2005 Mazda Tribute Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Mazda Tribute, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension13726.3%
- Body & structure12624.2%
- Driver assistance8917.1%
- Other / unspecified254.8%
- Brakes254.8%
- Engine254.8%
- Fuel system203.8%
- Electrical193.6%
- Powertrain (other)142.7%
- Transmission112.1%
- Airbags112.1%
- Seat belts71.3%
- Exterior lighting30.6%
- Interior & seats30.6%
- Tires & wheels20.4%
- Steering20.4%
- Visibility20.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
Passenger rear shock mount toatly rusted through. A big hole!
Rear passenger shock mount rusted out completely
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Passenger rear shock mount toatly rusted through. A big hole!
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?
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
CRUISE, BLAKE PEDAL HARD TO PRESS WHEN CRUISE IS ON. AIR BAG LITE ON 99 PERCENT OF THE TIME
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
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST ACCUMULATION ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED ROUGH DRIVING AND HEARD BANGING NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT DROVE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HER OF THE RUST. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V174000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS), WHICH WAS RELATED TO THE 2001-2004 MODELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *BF*JB
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THIS MAZDA TRIBUTE HAS EXTENSIVE AND UNREPAIRABLE RUST TO THE BODY, UNDERSTRUCTURE AND SUSPENSION PARTS THAN MAKES IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY IS COMPROMISED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, VEHICLE IS PRONE TO VEER OUT OF CONTROL DUE TO MISSING SUSPENSION PIECES AND GAS AND EXHAUST FUMES LEAK INTO THE CABIN DUE TO RUSTED OUT AND MISSING INNER BODY PANELS. *JS
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE WAS NOTICED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, BUT THE PASSENGER ADVISED HER TO RESTART THE ENGINE TO SEE FROM WHERE THE SMOKE WAS ORIGINATING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM THE IGNITION COIL UNDER THE HOOD, PASSENGER LIFT THE HOOD AND IGNITION WENT INTO FLAMES. THE PASSENGER WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ECM, SPARK PLUGS, AND SIX COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER (KINGS COLONIAL FORD, 3565 COMMUNITY RD, BRUNSWICK, GA 31520), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000. *TT *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK AT ANY SPEED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ADJUST THE SPEED CABLE IN ORDER TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO THE ENGINE SIZE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,621.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE INITIALLY STARTED TO BE SPORADICALLY SLUGGISH/HESITATION WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS. IT SEEMED LIKE THERE WAS A DELAY FROM WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL TO WHEN THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY ACCELERATED. ON 6/4/15, A COUPLE DAYS AFTER FIRST EXPERIENCING THE SLUGGISHNESS/HESITANT ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE STALLED/LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 55 MILES PER HOUR ON A BUSY ROAD. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUE ON MY WAY. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO BE SLUGGISH AT ACCELERATION AND WOULD RANDOMLY STALL WHILE DRIVING AND/OR IDLING. AT THIS POINT WITH THE VEHICLE'S MECHANICAL ISSUES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON- EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS SOMETHING MAJOR WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. OVER THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS I HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IN THE SHOP (6/6/15) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL NOT ON- -SO THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY SHOP SUGGESTED REPLACING THE FUEL FILTER AND DO A FUEL SYSTEM CLEAN-- WHICH I DID. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO BE SLUGGISH/HESITANT WHEN ACCELERATING & RANDOMLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND/OR IDLING. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP & THEY INDICATED THE CODE WAS TELLING THEM THAT CYLINDER 2 WAS MISFIRING. NO OTHER CODES WERE READ. ALL THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED, COILS WERE CHECKED (IN GOOD CONDITION). THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN SLUGGISH AND STALL WHILE DRIVING (MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN I WAS GOING 55-65 MPH). ON 6/24/15 THE CAR STALLED AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SHOP & THEY INDICATED THE COMPUTER WAS DEAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CONTACTED MAZDA AND THEY DENIED THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THE MAZDA TRIBUTE COMPUTERS AND SAID IT WAS JUST MY VEHICLE.
CAR STOPS ACCELERATING DUE TO GAS PEDAL BEING STUCK. *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
SENSOR ALARM FOR DOORS IS GOING OFF..CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY TI SOLVED THIS.
