2005 Mazda Tribute Complaint Log

BOTH REAR WHEEL WELL HOUSINGS , SUB FRAME , MAIN SUPPORTS RUSTED OUT , CAR NOW CANNOT BE DRIVEN. BROKE WHEN IT WAS BEING DRIVEN, CAR SANK DOWN ON PASSENGER SIDE , STARTED MAKING ALOUD POUNDING SOUND , IT HAPPENED ON A BUSY CITY STREET.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL BANGING/CLACKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SWAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (KINGS FORD INC., 9555 KINGS AUTO MALL RD, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45249) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL WELL ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS RUSTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A BODY SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

REAR SHOCK TOWERS EXCESSIVE RUST.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT'S WIFE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FIRE; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 187,000.

RIGHT (PASSENGER) REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT SO THAT SHOCK IS EXPOSED AND UNATTACHED. SUSPENSION AFFECTED TO THE EXTENT THAT CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

MY REAR SEATBELTS DO NOT WORK. VEHICLE TURNS OFF WHILE ON HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE AIRBAG BUTTLE SAYS NO AIRBAGS IN CAR. THE CAR JUMPS WHEN REACHING 50 MPH

OUR 2005 TRIBUTE MODEL HAS THE SAME RUSTING OUT OF THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL WELLS THAT THE 2001-2004 MODELS OF THE TRIBUTE HAVE EXPERIENCED. THOSE MODELS WERE REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL, BUT THIS YEAR'S MODEL AND FORWARD STILL HAVE THE SAME RUSTING OUT PROBLEM. DEALERS FOR MAZDA AND FORD WON'T EVEN LOOK AT THIS TO REPAIR IT. CAR IS NOW BASICALLY UNDRIVABLE. AND FROM WHAT I'VE FOUND, MAZDAWORLD.COM SAYS THAT MOST OF THESE VEHICLE WERE ACTUALLY MANUFACTURED IN 2004 BUT DATED TO 2005 MODEL YEAR. BUT AVOIDED THE 2004 RECALL BECAUSE OF THIS I CAN FIND A KIT ON EBAY TO FIX, BUT NO DEALERS WILL DO THE WORK. THERE HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS, BUT NO ACTION ON THIS KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS EXISTED IN PRIOR MODEL DESIGNS.

THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND CRACKING. AS THE BODY SHOP OWNER EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE TRIBUTES. I THEN LOOKED ONLINE TO FIND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON

ON JULY 12, 2017 WHILE DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK I NOTICED SEVERAL LOUD THUMPS COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY CAR. I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION TO SEE WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM AND NOTICED THAT MY RIGHT WEAR WHEEL WELL HAD RUSTED OUT. I WALKED OVER TO THE LEFT SIDE AND NOTICED NO EROSION OR RUST. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE TO A NEAR BODY SHOP AND THE TOTAL TO REPLACE THIS WOULD BE OVER $2,000. I ALSO SEARCHED ON THE WEB AND FOUND A WEBSITE CALLED ABOUTAUTOMOBLE.COM WHO HAD A LIST OF 51 OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS AS MINE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CHECKED AND FOND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED OUT. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (OAKLAWN MAZDA IN OAKLAWN, ILLINOIS) WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

SEAT BELT IS STICKING AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO UNBUCKLE. ALTERNATOR BURNED OUT,LEARNED THAT TAJATA HAD A RECALL ON 2005 MAZDAS AND NEED TO KNOW IF MY 2005 TRIBUTE SERIES S IS EFFECTED. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL MAY HAVE ACCELERATION PROPULSION GETTING STUCK. NEED ANY DOCUMENTATION YOUR AGENCY HAS SENT SNAIL MAIL TO [XXX] ,[XXX] PHONE [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

I HEARD A LOUD CREAKING/THUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AREA WHILE DRIVING OVER ANY SIZE BUMP/DEPRESSION ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. LOOKING CLOSER, I SAW THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THE METAL AROUND THAT PARTICULAR SHOCK MOUNT HAD RUSTED AND CRACKED, AND THE MOUNT WOULD FLEX INWARDS WHEN THE SHOCK WAS COMPRESSED. THE PROBLEM IS ONLY ON THAT WHEEL, AND IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL, SO IT MUST BE A DESIGN FLAW.

