2005 Mazda Tribute recalls and problems

The 2005 Mazda Tribute has 3 recalls and 377 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is suspension.

How the 2005 compares

High

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 12 Tribute model years — 3rd most.

3recalls

377complaints

16crashes

4fires

13injuries

101,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

3 recalls

Engine

Jul 27, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V357000 · 217,500 vehicles

Problem: 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. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Risk: 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 & notes

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.

Mazda's recall campaign number is 6812G.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Seats

Apr 12, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V116000 · 23,100 vehicles

Problem: 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 a-pillar trim area.

Original NHTSA wording

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 A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.

Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants May occur.

Original NHTSA wording

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.

Remedy & notes

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.

Mazda recall no. 4006D.customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Latches/locks/linkages

Dec 23, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V605000 · 49,800 vehicles

Problem: 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 system does not meet the inertia load requirement in one direction.

Original NHTSA wording

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 SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

Risk: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it May open during a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

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.

Mazda recall no. 2804L. Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Suspension137

Structure126

Vehicle Speed Control85

Engine25

Wheels22

Unknown or other19

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2005 vs. other Mazda Tribute years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2005. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2005 Mazda Tribute have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2005 Mazda Tribute, the latest from Jul 27, 2012 (engine). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mazda Tribute?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention suspension (137), structure (126), vehicle speed control (85). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.