NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 2005 Mazda Tribute.
| Overall Rating | Not Rated |
| Frontal Crash | Not Rated |
| Side Crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
| Overall Rating | Not Rated |
| Frontal Crash | Not Rated |
| Side Crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover |
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Consequence: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
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.
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?
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 exact problem especially when manufactured in 2004! This is serious and I had my granddaughter with me when this happened and yet Mazda wants to do nothing about it when it’s a serious hazard and ongoing problem with the 2005’s. It is always the back passenger side with this problem! I have no money to purchase a car and now my lifeline to support my family is broke!
The 2005 Mazda Tribute has 4 NHTSA recalls and 383 consumer complaints on file. It received an overall safety rating of Not Rated out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash testing. The high number of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns — review the complaint details above before purchasing. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
Enter a specific VIN to get the full report — specs, recalls, safety ratings, complaints, investigations, and technical service bulletins.
Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
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.
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.
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
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.
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.
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 the 2001-2004 models were recalled but not the 2005. However, t hey mentioned that these should likely have been recalled as well. One would think that if you take care of your car that the components of the frame should not rust out.
I have found several complaints on the 2005 Mazda Tribute with the rear wheel well rusting out. Mazda did a recall on the 2004 but not the 2005. I previously had to replace the rear wheel in 2018 and it now needs replaced again due to rusting. With the number of complaints I have read, along with the outrageous cost to repair, I do not understand why Mazda, nor the NHTSA have done anything about this. A recall NEEDS to be issued ASAP.
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, because while you're there may change the set of shock's and absorber that's about 700. To include. This car had a rumor of being as good as the Everlasting Santa Fe, and Toyota 4runner. Vehicle is in pristine shape aside from the fatal rust.. recall recall recall recall
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 PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER 05 TRIBUTES.
RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK BROKE THROUGH AND INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SEVER RUST ON RIGHT SIDE OF FRONT SUB FRAME AS WELL. I CAME ACROSS THIS PERFORMING GENERAL MAINTENANCE.
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.
CRUISE, BLAKE PEDAL HARD TO PRESS WHEN CRUISE IS ON. AIR BAG LITE ON 99 PERCENT OF THE TIME
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.
BOUGHT CAR FOR MY SON. NOTICED A BAMGING NOISE IN REAR RIGHT BACK SOME OF CAR. LOOKED AT WHEEL WELL, COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, A BIG HOLE. OTHER UNDER BODY RUST. THE 2000-2004 CARS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THEY CONTINUED TO APPLY DEFECT. AM AFRAID THE SHOCK ABSORBER WILL FALL OFF.MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME THING. MAZDA SHOULD RECALL THIS VEHICLE, IT IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT THEY NEVER FIXED AFTER RECALL. THIS IS MY SON'S FIRST CAR, WORRIED ABOUT HIS SAFETY.
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
THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT SUCH THAT THE SUSPENSION IS NOW PROTRUDING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN REGULAR RATTLING FROM THE AREA PROGRESSED INTO LOUD BANGS WITH EACH BUMP. THE MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED STATED THAT THE RUST WAS ABNORMAL, EVEN FOR THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA, AND THAT NONE OF THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS EXHIBITED ANY SIGNS OF RUSTING. HE STATED IT WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THAT THIS CONDITION WAS MOST LIKELY THE RESULT OF SOME SORT OF MANUFACTURING DEFECT (AS OPPOSED TO REGULAR AND EXPECTED OXIDATION).
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