THIS VEHICLE IS OWNED BY ME BUT USED BY MY SON IN COLORADO. ON A RECENT TRIP NEAR MOAB, UT ON THE WAY TO A CAMP SITE, MY SON HEARD A STRANGE NOISE. UPON INVESTIGATION HE NOTED THE FRAME IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HOLDING THE UPPER END OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER HAD BROKEN IN TWO PLACES FROM RUST INTRUSION. AN INSPECTION OF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL INDICATED MINIMAL RUSTING. SINCE THE TIRES WERE RECENTLY REPLACED THIS FAILURE WAS A SURPRISE AS THE MECHANIC DIDN'T NOTE EXCESSIVE RUST, CRACKING OR SIGNS OF METAL FATIGUE. WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURED MY SON WAS DRIVING ON A GRAVEL ROAD TOWARD A DESIGNATED CAMPGROUND JUST A SHORT DISTANCE FROM A PAVED HIGHWAY. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS 4 WHEEL DRIVE, IT WAS NEVER USED IN A ROUGH MANNER SUCH AS FOR 4 WHEELING OR ON ROUGH UNEVEN SURFACES. THIS WAS MY PERSONAL VEHICLE UNTIL A YEAR AGO. WE HAD JUST SPENT $1,500 FOR NEW TIRES, A CARBURATOR REPAIR AND A NEW WINDSHIELD THAT A ROCK HAD CRACKED. IT WAS OUR INTENT TO OWN THE VEHICLE A FEW YEARS LONGER SINCE IT HAS ONLY 135,000 AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION. MY SON WAS ABLE TO SAFELY RETURN TO STEAMBOAT, A 5 HOUR DRIVE FROM MOAB, BUT WAS VERY CONCERNED THE ENTIRE SHOCK WOULD PUSH THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LIST OR DRIFT RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OR A ROLLOVER, I.E. SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. A LOCAL BODY SHOP REFUSED TO MAKE REPAIRS DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. TO MAKE THE VEHICLE SALVAGE BASED ON ITS CURRENT VALUE AND CONDITION IS UNTHINKABLE, YET IF REPAID CANNOT BE MADE AT A REASONABLE COST, THIS MAY BE OUR ONLY CHOICE. MY RESEARCH SUGGEST THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL RUST IS FAIRLY COMMON IN TRIBUTES AND ESCAPES, YET NO RECALL.

BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS RUSTED OUT (PASSENGER SIDE MUCH WORSE) CAUSING SHOCKS TO COME UNMOUNTED. DISCOVERED BY HEARING THUMPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING.

PASSENGER SIDE INNER REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT AND COMPLETELY SEPERATED SHOCK FROM FRAME. I WAS DRIVING ALONG LAST WEEK AND SUDDENLY STARTED HEARING A RATTLING SOUND. I PULLED OVER TO INSPECT ONLY TO FIND NOTHING IN TRUNK. TOOK TRUCK TO MECHANIC ONLY TO BE TOLD THE ENTIRE SHOCK HAD SEPERATED FROM FRAME. THE OTHER WHEEL WELL IS RUST FREE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN MAZDA TRIBUTES ONLY RECALLED FROM 2001-2004, WHEN TRIBUTES FROM 2001-2006 HAVE INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS AND TONS OF PEOPLE ONLINE IN ALL FORUMS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME RUST PROBLEM IN THE SAME LOCATIONS ALL OVER THE US.

