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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

85 reports
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20,000 miles · Jan 7, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

I OWN A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES. FOR THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE GAS PEDAL STICKING. IT IS REALLY RANDOM, SO CANNOT PINPOINT WHY OR WHAT CONDITIONS IT HAPPENS. AT FIRST I JUST THOUGHT I WASN'T PRESSING HARD ENOUGH ON THE PEDAL, BUT IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AND TO THE POINT WHERE…

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I OWN A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES. FOR THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE GAS PEDAL STICKING. IT IS REALLY RANDOM, SO CANNOT PINPOINT WHY OR WHAT CONDITIONS IT HAPPENS. AT FIRST I JUST THOUGHT I WASN'T PRESSING HARD ENOUGH ON THE PEDAL, BUT IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AND TO THE POINT WHERE I ACTUALLY HAVE TO SLAM IT WITH MY FOOT TO MAKE THE CAR MOVE. I TRANSPORT CHILDREN IN MY CAR AND THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THIS MORNING I WAS MAKING A TURN AND WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THERE WAS A CAR BEHIND ME WHICH THANKFULLY DID NOT HIT ME, BUT IT COULD HAVE EASILY. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL FINALLY REACTED THE CAR ACCELERATED VERY FAST. AFTER READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE I THINK IT SERIOUSLY WARRANTS BEING LOOKED INTO FURTHER AND HAVING A RECALL NOTICE ISSUED. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE ANYMORE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE SINCE I CANNOT PREDICT WHEN OR WHERE THE GAS PEDAL WILL FAIL TO RESPOND. FOR A CAR WITH SO FEW MILES ON IT, AND ME BEING THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I FEEL THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE OF MAZDA TO NOT TAKE NOTICE. AFTER MY LATEST INCIDENT, AND READING ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE, I WILL BE TAKING MY VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION WITH MAZDA AND HOPE THIS WILL BE RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254175

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR STICKS ESPECIALLY IN COOL WEATHER. WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A THE GAS PEDAL HAS TO BE HIT HARD CAUSING A SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN WET CONDITIONS OR IN TRAFFIC. TALKED TO MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH 2002 MODELS AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253828

62,000 miles · Dec 16, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

MY GAS PEDAL STICKS WHEN GOING FROM A DEAD STOP, CAUSING THE CAR TO ACCELERATE TO FAST. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN IT IS COLD BUT HAS BEEN REOCCURING MORE FREQUENTLY. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING IN THE SNOW AND ICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252049

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

MY GAS PEDAL STICKS. I CANNOT PRESS IT DOWN TO ACCELERATE. IT SEEMS TO ONLY DO IT WHEN ITS COLDER OUT. I'VE ALMOST BEEN IN NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE I GO TO PULL OUT ONTO THE ROAD FROM A STOP AND CANNOT GO FASTER THAN IDLE SPEED. ALMOST EVERY DAY THAT ITS COLDER OUT IT STICKS. UNTIL LAST WEEK I OWNED A 4X4 THAT I DROVE IN THE W…

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MY GAS PEDAL STICKS. I CANNOT PRESS IT DOWN TO ACCELERATE. IT SEEMS TO ONLY DO IT WHEN ITS COLDER OUT. I'VE ALMOST BEEN IN NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE I GO TO PULL OUT ONTO THE ROAD FROM A STOP AND CANNOT GO FASTER THAN IDLE SPEED. ALMOST EVERY DAY THAT ITS COLDER OUT IT STICKS. UNTIL LAST WEEK I OWNED A 4X4 THAT I DROVE IN THE WINTER SO GETTING THE MAZDA IN TO THE SHOP WAS ALWAYS ON THE BACKBURNER AND MOSTLY FORGOTTEN. THE MAZDA WAS DRIVEN MOSTLY IN THE WARMER MONTHS. I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES IN THE MAIL AND WAS TOLD BY A CAR SALESMAN IT WAS FOR MY ISSUE SO SO L WAS NEVER IN A HURRY TO GET IT IN. COME TO FIND OUT THE RECALL IS FOR THE 04 TRIBUTE'S SPEED CONTROL CABLE ISSUE AND NOW MY WARRANTY IS UP. SO NOTHING WAS EVER DONE ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250110

53,500 miles · Nov 26, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL STICKS. YOU HAVE TO PRESS OR STOMP HARD IN ORDER TO GET THE PEDAL UNSTUCK. THIS IS BAD AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WILL BE TAKING IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. READ OTHER REPORTS OF THIS SAYS IT MAY BE CARBON BUILD UP. NOT SURE BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DOWN IF THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249950

25,000 miles · Nov 22, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

DURING THE WINTER AFTER THE PURCHASE OF MY NEW MAZDA TRIBUTE, THE GAS PEDAL WAS STICKING-I COULD NOT PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN IT WAS STICKING SO BAD. I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS CARBON BUILD UP. THEY DID CLEAN IT FOR ME. IT STUCK LAST WINTER TOO. NOW THE GAS PEDAL IS STICKING MORE THAN EVER AND THEY ARE TEL…

