2005 Mazda Tribute

377 complaints on file, page 1 of 19.

1. Filed Jul 21, 2024Failure Jul 21, 2024Deale, MDBody, Suspension

   Passenger rear shock mount toatly rusted through. A big hole!

   NHTSA complaint 11603615
2. Filed Jul 25, 2023Failure Jul 9, 2023Blaine, MNSuspension

   Rear passenger shock mount rusted out completely

   NHTSA complaint 11534298
3. Filed Apr 23, 2023Failure Apr 20, 2023West Union, WVBody

   The rear wheel well was completely rusted out while the other side is fine. The shock broke loose causing the vehicle to drop down. I have a 17 year old that is not an experienced driver and this could have resulted in her getting seriously hurt. From what I read they recalled the vehicle to to 2004 and I don’t understand why they did not recall this one. They should have and this is a serious safety issue. Does someone have to die before they see that this needs to be fixed?

   NHTSA complaint 11518499
4. Filed Jan 4, 2022Failure Dec 30, 2021Ellettsville, INBody

   owned since day one, bought brand new, religiously maintained, perfect shape other than completely rusted wheel house back left passenger side. Shock went through rusted area all the way to trunk. Mazda recalled models 2003 to 2004 for this problem yet so many 2005 Mazda Tribute owners are having exact problem especially when manufactured in 2004! This is serious and I had my granddaughter with me when this happened and yet Mazda wants to do nothing about it when it’s a serious hazard and ongoing problem with the 2005’s. It is always the back passenger side with this problem! I have no money to purchase a car and now my lifeline to support my family is broke!

   NHTSA complaint 11446098
5. Filed Jan 2, 2022Failure Jan 2, 2022Fairfield Township, OHUnknown or other

   The passenger side rear wheel well has rusted out and the brake mount is deteriorating as well affecting the safety of the vehicle. I have been told that this is a common issue on Mazda Tribute and Ford Escape models for the years 2001-2005 by my mechanic as well as Mazda dealer reps. They stated the 2001-2004 models were recalled but not the 2005. However, t hey mentioned that these should likely have been recalled as well. One would think that if you take care of your car that the components of the frame should not rust out.

   NHTSA complaint 11445860
6. Filed Oct 7, 2021Failure Mar 5, 2018Kansas City, KSUnknown or other

   I have found several complaints on the 2005 Mazda Tribute with the rear wheel well rusting out. Mazda did a recall on the 2004 but not the 2005. I previously had to replace the rear wheel in 2018 and it now needs replaced again due to rusting. With the number of complaints I have read, along with the outrageous cost to repair, I do not understand why Mazda, nor the NHTSA have done anything about this. A recall NEEDS to be issued ASAP.

   NHTSA complaint 11435888
7. Filed Sep 17, 2021Failure Sep 17, 2021Louisville, KYSuspension

   The wheel well rusted out, completely leaving the shock tower and stability of the car at risk, rusted out completely, I'm a light backyard mechanic and I've seen the Ford do the same . The repair is almost the value of the car, and unless you trust them your basically buying a new vehicle, because while you're there may change the set of shock's and absorber that's about 700. To include. This car had a rumor of being as good as the Everlasting Santa Fe, and Toyota 4runner. Vehicle is in pristine shape aside from the fatal rust.. recall recall recall recall

   NHTSA complaint 11433399
8. Filed May 9, 2021Failure May 8, 2021Taunton, MABody, Suspension, Unknown or other

   AS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER MAZDA TRUBUTES, THE WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED THROUGH AND THE STRUT IS NO LONGER HELD IN PLACE, YET PROTRUDING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THAT REQUIRED A RECALL FOR OTHER MAZDA TRIBUTES, BUT NOT THE 2005 VERSION. ACCORDING TO MANY FORUMS, THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER 05 TRIBUTES.

   NHTSA complaint 11415738
9. Filed Apr 20, 2021Failure Apr 19, 2021180,000 milesManawa, WIBody

   RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK BROKE THROUGH AND INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SEVER RUST ON RIGHT SIDE OF FRONT SUB FRAME AS WELL. I CAME ACROSS THIS PERFORMING GENERAL MAINTENANCE.

