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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

What owners actually said

377 reports
123,817 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Suspension

AS OTHERS HAVE STATED THE 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE HAS A SERIOUS FACTORY/MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT MAZDA HAS BLATANTLY IGNORING. WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY LIMITS THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER REAR. UPON INSPECTION FOUND THAT THERE WAS BEYOND MAJOR RUST MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. THE VEHIC…

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AS OTHERS HAVE STATED THE 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE HAS A SERIOUS FACTORY/MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT MAZDA HAS BLATANTLY IGNORING. WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY LIMITS THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A LOUD THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER REAR. UPON INSPECTION FOUND THAT THERE WAS BEYOND MAJOR RUST MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 123,817 MILES. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK MOUNT ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND MAZDA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY. MAYBE THEY PREFER TO SEE SOMEONE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED BY THE KIND OF ACCIDENT THIS FAILURE COULD CAUSE. A VEHICLE IN OTHERWISE GOOD CONDITION WITH THIS MILEAGE SHOULD NOT RELEGATE THE VEHICLE TO THE JUNK YARD OR LEAVE THE OWNER WITH A $2000- $3000 REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10849626

1,390,000 miles · Mar 9, 2016
StructureSuspension

START HEARING LOUD NOISE THUMBING SOUND IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BACK END BY THE SHOCKS AS WE WERE DRIVING. IT STARTED GETTING LOUDER AND MORE CONSISTED. TOOK TO FORD DEALER THEY LOOKED AT IT SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $3,000+ TO FIX. THEN WE FIND OUT THAT THE 2001-04 HAD A RECALL ON THEM FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT THEY OVERLOOKED …

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START HEARING LOUD NOISE THUMBING SOUND IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BACK END BY THE SHOCKS AS WE WERE DRIVING. IT STARTED GETTING LOUDER AND MORE CONSISTED. TOOK TO FORD DEALER THEY LOOKED AT IT SAID IT WOULD COST ABOUT $3,000+ TO FIX. THEN WE FIND OUT THAT THE 2001-04 HAD A RECALL ON THEM FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT THEY OVERLOOKED THE 05 THIS IS NOT RIGHT. FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS BECAUSE I AM SURE THEY NEW THAT THEY SHOULD OF RECALLED THESE TRUCKS AS WELL. LOOK HOW MANY JUST ON HERE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. FORD SAID THEY JUST HAD SEVERAL IN THAT THEY JUST FIXED. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM. WHEN WE FIRST TOOK IT TO GET LOOK AT CAUSE WE WERE NOT SURE WHAT THE NOISE WAS THEY TOLD US WE NEED TO GET IT FIXED THE SHOCK COULD POSSIBLY COME THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARD IF NOT.

NHTSA ODI #10845790

137,000 miles · Mar 3, 2016
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

THERE IS EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR STRUCTURE OF MY MAZDA. THE NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER REAR BECAME A THUNKING AND TODAY I FOUND THE TOP PORTION OF THE STRUT HAD RUSTED AND BROKE OFF. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE REAR HAS EXCESSIVE RUSTING TO THE STRUCTURE. I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM RESULTED IN A REC…

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THERE IS EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE REAR STRUCTURE OF MY MAZDA. THE NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER REAR BECAME A THUNKING AND TODAY I FOUND THE TOP PORTION OF THE STRUT HAD RUSTED AND BROKE OFF. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE REAR HAS EXCESSIVE RUSTING TO THE STRUCTURE. I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM RESULTED IN A RECALL OF THE SAME VEHICLE 2001-2004. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE MECHANIC STATED HE COULD NOT PUT THE VEHICLE ON A LIFT DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE CORROSION OF THE FRAME. I CONTACTED MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CORROSION IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN. THE REAR STRUT BEING BROKEN AND THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE ARE NO LONGER ATTACHED.

