Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
280–25K
2825–50K
2850–75K
6375–100K
115100–150K
52150K+
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
98,600 miles · May 27, 2015
Suspension
PASSENGER BACK WHEEL CARRIAGE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. SUSPENSION IS EXPOSED ALONG WITH SHOCKS. MADE LOUD NOISES WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS - I HAD NO IDEA THAT MY ENTIRE WHEEL CARRIAGE WAS COMPLETED RUSTED. THIS WILL COST HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX. WORST CAR I HAVE HAD. WILL NEVER EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER MAZDA. I…
Read full complaint
PASSENGER BACK WHEEL CARRIAGE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. SUSPENSION IS EXPOSED ALONG WITH SHOCKS. MADE LOUD NOISES WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS - I HAD NO IDEA THAT MY ENTIRE WHEEL CARRIAGE WAS COMPLETED RUSTED. THIS WILL COST HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX. WORST CAR I HAVE HAD. WILL NEVER EVER PURCHASE ANOTHER MAZDA. I AM AMAZED AND DISGUSTED THAT MAZDA HAS NOT RECALLED THESE CARS. WHAT A DISGRACE TO OWNERS OF THESE CARS.
NHTSA ODI #10721604
88,024 miles · May 22, 2015
StructureUnknown Or Other
WENT TO GET MY ANNUAL INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT MY RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER IS RUSTED OUT.
NHTSA ODI #10721011
130,000 miles · May 13, 2015
Suspension
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND LEFT THE SHOCK ATTACHED TO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
NHTSA ODI #10716201
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine
2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE ISSUES AND REQUESTS COMPENSATION FOR REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN STARTED THE VEHICLE, IT SOUNDED LIKE A TRUCK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. A DIAGNOSIS REVEALED THE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10715866
93,000 miles · May 11, 2015
Suspension
SHOCK MOUNT HAS RUSTED OUT AND THE STRUT IS HANGING LOOSE. YOU LOOK UP FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SEE INTO THE INTERIOR INSULATION. STRUT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ROTTED OUT WHEEL WELL CAN ALLOW EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
NHTSA ODI #10715751
183,000 miles · Apr 30, 2015
Engine
BIG LOUD NOISE, CAR STARTED TO SHAKE, SPEED AND NEARLY LOST CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10713943
102,000 miles · Apr 9, 2015
Service Brakes
BRAKES HYDRAULIC PROBLEM. NO MATTER DRIVE OR PARK, THE LEAKING IS CONTINUING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10704837
145,000 miles · Apr 8, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
NHTSA ODI #10704533
245,000 miles · Apr 6, 2015
StructureSuspension
EXCESSIVE, LOCALIZED RUST HAS DEVELOPED IN THE RIGHT, REAR WHEEL WELL, RESULTING IN THE SHOCK BEING LOOSE AND MAKING A LOUD BANGING SOUND WHEN GOING OVER EVEN SMALL BUMPS. THE LEFT SIDE AND THE REST OF THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM INDICATING A LOCALIZED MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10703952
185,000 miles · Apr 5, 2015
Suspension
THE RIGHT REAR TOP SHOCK MOUNT ON MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE TOTALLY RUSTED OFF THE UNIBODY FRAME. *TR
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.
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.
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.
2005 Mazda Tribute Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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