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Electrical systemPart report

2005 Mazda Tribute Electrical system Problems

Complaints
19about this part
Share
5%of 377 total for the year
Median mileage
100,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Mazda Tribute, 5% of the 377 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Takata recall this 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving down the road the light start to flash and there is a car that shows up on my dash I have had this looked at. And everyone said it was wiring problems this SUV has almost. Had me hit and in a car wreck. Because. It will shut down and no pull a hill. Or lose it power.”

NHTSA complaint #10816296, filed 2015-12, 220,000 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

“My 2005 Mazda Tribute I-4, with 19,000 miles on it, experienced an alternator failure. The battery light came on and I was advised by the dealer to bring the car in because it might die. My vehicle is now being held for about a week, because they have told me that alternators for this vehicle are back-ordered. I wonder if they are back ordered because other failures have occurred at very low mileage on the vehicles.”

NHTSA complaint #10160388, filed 2006-06, 19,300 miles

“In 2007 vehicle check engine light started flashing and came on. Before I could reach a dealer or shop the car completely stopped working in a construction zone. Dealer said there was a short in the electrical system and fried the main computer. Computer was replaced and electrical connections checked. Dealer found several electrical connections that were loose. I believe this is a direct result of the other electrical issues that caused a recall on the Tribute / escape.”

NHTSA complaint #10258067, filed 2009-02, 100,000 miles

“The vehicle was initially in the shop to repair shock tower on the right rear which was completed rusted out, that expense cost $1200, within the week, while driving 40mph, the check engine light came on, then the ABS light, then the car began to slow to a stop. The car felt like it was in neutral, there was no control of the car. I placed the car into park, I was along the side of the highway. The car was towed back to the shop and needed repair of fuel injection, engine computer, spark plugs and ignition coils. The total cost of repairs came to $1500 dollars. …”

NHTSA complaint #10644307, filed 2014-10, 101,655 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2011114%
201038%
200939%
2008157%
2006108%
2005195%
200432%
2003158%
20024111%
20018114%

Other parts of the 2005 Mazda Tribute

Suspension
137 complaintsBody and structure
126 complaintsVehicle speed control
85 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsEngine
23 complaintsWheels
22 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Mazda Tribute

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology