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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2006 Mazda Tribute Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
14about this part
Share
11%of 130 total for the year
Median mileage
86,725miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2006 Mazda Tribute, 11% of the 130 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,725 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“This involves my drivers side door that can no longer be opened by my remote..it all started after getting a new battery installed..all the other doors on my SUV open and lock with the remote. The drivers side door is the only door that I have to use my car key to open. There must be some defect. I've read that others who have Mazda tributes have the same problem after a new battery is installed.”

NHTSA complaint #11109964, filed 2018-07, 140,000 miles

“Needed an overhaul of the transmission. Internal damage was done yet the car isn't old. The mechanics said they had a Tribute 2006 with the same exact issue, and then another shop next city over had again another Tribute same issue. When I'd drive it would no longer stay in gear until I turned it off and let it sit a while then would go again.”

NHTSA complaint #10393308, filed 2011-03, 58,000 miles

“Throttle stuck causing engine to race and vehicle unresponsive. I had to throw the car into park (while it was moving) and turn off the key to get the car to stop. I had my children in the car, and in other circumstances, this could have been a disaster. My concern isn't that they won't fix it, but that from researching websites, it appears that this isn't an uncommon problem with the Mazda. So why isn't it a recall item?”

NHTSA complaint #10264786, filed 2009-04, 48,900 miles

“I was at a stoplight, and started to hit the gas, but nothing happened. The car would not go into gear. I finally got the car to work for about 200 feet, and then the same thing happened. I started my car again, and again it went for 200 feet before storpping and stalling. I took the car to a mechanic who informed me that my transmisson had failed, and there is a high failure rate with my car and its transmission. I did research online, and discovered several Mazda owners with the same issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10425945, filed 2011-09, 93,000 miles

“I bought this car used approximately three years ago and it has only been driven around town except to my honeymoon. My daughter was driving home from a friends house. She called me and told me her car would not go. I went to see if I could figure out what was wrong with the car. After sitting not running for approximately 30 minutes, the car would drive at 35 MPH for less that .5 miles. I did this for the 10 miles and approximately 1.5 hours we arrived at my parents house which was the closest location. After sitting all night, it did the same thing. …”

NHTSA complaint #10593923, filed 2014-05, 86,725 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20101333%
200939%
20082512%
20061411%
2005246%
2004149%
20032412%
2002359%
20016912%

Other parts of the 2006 Mazda Tribute

Vehicle speed control
49 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsEngine
16 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 31, 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