Illustration2001 & 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BOTH VEHICLES HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURES. *SMD THE BRAKE HOSE WAS REPLACED IN BOTH VEHICLES. THE MECHANIC STATED THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. *JB
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tribute years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
280–25K
2825–50K
2850–75K
6375–100K
115100–150K
52150K+
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
13 reportsMY 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
WE PURCHASED A NEW 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. AT 90K MILES, THE BRAKE BOOSTER STARTED LEAKING AIR CAUSING EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE REQUIRING MORE DRIVER FORCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP. THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED AT DEALER WITH OEM PART, AND NOW AT 150K MILES, IT HAS BEGUN LEAKING AIR AGAIN. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE …
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WE PURCHASED A NEW 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. AT 90K MILES, THE BRAKE BOOSTER STARTED LEAKING AIR CAUSING EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE REQUIRING MORE DRIVER FORCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP. THE BRAKE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED AT DEALER WITH OEM PART, AND NOW AT 150K MILES, IT HAS BEGUN LEAKING AIR AGAIN. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND ARE HAVING TO REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER AGAIN. THIS TIME WE HAVE OPTED TO GO WITH A HIGH PERFORMANCE BRAKE BOOSTER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, HE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,499 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
ROTORS ARE BADLY WORN AFTER ONLY 48,000 MILES. TECHNICIAN SAYS IT IS DUE TO CHEAPER ROTORS INSTALLED BY ORIGINAL FACTORY NOT CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING WINTER CONDITIONS. *TR
FRONT TIRE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
THE ROTORS ON MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE AFTER TWO YEARS AND 31,000 MILES WERE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE 2005 TRIBUTE ROTORS WERE MADE OF ASBESTOS AND THAT IS WHY THE ROTORS WORE SO QUICKLY BECAUSE THEY WERE MADE OF A VERY SOFT MATERIAL. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN IMPROVED WITH A MORE DURABLE MATERIAL. …
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THE ROTORS ON MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE AFTER TWO YEARS AND 31,000 MILES WERE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE 2005 TRIBUTE ROTORS WERE MADE OF ASBESTOS AND THAT IS WHY THE ROTORS WORE SO QUICKLY BECAUSE THEY WERE MADE OF A VERY SOFT MATERIAL. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN IMPROVED WITH A MORE DURABLE MATERIAL. MAZDA TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT PUT THE NEW IMPROVED ROTORS ON MY 2005 BECAUSE I HAD TO STAY WITH 2005 PARTS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS, WHY WASN'T THE 2005 TRIBUTES RECALLED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT IN THE ROTORS? *TR
I HAVE A 2005 TRIBUTE PURCHASED IN AUG OF 05 WITH 26500 MILES. MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE BACKING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND REBOUNDED WITH FORCE. THEN I HAD NO BRAKES. STOPPED THE CAR WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MAZDA NEEDS TO GET THIS FIXED. *JB
AFTER THE 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE IS HIGHWAY DRIVEN FOR 4 TO 6 HOURS THE BRAKES FAIL TO STOP THE CAR WITHIN NORMAL DISTANCES. IT FEELS LIKE THERE ARE NO POWER BRAKES; MUCH LIKE STOPPING 1960'S CARS WITH DRUM BRAKES. THESE FAILURES, DO NOT OCCUR IN AROUND TOWN DRIVING; AND CANNOT BE DUPLICATED BY THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP DURING AROUND TO…
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AFTER THE 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE IS HIGHWAY DRIVEN FOR 4 TO 6 HOURS THE BRAKES FAIL TO STOP THE CAR WITHIN NORMAL DISTANCES. IT FEELS LIKE THERE ARE NO POWER BRAKES; MUCH LIKE STOPPING 1960'S CARS WITH DRUM BRAKES. THESE FAILURES, DO NOT OCCUR IN AROUND TOWN DRIVING; AND CANNOT BE DUPLICATED BY THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP DURING AROUND TOWN TEST DRIVES. AS IT ONLY OCCURS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR HOURS, AND PARTICULARLY IN HOT CLIMATES LIKE ARIZONA, IT APPEARS THE PROBLEM IS HEAT RELATED. WHEN TRYING TO STOP EXITING A FREEWAY, AND STANDING ON THE BRAKES, AND STILL BLOWING THROUGH A STOP, IT SCARES THE HELL OUT OF DRIVER, PASSENGERS AND OTHER TRAFFIC AND HAS THE POTENTIAL OF BEING LETHAL TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY. *TR
2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE - 21,500K MILES. FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE TAKING OWNERSHIP IN AUGUST 2005, THE ABS AND 4WD LIGHTS GO OFF WHENEVER THERE IS HEAVY RAINS OR SNOW. FIRST DEALER SERVICE DIAGNOSED AS REAL WHEEL TURNING OUT OF SYNC WITH OTHER WHEELS; SECOND DIAGNOSIS WAS THE NEED TO ADD GREASE SOMEWHERE; THIRD TIME HAPPENED AFTER …
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2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE - 21,500K MILES. FOR THE THIRD TIME SINCE TAKING OWNERSHIP IN AUGUST 2005, THE ABS AND 4WD LIGHTS GO OFF WHENEVER THERE IS HEAVY RAINS OR SNOW. FIRST DEALER SERVICE DIAGNOSED AS REAL WHEEL TURNING OUT OF SYNC WITH OTHER WHEELS; SECOND DIAGNOSIS WAS THE NEED TO ADD GREASE SOMEWHERE; THIRD TIME HAPPENED AFTER DEALERSHIP HOURS AND NEXT MORNING LIGHTS FLASHED AGAIN AT STARTUP BUT TURNED OFF. *JB
Official recalls
312V357000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.