The 2005 Mazda Tribute has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 290,400 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 542 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12V3570002012-07-27217,500 affected
Defect
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. …
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.
SEATS06V1160002006-04-1223,100 affected
Defect
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOON ROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND…
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING…
Consequence
IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Complaints by component
SUSPENSION
134
1crashes
STRUCTURE:BODY
107
3crashes1injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
75
2crashes2injuries
ENGINE
23
1crashes2fires1injuries
WHEELS
21
1crashes
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
16
1fires
POWER TRAIN
14
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES
11
2crashes1injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
10
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints542
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Passenger rear shock mount toatly rusted through. A big hole!”
“Passenger rear shock mount toatly rusted through. A big hole!”
“Rear passenger shock mount rusted out completely”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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,…”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2005 Mazda Tribute as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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