RUSTED THROUGH BODY BACK RIGHT WHEEL CAUSING SHOCK TO PUSH THROUGH INSIDE OF CAR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). WHILE IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW VEHICLE, A DEALER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH THE NHTSA WEBSITE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE MOVED TO ANOTHER STATE SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

MAZDA TBONED. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS FRONT AND SIDE DID NOT GO OFF. PASSENGER RECEIVED MAJOR INJURY TO BODY. THE LACK OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING HAD HER HEAD HITTING DASH BOARD PLUS FLYING GLASS. VEHICLE WAS CROSSING STREET. LOW MOTION WHEN OTHER VEHICLE RAN INTO PASSENGER SIDE. DRIVERS AIRBAG WORKED NOT THE 2 ON PASSENGER SIDE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS CLEANING OUT THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.

REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT SO THE SHOCK THAT IS MOUNTED TO SAID WHEEL WELL IS FREELY SWINGING AROUND. MAZDA RECALLED TRIBUTES UP TO THE YEAR 2004 BUT THE 2005 WHICH HAS ESSENTIALLY THE EXACT SAME DESIGN WAS NOT RECALLED. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE WHEEL WELL IS DESIGNED WITH THIN SHEET METAL AND NEITHER THE GRADE NOR THICKNESS PREVENT RUSTING. WHILE THE WHEEL WELL IS DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND THE FORCES GENERATED BY THE SHOCK IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND THOSE FORCES UNDER CONDITIONS IN WHICH THE WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND VERY EASY TO OVER LOOK OR NOT NOTICE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FAILURE AT MEDIUM TO LOW SPEEDS.

THE RIGHT, REAR WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND LOOKS LIKE A MAJOR ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THE SHOCK MOUNT IS CONNECTED TO THIS PORTION OF THE FRAME AND WILL MORE THAN LIKELY SHEAR OFF SOON. UPON SEARCHING THIS ISSUE, IT APPEARS THAT SEVERAL OTHER 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE AND FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT. MAZDA/FORD RECALLED 2001-2004 MODELS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT HAS YET TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM FOR THE 2005 MODEL YEAR. BASED ON THE WIDESPREAD NATURE OF THE PROBLEM, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS A FACTORY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED EITHER WILLINGLY OR UNWILLINGLY.

I WOULD LIKE A COMPLETE REFUND OF ALL DOLLARS SPENT IN ACQUIRING A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE VIN [XXX] ON MARCH 06, 2017 FROM CERTIFIED AUTO BROKERS LLC IN HENDERSONVILLE, TN 37075, LICENSE #[XXX]. (ATTACHED BILL OF SALE) DUE TO SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION DAMAGE, THE FRAME IS LIKELY TO COLLAPSE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR END COLLISION ENDANGERING THE SAFETY OF ITS PASSENGERS, RATHER THAN CRUSH AND ABSORB THE IMPACT AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED TO DO. IN ADDITION, IT IS PRONE TO SWERVE AND POSSIBLY TIP OVER OUT OF CONTROL ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT DUE TO A MISSING PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHOCK THAT WAS NOT DISCLOSED PRIOR TO PURCHASE (PHOTOS ATTACHED). THE LEFT SIDE SHOCK IS WORN OUT AND ALSO READY TO FALL OFF AT ANY MOMENT AS WELL. BECAUSE THE FENDER WELLS ARE RUSTED THROUGH EXHAUST FUMES CAN ENTER THE PASSENGER CABIN WHICH COULD HAVE SERIOUS HEALTH CONSEQUENCES TO ITS INHABITANTS. EVIDENCE SUGGESTS AT SOME POINT THE DAMAGED AREAS WERE COVERED WITH PAINT OR UNDERCOAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO HIDE THESE DEFECTS. THE DRIVE SHAFT, THE FRAME AND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ARE SEVERELY CORROSION DAMAGED. THE PARKING BRAKE IS INOPERATIVE DUE TO RUST AND COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL DOWN HILL WHILE PARKED. THERE IS SIGNIFICANT RUST HIDDEN UNDERNEATH THE FENDER FLARES. HAD I KEPT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED AND ENDANGERED THE LIVES OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. CERTIFIED AUTO BROKERS WAS NEGLIGENT IN REPRESENTING THIS VEHICLE AS BEING IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND SELLING IT WITH KNOWN SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES (REFER TO ATTACHED ADVERTISEMENT). SINCE THE 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE AS SOLD IS UNSAFE, UNFIT FOR THE ROAD AND DOES NOT FULFILL ITS IMPLIED USEFULNESS, I AM ASKING FOR A COMPLETE REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE AND ALL TAXES AND REGISTRATION FEES INCURRED IN PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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

