10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
98,423 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Mazda Tribute brakes problems

brakes problem

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2005 Mazda Tribute Owner Comments

problem #11

Sep 032020

Tribute

  • 153,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Charles Town, WV, USA

problem #10

Mar 062017

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
This Mazda Tribute has extensive and unrepairable rust to the body, understructure and suspension parts than makes it unsafe to drive. Structural integrity is compromised in the event of a collision, vehicle is prone to veer out of control due to missing suspension pieces and gas and exhaust fumes leak into the cabin due to rusted out and missing inner body panels.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #9

Mar 062017

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 120,000 miles
I would like a complete refund of all dollars spent in acquiring a 2005 Mazda Tribute VIN [xxx] on March 06, 2017 from certified auto brokers llc in hendersonville, tn 37075, license #[xxx]. (attached bill of sale) due to serious safety issues with this vehicle. Due to extensive rust and corrosion damage, the frame is likely to collapse in the event of a rear end collision endangering the safety of its passengers, rather than crush and absorb the impact as it was originally designed to do. In addition, it is prone to swerve and possibly tip over out of control on uneven pavement due to a missing passenger side rear shock that was not disclosed prior to purchase (photos attached). The left side shock is worn out and also ready to fall off at any moment as well. Because the fender wells are rusted through exhaust fumes can enter the passenger cabin which could have serious health consequences to its inhabitants. Evidence suggests at some point the damaged areas were covered with paint or undercoat in an attempt to hide these defects. The drive shaft, the frame and the underside of the vehicle are severely corrosion damaged. The parking brake is inoperative due to rust and could cause the vehicle to roll down hill while parked. There is significant rust hidden underneath the fender flares. Had I kept driving this vehicle I could have been severely injured and endangered the lives of others on the road. Certified auto brokers was negligent in representing this vehicle as being in excellent condition and selling it with known serious safety issues (refer to attached advertisement). Since the 2005 Mazda Tribute as sold is unsafe, unfit for the road and does not fulfill its implied usefulness, I am asking for a complete refund of the purchase price and all taxes and registration fees incurred in purchasing this vehicle. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #8

Apr 232016

Tribute

  • 174,848 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond without warning. In addition, the contact discovered that the accelerator pedal was stuck to the floorboard and the emergency brake had to be engaged to avoid a crash. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 174,848.

- Newark, OH, USA

problem #7

Jan 062016

Tribute

  • 114,000 miles
The undercarriage of this vehicle is rusted as per the complaints, only year not recalled and should have been. But unrelated to that. Driving daughters 2005 Mazda Tribute and brakes went all the way to the floor not allowing me to stop the car. I had to pull the emergency brake to stop the car. It was a torn brake hose that was spewing out fluid that immediately drained and left the vehicle undrivable. Had towed to shop to repair brakes, leak ruined calipers, replace front lines to accept new hoses, etc. $877 to fix. If 18 year old daughter had taken car back to college, 6 hours on interstate, could've been catastrophic!

- Dyer, IN, USA

problem #6

Apr 052015

Tribute

  • miles
Takata recall Mazda Tribute 2005 complete body underneath was rusted luckily I found a welder who installed a new bottom also had a brake job= $880.64 at 66,216 miles - had to replace 6 spark pugs 6 ignition coils and 1 intake plenum gasket set spent $1,204.25 also 800.00for a new bottom to be welded to the bottom of the car as the bottom was rusted at a cost of $800 concerned that the corrosion issue should not have occurred because the car is under 100,000 miles is this car a lemon

- South Charleston, WV, USA

problem #5

Apr 032015

Tribute

  • 102,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brakes hydraulic problem. No matter drive or park, the leaking is continuing.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #4