   NHTSA complaint 11413086
10. Filed Feb 5, 2021Failure Feb 5, 2021180,000 milesVilla Ridge, MOBody, Suspension, WheelsCrash

    RIGHT REAR FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT ENOUGH TO CAUSE BRAKE AND SHOCK ISSUES CAUSING A PERFECTLY GOOD VEHICLE TO BECOME UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHERS. THE SHOCK AND BRAKE LINE BROKE AND THE VEHICLE SLID TO A STOP.

    NHTSA complaint 11394906
11. Filed Nov 17, 2020Failure Jul 30, 2020138,000 milesMedford, ORAir bags, Vehicle speed control

    CRUISE, BLAKE PEDAL HARD TO PRESS WHEN CRUISE IS ON. AIR BAG LITE ON 99 PERCENT OF THE TIME

    NHTSA complaint 11375079
12. Filed Sep 3, 2020Failure Sep 3, 2020153,000 milesCharles Town, WVService brakesCrash1 injured

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AS, A RESULT THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. THE OTHER DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11352915
13. Filed Jul 13, 2020Failure Jul 10, 202030 milesWashington, NJBody

    BOUGHT CAR FOR MY SON. NOTICED A BAMGING NOISE IN REAR RIGHT BACK SOME OF CAR. LOOKED AT WHEEL WELL, COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, A BIG HOLE. OTHER UNDER BODY RUST. THE 2000-2004 CARS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THEY CONTINUED TO APPLY DEFECT. AM AFRAID THE SHOCK ABSORBER WILL FALL OFF.MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME THING. MAZDA SHOULD RECALL THIS VEHICLE, IT IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT THEY NEVER FIXED AFTER RECALL. THIS IS MY SON'S FIRST CAR, WORRIED ABOUT HIS SAFETY.

    NHTSA complaint 11339186
14. Filed Jun 4, 2020Failure Jun 4, 2020123,000 milesMountain Grove, MOVehicle speed control

    VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY; TRIED APPLYING THE BRAKE, TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL, PRESSING THE DECELERATE BUTTON, NOTHING WORKED. I HAD TO APPLY A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE TO THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE ENOUGH TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD. I SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV UNCONTROLLABLY. I TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF AND OPENED THE HOOD TO INVESTIGATE. THE THROTTLE CABLE ON THE CRUISE CONTROL SERVO HAD ROTATED UP TO ABOUT A 30-DEGREE ANGLE AND HAD THE THROTTLE HELD OPEN. I ROTATED THE CABLE BACK DOWN TO ITS NORMAL POSITION AND THE THROTTLE SNAPPED FREE. I WILL NOT USE THE CRUISE CONTROL AGAIN UNTIL THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED. I WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO OVER 80 MPH WHILE I WAS TRYING TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 11327222
15. Filed Apr 27, 2020Failure May 1, 2019175,000 milesLong Grove, ILBody, Suspension

    THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT SUCH THAT THE SUSPENSION IS NOW PROTRUDING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN REGULAR RATTLING FROM THE AREA PROGRESSED INTO LOUD BANGS WITH EACH BUMP. THE MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED STATED THAT THE RUST WAS ABNORMAL, EVEN FOR THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA, AND THAT NONE OF THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS EXHIBITED ANY SIGNS OF RUSTING. HE STATED IT WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THAT THIS CONDITION WAS MOST LIKELY THE RESULT OF SOME SORT OF MANUFACTURING DEFECT (AS OPPOSED TO REGULAR AND EXPECTED OXIDATION).

    NHTSA complaint 11322447
16. Filed Mar 10, 2020Failure Aug 1, 2019106 milesHamilton, AABody

    MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE HAS BEEN TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT NEW. THE CAR HAS BEEN RUST PROOFED SEVERAL TIMES, SERVICED REGULARLY AND ALWAYS WASHED AND WAXED SEVERAL TIMES, AND BEYOND, SINCE OWNERSHIP. THAT BEING SAID, MY 2005 VEHICLE LOOKS QUITE IMMACULATE FOR ITS AGE, EXCEPT FOR THE EVER-INCREASING SEVERE RUST ISSUE ON THE RIGHT REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL, WHICH I HAVW TRIED TO FIX, AND KEEP UP ON, BUT HAS NOW RUSTED RIGHT THROUGH, AND CAUSED THE SHOCK TO PROTRUDE INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. NOW MY MECHANIC CLAIMS HE CANNOT SERVICE MY VEHICLE FOR ANYTHING ELSE (EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE ISSUES I NEED TO ADDRESS ARE IMPORTANT AND CRITICAL TO THE USE OF MY VEHICLE. I AM NOW IN A PREDICAMENT, SINCE THE COST TO REPAIR THIS DAMAGE IS VERY HIGH, SO HIGH, IT EXCEEDS THE CURRENT VALUE OF THE VEHICLE, AND I AM ENRAGED THAT MAZDA HAS NOT TAKEN ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS CLEAR FACTORY DEFECT. I SAY A CLEAR FACTORY DEFECT, SINCE THIS EXACT ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED, AND RECALLED, IN THE SAME VEHICLE FOR YEARS 2001-2004, BUT NOT FOR 2005. IN ADDITION, I HAVE MET SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE WHO HAVE/ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, REGARDLESS OF HOW WELL THEY HAVE MAINTAINED THEIR VEHCILE. MOREOVER, I CAN FIND THE EXACT SAME ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE ON ENDLESS WEBSITES ONLINE, HUNDREDS, MORE ACCURATELY, THOUSANDS OF TIMES! FOR MAZDA TO STILL NOT HAVE RECALLED THIS ISSUE IS UNFAIR, RIDICULOUS AND VERY WRONG TO LOYAL MAZDA CUSTOMERS. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A VEHICLE I CANNOT DRIVE DUE TO A REPAIR I CANNOT AFFORD, BUT A REPAIR THAT I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE TIME, MONEY, MAINTENANCE AND CARE IVE PUT INTO THE OWNERSHIP OF MY CAR. IN ADDITION, THIS ISSUE IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND COULD EASILY CAUSE HARM TO A PERSON DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, A PASSENGER, OR EVEN AN INNOCENT PEDESTRIAN WHEN POPPING THROUGH THE FLOOR, OR AT ANY OTHER STAGE OF WEARING.

    NHTSA complaint 11317435
17. Filed Jan 17, 2020Failure Jan 8, 202097,000 milesOmaha, NEBody

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WOODHOUSE MAZDA LOCATED AT 6603 L ST, OMAHA, NE 68117, (402) 592-1000, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT REAR SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11300196
18. Filed Dec 5, 2019Failure Dec 4, 2019149,000 milesMetuchen, NJHatchback/liftgate, Vehicle speed control

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING, THE LIFTGATE FLEW OPEN AND SEVERAL GROCERY ITEMS FELL ONTO THE STREET. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CLOSED THE LIFTGATE. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME WITHOUT ANY FURTHER ISSUES. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11287149
19. Filed Nov 18, 2019Failure Nov 16, 2019132,000 milesCouncil Bluffs, IASuspension

    HAVE HAD VEHICLE SINCE NEW IN 2005. PASSENGER SIDE REAR WELL SEVERELY RUSTED OUT, UPPER PORTION OF SHOCK HAS BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME AND MOUNTING BRACKET DISINTEGRATED. SHOCK SWAYING FROM BEING DETACHED AND BODY SHOPS WILL NOT TOUCH DUE TO LIABILITY ISSUES. VEHICLE UNABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL.

    NHTSA complaint 11280961
20. Filed Oct 25, 2019Failure Oct 23, 2019150,000 milesCottage Grove, MNBody, Suspension

    WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE ON A PAVED CITY STREET, I NOTICED A SUDDEN LOUD CLANKING/POUNDING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE, REAR WHEEL WELL AREA. ASSUMED IT WAS A BAD SHOCK BUT SOON DISCOVERED THAT THE THE WHEEL WELL HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT, THERE IS NOW A HOLE TO THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. SOME, BUT NOT MUCH RUST ELSEWHERE ON THE VEHICLE (THE OTHER THREE WHEEL WELLS LOOK GREAT), BUT THAT PART OF THE VEHICLE RUSTED THROUGH TO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NOT DRIVEABLE ANYMORE UNTIL THIS IS ADDRESSED. THE VEHICLE ITSELF IS VERY MECHANICALLY SOUND AND WILL CARED FOR. THERE ARE LOTS OF EXAMPLES ON ONLINE FORUMS OF THIS EXACT ISSUE, ON BOTH TRIBUTES AND FORD ESCAPES. APPARENTLY THERE IS A RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES 01-04, BUT NO FURTHER. EXACT SAME ISSUE, EXACT SAME WHEEL WELL. PLEASE HELP!

    NHTSA complaint 11271070