LOUD BANGING FROM REAR OF AUTO DURING DRIVE, FOUND THAT REAR PASSANGER SIDE SHOCK MOUNT AND HOUSING COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. CANNOT DRIVE AUTO AS ITS A SAFETY PROBLEM AS SHOCK IS NOT ATTACHED TO ANYTHING

PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT AND CAUSED REAR SHOCK MOUNT TO BREAK CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. SHOCK MOUNT BROKE WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY ON CITY STREETS. DETERMINED EXTENT OF RUST DAMAGE AFTER THIS EVENT. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL APPEARS TO BE IN MUCH BETTER SHAPE. RESEARCHING IF ANYTHING SIMILAR HAS OCCURRED TO OTHER PEOPLE UNCOVERED FOR ME THAT THIS ISSUE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE 2001 TO 2004 RECALL OF MAZDA TRIBUTES AND SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO THE 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE.

RUST INSIDE THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL HAS CORRODED THE FRAME AND METAL. NOW IT HAS STARTED TO RATTLE AND I'M AFRAID MY CAR WILL DETACH FROM THAT AREA. I'VE HEARD OF MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER BUILT IT VERY POORLY AND EASY FOR WATER AND SALT TO GET IN THAT AREA AND RUST IT OUT. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. THE FORD ESCAPE AND THE MAZDA TRIBUTE ARE KNOW FOR THESE PROBLEMS. I SEE THAT FOR DID A RECALL ON THEIR ESCAPE. MAZDA SHOULD DO THE SAME.

PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL INCLUDING STRUT FOR TOP OF SHOCK ABSORBER RUSTED CAUSING A DANGEROUS CONDITION. IN THE 10 YRS I OWNED THIS CAR, NO IMPENDING FAILURE OF THAT AREA WAS DETECTED IN ALL ANNUAL AND OTHER INSPECTIONS.WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRUCK TRAFFIC ON I87 (PA) I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION, SMELLED BURNING RUBBER, AND TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, EXAMINED THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND WAS ABLE TO REMOVE AND BEND PIECES OF METAL THAT WERE RUBBING ON THE TIRE. THIS IS APPARENTLY A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TRIBUTES AND FORD ESCAPES (2001-?) AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THOSE COMPANIES MULTIPLE TIMES. I WAS ABLE TO CAUTIOUSLY PROCEED DRIVING WITH VEHICLE TO MY DESTINATION. THE CAR IS UNSTABLE WHILE MAKING TURNS, ESPECIALLY IF THE ROAD CAUSES THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TO BOUNCE. NONE OF THE RECALL NOTICES I RECEIVED SINCE BUYING THIS CAR IN 2007 HAVE EVER MENTIONED RIGHT REAR RUST PROBLEMS. IF I HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS IMPENDING DANGEROUS CONDITION I WOULD HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO PREVENT IT. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE MAZDA AND FORD DO THE RIGHT THING TO CORRECT THE OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN 2001-PRESENT (?) TRIBUTES AND ESCAPES?

I WAS DRIVING ON AN ICY ROAD, HEARD A LOUD BANG, FOLLOWED BY A LOUD THUMPING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. IT CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND SLIDE INTO A SNOW BANK. THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK HAD BROKEN LOOSE AND BROKE THROUGH THE INSIDE OF CARGO FLOOR. I NEEDED THE SUV FOR GOING TO WORK AND HAD TO GET IT REPAIRED AT THE COST OF OVER $1000. I FEEL MAZDA SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR BILL. THE WHOLE SHOCK TOWER WAS RUSTED THROUGH.I STILL HAVE A HOLE IN THE INSIDE CARGO FLOOR.

