← New search

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
9,000 miles · Dec 20, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR THE 'DOOR AJAR' LIGHT IS MOSTLY ON--ALL THE TIME. IT IS A MINOR ANNOYANCE; HOWEVER, I AM READING TONS OF OTHER MAZDA TRIBUTE OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. NO ONE I'VE HAD IT TO--INCLUDING THE DEALER--COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. IT CLEARLY IS A DEFECT. SOMETIMES I AM CONCERNED IT WILL POSE A SAFE…

Read full complaint

SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR THE 'DOOR AJAR' LIGHT IS MOSTLY ON--ALL THE TIME. IT IS A MINOR ANNOYANCE; HOWEVER, I AM READING TONS OF OTHER MAZDA TRIBUTE OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. NO ONE I'VE HAD IT TO--INCLUDING THE DEALER--COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. IT CLEARLY IS A DEFECT. SOMETIMES I AM CONCERNED IT WILL POSE A SAFETY ISSUE AS, FOR INSTANCE, IT WILL BE OFF (RARE, BUT SOMETIMES IT TURNS OFF). THEN I ROLL DOWN A WINDOW, OR SOMETIMES DO NOTHING, AND THEN THE LIGHT SUDDENLY COMES ON. IT DINGS AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON IN THE CAR AS THOUGH SOMEONE OPENED A DOOR. I ASK THAT YOU INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND HOLD MAZDA RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489392

40,000 miles · Dec 20, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE REPEATEDLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS PEDAL STICKING. NOT IN THE "ON" POSITION BUT RATHER WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING OR DECELERATION IT WILL STICK AND I CAN NOT PUSH IT DOWN. IT HAPPENS MORE WHEN IT IS COLD OUT. I AM READING PAGES AND PAGES ON THE INTERNET OF THIS HAPPENING WITH MAZDA TRIBUTES AROUND MY CAR…

Read full complaint

I HAVE REPEATEDLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS PEDAL STICKING. NOT IN THE "ON" POSITION BUT RATHER WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING OR DECELERATION IT WILL STICK AND I CAN NOT PUSH IT DOWN. IT HAPPENS MORE WHEN IT IS COLD OUT. I AM READING PAGES AND PAGES ON THE INTERNET OF THIS HAPPENING WITH MAZDA TRIBUTES AROUND MY CARS AGE. IT SEEMS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO, SINCE FOLKS LIKE MYSELF HAVE GOTTEN IT 'REPAIRED' AND IT HAS RECURRED THIS DOES NOT SEEM LIKE A WORN PART BUT RATHER A DEFECT. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489387

102,548 miles · Dec 4, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE FOUND THAT MY GAS PEDAL WON'T DEPRESS IN COLD WEATHER. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS A FEW WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2009. THE SAID IT'S COLD AND THE CAR JUST NEEDS TO WARM UP. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN YEAR AFTER YEAR, BUT NEVER FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. HOWEVER THIS MORNING, AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK TH…

Read full complaint

I HAVE FOUND THAT MY GAS PEDAL WON'T DEPRESS IN COLD WEATHER. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS A FEW WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2009. THE SAID IT'S COLD AND THE CAR JUST NEEDS TO WARM UP. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN YEAR AFTER YEAR, BUT NEVER FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME. HOWEVER THIS MORNING, AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK THE PEDAL WOULD NO LONGER DEPRESS AS I WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD. EVENTUALLY I COASTED TO A RED LIGHT AND I FRANTICALLY STEPPED ON THE PEDAL TO NO AVAIL. I WAS ABLE TO TURN ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND SOMEHOW COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. I CONTINUED TO LET THE CAR SIT AND WARM UP FOR ANOTHER 10-12 MINUTES, WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO REV THE ENGINE. BELIEVING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED I BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SORT AND AGAIN TRIED TO DRIVE FORWARD, HOWEVER THE PEDAL STILL WOULD NOT DEPRESS. AFTER SITTING ANOTHER 10 MINUTES, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PRESS THE PEDAL HARD ENOUGH FOR IT TO DEPRESS. I ENDED UP NEEDING ONE OF MY CO-WORKERS TO FOLLOW ME TO WORK IN CASE IT HAPPENED AGAIN; WHICH IS DID AFTER 3-4 MORE TIMES ON MY 10 MINUTE DRIVE TO WORK. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487365

145,000 miles · Dec 2, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

ON DECEMBER 1, 2012 WHILE DRIVING AT 58MPH AROUND 345PM ON THE EXPRESSWAY, MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR WITH STEADY PRESSURE, THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. I REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT MAINTAINING SPEED. I TRIED TO PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT IT DID NOT MOVE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I THEN TRI…

