The 2006 Mazda Tribute has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 221,482 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 181 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. 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.
VISIBILITY05V5250002005-11-173,982 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
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.
Complaints by component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
44
3crashes1injuries
ENGINE
16
2crashes1fires1injuries2deaths
POWER TRAIN
12
SUSPENSION
12
STRUCTURE:BODY
10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
8
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
7
AIR BAGS
6
2crashes2injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
5
Total complaints181
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“2006 mazada tribute- consumer sent a request to mazda north america to request estimate for cost of repair for replacement of the sensor and switches on the doors and service to the "door ajar" alarm system. Mazda customer care stated they wouldn't be able to provide assistance in the issue. The…”
“2006 mazada tribute- consumer sent a request to mazda north america to request estimate for cost of repair for replacement of the sensor and switches on the doors and service to the "door ajar" alarm system. Mazda customer care stated they wouldn't be able to provide assistance in the issue. The…”
“We purchased a used 2006 mazda tribute with about 83,000 miles on it from a car dealer. Less than 2 months after purchasing it, the timing chain broke and the engine failed. The engine failed after the car was parked and we attempted to restart it.”
“The 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”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mazda tribute. When the contact's son exited the vehicle and shut the door, the front driver and passenger air bags, along with the side air bags deployed. The contact and passenger were both injured, but did not receive medical attention. A police report was filed and…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mazda tribute. While driving 85 mph and depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle accelerated without warning. The brake pedal had to be depressed multiple times to slow the vehicle down. The contact drove the vehicle home. Also, while the vehicle was in drive, it…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mazda tribute. While driving 85 mph and depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle accelerated without warning. The brake pedal had to be depressed multiple times to slow the vehicle down. The contact drove the vehicle home. Also, while the vehicle was in drive, it…”
“Gas pedal sticks making it hard to accelerate. Dangerous when in traffic and gas pedal will not move. Whether it is summer or winter trying to accelerate is becoming very dangerous when driving.”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2006 Mazda Tribute as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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