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Mazda TributeModel year report

2005 Mazda Tribute Problems

Complaints
377filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
101,000miles, 312 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Mazda Tribute (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2005 Mazda Tribute most often describe rust in the passenger-side rear wheel well that eventually lets the upper shock mount come loose, and a throttle or accelerator pedal that sticks or surges. Both tend to appear on vehicles with many miles, and several complaints say dealers could not or would not address them.

  1. Body and structure

    Rear wheel-well rust and shock mount failure

    • 190 complaints (50%)
    • median 121,605 mi at 11.4 yrs old (168 state mileage)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $1,500 (median of 19 quotes)
    • filed 2005–2024

    Complaints describe the rear wheel well - usually the passenger side - rusting through until the upper shock absorber mount separates from the body. Owners often first notice a banging or clunking from the back over bumps, and say the shock is left hanging or poking into the cabin. Several report shops declining the repair or calling the vehicle unfit to drive once the rust is advanced. Some note that earlier model years were covered by a recall while their 2005 was not. Mostly reported between roughly 80,000 and 180,000 miles, often noticed during routine service or after a sudden banging noise over bumps.

    What to check: Look closely at the inner rear wheel wells from below, especially the passenger side, for bubbling, holes or rust around the upper shock mount. Ask whether the shock mount area has been repaired or reinforced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Upon bringing my 2005 Mazda Tribute into the Mazda service center for unrelated repairs and maintenance, I was informed that the right rear wheel well was heavily rusted and the shock would soon break through the rust and disengage from the vehicle. I contacted Mazda corporation to initiate a complaint and investigation. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10763191, filed 2015-09, 109,000 miles

    “I had a rattling noise that started coming from the right rear and sounded like something was bouncing around in the back compartment. It got worse fast. I was stunned to find not only the right wheel well, but both sides completely rusted through and the shocks were ready to break away from the mounts. Both my mechanic shop and a reputable body shop independently told me that this vehicle is not safe to drive. The body shop is hesitant to touch it. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10691865, filed 2015-03, 126,525 miles
  2. Vehicle speed control

    Sticky or surging accelerator pedal

    • 101 complaints (27%)
    • median 70,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (85 state mileage)
    • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $400 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2005–2020

    Owners describe the accelerator pedal sticking, sometimes closed so it takes a hard push to move, sometimes holding throttle so the car surges or lunges from a stop. Several say the problem is worse in cold weather. Complaints mention throttle body cleaning or replacement, accelerator cable replacement and carbon buildup, and some report the sticking returning after repairs or the dealer not finding a fault. Reported from very low mileage up through about 120,000 miles, with many owners noting it in cold weather.

    Recall 12V357000

    What to check: With the engine off, press and release the pedal slowly and feel for any binding, and ask whether the throttle body has been cleaned or replaced. A recall (12V357000) covers a related stuck-throttle condition on V6 models with speed control, so check by VIN whether it was performed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was driving at 50 MPH and the gas peddle stuck, I was unable to accelerate, I had to slowly brake. It happened about 3 times, I took the 2005 Tribute to the dealer where they were unable to find out why this was happening, but did tell me they had never heard of this before. Thank god my children were not with me.”

    NHTSA complaint #10179258, filed 2007-01, 125,000 miles

    “Gas pedal sticks in the up-position. No matter how hard I step on the gas pedal, it will not unjam until it's ready to. This has happened over 50 times, but the worst was yesterday when it happened in the middle of heavy traffic. I was almost stopped by the time the accelerator became unstuck, and the pressure I was applying caused the vehicle to jump forward, squealing the tires. Unnerving and dangerous!”

    NHTSA complaint #10329374, filed 2010-05, 92,000 miles
  3. Engine

    Stalling, misfire and ignition coil or control module

    • 22 complaints (6%)
    • median 103,750 mi at 10.0 yrs old (18 state mileage)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2005–2018

    Complaints describe the engine misfiring, stalling without warning at speed, or refusing to restart, with some tracing it to failed coils, spark plugs or the engine control module. A few report smoke or fire from the ignition coil area. Owners say diagnosis usually led to replacing the coils, plugs and computer. Typically reported between about 90,000 and 140,000 miles while driving.

    What to check: Ask for service records on ignition coils, spark plugs and the engine computer, and watch for a check-engine light or rough running on a test drive.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving the SUV had a couple of misfires and then shut off completely with no warning. Thankfully was able to coast to the side of the road. If this had happened on a major highway there could have been an accident and worse, fatality. Now the computer, coils, and plugs need to be replaced.”

    NHTSA complaint #10564811, filed 2014-02, 105,000 miles

    “The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department reported to the scene and concluded that the fire began on the passenger side of the engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.”

    NHTSA complaint #10470804, filed 2012-08, 95,000 miles
  4. Body and structure

    Airbags not deploying in a crash

    • 11 complaints (3%)
    • median 104,585 mi at 9.1 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2006–2020

    Several owners describe collisions in which the airbags did not deploy, sometimes with the airbag warning light on afterward or a seat belt that would not tension. Some report repeat warning lights after a paid repair. Reported across a wide mileage range, in frontal and side impacts.