BEGAN HEARING LOUD BANGING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. UPON INSPECTION, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHOCK MOUNT IN THE WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN FREE AND THE SHOCK BANGING AROUND. IT HAD PINCHED THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THEY STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. UPON RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD ESCAPES AND MAZDA TRIBUTES OF THIS VINTAGE BUT ONLY ON THE RIGHT REAR. SO MUCH SO COMPANIES LIKE DORMAN MAKE A REPLACEMENT PART FOR IT TO REPLACE THE WHEEL WELL WHICH REQUIRES WELDING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ADDRESS. NEVER HAD THIS HAPPENED TO ANY OTHER VEHICLE.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WITH ODOMETER ~102500 MILES LOST ALL POWER CLIMBING A BRIDGE AT HIGHWAY SPEED CAUSING FOLLOWING TRAFFIC TO STOP ABRUPTLY. ENGINE RE-STARTED BUT RUNS ROUGH DUE TO MISFIRE, ACCELERATES POORLY. DIAGNOSED BY MAZDA DEALER AS PCM FAILURE. ESTIMATED REPLACEMENT COST = $2600 USD WHICH MAKES THIS FAILURE A TOTAL LOSS OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN AND EXPERIENCED ISSUE AMONG 2001 - 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTES FOR THIS FORD MANUFACTURED ENGINE. SIDE NOTE, CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR SAME ISSUES WITH 5.1L ENGINES.
THE RIGHT BACK SIDE BY THE TIRED THE CHASSIS IS ALL RUST IT AND THE SHOCK IS LOOSE I CAN MOVE IT WITH MY HANDS AND THE LEFT SIDE IS ABOUT TO GET LIKE THE OTHER SIDE. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND WOULD NOT RESPOND AND THEN SUDDENLY SLAMMED INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 21,000 MILES IN MARCH 2007 HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF A SECOND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000. UPDATED 12/16/11 *BF
2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE S. CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED TO DIE AT INTERSECTIONS WHEN SHE SLOWED DOWN OR STOPPED. MAZDA SERVICE HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE TORQUE CONVERTER STAYING IN LOCK UP MODE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR STOPPING AT INTERSECTIONS. UPDATED 09/15/11*JB
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
CRUISE, BLAKE PEDAL HARD TO PRESS WHEN CRUISE IS ON. AIR BAG LITE ON 99 PERCENT OF THE TIME
TAKATA RECALL MY SEAT BELTS DO NOT TIGHTEN AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS FIXED BUT IS NOW ON AGAIN I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT MY AIRBAG AND SEATBELT WILL PROBABLY NOT WORK PROPERLY AND MY LOCKS ARE ALSO NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I PAID $300 THE FIRST TIME TO FIX THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. IT WAS ONLY FIXED FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND NOW THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AND I HAVE TO KEEP CHILDREN OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK SEAT BECAUSE THAT SEAT BELT DOES NOT TENSION PROPERLY
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS TUGGED LIGHTLY, THE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
TAKATA RECALL MY SEAT BELTS DO NOT TIGHTEN AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT WAS FIXED BUT IS NOW ON AGAIN I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT MY AIRBAG AND SEATBELT WILL PROBABLY NOT WORK PROPERLY AND MY LOCKS ARE ALSO NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I PAID $300 THE FIRST TIME TO FIX THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT. IT WAS ONLY FIXED FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND NOW THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AND I HAVE TO KEEP CHILDREN OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK SEAT BECAUSE THAT SEAT BELT DOES NOT TENSION PROPERLY
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
FLASHERS CAME ON WHEN CAR WAS STARTED AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. *TR
SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR THE 'DOOR AJAR' LIGHT IS MOSTLY ON--ALL THE TIME. IT IS A MINOR ANNOYANCE; HOWEVER, I AM READING TONS OF OTHER MAZDA TRIBUTE OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. NO ONE I'VE HAD IT TO--INCLUDING THE DEALER--COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. IT CLEARLY IS A DEFECT. SOMETIMES I AM CONCERNED IT WILL POSE A SAFETY ISSUE AS, FOR INSTANCE, IT WILL BE OFF (RARE, BUT SOMETIMES IT TURNS OFF). THEN I ROLL DOWN A WINDOW, OR SOMETIMES DO NOTHING, AND THEN THE LIGHT SUDDENLY COMES ON. IT DINGS AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON IN THE CAR AS THOUGH SOMEONE OPENED A DOOR. I ASK THAT YOU INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND HOLD MAZDA RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH 145000 MILES. DURING THE SUMMER, I FOLDED THE REAR SEATS DOWN IN THE STOWED POSITION TO UTILIZE THE CARGO SPACE TO GO ON VACATION. WHEN I UNSTOWED THE SEATS TO UTILIZE THEM FOR PASSENGER USE, I DISCOVERED THE RIGHT REAR SEAT CUSHION HAD THE FABRIC BURNED OFF THE FACE OF THE SEAT. ALSO, THE FLOOR MAT WAS SEVERELY BURNED AND MELTED INTO THE CARPET. THIS AREA IS JUST ABOVE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. I CONTACTED MZDA AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY PUT MY VEHICLE AND AN ANALYZER AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE. I NEVER HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE, BUT A SAFETY ISSUE! THEY JUST BLEW ME OFF AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I HAVE PHOTO'S OF THE DAMAGE. I CANNOT EVEN PULL THE BACK FLOOR MAT UP DUE TO IT BEING MELTED INTO THE CARPET. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW OLD THE CAR IS, THE INTERIOR IS NOT SUPPOSE TO CATCH FIRE THROUGH NORMAL USE FOR ANY REASON. THERE IS DEFINITELY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS DESIGN. UPDATED 11/16/2010 *BF *TR
I HAVE A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT THE GAS PEDAL STICKS ON. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED TWICE AND IT IS RECURRING. IT IS A BIG SAFETY RISK BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO STICK. IT TYPICALLY STARTS OUT ONLY HAPPENING IN THE MORNING BUT IT PROGRESSES TO ANY TIME THROUGHOUT THE DAY. YOU MAY BE DRIVING AND STOP OR DECELERATE AND THEN WHEN YOU START TO GO YOU CANT BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL IS STUCK. AND IT WILL TAKE MULTIPLE TRIES OF PRESSING IT BEFORE IT WILL GO. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I KNOW I WILL TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY WILL FIX IT AND CHARGE ME AND THEN IN A FEW MONTHS THE PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON WHAT TO DO. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE METAL INTERIOR OF THE SEAT PROTRUDING UNDER THE FABRIC OF THE SEAT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES, SIZE P235/70R16. AND DOT# A30846JB3604. WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TREAD SEPARATED, LOST AIR, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISH TAIL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE HAD TO PURCHASE TWO NEW REAR TIRES BECAUSE HE WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS TREAD SEPARATION ON THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT, STEP GUARD WAS BENT, GLASS WAS CHIPPED IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, AND THE MOLDING IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS BROKEN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,500. UPDATED 08/18/08 *BF UPDATED 08/19/08
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP FOR ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION, THE TWO FRONT TIRES LOOKED EXCESSIVELY WORN. THE INSIDE TREAD OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOWED THE STEEL BAND AND THE PASSENGER SIDE PRESENTED EXCESSIVE WEAR. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES MIGHT HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO COVER THE COST OF NEW TIRES IF A DEFECTIVE PART WAS FOUND DURING THE ALIGNMENT PROCESS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE FAILURE OCCURED WHILE DRIVING A FEW MONTHS AGO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING COMING FROM THE REAR VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY REPAIRS MADE ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURE. THE FAILURE MILLAGE WAS 125,00 THE CONTACT CURRENT MILLAGE WAS 132,00.
POWER STEERING WENT OUT SUDDENLY 2 DAYS AGO. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER CLAIMS THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND SWITCH WERE AFTER MARKET PARTS. THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE AS THE CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY OUR LOCAL MAZDA DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THEY ARE COVERING IT UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND SWITCH WERE "REPLACED". *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER POWER WINDOW FAILURE. NO CAUSE OR RELATED EVENT TRIGGER. OTHER WINDOWS CONTINUE OPERATING NORMALLY. CONSEQUENCE: POTENTIAL DEATHTRAP. *TR
WHEN THE BRAKES OF THE CONSUMER'S 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. *NM THERE WAS A RATTLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE DRIVERS MIRROR VIBRATED, THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR IN THE AUTO DIMMING MIRROR REGISTERED INCORRECTLY, THE WIPER DID NOT HAVE COMPLETE CONTACT WITH THE WINDOW AND THERE WAS A RUST SPOT ON THE INSIDE LIP OF THE MOON ROOF. *SC *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .