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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

Structure complaints

126 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2016
StructureSuspension

IN THE REAR PASSENERGER SIDE WHEEL WELL,RUSTED OUT SO BAD REAR SHOCK HAS PULLED AWAY FROM BODY,CAUSING JOLE ALL WSY THRU CAR. SAW ONLINE THIS IS A COMMOM PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND SISTER FORD ESCAPE HEARD RECALLS FOR 02 THRU 04 MODELS.

NHTSA ODI #10899257

135,000 miles · Aug 24, 2016
StructureSuspensionWheels

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 35 MPH I FELT WHAT APPEARED TO BE A FLAT TIRE. AFTER CHECKING THE TIRE, THERE WAS NOTHING OBVIOUS SHOWING. AT SPEEDS ABOUT 55 MPH THE SENSATION OF A FLAT TIRE CEASED, HOWEVER, AS SOON AS I WOULD SLOW DOWN, IT WOULD RETURN, ALONG WITH A LOUD NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO FIRESTONE TIRE…

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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 35 MPH I FELT WHAT APPEARED TO BE A FLAT TIRE. AFTER CHECKING THE TIRE, THERE WAS NOTHING OBVIOUS SHOWING. AT SPEEDS ABOUT 55 MPH THE SENSATION OF A FLAT TIRE CEASED, HOWEVER, AS SOON AS I WOULD SLOW DOWN, IT WOULD RETURN, ALONG WITH A LOUD NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO FIRESTONE TIRE. THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE STRUT HOUSING IS EXPOSED AND THE WHEEL IS AT RISK FOR LITERALLY SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. WE WERE TOLD THAT ANY SMALL REAR IMPACT COULD CAUSE THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE REST OF THE CAR. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND BODY SHOPS WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND REQUIRES OVER $5800 IN REPAIRS. AFTER CONTACTING MAZDA, THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A RECALL AND THE ONLY OFF THEY MADE WAS FOR $1,500-$3,000 OFF THE PURCHASE OF A BRAND NEW MAZDA. WE HAVE CARED FOR OUR VEHICLE IMPECCABLY. IT ONLY HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS ALWAYS HAD ALL MAINTENANCE PERFORMED. ALL OTHER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WITH THE PARTS THAT WERE USED ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE DURING PRODUCTION. I FIND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ONLY ONE SIDE IN ONE AREA OF THE VEHICLE WOULD RUST OUT LIKE THIS. MAZDA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED.

NHTSA ODI #10898307

150,720 miles · Aug 15, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A POPPING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSNEGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A POPPING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSNEGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,720.

NHTSA ODI #10895922

91,000 miles · Aug 14, 2016
Structure

THE UNDERSIDE AND EVEN THE FUEL ENTRY AREA IS RUSTED AND IS BEGINNING TO AFFECT THE EXTERIOR PAINT JOB AROUND THE TRUCK AND DOORS.

NHTSA ODI #10895798

131,000 miles · Aug 1, 2016
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND SHOCK MOUNTS FRACTURED FROM EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

NHTSA ODI #10892228

168,000 miles · Jul 25, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL AND FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL AND FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

NHTSA ODI #10888092

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2016
Structure

REAR SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED, RIGHT SIDE. CAN NOT DRIVE MY CAR AND NO ONE WILL BUY IT IN THIS CONDITION. THE BODY SHOP CANNOT REPAIR AND HE SAID IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10885462

145,000 miles · Jun 3, 2016
Structure

EXTREME RUST/CORROSION IN THE WHEEL WELL AREA - FRAME DEGRADED AND FELL AWAY FROM THE BODY -- SHOCK COMING LOOSE - OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET - GOING STRAIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #10872330

89,000 miles · May 30, 2016
StructureSuspension

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS EXPOSED AND BARELY SUPPORTED. THE DRIVER SIDE IS FINE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PRIOR 4 YEARS TO THIS. IT WILL BE UN-DRIVEABLE SOON.

NHTSA ODI #10871427

43,000 miles · May 21, 2016
StructureSuspension

MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. MY BODY SHOP TOLD ME THIS SHOULD NOT EVER HAPPEN. ALSO TOLD ME IT WAS A BAD PIECE OF STEEL USED IN THE MANUFACTURE AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF IT HAD NOT BEEN DETECTED AND I KEPT DRIVING IT. THE REST OF MY SUV IS IMMACULATE. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS. IT IS COSTIN…

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MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. MY BODY SHOP TOLD ME THIS SHOULD NOT EVER HAPPEN. ALSO TOLD ME IT WAS A BAD PIECE OF STEEL USED IN THE MANUFACTURE AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF IT HAD NOT BEEN DETECTED AND I KEPT DRIVING IT. THE REST OF MY SUV IS IMMACULATE. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS. IT IS COSTING ME $1500.00 TO REPAIR. I WAS DRIVING AND STARTED HEARING A RATTLING SOUND AND STOPPED AT A MECHANIC. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THANK GOD YOU STOPPED BEFORE YOU GOT HURT.

NHTSA ODI #10870139

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.