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2006 Mazda Tribute

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Mazda Tribute do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 143.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

107 reports with mileage · 23 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine complaints

16 reports
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83,000 miles · Nov 16, 2020
Engine

WE PURCHASED A USED 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH ABOUT 83,000 MILES ON IT FROM A CAR DEALER. LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING IT, THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE ENGINE FAILED AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT.

NHTSA ODI #11374918

54,000 miles · Jun 17, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

HEARD NOISE OF KNOCKING RATTLING 2014-15 HAD IT TOWED TO MACHANIC AND THEY INFORMED ME OF I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. GOT IT REPLACED WITH A JASPER REBUILT. RIGHT AT 4 YEARS IT HAPPENS AGAIN, ONE YR AFTER WARRANTY. RESEARCHING FOR EITHER RESELL VALUE OR NEW ENGINE GAME ACROSS A PLEATHERA OF SEEZED ENGINES AND THROWN RODS. MOST VEHICL…

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HEARD NOISE OF KNOCKING RATTLING 2014-15 HAD IT TOWED TO MACHANIC AND THEY INFORMED ME OF I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. GOT IT REPLACED WITH A JASPER REBUILT. RIGHT AT 4 YEARS IT HAPPENS AGAIN, ONE YR AFTER WARRANTY. RESEARCHING FOR EITHER RESELL VALUE OR NEW ENGINE GAME ACROSS A PLEATHERA OF SEEZED ENGINES AND THROWN RODS. MOST VEHICLES HAS GREAT BODY BUT BLOWN ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11220761

115,000 miles · Apr 10, 2019
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 85 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED MULTIPLE TIMES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE. THE CONTA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 85 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED MULTIPLE TIMES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE. THE CONTACT CALLED KINSEL FORD (LOCATED AT 3355 EASTEX FWY, BEAUMONT, TX 77706, (409) 899-4000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL, THERE WOULD BE NO CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #11195477

250,000 miles · Jul 6, 2018
EngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WALKED TO SULLIVAN FORD L…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WALKED TO SULLIVAN FORD LINCOLN INC (759 MAGEE DR, BROOKHAVEN, MS 39601, (601) 833-7521), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO BILL HOOD MAZDA (333 N MORRISON BLVD, HAMMOND, LA 70401, (866) 726-1249) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 250,000.

NHTSA ODI #11109851

77,000 miles · Jan 23, 2017
EngineCrashInjury

FOSTER LAW OFFICES AND ATTORNEY [XXX] REPRESENT [XXX] IN CONNECTION WITH HIS DEATH ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 1, 2016 IN KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII. [XXX] WAS THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER OF A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE DRIVEN BY [XXX], WHO ALSO DIED IN THE ACCIDENT. THIS COMPLAINT IS BASED ON RECALL #6812G ("RECALL"). BASED ON A DOCUMENT ENTITLED "M…

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FOSTER LAW OFFICES AND ATTORNEY [XXX] REPRESENT [XXX] IN CONNECTION WITH HIS DEATH ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 1, 2016 IN KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII. [XXX] WAS THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER OF A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE DRIVEN BY [XXX], WHO ALSO DIED IN THE ACCIDENT. THIS COMPLAINT IS BASED ON RECALL #6812G ("RECALL"). BASED ON A DOCUMENT ENTITLED "MAZDA NORTH AMERICA OPERATIONS WARRANTY VEHICLE INQUIRY REPORT" ("INQUIRY REPORT"), TWO SEPARATE REPAIRS WERE MADE IN CONNECTION WITH THE RECALL. ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 1, 2013, THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP INSTALLED PART NUMBER 1F0110218 ("FIRST REPAIR"). ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 25, 2013, THE SAME MAZDA DEALERSHIP INSTALLED A SECOND PART - PART NUMBER 1F0310218 ("SECOND REPAIR"). IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE DEALERSHIP REMOVED PART NUMBER 1F0110218 AS PART OF THE SECOND PART INSTALLATION. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS "PAID" BY MAZDA. THE SECOND REPAIR WAS "DENIED" PAYMENT BY MAZDA. THE INQUIRY REPORT IS ATTACHED. UPON INFORMATION AND BELIEF, THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 1, 2016: A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE ("TRIBUTE") VIN # [XXX], DRIVEN BY [XXX] WAS TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON HIGHWAY 190 IN KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII AT APPROXIMATELY 12:30 P.M ON DECEMBER 1, 2016. [XXX], WAS THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN THE TRIBUTE. THE TRIBUTE COLLIDED HEAD-ON WITH A DUMP TRUCK TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON 190. BOTH [XXX] WERE DECLARED DECEASED UPON ARRIVAL TO KONA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL. MINUTES BEFORE THE SUBJECT HEAD-ON COLLISION, THE HAWAII ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A CALL FROM A DRIVER COMPLAINING THAT THE TRIBUTE WAS DRIVING IRREGULARLY. THE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT DIVISION OF THE HAWAII ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING THE ACCIDENT. OFFICER [XXX] IS THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10947095

144,000 miles · Aug 8, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

MY MAZDA TRIBUTE V 6, 3.0 ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY SON'S HOUSE, THAN TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP. IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I WAS TOLD WHAT HAD OCCURRED. MY COILS HAD BLOWN OUT AND DAMAGED MY (PCM)COMPUTER. THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $2689. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE DEALERSHIP'S COST SO I HAD IT…