Feb 102015

Tribute 4-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
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. [xxx], Mazda service advisor informed me that the right rear subframe and wheelwell had rusted away and that it was unsafe for me to drive. The brake line had started to rust, as well. The shock attached T the vehicle had rusted away, as well. He explained that the rear could collapse. I contacted Mazda headquarters and they said that due to the way that Delaware salts their roads is why this rust occurred only on the right side. A family member suggested that I get an estimate from a body shop. Northeast body shop was able to repair all of the parts that had rusted out at a cost of $2,710. [xxx], owner stated that this rusting out was due to the undercoating was not covering the parts that rusted out. He provided me with the entire piece that had to be replaced and you can clearly see what the problem is. I feel that Mazda should take some responsibility for this defect on my vehicle. I believed in Mazda and I am very upset that I was driving an unsafe vehicle for this period of time. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #3

Feb 032015

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 102,800 miles
Had just returned from driving on freeway, pulled into gas station, needed to move for another vehicle when brakes failed and pedal went down to floor. Rolled car into snow bank to avoid accident. Noticed fluid leaking around front tires. Had to fill brake fluid reservoir and drove car across street to mechanic. Both front brake hoses were split near base of connector and very stiff. Both were replaced along with 1 caliper for $300. Mechanic stated he never saw both hoses go at once and was surprised they split at only 100,000 miles. Per the internet, many Ford escapes and Mazda have been experiencing this problem. We could have been killed if we had still been driving on the freeway. I'm sure Ford and Mazda are both aware of this on going problem and have chosen not to remedy it. Have owned many different cars throughout the years and have never had to replace a brake hose. I hope they don't wait for someone to die before they decide to do anything about it. On top of the fact I did not have $300 to spare for a repair which I feel was avoidable on their behalf.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #2

Aug 102012

Tribute 6-cyl

  • miles
First let me please advise that there was no incident regarding my vehicle. I am writing to try to get information about a potential recurring problem that was first reported and recalled with the 2002 and the 2003 / recall 63202. I have a 2005 Mazda Tribute and was just advised by the service department of irwin Mazda in freehold New Jersey that my car will need to have the brake booster and the master cylinder replaced. I know my car is a 2005 and the recall pertained to the 2002 and 2003 models, but I feel that this is an issue that is recurring and is not being addressed. I contacted Mazda corporate and spoke to the supervisor Mr. Johhny garcia and I voiced my concerns, and I was dismissed by him stating that there was nothing he can or will do to escalate my concerns to a higher level of management at Mazda corporate. The number I called was 949-727-1990. I am not sure how this works but I am truly concerned with this issue. There might be more consumers like me out there that had this issue with their car and was dismissed also. Not only is this a safety concern, but the cost to replace this could be in the thousands. Can you please reach out to Mazda regarding my concerns, since [xxx] refused to help me escalate my call. Thank you so much for your help. [xxx] please advise on how you think I should proceed, or if you can look into this potential recurring problem with the brake booster and master cylinder. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Freehold, NJ, USA

problem #1

Jun 062012

Tribute

  • 86,000 miles
I purchased the car new in 2004. I have been complaining about the brakes losing pressure since I purchased my car but the dealership always told me they were fine. I have always had to push my brakes to the floor to stop the vehicle. Sometimes when at a red light I'd sit and pump air into the brakes so they would stop properly. Yesterday I was driving in stop and go traffic and a lady stopped ahead of me but my car would not stop. I had adequate distance to stop. I had the brake pedal to the floor and it felt as if the tires were stuttering/hopping in an attempt to stop. I pressed so hard that my whole leg was in a cramp. I hit the car ahead of me damaging the bumper. I did not slide, the tires are semi-new and in great condition. Also, my rotors failed a few years ago. Had to have them replaced all round as well as another part of the braking system. I have also had the grinding noise and the air hissing from the brakes. This has been an issue for a long time and I've asked Mazda about recalls and their haven't been any. With the number of complaints on the internet I don't feel it is right for the consumers to have to continue paying financially, through insurance or personal injury for the manufacturer's default.

- Irving, TX, USA

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