NHTSA ODI #10839766

141,990 miles · Feb 18, 2016
Wheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR TIRE WELL HAD DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR END TIRE WELL WAS DETACHED AND NEE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR TIRE WELL HAD DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR END TIRE WELL WAS DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 141,990. UPDATED 06/14/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UPDATED 5/29/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #10836897

130,000 miles · Feb 16, 2016
StructureSuspension

AS RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THE 2001 - 2004 TRIBUTES HAVE RECALLS ON THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE, MY 2005 HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE SUBFRAME AND IS SO RUSTED OUT THAT IT IS READY TO BREAK APART. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME PART AS THE EARLIER MODELS AND MY VIN HAS BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE RECALL, I WOULD REALLY BE GREAT FULL IF WE CAN HA…

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AS RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THE 2001 - 2004 TRIBUTES HAVE RECALLS ON THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE, MY 2005 HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE SUBFRAME AND IS SO RUSTED OUT THAT IT IS READY TO BREAK APART. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME PART AS THE EARLIER MODELS AND MY VIN HAS BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE RECALL, I WOULD REALLY BE GREAT FULL IF WE CAN HAVE THIS MATTER RESOLVED BEFORE IT BECOMES A TRAGIC MATTER WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. I REMAIN. MY VEHICLE WILL BE GOING INTO THE DEALER TOMORROW MORNING FOR A DIFFERENT RECALL MATTER AT BAY SHORE MAZDA IN LONG ISLAND N.Y. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10836506

157,000 miles · Jan 29, 2016
StructureSuspension

WITH NO PREVIOUS VISIBLE INDICATION, RUST ATE AWAY AT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT. WE NOTICED A LOUD SQUEAKING ONE DAY FROM THE BACK AND, UPON INSPECTION, NOTICED TEH SEVER RUST DAMAGE. THE METAL HAD CORRODED BEHIND THE UNDERCOATING. THE SHOCK MOUNT IS NO LONGER ATTACHED AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRI…

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WITH NO PREVIOUS VISIBLE INDICATION, RUST ATE AWAY AT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT. WE NOTICED A LOUD SQUEAKING ONE DAY FROM THE BACK AND, UPON INSPECTION, NOTICED TEH SEVER RUST DAMAGE. THE METAL HAD CORRODED BEHIND THE UNDERCOATING. THE SHOCK MOUNT IS NO LONGER ATTACHED AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. INSPECTION DOES NOT SHOW EXCESSIVE RUST ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE BODY.

NHTSA ODI #10822991

114,000 miles · Jan 21, 2016
Service BrakesSuspension

THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THIS VEHICLE IS RUSTED AS PER THE COMPLAINTS, ONLY YEAR NOT RECALLED AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN. BUT UNRELATED TO THAT. DRIVING DAUGHTERS 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE AND BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR NOT ALLOWING ME TO STOP THE CAR. I HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. IT WAS A TORN BRAKE HOSE T…

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THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THIS VEHICLE IS RUSTED AS PER THE COMPLAINTS, ONLY YEAR NOT RECALLED AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN. BUT UNRELATED TO THAT. DRIVING DAUGHTERS 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE AND BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR NOT ALLOWING ME TO STOP THE CAR. I HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. IT WAS A TORN BRAKE HOSE THAT WAS SPEWING OUT FLUID THAT IMMEDIATELY DRAINED AND LEFT THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE. HAD TOWED TO SHOP TO REPAIR BRAKES, LEAK RUINED CALIPERS, REPLACE FRONT LINES TO ACCEPT NEW HOSES, ETC. $877 TO FIX. IF 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAD TAKEN CAR BACK TO COLLEGE, 6 HOURS ON INTERSTATE, COULD'VE BEEN CATASTROPHIC!