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DURING THE WINTER AFTER THE PURCHASE OF MY NEW MAZDA TRIBUTE, THE GAS PEDAL WAS STICKING-I COULD NOT PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN IT WAS STICKING SO BAD. I TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS CARBON BUILD UP. THEY DID CLEAN IT FOR ME. IT STUCK LAST WINTER TOO. NOW THE GAS PEDAL IS STICKING MORE THAN EVER AND THEY ARE TELLING ME I NEED A WHOLE NEW GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND ESTIMATED THE COST AT $191.00. I TOLD THEM THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED OVER IT. I HAVE A 14 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY GAS PEDALS STICKING AND IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN RESEARCHED THE STICKING GAS PEDAL AND FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A VERY WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249549

25,000 miles · Nov 12, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

THE GAS PEDAL ON MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE FREQUENTLY LOCKS UP/ JAMS IN PLACE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IT LOCKS IN THE UP POSITION AND WILL NOT RELEASE WITH ANY AMOUNT OF PRESSURE- SOMETIME IF I PULL UP ON THE PEDAL AND THEN TRY TO PRESS BACK DOWN, IT WILL RELEASE, BUT NOT ALWAYS. THE PEDAL STAYS IN THE UP POSITION AND WILL …

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THE GAS PEDAL ON MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE FREQUENTLY LOCKS UP/ JAMS IN PLACE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IT LOCKS IN THE UP POSITION AND WILL NOT RELEASE WITH ANY AMOUNT OF PRESSURE- SOMETIME IF I PULL UP ON THE PEDAL AND THEN TRY TO PRESS BACK DOWN, IT WILL RELEASE, BUT NOT ALWAYS. THE PEDAL STAYS IN THE UP POSITION AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING- THE CAR CANNOT GO LEAVING ME STRANDED UNTIL IT UNLOCKS. TWO TIMES NOW IT HAS LOCKED UP FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME (MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES) WHILE I WAS OUT ON THE ROAD. LUCKILY EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER, AND IT WAS NOT AT A BUSY TIME OF THE DAY. NOTHING WILL UNLOCK THE PEDAL WHEN IT JAMS- PRESSING ON IT AS HARD AS I CAN, TRYING GENTLY, OR TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. I HAVE JUST HAD TO WAIT FOR IT TO RELEASE. I HAVE FOUND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND CANNOT BELIEVE NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS- IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC, AN INTERSECTION, OR ON THE HIGHWAY- THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE, AND THE DRIVER IS POWERLESS TO DO ANYTHING! I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS A TOTAL THROTTLE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT- BUT BASED ON OTHER PEOPLE TESTIMONIALS THIS WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM- MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE SAID THEY HAVE HAD THIS REPLACEMENT AND IT STILL LOCKS IN PLACE, SO I AM WARY TO SPEND $400 FOR SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT WORK. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN OUT ON THE ROAD IT COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING CONSEQUENCES- BEING UNABLE TO MOVE YOUR VEHICLE BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL IS JAMMED IS A VERY UNNERVING EXPERIENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248542

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

100 miles · Apr 22, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RANDOMLY LOCKS IN PLACE. SHE LITERALLY HAS TO STOMP ON THE PEDAL TO GET IT TO RELEASE. THE FAILURE HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED AND SHE HAS TO MAKE 4 OR 5 ATTEMPTS TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE WEATHER AND DRIVING SPEED WERE NOT FAC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RANDOMLY LOCKS IN PLACE. SHE LITERALLY HAS TO STOMP ON THE PEDAL TO GET IT TO RELEASE. THE FAILURE HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED AND SHE HAS TO MAKE 4 OR 5 ATTEMPTS TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE WEATHER AND DRIVING SPEED WERE NOT FACTORS. THE PEDAL WAS REPAIRED, BUT BEGAN STICKING AGAIN WEEKS LATER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

NHTSA ODI #10225400

200 miles · Apr 19, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

I PURCHASED THE 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE IN DEC '04. WITHIN ONE MONTH, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK IN THE UP POSITION AND IT WOULD TAKE SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO UNLOCK THE PEDAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT *STILL UNDER WARRANTY* AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. HOWEVER, IT HAS CONTINUED …

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I PURCHASED THE 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE IN DEC '04. WITHIN ONE MONTH, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK IN THE UP POSITION AND IT WOULD TAKE SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO UNLOCK THE PEDAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT *STILL UNDER WARRANTY* AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. HOWEVER, IT HAS CONTINUED TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM EVER SINCE. I'VE BROUGHT IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP (ROYAL MOORE MAZDA) AND THEY TELL ME EVERY TIME THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY RECORD OF REPAIRS (SINCE THEY SAID THEY NEVER FOUND ANYTHING TO BEGIN WITH) AND THAT THEY STILL CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THE ISSUE IS GETTING WORSE. I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND FIND HUNDREDS OF OTHER MAZDA TRIBUTE OWNERS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. AT WHAT POINT DOES THIS BECOME A RECALL ISSUE? I'VE NARROWLY MISSED BEING REAR ENDED MANY TIMES DUE TO THE GAS PEDAL BEING STUCK IN PLACE. AND THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK IT IS TO "STOMP" ON IT. WE NEED ASSISTANCE BEFORE PEOPLE DIE - IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY AND THEREFORE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TELL ANYONE ABOUT WHY THEY DIED. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND IT IS GETTING SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE. THE DEALERSHIPS CONSTANTLY DENY THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND I HONESTLY BELIEVE IT'S DUE TO THE BIGGER ISSUE OF ALL MAZDA TRIBUTE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224992

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.