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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

Power Train complaints

24 reports
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60,000 miles · Sep 27, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainCrash

THROTTLE FREEZE UP. COULD NOT ACCELERATE OUT OF PATH OF ON COMING VEHICLE WHICH CRASHED INTO MY LEFT FRONT FENDER. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR YEARS NOW AND WHEN I APPROACHED THE DEALER ABOUT IT I WAS TOLD TO WAIT FOR RECALL LETTER WHICH NEVER CAME. CONTACTED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE REC…

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THROTTLE FREEZE UP. COULD NOT ACCELERATE OUT OF PATH OF ON COMING VEHICLE WHICH CRASHED INTO MY LEFT FRONT FENDER. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR YEARS NOW AND WHEN I APPROACHED THE DEALER ABOUT IT I WAS TOLD TO WAIT FOR RECALL LETTER WHICH NEVER CAME. CONTACTED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES. IT HAS BEEN PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. AND I NEED HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477303

48,567 miles · Jul 19, 2012
EnginePower Train

MY TRIBUTE IS A V-6 3.0L AND THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 11-04 PER DRIVER'S DOOR STICKER. PROBLEM-- AFTER LEAVING MY HOUSE AND DRIVING DOWN MY RURAL ROAD, I HAD NOTICED THE VEHICLE SPEED STAYED THE SAME (APPROX 40 MPH) EVEN AFTER LETTING UP ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. SO I HAD DID A QUICK TAP ON THE GAS PEDA…

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MY TRIBUTE IS A V-6 3.0L AND THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED 11-04 PER DRIVER'S DOOR STICKER. PROBLEM-- AFTER LEAVING MY HOUSE AND DRIVING DOWN MY RURAL ROAD, I HAD NOTICED THE VEHICLE SPEED STAYED THE SAME (APPROX 40 MPH) EVEN AFTER LETTING UP ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF. SO I HAD DID A QUICK TAP ON THE GAS PEDAL TO SEE IF THE CONSTANT SPEED WOULD STOP AND ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE DID RESPOND AND SLOWED DOWN. THIS HAPPENED TO ME ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND ALL ON THE SAME ROAD AND IN THE SAME AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10466622

21,000 miles · Nov 14, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND WOULD NOT RESPOND AND THEN SUDDENLY SLAMMED INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND WOULD NOT RESPOND AND THEN SUDDENLY SLAMMED INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 21,000 MILES IN MARCH 2007 HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF A SECOND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 12/16/11 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10435522

50,000 miles · May 13, 2011
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE ABS AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT CAME ON ONE DAY WHEN I GOT ON THE FREEWAY AND HAS NOT GONE AWAY SINCE I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSE THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10400714

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2011
Power Train

2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE S. CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO DIE AT INTERSECTIONS WHEN SHE SLOWED DOWN OR STOPPED. MAZDA SERVICE HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE TORQUE CONVERTER STAYING IN LOCK UP MODE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING AT INTERSECTIONS. UPDATED 09/1…

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2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE S. CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO DIE AT INTERSECTIONS WHEN SHE SLOWED DOWN OR STOPPED. MAZDA SERVICE HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE TORQUE CONVERTER STAYING IN LOCK UP MODE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING AT INTERSECTIONS. UPDATED 09/15/11*JB

NHTSA ODI #10380483

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2011
Power Train

I HAVE A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS PEDAL. THE GAS PEDAL STICKS SOMETIMES, AND IT WON'T ACCELERATE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375257

48,768 miles · Aug 28, 2009
Power Train

2005 MAZDA I TRIBUTE WITH 47,678 MILES. NO WARNING, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION, CAME TO COMPLETE STOP ON HIGHWAY 1, MONTEREY. MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY EXPIRED OCTOBER 2008. REPLACEMENT COST $2500 PER VARIOUS CAR WEBSITES, COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAZDA TRANSMISSION BETWEEN 45K-75K FAULTY MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282034