    Recall 06V116000

    What to check: Confirm the airbag warning light goes out after startup and ask whether any airbag or seat belt repairs have been done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “May 9,2006 involved in front end collision when a vehicle pulled out in front of me with approx. 3 feet notice, hit vehicle in drivers side door with the complete front end of my vehicle at 35 MPH. Vehicle damaged to the point of breaking air conditioning compressor. I was wearing my seat belt and jerked forward on impact and air bag states that it deployed but it never deployed. I am now currently seeing physicians and specialist for neurosurgery. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10159966, filed 2006-06, 22,609 miles

    “Takata recall my seat belts do not tighten and my airbag light was fixed but is now on again I've been told that my airbag and seatbelt will probably not work properly and my locks are also not working properly. I paid $300 the first time to fix the airbag light and driver side seat belt. It was only fixed for about 3 months and now the light is on again and I have to keep children out of the passenger side back seat because that seat belt does not tension properly”

    NHTSA complaint #11141733, filed 2018-10, 121,770 miles

Buying note. Check the rear wheel wells for rust around the shock mounts before anything else, and test the accelerator pedal for sticking. Service records for the throttle body, ignition coils and brakes will tell you how well the vehicle has been maintained.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 377 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mazda Tribute. 312 of the complaints include a mileage, and 18% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 101,000 miles. Of all complaints, 16 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 13 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 123 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Air bags (11), Electronic stability control (4), Seat belts (4), Seats (4), Equipment (3), Exterior lighting (3), Engine cooling (2), Steering (2), Tires (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2).

Example complaints

Suspension: “The rear wheel well rusted out causing the shock to poke a hole thru the back of my cargo area. This created a very dangerous situation for driving. My son was driving the vehicle and almost lost complete control over the car due to this. Mazda has recalled 2004 and older for this exact problem but they have not recalled 2005.”

NHTSA complaint #11118135, filed 2018-08, 99,997 miles

Body and structure: “My 2005 Mazda Tribute awd s is rusted out in the right rear wheelhouse along with the shock tower. Not drivable and sitting stationary. Why recalls only up to 2004 models? Very disappointed. Doesn't make sense as there are many complaints on this issue. I have a car not drivable and no money for a new one. Retired with a fixed income. Help!!??”

NHTSA complaint #10851161, filed 2016-03, 112,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “I have read over 200 complaints of Mazda Tribute 2005 gas pedal sticking and can not be depressed. I have had this problem on several occasions where I will stop at a light or stop sign and will try to depress my gas pedal and it will not move. I have almost been reared ended several times because of this. I have also issued a complaint to NHTSA before in regards to this.”

NHTSA complaint #10450880, filed 2012-03, 30,000 miles

Brakes: “I purchased my 2005 Mazda Tribute brand new from martin Mazda, located in newark, de. My vehicle has never been in an accident and I just drive it back and forth to work. In january I started hearing a loud noise in the rear of my vehicle which started to get louder and louder. It sounded like something in the rear of the vehicle was bouncing/rattling around. On february 10, 2015 I took my car to nucar Mazda in new castle who has serviced my vehicle since 2005. …”

NHTSA complaint #10702000, filed 2015-03, 110,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

18% of the 312 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 69,000 and 135,000 miles.

6%0–103%10–259%25–509%50–7520%75–10037%100–15016%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (312 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 101,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’06’09’12’1555’18’21’24
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Mazda Tribute. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Tribute · sedan not rated4 / 4——3 · 20.9% risk
Tribute · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2005 Mazda Tribute version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Tribute 2WD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual212724$2,800
Tribute 2WD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192321$3,200
Tribute 2WD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172319$3,550
Tribute 4WD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual192421$3,200
Tribute 4WD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic172018$3,700
Tribute 4WD3.0L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162017$3,950

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2005 Mazda Tribute → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 123 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 123 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mazda Tribute

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20117103,0000323—Not enough data
20103957,6342—2350 · TypicalFalling
20093585,2001—2331 · FewerFalling
200820282,0004—22100 · MoreFalling
200613075,5002—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2005377101,0003—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2004157100,0005—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200319974,6766—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200238468,5577—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200156368,53813—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
2000548,0000———Not enough data

All Mazda Tribute model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

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

Owners of the 2005 Mazda Tribute most often describe rust in the passenger-side rear wheel well that eventually lets the upper shock mount come loose, and a throttle or accelerator pedal that sticks or surges. The issues reported most often: Rear wheel-well rust and shock mount failure; Sticky or surging accelerator pedal; Stalling, misfire and ignition coil or control module.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Mazda Tribute have?

NHTSA recorded 377 consumer complaints for the 2005 Mazda Tribute as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2005 Mazda Tribute is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 137 complaints (36% of the total), followed by body and structure with 126.

Has the 2005 Mazda Tribute been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Mazda Tribute get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Mazda Tribute (Tribute 2WD, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Mazda Tribute reported?

Among the 312 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 101,000 miles and the middle half falls between 69,000 and 135,000 miles; 18% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.