2004 Mazda Tribute

157 complaints on file, page 1 of 8.

1. Filed Oct 31, 2025Failure Jun 17, 2025Cottage Grove, ORUnknown or other, Vehicle speed controlCrash4 injured1 killed

   I am submitting this formal complaint regarding a potential recall failure involving a 2005 Mazda Tribute driven by my fiancé, [XXX], who died following a crash on [XXX]. Mazda has opened Case #[XXX] in response to my inquiry, and I am requesting federal oversight of this investigation. Joey’s vehicle may have been affected by NHTSA Recall 12V357000, which addresses throttle body malfunction and unintended acceleration. Service records show that a dealership performed a recall service, but the parts used may have been ineffective or incomplete. The crash sequence—rear-ending a stopped vehicle followed by veering into oncoming traffic—matches known symptoms of this defect. I am requesting: •A formal review of Mazda’s handling of Recall 12V357000 •Verification of Joey’s VIN-specific recall compliance •Investigation into the dealership’s repair actions and part quality •Oversight of Mazda’s internal case (#[XXX]) and its findings This issue raises serious concerns about manufacturer accountability and public safety. I am submitting supporting documentation and service records for review. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint 11696863
2. Filed Aug 15, 2024Failure May 15, 2004South San Francisco, CAAir bags, Electrical system

   The driver air bag light on the instrument panel has been illuminated since 2004, repair had been attempted several times but has failed. A bulletin has been sent by the manufacture to the dealership regarding steering wheel airbag light being illuminated giving a false warning, due to defective electrical wiring that cannot be repaired.

   NHTSA complaint 11608821
3. Filed May 8, 2023Failure May 1, 2023203,350 milesGrove City, OHStructure

   The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stopped and noticed there was rust on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear shock had detached due to rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 203,350.

   NHTSA complaint 11520878
4. Filed Mar 2, 2023Failure Feb 27, 2023212,900 milesYerington, NVAir bags

   The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 212,900.

   NHTSA complaint 11509822
5. Filed Oct 6, 2022Failure Sep 30, 2022Westland, MISuspension, Wheels

   rear passenger side wheel well ,shock tower mount ,and sub frame .shock tower mount broke fell off hit the cement , chipped my rim and crushed my break lines i took it to lafountaine mazda and they have done an estimate for repairs and damage

   NHTSA complaint 11488275
6. Filed Aug 5, 2021Failure Jul 17, 2021189,000 milesNew London, CTEngine and engine cooling, Service brakes, Vehicle speed control

   The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would accelerate unintendedly, and the brakes would fail during the unintended acceleration. The ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the code reader was not able to read any codes. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the accelerator and brakes were repaired years prior and would not cover the cost for repair. The failure mileage was 189,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11427833
7. Filed Mar 16, 2021Failure Mar 10, 2021176,000 milesS. ST. Paul, MNBody

   I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A NOISE LIKE THE ROOF WAS BEING RIPPED OFF. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO INSPECT I NOTICED THAT THE GLASS FROM MY SKYLIGHT WAS GONE. APPEARS THE GLUE DETERIORATED LETTING WINDOW BECOME LOOSE AND THEREFORE BLOWING OFF. GOOD THING DIDNT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLES.

   NHTSA complaint 11403297
8. Filed Sep 15, 2020Failure Sep 2, 2020110,000 milesFountain RUN, KYSteering, Body, Suspension

   DRIVING ONE DAY, THE CAR VEERED SUDDENLY INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. FORTUNATELY NO CARS WERE THERE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS CRACKED AND THE CAR'S FRAME WAS RUSTED SO BADLY THE CAR COULD NOT BE JACKED UP.

   NHTSA complaint 11355270
9. Filed Sep 23, 2019Failure Sep 22, 2019181,000 milesFoley, MNStructure, Rear

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL THUMPING NOISE. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS FRACTURED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-2341658425. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11257292
10. Filed Sep 4, 2019Failure Jul 20, 201994,000 milesGlenolden, PABody

    I OWN A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE FROM NEW. IT CURRENTLY HAVE AROUND 94000 MILES, MECHANICALLY AND COSMETICALLY MAINTAINED. JUST RECENTLY I STARTED HEARING A BANGING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER REAR AREA. I HAVE SOME STUFF IN THE CARGO AREA ON THAT SIDE SO I FIGURED IT WAS BOUNCING AROUND. SO I REMOVED EVERYTHING AND STILL HAD THE BANGING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I DISCOVERED A PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK TOWER ROTTING AWAY...THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE...IT PRESENTS MUCH DANGER TO ALL OCCUPANTS AND OTHER VEHICLES OCCUPANTS!!! THIS SHOULD NEVER BE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT IT IS NOT. LOTS OF 2001 TO 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTES, FORD ESCAPES AND MERCURY MARINERS, ARE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HAVE THE MANUFACTURER MAKE GOOD ON THIS DEFECT.

    NHTSA complaint 11253127
11. Filed Aug 29, 2019Failure Aug 28, 2019170,000 milesMilwaukee, WISuspension

    RUSTED OFF RIGHT REAR STRUT MOUNT, REAR FRAME. CASUES BRAKE LINE TO SEVERE AND BRAKES TO GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. CAR IS NON-REPARABLE AND MUST BE TOTALLED. SEEMS LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED ALOT AND THEY ALREADY HAD A RECALL ON FOR RUST ISSUE IN FRONT OF THE CAR. ?????