NHTSA ODI #10821548

126,500 miles · Jan 12, 2016
StructureSuspension

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR STRUT UPPER MOUNT RUSTED AND BROKE AWAY FROM THE BODY AFTER 11 YEARS AND 126, 500 MILES. THE MAZDA WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE 2005; AND ROUTINE AND AS NEEDED MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY THE SAME MAZDA DEALER. I NOTICED RUST IN THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE WHEEL WELL IN 2014 AND BEGAN ASKING THE MA…

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THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR STRUT UPPER MOUNT RUSTED AND BROKE AWAY FROM THE BODY AFTER 11 YEARS AND 126, 500 MILES. THE MAZDA WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JUNE 2005; AND ROUTINE AND AS NEEDED MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY THE SAME MAZDA DEALER. I NOTICED RUST IN THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE WHEEL WELL IN 2014 AND BEGAN ASKING THE MAZDA DEALER ABOUT IT. DURING ALL MAZDA FULL CIRCLE SUSPENSION CHECKS PERFORMED BY THE MAZDA DEALER, THE SUSPENSION WAS MARKED OR CHECKED "OK" "GREEN", AND THEN IN JAN 2016- THE STRUT MOUNT RUSTED OUT OF THE BODY AND THE DEALER SAID THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I BELIEVE THIS WAS WAY TOO EARLY FOR THE CAR TO RUST OUT. I ALSO QUESTION THE INTEGRITY OF MAZDA'S FULL CIRCLE INSPECTION AND THE MAZDA DEALER. HAD THE MAZDA DEALER BEEN CANDID AND TOLD ME ABOUT THE RUST PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR RATHER THAN YEAR AFTER YEAR CONTINUING TO SUGGEST OTHER MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SERVICE, MOST LIKELY I WOULD HAVE TRADED OR SOLD THIS MAZDA BEFORE IT RUSTED OUT. BASED ON THIS EXPERIENCE, I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER MAZDA.

NHTSA ODI #10819752

95,000 miles · Jan 10, 2016
StructureSuspension

REAR INNER WHEEL WELL SHOCK MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. SHOCK COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY FROM FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE WITH DRIVERS SIDE CONDITION SOON TO FOLLOW. PROBLEM NOTED 04/27/15 AT 95,000. MILES. PHOTOS TAKEN OF ISSUE. PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON RESIDENTIAL STREET. HEARD NOI…

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REAR INNER WHEEL WELL SHOCK MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. SHOCK COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY FROM FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE WITH DRIVERS SIDE CONDITION SOON TO FOLLOW. PROBLEM NOTED 04/27/15 AT 95,000. MILES. PHOTOS TAKEN OF ISSUE. PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON RESIDENTIAL STREET. HEARD NOISE IN REAR OF VEHICLE FOLLOWED BY BOUNCING IN THE REAR END.

NHTSA ODI #10819218

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2016
Service BrakesStructure

TAKATA RECALL MAZDA TRIBUTE 2005 COMPLETE BODY UNDERNEATH WAS RUSTED LUCKILY I FOUND A WELDER WHO INSTALLED A NEW BOTTOM ALSO HAD A BRAKE JOB= $880.64 AT 66,216 MILES - HAD TO REPLACE 6 SPARK PUGS 6 IGNITION COILS AND 1 INTAKE PLENUM GASKET SET SPENT 1,204.25 ALSO 800.00FOR A NEW BOTTOM TO BE WELDED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AS …

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TAKATA RECALL MAZDA TRIBUTE 2005 COMPLETE BODY UNDERNEATH WAS RUSTED LUCKILY I FOUND A WELDER WHO INSTALLED A NEW BOTTOM ALSO HAD A BRAKE JOB= $880.64 AT 66,216 MILES - HAD TO REPLACE 6 SPARK PUGS 6 IGNITION COILS AND 1 INTAKE PLENUM GASKET SET SPENT 1,204.25 ALSO 800.00FOR A NEW BOTTOM TO BE WELDED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AS THE BOTTOM WAS RUSTED AT A COST OF 800.00 CONCERNED THAT THE CORROSION ISSUE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CAR IS UNDER 100,000 MILES IS THIS CAR A LEMON

NHTSA ODI #10818069

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.