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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

13 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 23, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS BRAKE EQUIPMENT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE BACKED UP AND APPLIED THE BRAKES THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE CALIPER…

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2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS BRAKE EQUIPMENT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE BACKED UP AND APPLIED THE BRAKES THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. EACH TIME THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE CALIPERS AND SMOOTHED THE ROTORS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10124683

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE DEVELOPED A SCRAPING AND SQUEAKING NOISE; THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE OUT OF ROUND.**NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THERE WAS ALSO A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VIBRATION INTENSIFIED UPON APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. *BF

NHTSA ODI #10122649

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructureSuspension

WHEN THE BRAKES OF THE CONSUMER'S 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. *NM THERE WAS A RATTLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE DRIVERS MIRROR VIBRATED, THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE AUTO DIMMING MIRROR REGISTERED INCORRECTLY, THE WIPER DID NOT HAVE COMPLETE CONTACT WITH THE WINDOW AND THERE WAS A RU…

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WHEN THE BRAKES OF THE CONSUMER'S 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. *NM THERE WAS A RATTLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE DRIVERS MIRROR VIBRATED, THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE AUTO DIMMING MIRROR REGISTERED INCORRECTLY, THE WIPER DID NOT HAVE COMPLETE CONTACT WITH THE WINDOW AND THERE WAS A RUST SPOT ON THE INSIDE LIP OF THE MOON ROOF. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115552

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.