    NHTSA complaint 11252268
12. Filed Jul 14, 2019Failure Jul 11, 2019238,564 milesSpringfield, MAElectronic stability control (esc), Body, Suspension

    "TAKATA RECALL" MY CAR IS RUSTED UNDERNEATH FROM THE GAS PUMP AND UNDER. ON JULY 11TH, 2019 . I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A STREET WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR STRUT CAME OUT FROM THE RUST. SOMETIMES AFTER PUTTING GAS IN MY CAR AND DRIVING OFF INSIDE OF MY CAR WILL START TO SMELL LIKE GAS. SINCE IT IS RUSTED UNDER AND AROUND.

    NHTSA complaint 11231662
13. Filed Jun 9, 2019Failure May 20, 2019170,000 milesFranklin, OHBody, Suspension

    RUSTED OFF RIGHT REAR STRUT MOUNT. DRIVING IN CITY, STARTED HEARING BANGING NOISE FROM RIGHT REAR.

    NHTSA complaint 11218727
14. Filed Apr 3, 2019Failure Apr 3, 2019137,501 milesFT. Worth, TXUnknown or other

    TAKATA RECALL WE WERE ON INTERSTATE WHEN WE HEARD A THUD AND OUR VEHICLE LOST POWER ALMOST CAUSING US TO BE REAR ENDED. WE STEERED OFF FREEWAY AND WHEN IT CAME TO A STOP IT WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR EXCEPT NEUTRAL. WE HAD IT TOWED TO HOUSE. AFTER LOTS OF RESEARCH IT SEEMS IT COULD BE THE TRANSMISSION MODULE OR PCM.

    NHTSA complaint 11193688
15. Filed Nov 26, 2018Failure Nov 26, 201892,600 milesDartmouth, MABody, Suspension

    UNDERCARRIAGE CORROSION HAS CAUSED TOTAL CORROSION TO RIGHT REAR WHEEL, WHICH AS CAUSED THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK TO BREAK OFF. THE CORROSION IS NOT NORMAL AND SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT

    NHTSA complaint 11153698
16. Filed Nov 2, 2018Failure Oct 2, 2018165,000 milesNacogdoches, TXUnknown or other

    WHEN DRIVING OR STOPPING AT RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF, BEFORE IT SHUTS OFF THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERS AND THERE'S A BURNING SMELL FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK IT TO MULTIPLE AUTO SHOPS AND HAVE GOT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REPLACE, TRANSMISSION, MASS AIR FLOW AND A HOST OF OTHER THINGS AT A COSTLY PRICE AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT FITS. THERE IS SOMETHING TERRIBLE WRONG WITH THE 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE, I HAVE BEEN IN ALMOST 2 ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE FIX THIS!!

    NHTSA complaint 11144839
17. Filed Jul 31, 2018Failure Jul 31, 2018155,000 milesNorth Middletown, NJBody, Suspension, Wheels

    TOP OF WHEEL WELL ON BOTH SIDES IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT - THIS IS AN ON GOING ISSUE AND APPARENTLY HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A WHILE BUT IT IS HARD TO NOTICE SINCE IT IS BEHIND THE CLOSED DOOR THAT IT IS APPARENT AND SINCE I AM USUALLY DRIVING, I WOULD NOT HAVE NOTICED IT. I WAS HAVING MY FLEX PIPE REPLACED AND HAVE BEEN NOTICING SOME ANGING IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AT THIS POINT, I AM ASSUMING IT IS COMING FROM THE BODY ROTT WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE A DRIVING HAZARD AT THIS POINT. I SAW THAT SOME VEHICLES IN 2004 AND PRIOR WERE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT APPARENTLY NOT MINE PR MADZA. APPARENTLY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN!

    NHTSA complaint 11114728
18. Filed Mar 7, 2018Failure Mar 2, 2018170,000 milesLoch Sheldrake, NYBody, Suspension

    SUBFRAME CORRODED AND A PIECE OF IT FELL OFF COMPROMISING THE AXLE, WHEEL BEARING, AND SEIZED THE RIGHT REAR ROTER. UPON MAZDA TAKING THE TRUCK TO REPAIR THE SUBFRAME THEY NOTED THAT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD CORRODED RIGHT WITH THE SUBFRAME BEYOND REPAIR. SO FAR I HAVE BEEN DENIED A LOANER VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL ON SUBFRAME FOR CORROSION. I AM STILL WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE OUTCOME IS GOING TO BE. I'VE MISSED 2 DAYS OF WORK ALREADY DUE TO THIS

    NHTSA complaint 11076778
19. Filed Feb 19, 2018Failure Feb 19, 2018Kansas City, MOEngine, Suspension

    ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER. GAS IS NOT BEING CIRCULATED

    NHTSA complaint 11073731
20. Filed Dec 7, 2017Failure Oct 10, 2016119,364 milesClarksburg, WVBody, Wheels

    ADDING MY TRIBUTE TO THE LIST OF REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK/STRUT RUSTING THROUGH THE BODY..VERY DANGEROUS

    NHTSA complaint 11053321