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MY MAZDA TRIBUTE V 6, 3.0 ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY SON'S HOUSE, THAN TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP. IT WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I WAS TOLD WHAT HAD OCCURRED. MY COILS HAD BLOWN OUT AND DAMAGED MY (PCM)COMPUTER. THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $2689. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE DEALERSHIP'S COST SO I HAD IT TOWED AGAIN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE HE REPLACED THE COILS. I WENT ON EBAY AND FOUND A REASONABLY PRICED PCM WHERE IT WAS PROGRAMMED KEYS INCLUDED. MY RESEARCH HAS LED ME INTO WRITING THIS LETTER. I FOUND THAT FORD MOTORS AND THEIR AFFILIATES HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE COILS BLOWING OUT THE PCM FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND HAVE NEVER TOLD THE OWNERS OF THEIR VEHICLES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IF I HAD KNOWN I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10747206

26,000 miles · Jul 6, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed Control

WHEN COLD, GAS PEDAL WILL NOT DEPRESS. BECOMES FIRM AND RESISTANT TO PRESSURE. HAVE TO SLAM ON PEDAL, BUT RECEIVE NO POWER FROM ENGINE---HAPPENS ALOT WHEN TRYING TO TURN CORNERS, WILL NOT ACCELERATE- CAN CAUSE SEVERE IF NOT FATAL ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURS AT THE WRONG TIME. PLEASE FORCE MAZDA TO ISSUE RECALL FOR THIS PART, COULD B…

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WHEN COLD, GAS PEDAL WILL NOT DEPRESS. BECOMES FIRM AND RESISTANT TO PRESSURE. HAVE TO SLAM ON PEDAL, BUT RECEIVE NO POWER FROM ENGINE---HAPPENS ALOT WHEN TRYING TO TURN CORNERS, WILL NOT ACCELERATE- CAN CAUSE SEVERE IF NOT FATAL ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURS AT THE WRONG TIME. PLEASE FORCE MAZDA TO ISSUE RECALL FOR THIS PART, COULD BE RELATED TO THROTTLE BODY AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #10732224

50,000 miles · Jan 31, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHEN COLD, GAS PEDAL WILL NOT DEPRESS. BECOMES FIRM AND RESISTANT TO PRESSURE. HAVE TO SLAM ON PEDAL, BUT RECEIVE NO POWER FROM ENGINE---HAPPENS ALOT WHEN TRYING TO TURN CORNERS, WILL NOT ACCELERATE- CAN CAUSE SEVERE IF NOT FATAL ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURS AT THE WRONG TIME. PLEASE FORCE MAZDA TO ISSUE RECALL FOR THIS PART, COULD …

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WHEN COLD, GAS PEDAL WILL NOT DEPRESS. BECOMES FIRM AND RESISTANT TO PRESSURE. HAVE TO SLAM ON PEDAL, BUT RECEIVE NO POWER FROM ENGINE---HAPPENS ALOT WHEN TRYING TO TURN CORNERS, WILL NOT ACCELERATE- CAN CAUSE SEVERE IF NOT FATAL ACCIDENT IF THIS OCCURS AT THE WRONG TIME. PLEASE FORCE MAZDA TO ISSUE RECALL FOR THIS PART, COULD BE RELATED TO THROTTLE BODY AS WELL

NHTSA ODI #10680153

140,000 miles · Nov 4, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I WAS UNABLE TO STOP MY VEHICLE IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR. IT FELT TO ME THAT I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS RACING. I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. THE TRAFFIC LIGHT HAD JUST CHANGED AND I WAS ACCELERATING TO GO THROUGH THE LIGHT. THAT IS WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT …

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I WAS UNABLE TO STOP MY VEHICLE IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR. IT FELT TO ME THAT I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS RACING. I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. THE TRAFFIC LIGHT HAD JUST CHANGED AND I WAS ACCELERATING TO GO THROUGH THE LIGHT. THAT IS WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF MY CONTROL. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I TRIED TO DRIVE MY CAR AWAY FROM THE SCENE BUT THE ENGINE WAS RACING AND I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. THAT IS WHEN I REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE BECAUSE THE ENGINE APPEARS TO BE STUCK WITH THE THROTTLE OPEN. I TRIED TO DRIVE IT BUT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652426

179,000 miles · Apr 30, 2014
Engine

ON FEB 14, 2014 MY MAZDA TRIBUTE 2006 WITHOUT ANY WARNING ENGINE FAILURE STALLED ON THE ROAD. ENGINE LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED NO WARNING ABOUT OIL LEVEL. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE CAR DID NOT STALL CROSSING THE 26 MILES CAUSEWAY BRIDGE LOCATED IN NEW ORLEANS. I CALLED ROAD SERVICE BROUGHT CAR TO PARETTI MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN META…

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ON FEB 14, 2014 MY MAZDA TRIBUTE 2006 WITHOUT ANY WARNING ENGINE FAILURE STALLED ON THE ROAD. ENGINE LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED NO WARNING ABOUT OIL LEVEL. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE CAR DID NOT STALL CROSSING THE 26 MILES CAUSEWAY BRIDGE LOCATED IN NEW ORLEANS. I CALLED ROAD SERVICE BROUGHT CAR TO PARETTI MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN METAIRE LOUISIANA. I WAS TREATED EXTREMELY BADLY ALL SERVICE PERSONEL WERE RUDE AND REFUSED TO OFFER ANY OPTIONS ABOUT MY VEHICLE OTHER THAN $6200 FOR ENGINE REPAIR AND NO EXPLAINATION WHY THE ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT WORK. I WAS EVEN OFFER A TRADE TO PURCHASED ANOTHER MAZDA FROM THAT DEALERSHIP. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10585721

Official recalls

2

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.

05V525000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Nov 17, 2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TEETH TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY 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.