45,000 miles · Aug 26, 2009
Power Train

OCT. 2005: CAR PURCHASED JANUARY - MARCH 2006: GAS PEDAL BEGAN TO STICK, PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE UNTIL SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE WAS PLACED ON THE PEDAL, CAUSING A "JUMPING" MOTION TRAFFIC (15000 MILES (APPROX) SUMMER 2006: DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM, THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME. MAY - JULY 2009: THE PROBLEM …

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OCT. 2005: CAR PURCHASED JANUARY - MARCH 2006: GAS PEDAL BEGAN TO STICK, PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE UNTIL SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE WAS PLACED ON THE PEDAL, CAUSING A "JUMPING" MOTION TRAFFIC (15000 MILES (APPROX) SUMMER 2006: DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM, THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME. MAY - JULY 2009: THE PROBLEM DEVELOPED AGAIN, CAUSING THE EXACT SAME TYPE OF ISSUES. (45000 MILES APPROX) JULY 2009: DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM, REPLACED ACCELERATOR CABLE. LATE JULY - AUG 2009: PROBLEM RESURFACED ONLY MORE DIFFICULT. (46000 MILES APPROX). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10281874

84,000 miles · Sep 16, 2008
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE WAS REPLACED ON 9/05 AT 24,000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY NOW AT 84,000 MILES ITS BAD AGAIN SAYING IT NEEDED REPLACING AT 60,000MILES ON THE NEW ONE AND WANT TO CHARGE ME $3600.00 A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT GO BAD ALREADY WITH 60,000 MILES OF AGE. IT HAD BEEN FLUSH LIKE IT SHOULD , BUT THE DEA…

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THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE WAS REPLACED ON 9/05 AT 24,000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY NOW AT 84,000 MILES ITS BAD AGAIN SAYING IT NEEDED REPLACING AT 60,000MILES ON THE NEW ONE AND WANT TO CHARGE ME $3600.00 A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT GO BAD ALREADY WITH 60,000 MILES OF AGE. IT HAD BEEN FLUSH LIKE IT SHOULD , BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ONE THEY PUT IN HAD A WARRANTY FOR 12MTH/12000 MILES. SO I OUT OF LOOK , I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THE 626 ENGINE ON THE MAZDA IS THE SAME ENGINE IN THE TRIBUTE A4LD AND IT TOO GAVE RECURRING PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242461

29,380 miles · Aug 10, 2008
Power Train

MAZDA TRIBUTE 2005 TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 29,380 MILES . REPLACED WITH REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AND WAS NOT GIVE A WARRANTY ON THE (THEY SAID NEW) TRANSMISSION--WAS TOLD THE REMAINING WARRANTY ON MY CAR WAS ALL I GOT. OTHER TRANSMISSION SHOPS NEARBY SAID THEY GAVE 12 TO 24 MONTH WARRANTY AND OFFERED EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON THE…

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MAZDA TRIBUTE 2005 TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 29,380 MILES . REPLACED WITH REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AND WAS NOT GIVE A WARRANTY ON THE (THEY SAID NEW) TRANSMISSION--WAS TOLD THE REMAINING WARRANTY ON MY CAR WAS ALL I GOT. OTHER TRANSMISSION SHOPS NEARBY SAID THEY GAVE 12 TO 24 MONTH WARRANTY AND OFFERED EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON THEIR REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSIONS. I WAS INFORMED BY THE TRANSMISSION SHOPS THAT MAZDA AND FORD ESCAPE WERE KNOWN FOR THEIR UNRELIABILITY AND FREQUENCY OF FAILURE OF THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. THE "OTHER " SHOPS GOT THESE CARS AT 80,000 MILES USUALLY, WHICH MEANS TO ME THAT MAZDA DEALERS ARE MORE THAN LIKELY GETTING A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES THAT ARE UNDER WARRANTY AND THEN MAKING THE CUSTOMER LIABLE FOR THE NEXT TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT A SUBSTANTIAL COST BETWEEN 2200 TO 2800 DOLLARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237566

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.