Read full complaint

ON DECEMBER 1, 2012 WHILE DRIVING AT 58MPH AROUND 345PM ON THE EXPRESSWAY, MY FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR WITH STEADY PRESSURE, THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. I REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT MAINTAINING SPEED. I TRIED TO PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT IT DID NOT MOVE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I THEN TRIED WITH ALL THE FORCE OF MY LEG TO PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT WITH NO AVAIL. I TRIED LIFTING THE PEDAL WITH MY FOOT SEVERAL TIMES AND SUDDENLY THE PEDAL FREED UP. THIS WAS ON A SUNNY DAY, TEMPERATURE AROUND 60 . I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE ON COLD MORNINGS ON THE WAY TO WORK OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS BUT THOUGHT THE CAR WAS COLD AND THE CAR HAD NOT A CHANCE TO WARM UP. IN 2010 I FILED A COMPLAINT.NO RESPONSE. BUT THIS TIME I WAS TRULY AFRAID OF GETTING IN A BAD CAR ACCIDENT AND INJURING OTHERS.I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS VEHICLE AND THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS MODEL. ON MONDAY I PLAN TO CONTACT MAZDA FOR HELP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. I URGE YOU TO LOOK MORE INTO THIS MAKE/MODEL YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486710

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

THE GAS PEDAL WONT DEPRESS IN COLD WEATHER. GENERALLY ANY TEMPERATURE CLOSE TO OR BELOW FREEZING. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2009. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MAZDA DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEIR REMEDY WAS TO GREASE AND LUBRICATE THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE…

Read full complaint

THE GAS PEDAL WONT DEPRESS IN COLD WEATHER. GENERALLY ANY TEMPERATURE CLOSE TO OR BELOW FREEZING. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2009. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE MAZDA DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEIR REMEDY WAS TO GREASE AND LUBRICATE THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE SITUATION AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CONTINUOUS EVERY WINTER. I FIND THAT IF I WARM THE CAR UP SUFFICIENTLY AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE PEDAL DOES NOT STICK. BUT THIS EVENING, NOVEMBER 17, 2012, IT BECAME STUCK WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR WAS WARM. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND NOT GET REAR ENDED FOR SUDDENLY SLOWING DOWN AND NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE. HOPING FOR A RECALL VERY SOON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485032

70,000 miles · Nov 1, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AFTER A STOP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANC…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AFTER A STOP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LATER CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10482858

151,000 miles · Oct 29, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER, THE ACCELERATOR WILL NOT PRESS DOWN. IF YOU STOP AT A RED LIGHT OR SLOW DOWN FOR TRAFFIC AND TRY TO ACCELERATE, YOU CAN'T PRESS THE ACCELERATOR DOWN TO GET SPEED. IT IS STUCK AND WON'T PRESS DOWN. YOU HAVE TO KEEP PRESSING ON IT HARD WHICH RESULTS IN THE CAR TAKING OFF REAL FAST AND JERKING EVERYO…

Read full complaint

WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER, THE ACCELERATOR WILL NOT PRESS DOWN. IF YOU STOP AT A RED LIGHT OR SLOW DOWN FOR TRAFFIC AND TRY TO ACCELERATE, YOU CAN'T PRESS THE ACCELERATOR DOWN TO GET SPEED. IT IS STUCK AND WON'T PRESS DOWN. YOU HAVE TO KEEP PRESSING ON IT HARD WHICH RESULTS IN THE CAR TAKING OFF REAL FAST AND JERKING EVERYONE IN IT OR CAUSING TRAFFIC BEHIND YOU TO RUN INTO YOU BECAUSE YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. I'VE BEEN REPORTING THIS PROBLEM SINCE I'VE HAD THIS AUTOMOBILE IN 2005. THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDRED COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I GUESS SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO BE KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482541

87,900 miles · Oct 22, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PCM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PCM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,900. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10481457

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2012
Unknown Or Other

2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALLS. *TGW

NHTSA ODI #10480483

60,000 miles · Sep 27, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainCrash

THROTTLE FREEZE UP. COULD NOT ACCELERATE OUT OF PATH OF ON COMING VEHICLE WHICH CRASHED INTO MY LEFT FRONT FENDER. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR YEARS NOW AND WHEN I APPROACHED THE DEALER ABOUT IT I WAS TOLD TO WAIT FOR RECALL LETTER WHICH NEVER CAME. CONTACTED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE REC…

Read full complaint

THROTTLE FREEZE UP. COULD NOT ACCELERATE OUT OF PATH OF ON COMING VEHICLE WHICH CRASHED INTO MY LEFT FRONT FENDER. THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR YEARS NOW AND WHEN I APPROACHED THE DEALER ABOUT IT I WAS TOLD TO WAIT FOR RECALL LETTER WHICH NEVER CAME. CONTACTED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE RECALLED VEHICLES. IT HAS BEEN PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. AND I NEED HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477303

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.