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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.

About this comparison →

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
90,000 miles · Nov 25, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10660898

102,000 miles · Nov 23, 2014
Suspension

RIGHT REAR WHEELHOUSE HAS RUST AND CORROSION AT 102,000 MILES, AND THE STRUT MOUNTING IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY FROM THE FRAME MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX AS IT AFFECTS THE FRAME AND THEY DO NOT WANT THE LIABILITY. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS VERY ISSUE ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND OTHERS FOR…

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RIGHT REAR WHEELHOUSE HAS RUST AND CORROSION AT 102,000 MILES, AND THE STRUT MOUNTING IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY FROM THE FRAME MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX AS IT AFFECTS THE FRAME AND THEY DO NOT WANT THE LIABILITY. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS VERY ISSUE ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND OTHERS FOR THE 2005. IN ADDITION, MAZDA ISSUED A RECALL IN 2014 FOR THE 2001-2004 TRIBUTES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10660382

86,000 miles · Nov 20, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATE 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO TAP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOUR TIMES FOR IT TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATE 15 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FAILED TO ENGAGE AND THE CONTACT HAD TO TAP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOUR TIMES FOR IT TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ODI #10659817

100,360 miles · Nov 1, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL LOCKING UP AT VARIOUS SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC. 4 NEAR MISSES OF A CATASTROPHIC EVENTS !!! WE HAVE CONTACTED MAZDA IN CONROE TEXAS . WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THERE RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM WITH THE NEWER MODELS ARE HAVING ....... THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM …

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GAS PEDAL LOCKING UP AT VARIOUS SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC. 4 NEAR MISSES OF A CATASTROPHIC EVENTS !!! WE HAVE CONTACTED MAZDA IN CONROE TEXAS . WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR VIN # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THERE RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM WITH THE NEWER MODELS ARE HAVING ....... THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE NEW ONE !!!!!! SO WHATS THE PROBLEM ? I NEARLY WAS KILLED AT ONE THE EVENTS !!! HAD TO PULL OVER DUE THE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE AND ANOTHER DRIVER NOT PAYING ATTENTION NEARLY MISSED HITTING ME ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY ! I WAS OUTSIDE OF MY CAR AT THAT POINT TRYING FIGURE OUT WHY IT WASN'T WORKING ( 09/12/2014). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651776

146,000 miles · Oct 15, 2014
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

RIGHT REAR WHEELHOUSE HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AT 146,000 MILES, AND THE STRUT IS DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. MAZDA HAS DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS VERY ISSUE ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, AND DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE 2001-2004 TRIBU…

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RIGHT REAR WHEELHOUSE HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AT 146,000 MILES, AND THE STRUT IS DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. MAZDA HAS DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS VERY ISSUE ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, AND DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE 2001-2004 TRIBUTES WERE RECALLED AND REPAIRED FOR CORROSION ISSUES. THE MECHANIC AND COLLISION REPAIR CENTER SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN RUST THIS BAD IN THE SAME AREA OF MAKES OF VEHICLES. THE COLLISION REPAIR CENTER ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A $4,000-$6,000 REPAIR THAT THE OWNER SHOULD NOT BE STUCK WITH AS IT IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THEY MANUFACTURED THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE FRAME IN THE SAME PLANT AND THEY SHARE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH AND THE SHOCK BROKE FREE RIGHT BEHIND MY SONS CARSEAT, THE SHOCK WAS TOUCHING THE INNER PLASTIC . LUCKILY I PULLED OVER TO FIND OUT WHAT THE NOISE WAS. MAZDA SEEMS TO HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY. CUSTOMER BEWARE.... AND IF YOU HAVE A CHILD AT LEAST PUT THEM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FOR SOME SAFETY. LETS ALL HOPE MAZDA WILL STAND UP FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT........ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644871

101,655 miles · Oct 13, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemStructure

THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY IN THE SHOP TO REPAIR SHOCK TOWER ON THE RIGHT REAR WHICH WAS COMPLETED RUSTED OUT, THAT EXPENSE COST $1200, WITHIN THE WEEK, WHILE DRIVING 40MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE ABS LIGHT, THEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW TO A STOP. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, THERE WAS NO CONTROL OF THE CA…

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THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY IN THE SHOP TO REPAIR SHOCK TOWER ON THE RIGHT REAR WHICH WAS COMPLETED RUSTED OUT, THAT EXPENSE COST $1200, WITHIN THE WEEK, WHILE DRIVING 40MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE ABS LIGHT, THEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW TO A STOP. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, THERE WAS NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. I PLACED THE CAR INTO PARK, I WAS ALONG THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SHOP AND NEEDED REPAIR OF FUEL INJECTION, ENGINE COMPUTER, SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COILS. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIRS CAME TO $1500 DOLLARS. IT WAS UPSETTING TO DEAL WITH TWO MAJOR INCIDENTS IN 1 WEEK, ESPECIALLY EXPENSIVE ONES. THE WAY THE CAR CAME TO A SLOW STOP ON A HIGHWAY COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644307

140,000 miles · Oct 9, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND STALL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESET THE COMPUTER BY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND STALL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESET THE COMPUTER BY RESTARTING THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULE TO BE TAKEN INTO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643601

160,000 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS EXPOSED DUE TO THE REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTING AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS EXPOSED DUE TO THE REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTING AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #10639227

106,780 miles · Sep 25, 2014
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

ENTIRE RIGHT (PASSENGER) REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED AWAY, INCLUDING THE SHOCK MOUNT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639160

156,000 miles · Sep 17, 2014
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

THE FRAMEWORK UNDERNEATH AND AROUND THE VEHICLE'S REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAS ROTTED AWAY, AND THE SHOCK HAS PENETRATED THE WHEEL WELL. THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE VEHICLE "RATTLES" LOUDLY BECAUSE OF THIS. IT APPEARS THAT THIS DEFICIENCY WAS FIXED, TEMPORARILY, BEFORE THE SALE OF THE VEHICLE WAS PURSUED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637133

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.