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 REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE MOUNT IS LOOSE ATTACHED TO NOTHING. NOTICED IT WHILE RIDING DOWN A SMOOTH STREET WHEN I HEARD A LOUD THUMP. IN THAT MOMENT I THOUGHT I LEFT MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPEN. I WAS LUCKY I WAS RIDDING ON THE HIGHWAY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE FAILURE FIRST OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2012. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE MOTHERBOARD BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE COMPUTER AND THREE CYLINDERS WERE NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT INQUIRED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND NO INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

INTERSTATE DRIVING, ENGINE LOST POWER. 92,000 MILES. ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS AVAILABLE. MANY REPAIRS FOR LOW MILEAGE. CODES REVEALED 4 COIL PACKS OUT. REPLACED ALL 6. CAR STILL DOES NOT HAVE COMPRESSION. DEAD. SHAME ON YOU MAZDA!!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND FOUND THAT THE SHOCK OF THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS DETACHTED. THE SHOCK WOULD LEAN AGAINST THE TIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TURNED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK WAS DETACHED AND THE AREA WERE THE SHOCK WAS LOCATED WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE INSIDE FINDER PANEL AND THE SHOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED BY A RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

AFTER HITTING A DEER AT ABOUT 45-55 MPH, MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DESPITE SMELLING THE GUNPOWDER USED TO DEPLOY THEM. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH IS ON AS IF THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED

STARTED HEARING BANGING NOISES WHILE DRIVING. FINALLY REALIZED IT WAS COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL, WHICH WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THIS CAUSED THE SHOCK ABSORBER TO DETACH AND BANG ON THE CAR WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR IS IN OTHERWISE GOOD CONDITION, WITH NO OTHER RUST PROBLEMS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THE 2001-2004 MODELS, BUT NOT 2005. *TR

I OWN A 2005 TRIBUTE THAT HAS BEEN KEPT IN METICULOUS CONDITION. ALWAYS GARAGED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR MAINTENANCE. THE VEHICLE RUNS LIKE NEW WITH NO SIGNS OF WEAR AND TEAR, AND HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR. THAT ALL CHANGED WHEN A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET, AND HIT A SMALL PATCH OF BUMPS IN THE ROAD (NOT POTHOLES, JUST NORMAL UNEVEN PAVEMENT SPOTS) AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HEARD A JACKHAMMER NOISE FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAD COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED, LEAVING THE WHEEL/SUSPENSION DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE BODY/FRAME. NOTHING WAS HOLDING THE SUSPENSION TOWER TO THE CAR. HAD I BEEN GOING FASTER OR DIDN'T STOP RIGHT AWAY THIS COULD HAVE KILLED ME. I HAVE THREE SMALL KIDS AND I AM SO UPSET THAT SUCH A DANGEROUS CONDITION IS WELL-KNOWN. THE WAY I FOUND OUT WAS THAT I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE FORD/MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHEN THE NOISE HAPPENED. THEY TOOK IN THE CAR AND CALLED ME THE NEXT MORNING TO SAY THEY WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH IT BECAUSE THEIR CORPORATE FORD/MAZDA POLICY INSTRUCTED THEM NOT TO ACCEPT OR WORK ON VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECT. I'M SHOCKED THAT FORD/MAZDA WOULD CONCEAL SUCH A DANGEROUS KNOWN CONDITION IN THEIR VEHICLES, PUTTING THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AT RISK WITHOUT ANY WARNING. IF I HAD RECEIVED SOME KIND OF NOTIFICATION THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTED I WOULD HAVE GONE TO GET IT FIXED RIGHT AWAY AT MY OWN EXPENSE IF NEEDED, BUT INSTEAD I DROVE THOUSANDS OF MILES ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR IGNORANT TO THE FACT THAT THE CAR COULD HAVE BROKEN APART AND CAUSED US TO CRASH WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR

COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT RIGHT SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND SUSPENSION SUPPORT. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL REVEALED THAT THE SUSPENSION ARM WAS BROKEN AWAY FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE BASED ON A MECHANIC'S OPINION. THE SUSPENSION MOUNT RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY FROM THE WHEEL WELL AND HAS NOW EXPOSED THE INTERIOR PORTION OF THE REAR CARGO AREA. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FRONT SIDE FOR THIS ISSUE FOR UP TO MODEL YEAR '04, BUT NOT INCLUDING '05 WHICH HAS THE SAME BODY??

