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
4,000 miles · Jan 20, 2005
EquipmentVehicle Speed Control
2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE [4000 MI] BRAKES FAILED AND THROTTLE STUCK ON DEC 17, 2004. I HAD TO PULL HAND BRAKE TO STOP . CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP IN AMHERST VA. THROTTLE ASSY, IDLE CONTROL VALVE AND A 100MI ROAD TEST WERE DONE. PICKED VEHICLE UP ON JAN 14,2005. ON JAN 15TH, PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN WITH BRAKES NON-RESPONSIVE AND T…
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2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE [4000 MI] BRAKES FAILED AND THROTTLE STUCK ON DEC 17, 2004. I HAD TO PULL HAND BRAKE TO STOP . CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP IN AMHERST VA. THROTTLE ASSY, IDLE CONTROL VALVE AND A 100MI ROAD TEST WERE DONE. PICKED VEHICLE UP ON JAN 14,2005. ON JAN 15TH, PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN WITH BRAKES NON-RESPONSIVE AND THROTTLE STUCK. SOMEONE ELSE WAS DRIVING AND THEY TURNED ENGINE OFF AND COASTED OFF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP IN AMHERST AND REMAINS THERE AT PRESENT.
NHTSA ODI #10107624
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2004
Unknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 70 MPH, VEHICLE SWERVES VIOLENTLY. DROVE STRAIGHT ON RAIN GROOVE SURFACE, NEARLY ROLL OVER. *BF *TC
NHTSA ODI #10099368
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2004
Suspension
VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SWERVED FROM SIDE TO SIDE, BECAME UNSTABLE. *BF WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER THE VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE AND FELT AS IF WAS GOING TO ROLL OVER. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT HA NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10097481
8,000 miles · Sep 29, 2004
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHO DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10094612
500 miles · Aug 25, 2004
Fuel System, Other
I HAVE A BRAND NEW 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT EVERY TIME YOU ATTEMPT TO FILL THE GAS TANK IT SPEWS OUT RAW FUEL OUT AND POLLUTE'S THE ATMOSPHERE AND CREATES A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. THE DEALER CLAIM'S THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND CAN NOT BE CORRECTED. WHAT CAN EPA DO TO PUT A HALT TO THIS TYPE OF POLLUTION. I HAVE WRITTEN THE STATE …
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I HAVE A BRAND NEW 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT EVERY TIME YOU ATTEMPT TO FILL THE GAS TANK IT SPEWS OUT RAW FUEL OUT AND POLLUTE'S THE ATMOSPHERE AND CREATES A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. THE DEALER CLAIM'S THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM AND CAN NOT BE CORRECTED. WHAT CAN EPA DO TO PUT A HALT TO THIS TYPE OF POLLUTION. I HAVE WRITTEN THE STATE OF NEVADA FOR HELP AS TO CORECTLY FILL THIS GAS TANK, THE GAS PUMP SAFTIES MUST BE BYPASSED, THUS CREATING A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD.*AK WILLIAM A PEARCE 8815 ROSANNA STREET LAS VEGAS, NV 702-361-1324 WPEARC1@EARTHLINK.NET
NHTSA ODI #10088542
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2004
Structure
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SWERVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE. *MR *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BECAME SO UNSTABLE HAD TO IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN AND CHANGE LANES TO AVOID A ROLL OVER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10089259
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2004
Suspension
MAZDA TRIBUTE VIOLENTLY ROLLED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. *MR THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY UNSTABLE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE NEARLY ROLLED OVER. *SC
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