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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
14,000 miles · Oct 24, 2006
Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON A CITY STREET, A WATER BOTTLE ROLLED INTO THE CENTER FLOOR CONSOLE AND INTO THE FLOOR GEAR SHIFT, KNOCKING IT OUT OF DRIVE AND INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10171698

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

MAZDA TRIBUTE 05. GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK IN THE UP POSITION AS I WAS TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION. LUCKILY NO CARS COMING PARKED ON THE GRASS. THIS HAPPENED 2XS. DEALERSHIP JUST STATED IT NEEDED A 150.00 THROTTLE HOUSING LUBRICATION. DID NOT HAVE IT DONE DUE TO IT WAS NOT COVERED ON THE WARRANTY. AFTER THIS TIME IT HAPPENED 2 MORE …

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MAZDA TRIBUTE 05. GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK IN THE UP POSITION AS I WAS TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION. LUCKILY NO CARS COMING PARKED ON THE GRASS. THIS HAPPENED 2XS. DEALERSHIP JUST STATED IT NEEDED A 150.00 THROTTLE HOUSING LUBRICATION. DID NOT HAVE IT DONE DUE TO IT WAS NOT COVERED ON THE WARRANTY. AFTER THIS TIME IT HAPPENED 2 MORE TIME TO ME AND JUST 2 DAYS AGO IT HAPPENED TO MY HUSBAND WITH OUR KIDS IN THE CAR. LUCKILY AGAIN NO ACCIDENT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171136

31,000 miles · Aug 9, 2006
SuspensionTires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION, THE TWO FRONT TIRES LOOKED EXCESSIVELY WORN. THE INSIDE TREAD OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOWED THE STEEL BAND AND THE PASSENGER SIDE PRESENTED EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES MIGHT HAVE BEEN DUE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION, THE TWO FRONT TIRES LOOKED EXCESSIVELY WORN. THE INSIDE TREAD OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOWED THE STEEL BAND AND THE PASSENGER SIDE PRESENTED EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES MIGHT HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO COVER THE COST OF NEW TIRES IF A DEFECTIVE PART WAS FOUND DURING THE ALIGNMENT PROCESS.

NHTSA ODI #10165045

Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2006
Air Bags

TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE AIRBAG ICON/LIGHT THAT IS ALWAYS ON. WHEN I TURN ON THE IGNITION, THE ICON BLINKS. EVEN IF I AM DRIVING THE ICON STAYS LIT. DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162427

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2006
Seats

2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE, CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, MECHANIC REFUSES TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND WAS TOLD HE HAD TO FILL OUT A QUESTIONNAIRE BEFORE HE COULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. IN LATE JUNE HE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THAT DEALER STATING, HE SHOULD RETURN TO HIS …

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2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE, CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, MECHANIC REFUSES TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND WAS TOLD HE HAD TO FILL OUT A QUESTIONNAIRE BEFORE HE COULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. IN LATE JUNE HE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THAT DEALER STATING, HE SHOULD RETURN TO HIS SELLING DEALER FOR SERVICING NEEDS AND THAT THEIR DEALERSHIP WAS PRIMARILY FOR CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED VEHICLES FROM THEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162656

19,300 miles · Jun 21, 2006
Electrical System

MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE I-4, WITH 19,000 MILES ON IT, EXPERIENCED AN ALTERNATOR FAILURE. THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER TO BRING THE CAR IN BECAUSE IT MIGHT DIE. MY VEHICLE IS NOW BEING HELD FOR ABOUT A WEEK, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT ALTERNATORS FOR THIS VEHICLE ARE BACK-ORDERED. I WONDER IF THE…

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MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE I-4, WITH 19,000 MILES ON IT, EXPERIENCED AN ALTERNATOR FAILURE. THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER TO BRING THE CAR IN BECAUSE IT MIGHT DIE. MY VEHICLE IS NOW BEING HELD FOR ABOUT A WEEK, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT ALTERNATORS FOR THIS VEHICLE ARE BACK-ORDERED. I WONDER IF THEY ARE BACK ORDERED BECAUSE OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT VERY LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10160388

22,609 miles · Jun 15, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

MAY 9,2006 INVOLVED IN FRONT END COLLISION WHEN A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME WITH APPROX. 3 FEET NOTICE, HIT VEHICLE IN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WITH THE COMPLETE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE AT 35 MPH. VEHICLE DAMAGED TO THE POINT OF BREAKING AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT AND JERKED FORWARD ON IMPACT AND AI…

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MAY 9,2006 INVOLVED IN FRONT END COLLISION WHEN A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME WITH APPROX. 3 FEET NOTICE, HIT VEHICLE IN DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WITH THE COMPLETE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE AT 35 MPH. VEHICLE DAMAGED TO THE POINT OF BREAKING AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT AND JERKED FORWARD ON IMPACT AND AIR BAG STATES THAT IT DEPLOYED BUT IT NEVER DEPLOYED. I AM NOW CURRENTLY SEEING PHYSICIANS AND SPECIALIST FOR NEUROSURGERY. MY VEHICLE IS STILL IN THE REPAIR SHOP AT THIS TIME, THEN IT WILL HAVE TO BE SENT BACK TO THE MAZDA DEALER TO FIND OUT WHY THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND BE FIXED. AT THIS TIME IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED OR EVEN DETERMINED WHY IT DID NOT DEPLOY. IF IT DID NOT DEPLOY AT 35 MPH CRASH I AM CONCERNED TO EVEN DRIVE IT AGAIN. THIS WAS MY FIRST EVER ACCIDENT IN 25 YEARS OF DRIVING AND I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER, BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT A DEFECT SINCE I AM BEING TOLD BY ALL THE EXPERTS THAT IT SHOULD HAVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10159966

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEGAN STICKING. I COULD NOT RAISE THE PEDAL UP OR PRESS IT DOWN. SUDDENLY, CAR WOULD TAKE OFF. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY TIME DURING DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, ALL WITHIN 6 MONTHS TIME. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS CARBON BUI…

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ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEGAN STICKING. I COULD NOT RAISE THE PEDAL UP OR PRESS IT DOWN. SUDDENLY, CAR WOULD TAKE OFF. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY TIME DURING DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, ALL WITHIN 6 MONTHS TIME. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS CARBON BUILD UP ON THE THROTTLE BODY. I FEEL IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRIBUTE, OTHER CARS DO NOT HAVE THIS ISSUE. ALL THEY DID WAS CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY BOTH TIMES. THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ALTHOUGH THEY DID NOT CHARGE ME FOR THE WORK DONE. I AM LEARY ABOUT DRIVING MY CAR SINCE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL START STICKING AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10156904

10 miles · Apr 19, 2006
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

I PURCHASED A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE IN JULY, 2005. THE STICKER ON THE CAR HAD AN AVERAGE MILEAGE OF 19 TO 24 MILES PER GALLON. I, TO THIS DATE GET 11 TO 13 MILES PER GALLON AND 17-19 ON THE HIGHWAY. I TRULY BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE FUEL SYSTEM OR THE ENGINE. CONTACTED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD EPA WAS TO BLAME AND I NEEDED TO…

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I PURCHASED A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE IN JULY, 2005. THE STICKER ON THE CAR HAD AN AVERAGE MILEAGE OF 19 TO 24 MILES PER GALLON. I, TO THIS DATE GET 11 TO 13 MILES PER GALLON AND 17-19 ON THE HIGHWAY. I TRULY BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE FUEL SYSTEM OR THE ENGINE. CONTACTED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD EPA WAS TO BLAME AND I NEEDED TO LET THE CAR GET BROKEN IN. I CURRENTLY HAVE 6500 MILES AND STILL GET 11-13 MILES PER GALLON. I HAVE A 16 GALLON TANK AND GET ANYWHERE BETWEEN 180 TO 200 MILES PER TANK. DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG AND HASN'T REPLACED ANYTHING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10155667

12,500 miles · Feb 25, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline

WITH JUST OVER 12000 MILES, THE THROTTLE BECAME VERY STICKY IN COLD WEATHER. THE BUTTERFLIES IN THE THROTTLE BODY HOLD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CLOSED, REQUIRING EXCESSIVE FORCE TO PUSH (AND EXCESSIVE ACCELERATION). IN COLD WEATHER, THROTTLE WOULD STICK CLOSED WHENEVER THE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, NO MATTER HOW LONG THE VEHICLE WAS DR…

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WITH JUST OVER 12000 MILES, THE THROTTLE BECAME VERY STICKY IN COLD WEATHER. THE BUTTERFLIES IN THE THROTTLE BODY HOLD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CLOSED, REQUIRING EXCESSIVE FORCE TO PUSH (AND EXCESSIVE ACCELERATION). IN COLD WEATHER, THROTTLE WOULD STICK CLOSED WHENEVER THE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, NO MATTER HOW LONG THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE DEALERSHIP (HALL MAZDA IN VIRGINIA BEACH) REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, AND COMMENTED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SHOULD BE CLEANED EVERY 12000 MILES FOR VARNISH BUILDUP. THERE IS NO TSB THAT I COULD FIND ON THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS THE PCV SYSTEM, ALLOWING OIL TO COLLECT ON THE THROTTLE BODY, AND CAUSING IT TO BIND DURING COLD WEATHER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10151193

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.