACK AT YOU AN RUN BACK OUT FILLER TUBE IN FACT IT IS HARD NOT TO HAVE SOME FUEL SPILL DURING THE FILL. I SAW TSB ON THE ISSUE AND CONTACTED DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED ,A FORD DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET INFORMATION ON THE PROBLEM AND SAID THAT I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM ANYWAY AND WOULD HAVE TO GO TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO GET IT DONE. I CONTACTED MAZDA USA BY PHONE AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR RECALL. THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIR. WITH PERSISTENCE THEY SAID IF I TOOK IT TO THE NEAREST MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND PAID FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND RESULTS WERE CONSISTENT WITH THE TSB THAT THEY MIGHT HELP WITH THE REPAIR UNDER A "GOODWILL" PROGRAM. I REQUESTED TSB FIX INFORMATION SO I COULD CONSIDER WHAT WAS NEEDED TO FIX SO I COULD DECIDE MY MOST ECONOMICAL ROUTE TO GET IT FIXED BUT THEY REFUSED. THEY SAID THAT INFORMATION WOULD ONLY BE GIVEN TO MAZDA MECHANICS DUE TO "LIABILITY" CONCERNS. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES AND IT NOW OCCURS AT EVERY FUEL FILL, THE COLDER IT IS THE WORSE IT IS BUT IT OCCURS EVEN WHEN IT IS ABOVE FREEZING. I HAVE A COWORKER WITH A 2006 TRIBUTE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NO SERIOUS EVENT TO US YET BUT MY SON BORROWED THE CAR ONCE AND I WAS UNABLE TO WARN HIM AHEAD AND HE WAS DOUSED IN GAS. ANY STATIC SPARK OR OTHER IGNITION SOURCE AND THERE WILL BE A TRAGEDY. REMEMBER THIS IS OCCURRING AT A GAS PUMP AT A GAS STATION WITH FUEL TANK DOOR AND CAP OPEN WITH GAS PUMP RUNNING. IT IS AT IT WORSE AT THE MOST LIKELY TIME FOR A STATIC ELECTRIC SPARK ( DRY AND COLD). MAZDA SHOWED NO INTEREST OR CONCERN TO DEAL WITH THIS. THEY KNOW OF THE DEFECT AND FIRST TSB ON IT WAS ISSUED IN 2005. HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312938

84,000 miles · Oct 20, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

THROTTLE STICKS ON THE GET-GO WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP GIVING A WHIPLASH TYPE START. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT IT AS OF YET. 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE 4 CYL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246085

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN FUELING I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO OVER RIDE THE PUMP DUE TO THE FACT THAT PUMP TURNS OFF PREMATURELY. EVEN THOUGH I DON'T BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD I DO FIND IT AN INCONVENIENCE. I HAVE ALSO HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10184913

10 miles · Apr 19, 2006
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

I PURCHASED A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE IN JULY, 2005. THE STICKER ON THE CAR HAD AN AVERAGE MILEAGE OF 19 TO 24 MILES PER GALLON. I, TO THIS DATE GET 11 TO 13 MILES PER GALLON AND 17-19 ON THE HIGHWAY. I TRULY BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE FUEL SYSTEM OR THE ENGINE. CONTACTED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD EPA WAS TO BLAME AND I NEEDED TO…

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I PURCHASED A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE IN JULY, 2005. THE STICKER ON THE CAR HAD AN AVERAGE MILEAGE OF 19 TO 24 MILES PER GALLON. I, TO THIS DATE GET 11 TO 13 MILES PER GALLON AND 17-19 ON THE HIGHWAY. I TRULY BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE FUEL SYSTEM OR THE ENGINE. CONTACTED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD EPA WAS TO BLAME AND I NEEDED TO LET THE CAR GET BROKEN IN. I CURRENTLY HAVE 6500 MILES AND STILL GET 11-13 MILES PER GALLON. I HAVE A 16 GALLON TANK AND GET ANYWHERE BETWEEN 180 TO 200 MILES PER TANK. DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG AND HASN'T REPLACED ANYTHING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10155667

Official recalls

3

12V357000 · Engine And Engine Cooling; Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Jul 27, 2012

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 regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

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 regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Engine And Engine Cooling

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 regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

06V116000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

Apr 12, 2006

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOON ROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

04V605000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

Dec 23, 2004

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.