2006 Mazda Tribute Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 12%of 130 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,600miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine of the 2006 Mazda Tribute, 12% of the 130 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,600 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Heard noise of knocking rattling 2014-15 had it towed to machanic and they informed me of I needed a new engine. Got it replaced with a jasper rebuilt. Right at 4 years it happens again, one yr after warranty. Researching for either resell value or new engine game across a pleathera of seezed engines and thrown rods. Most vehicles has great body but blown engine.”
NHTSA complaint #11220761, filed 2019-06, 54,000 miles“We purchased a used 2006 Mazda Tribute with about 83,000 miles on it from a car dealer. Less than 2 months after purchasing it, the timing chain broke and the engine failed. The engine failed after the car was parked and we attempted to restart it.”
NHTSA complaint #11374918, filed 2020-11, 83,000 miles“My Mazda Tribute v 6, 3.0 all of a sudden stopped on the highway. I had it towed to my son's house, than to the Mazda dealership. It was at the dealership when I was told what had occurred. My coils had blown out and damaged my (PCM)computer. They said it would cost $2689. I could not afford the dealership's cost so I had it towed again to a private mechanic where he replaced the coils. I went on ebay and found a reasonably priced PCM where it was programmed keys included. My research has LED me into writing this letter. …”
NHTSA complaint #10747206, filed 2015-08, 144,000 miles“On feb 14, 2014 my Mazda Tribute 2006 without any warning engine failure stalled on the road. Engine light malfunctioned no warning about oil level. I was very fortunate that the car did not stall crossing the 26 miles causeway bridge located in new orleans. I called road service brought car to paretti Mazda dealership in metaire louisiana. I was treated extremely badly all service personel were rude and refused to offer any options about my vehicle other than $6200 for engine repair and no explaination why the engine light did not work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10585721, filed 2014-04, 179,000 miles“I was unable to stop my vehicle in time to avoid a collision with another car. It felt to me that I had no control over the car because the engine was racing. I applied the brakes hard but the car would not stop. The traffic light had just changed and I was accelerating to go through the light. That is when the vehicle went out of my control. After the accident, I tried to drive my car away from the scene but the engine was racing and I could not control the car. That is when I realized that the vehicle is not drivable because the engine appears to be stuck with the throttle open. …”
NHTSA complaint #10652426, filed 2014-11, 140,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory…
- 10059870Dec 19, 2012Summary to be provided on a future date.
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2006 Mazda Tribute
49 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsWheels
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 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