I WENT TO GET MY OIL CHANGED AND THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME MY REAR WHEEL WELL. THE SHOCK MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. HE SAID HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING THAT BAD. I HAVE TO GO TO A BODY SHOP AND GET A WHOLE NEW WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK SYSTEM. IT IS GOING TO COST AROUND $1100.

WHILE DRIVING LOUD BANGING NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE.RIGHT REAR INNER FENDER WELL AND SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED OUT. SHOCK MOUNT NO LONGER ATTACHED TO VEHICLE. POSSIBLE SUSPENSION COLLAPSE IF DRIVEN. MAZDA ISSUED A PREVIOUS RECALL ON MODELS UP TO 2004.

2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH SHOCK PROTRUDING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. CLEAR FACTORY DEFECT. MAZDA WILL NOT FIX THIS ISSUE.

I AM ALSO A VICTIM OF THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL ROTTING OUT SO BAD THAT IT CAN NOT BE REPAIRED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT . MAZDA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SINCE IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE

WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE. MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT STATING IT WAS A DANGER TO DRIVE THE CAR HE CHECKED WITH A BODY SHOP AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT WANT TO REPAIR BECAUSE OF LIABILITY ISSUES. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD BUMPING NOISE. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK TOWER WAS UNSUPPORTED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A POPPING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSNEGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,720.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR TAIL PIPE HAD FALLEN OFF AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 35 MPH I FELT WHAT APPEARED TO BE A FLAT TIRE. AFTER CHECKING THE TIRE, THERE WAS NOTHING OBVIOUS SHOWING. AT SPEEDS ABOUT 55 MPH THE SENSATION OF A FLAT TIRE CEASED, HOWEVER, AS SOON AS I WOULD SLOW DOWN, IT WOULD RETURN, ALONG WITH A LOUD NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO FIRESTONE TIRE. THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE STRUT HOUSING IS EXPOSED AND THE WHEEL IS AT RISK FOR LITERALLY SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. WE WERE TOLD THAT ANY SMALL REAR IMPACT COULD CAUSE THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE REST OF THE CAR. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND BODY SHOPS WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND REQUIRES OVER $5800 IN REPAIRS. AFTER CONTACTING MAZDA, THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A RECALL AND THE ONLY OFF THEY MADE WAS FOR $1,500-$3,000 OFF THE PURCHASE OF A BRAND NEW MAZDA. WE HAVE CARED FOR OUR VEHICLE IMPECCABLY. IT ONLY HAS 135,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS ALWAYS HAD ALL MAINTENANCE PERFORMED. ALL OTHER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE ARE IN GOOD CONDITION. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WITH THE PARTS THAT WERE USED ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE DURING PRODUCTION. I FIND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ONLY ONE SIDE IN ONE AREA OF THE VEHICLE WOULD RUST OUT LIKE THIS. MAZDA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED.

IN THE REAR PASSENERGER SIDE WHEEL WELL,RUSTED OUT SO BAD REAR SHOCK HAS PULLED AWAY FROM BODY,CAUSING JOLE ALL WSY THRU CAR. SAW ONLINE THIS IS A COMMOM PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND SISTER FORD ESCAPE HEARD RECALLS FOR 02 THRU 04 MODELS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND SHOCK MOUNTS FRACTURED FROM EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

THE UNDERSIDE AND EVEN THE FUEL ENTRY AREA IS RUSTED AND IS BEGINNING TO AFFECT THE EXTERIOR PAINT JOB AROUND THE TRUCK AND DOORS.