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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

Suspension complaints

137 reports
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146,100 miles · Jul 17, 2018
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PUGI MAZDA (1850 OGDEN AVE, DOWNERS GROVE, IL …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PUGI MAZDA (1850 OGDEN AVE, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515, (877) 827-9086) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND THE REAR SHOCKS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,100.

NHTSA ODI #11112002

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2018
Suspension

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED WHERE IT HOLDS SHOCK. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM OF RECALLED 2001-2004 MAZDAS. THIS YEAR SHOULD BE RECALLED ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #11101811

110,000 miles · Apr 23, 2018
Suspension

THE SHOCK TOWER WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR. IT IS POSSIBLE TO SEE THE TIRE. THE RUST BEGAN IN GASOLINE ENTRY AREA PER THE MECHANIC AND THEN SPREAD TO THE SHOCK TOWER. THIS HAS ALSO EFFECTED THE THREADS ON THE TIRE. I BELIEVE THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. THIS A DANGEROUS ISSUE. I SHOULD BE RE…

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THE SHOCK TOWER WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR. IT IS POSSIBLE TO SEE THE TIRE. THE RUST BEGAN IN GASOLINE ENTRY AREA PER THE MECHANIC AND THEN SPREAD TO THE SHOCK TOWER. THIS HAS ALSO EFFECTED THE THREADS ON THE TIRE. I BELIEVE THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. THIS A DANGEROUS ISSUE. I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS RELATED TO THE RUST TOTALING $1056. DOES NOT INCLUDE THE NEED TO REPLACE THE WORN TIRES.

NHTSA ODI #11089667

126,000 miles · Mar 23, 2018
Suspension

BOTH REAR WHEEL WELL HOUSINGS , SUB FRAME , MAIN SUPPORTS RUSTED OUT , CAR NOW CANNOT BE DRIVEN. BROKE WHEN IT WAS BEING DRIVEN, CAR SANK DOWN ON PASSENGER SIDE , STARTED MAKING ALOUD POUNDING SOUND , IT HAPPENED ON A BUSY CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI #11081071

120,000 miles · Jan 23, 2018
Service BrakesStructureSuspension

THIS MAZDA TRIBUTE HAS EXTENSIVE AND UNREPAIRABLE RUST TO THE BODY, UNDERSTRUCTURE AND SUSPENSION PARTS THAN MAKES IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY IS COMPROMISED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, VEHICLE IS PRONE TO VEER OUT OF CONTROL DUE TO MISSING SUSPENSION PIECES AND GAS AND EXHAUST FUMES LEAK INTO THE CABIN DUE TO RUST…

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THIS MAZDA TRIBUTE HAS EXTENSIVE AND UNREPAIRABLE RUST TO THE BODY, UNDERSTRUCTURE AND SUSPENSION PARTS THAN MAKES IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY IS COMPROMISED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, VEHICLE IS PRONE TO VEER OUT OF CONTROL DUE TO MISSING SUSPENSION PIECES AND GAS AND EXHAUST FUMES LEAK INTO THE CABIN DUE TO RUSTED OUT AND MISSING INNER BODY PANELS. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11064480

147,000 miles · Jan 9, 2018
StructureSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE A-FRAME AND REAR SUSPENSION SUPPORT OF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE A-FRAME AND REAR SUSPENSION SUPPORT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION SUPPORT FRACTURED. WILKINS MAZDA (750 N YORK RD, ELMHURST, IL 60126, (630) 279-3000) WAS CONTACTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA ODI #11061396

126,000 miles · Jan 2, 2018
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

OUR 2005 TRIBUTE MODEL HAS THE SAME RUSTING OUT OF THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL WELLS THAT THE 2001-2004 MODELS OF THE TRIBUTE HAVE EXPERIENCED. THOSE MODELS WERE REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL, BUT THIS YEAR'S MODEL AND FORWARD STILL HAVE THE SAME RUSTING OUT PROBLEM. DEALERS FOR MAZDA AND FORD WON'T EVEN LOOK AT THIS TO REPAIR IT.…

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OUR 2005 TRIBUTE MODEL HAS THE SAME RUSTING OUT OF THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL WELLS THAT THE 2001-2004 MODELS OF THE TRIBUTE HAVE EXPERIENCED. THOSE MODELS WERE REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL, BUT THIS YEAR'S MODEL AND FORWARD STILL HAVE THE SAME RUSTING OUT PROBLEM. DEALERS FOR MAZDA AND FORD WON'T EVEN LOOK AT THIS TO REPAIR IT. CAR IS NOW BASICALLY UNDRIVABLE. AND FROM WHAT I'VE FOUND, MAZDAWORLD.COM SAYS THAT MOST OF THESE VEHICLE WERE ACTUALLY MANUFACTURED IN 2004 BUT DATED TO 2005 MODEL YEAR. BUT AVOIDED THE 2004 RECALL BECAUSE OF THIS I CAN FIND A KIT ON EBAY TO FIX, BUT NO DEALERS WILL DO THE WORK. THERE HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS, BUT NO ACTION ON THIS KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS EXISTED IN PRIOR MODEL DESIGNS.

NHTSA ODI #11058157

186,476 miles · Dec 15, 2017
Suspension

RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER RUSTED OUT, CAME APART FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH

NHTSA ODI #11054871

142,000 miles · Oct 26, 2017
StructureSuspension

PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH LEADING TO FAILURE OF THE SHOCK MOUNT. SHOCK ENTERING THE VEHICLE CARGO AREA THROUGH THE BODY.

NHTSA ODI #11040084

100,000 miles · Sep 25, 2017
Suspension

REAR SHOCK TOWERS EXCESSIVE RUST.

NHTSA ODI #11025408

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.