IllustrationTHE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL AREA WHERE THE SHOCK ABSORBER ATTACHES TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE BUSTED OUT. IT NO LONGER HOLDS THE SHOCK IN PLACE TO ABSORB A BUMP. I WAS RECENTLY INFORMED BY A BODYSHOP PERSON THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF. WOULD YOU LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE? *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tribute years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
1325–50K
2150–75K
1975–100K
27100–150K
9150K+
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
Structure complaints
13 reportsDRIVERS SIDE REAR SHOCK BROKE COMPLETELY AWAY FROM FRAME. (TOP SIDE). PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTING AWAY BADLY.
HEAR A LOUD BANGING SOUND FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL ON MY MAZDA TRIBUTE WHEN DRIVING APPROX 30 MILES AN HOUR ON SMOOTH ROAD. TOOK IT TO GET THE SHOCK CHECKED AND WAS SHOWN BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK WAS HANGING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL LOUD BANGING SOUND COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE INNER FENDER HAD ROTTED THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED BODY WORK TO REPAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL LOUD BANGING SOUND COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE INNER FENDER HAD ROTTED THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED BODY WORK TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A RATTLING NOISE. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND THE SHOCK MOUNT WERE EXTREMELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD ABNORMAL NOISES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE WELDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD ABNORMAL NOISES COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE WELDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 07/19/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SO BADLY RUSTED, THE BODY OF THE TRUCK CAME OFF THE FRAME. UPDATED 07/19/16.*JB
I HEARD A BANGING SOUND COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE WHEEL WELL HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY AND THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS BANGING AROUND, I COULD ACTUALLY SEE THE BED LINING OF THE VEHICLE SCARY WHEN YOUR DRIVING AROUND A 3 YEAR OLD! I BROUGHT TO A FRAME SHOP AND WAS QUOTED $2500…
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I HEARD A BANGING SOUND COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE WHEEL WELL HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY AND THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS BANGING AROUND, I COULD ACTUALLY SEE THE BED LINING OF THE VEHICLE SCARY WHEN YOUR DRIVING AROUND A 3 YEAR OLD! I BROUGHT TO A FRAME SHOP AND WAS QUOTED $2500 FOR REPAIR AND BASICALLY TOLD TO SCRAP THE VEHICLE (VERY DISCONCERTING WHEN THERE ARE ONLY 140,000 MILES ON IT),. AFTER RESEARCHING IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE AND I AM HOPING THAT IT IS ADDRESSED WITH A RECALL. I DID END UP FINDING AN AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS FOR $800 WHO TOLD ME HE IS SEEING MANY DRIVERS WITH THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. AFTER TAKING THE BACK END OFF HE SAID THAT THE OTHER SIDE IS ABOUT TO GO AS WELL. I AM NOW STUCK IN AN ETHICAL DILEMMA DO I SELL TO ANOTHER PARTY TO GET MY MONEY BACK ON A DOWN PAYMENT FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE OR DO I JUNK THIS VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE AND TAKE THE LOSS SO THAT THIS DOESN'T BECOME SOMEONE ELSE'S PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WITH THIS ISSUE! *TR
CPSC: MAZDA TRIBUTE: CONSUMER STATED RIGHT REAR WHEEL RUSTED AWAY LEAVING THE SHOCK FLOATING AND BANGING AROUND IN THE WHEEL WELL.. *SS
CPSC: I1590199A. 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL RUSTED AWAY, CAUSING SHOCK FLOATING AND BANGING AROUND THE WHEEL WELL. *LN
BECAUSE OF THE REAR END MAKING LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATION UPON CONTACTING ROAD BUMPS AND HOLES VEHICLE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE INSPECTION REVEALED SIGNIFICANT DETERIORATION OF THE METAL FORMING THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL, OXIDATION (RUST) TO THE EXTENT OF LARGE HOLE EXPOSING INTERIOR DEPARTMENT. REPLACEMENT OF THE RE…
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BECAUSE OF THE REAR END MAKING LOUD NOISE AND VIBRATION UPON CONTACTING ROAD BUMPS AND HOLES VEHICLE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE INSPECTION REVEALED SIGNIFICANT DETERIORATION OF THE METAL FORMING THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL, OXIDATION (RUST) TO THE EXTENT OF LARGE HOLE EXPOSING INTERIOR DEPARTMENT. REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR SHOCKS DID NOT CORRECT THE VIBRATIONS FROM ROAD IRREGULARITIES. MECHANIC DESCRIBED THE CAUSE AS A RESULT OF THE WHEEL WELL LOSS OF METAL & CHANGE IN SHAPE ENABLING METAL TO METAL CONTACT. STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY DURATION IS OF MUCH CONCERN. *TR
Official recalls
212V357000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.