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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

Seats complaints

4 reports
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145,000 miles · Nov 1, 2010
SeatsFire

I HAVE A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH 145000 MILES. DURING THE SUMMER, I FOLDED THE REAR SEATS DOWN IN THE STOWED POSITION TO UTILIZE THE CARGO SPACE TO GO ON VACATION. WHEN I UNSTOWED THE SEATS TO UTILIZE THEM FOR PASSENGER USE, I DISCOVERED THE RIGHT REAR SEAT CUSHION HAD THE FABRIC BURNED OFF THE FACE OF THE SEAT. ALSO, THE FLOOR …

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I HAVE A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH 145000 MILES. DURING THE SUMMER, I FOLDED THE REAR SEATS DOWN IN THE STOWED POSITION TO UTILIZE THE CARGO SPACE TO GO ON VACATION. WHEN I UNSTOWED THE SEATS TO UTILIZE THEM FOR PASSENGER USE, I DISCOVERED THE RIGHT REAR SEAT CUSHION HAD THE FABRIC BURNED OFF THE FACE OF THE SEAT. ALSO, THE FLOOR MAT WAS SEVERELY BURNED AND MELTED INTO THE CARPET. THIS AREA IS JUST ABOVE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. I CONTACTED MZDA AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY PUT MY VEHICLE AND AN ANALYZER AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I NEVER HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE, BUT A SAFETY ISSUE! THEY JUST BLEW ME OFF AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I HAVE PHOTO'S OF THE DAMAGE. I CANNOT EVEN PULL THE BACK FLOOR MAT UP DUE TO IT BEING MELTED INTO THE CARPET. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW OLD THE CAR IS, THE INTERIOR IS NOT SUPPOSE TO CATCH FIRE THROUGH NORMAL USE FOR ANY REASON. THERE IS DEFINITELY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS DESIGN. UPDATED 11/16/2010 *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363571

30,000 miles · Sep 29, 2008
SeatsVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT THE GAS PEDAL STICKS ON. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED TWICE AND IT IS RECURRING. IT IS A BIG SAFETY RISK BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO STICK. IT TYPICALLY STARTS OUT ONLY HAPPENING IN THE MORNING BUT IT PROGRESSES TO ANY TIME THROUGHOUT THE DAY. YOU MAY BE DRIVING AND STOP OR DE…

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I HAVE A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT THE GAS PEDAL STICKS ON. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED TWICE AND IT IS RECURRING. IT IS A BIG SAFETY RISK BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO STICK. IT TYPICALLY STARTS OUT ONLY HAPPENING IN THE MORNING BUT IT PROGRESSES TO ANY TIME THROUGHOUT THE DAY. YOU MAY BE DRIVING AND STOP OR DECELERATE AND THEN WHEN YOU START TO GO YOU CANT BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL IS STUCK. AND IT WILL TAKE MULTIPLE TRIES OF PRESSING IT BEFORE IT WILL GO. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I KNOW I WILL TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY WILL FIX IT AND CHARGE ME AND THEN IN A FEW MONTHS THE PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON WHAT TO DO. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE METAL INTERIOR OF THE SEAT PROTRUDING UNDER THE FABRIC OF THE SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243868

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2007
SeatsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, THE CONTACT LOOKED IN HER REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED A VEHICLE APPROACHING. SHE MOVED THE VEHICLE SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT, BUT IT WAS STILL STRUCK. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS FAILED. THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT FAIL, BUT IT DID NOT HOLD …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, THE CONTACT LOOKED IN HER REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED A VEHICLE APPROACHING. SHE MOVED THE VEHICLE SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT, BUT IT WAS STILL STRUCK. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS FAILED. THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT FAIL, BUT IT DID NOT HOLD THE CONTACT DOWN. THE SUNROOF BUCKLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SPLIT IN HALF. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE THEN SPUN IN A CIRCLE. THE POLICE AND PARAMEDICS ARRIVED AND TRANSPORTED THE CONTACT TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE INJURED. HE HAS NOT NOTIFIED MAZDA. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, SPEED, AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10206343

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2006
Seats

2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE, CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, MECHANIC REFUSES TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND WAS TOLD HE HAD TO FILL OUT A QUESTIONNAIRE BEFORE HE COULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. IN LATE JUNE HE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THAT DEALER STATING, HE SHOULD RETURN TO HIS …

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2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE, CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, MECHANIC REFUSES TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND WAS TOLD HE HAD TO FILL OUT A QUESTIONNAIRE BEFORE HE COULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. IN LATE JUNE HE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THAT DEALER STATING, HE SHOULD RETURN TO HIS SELLING DEALER FOR SERVICING NEEDS AND THAT THEIR DEALERSHIP WAS PRIMARILY FOR CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED VEHICLES FROM THEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162656

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.