Rear Suspension Shock Absorber problems of the 2004 Mazda Tribute

While on highway, loud thump. Upon inspection, passenger side wheel well is rusted through. Damage is very significant. Shock absorber mount is separated from the frame. Driver side does not show damage, at least from outside inspection. The car is not safe to drive. Have not called the dealer yet, but messages about this problem indicate that Mazda is not honoring the design flaw as a manufacturing defect. No word yet upon what it will cost to fix. Sounds like a recall needs set up.

Wife left house to run an errand and returned immediately after hearing loud clanging noise in rear of car. She brought to my attention so I rode in the rear seat to observe as she drove. After just a very short distance I heard the noise and observed that I could see through the rear speaker area to the outside. She parked the car and I looked from the outside into the right (passenger) rear wheel well and saw the entire upper shock mount was rotted out offering no support whatsoever to the shock absorber. The overall condition of the car is very good with no or very little body rust. It is my opinion that the cannot be driven until this is repaired. I am not a certified mechanic but I do restore old cars as a hobby and consider myself to be of moderate ability in auto mechanics.

I heard a knocking sound coming from the rear passenger of the vehicle. Upon inspection, I discovered that the rear shock absorber mount showed clear signs of rust - it appears to be rotted through! the interior wheel well has an enormous crack running through it, with the back of the interior insulation visible from the outside.