general problems of the 2005 Mazda Tribute - part 2

Upon bringing my 2005 Mazda Tribute into the Mazda service center for unrelated repairs and maintenance, I was informed that the right rear wheel well was heavily rusted and the shock would soon break through the rust and disengage from the vehicle. I contacted Mazda corporation to initiate a complaint and investigation. After the customer complaint department investigated the issue (contacting the diagnosing Mazda service center), I was informed Mazda corporation would not repair my vehicle because this issue was not under a recall, the vehicle warrantee expired, and Mazda was unaware of any similar additional consumer complaints. This Tribute has 109. 000 miles and based on the dealer’s service center assessment is in immaculate condition: always garage parked, no other rust exists (including the undercarriage) on the vehicle, all maintenance for the past 10 years has been completed by the Mazda dealership service center, and this vehicle never incurred body damage (no accidents). As original owners of this vehicle, we initially purchased the corrosion protection and exterior paint sealant (the rustproofing material is still visible within the wheel well). We have been very responsible and loyal Mazda original vehicle owners, although after investigating this issue I have discovered hundreds of identical complaints which obviously relates to a manufacturer’s defect causing a significant safety hazard for unsuspecting drivers of this vehicle. I am appalled that Mazda and the NHTSA have not investigated and recalled this vehicle to inform the public of this dangerous defect. It is time to take action and responsibility to reduce the safety hazard for all owners and drivers, especially since Mazda’s own investigation concluded they were “unaware” of other complaints. Obviously this was not the truth but instead a cover up response to avoid culpability.

While replacing the brakes on my 2005 Mazda Tribute, I discovered the right rear wheel well compromised by excessive rust. After researching online, this appears to be a major quality defect in the manufacturing of this vehicle and similar Ford and Mercury models (escape and mariner). I recently purchased this car, but only now noticed the rust. Several people are calling for Ford to issue a recall/repair for these vehicles for this issue. I agree with them.

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While the vehicle was at the dealer for a routine repair, the technician diagnosed that the rear passenger side wheel housing and strut were corroded. As a result, the vehicle was deemed irreparable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000.

I have had this SUV since new and have taken very good care of it. We do not drive it in winter as we have another car in fla. But still like thousands of other Tributes, escapes and mariners the right rear shock mount has rusted out along with inter finder wheel well!. Which has left us with a very unsafe vehicle.

I was on the freeway when I heard a loud thud the wheel well rotted out so bad that broke the shock on the rear back passenger side. This caused me to swerve and almost had an accident. . You recall the 2001 and 2004 models for the same issue why not add the 2005 because there is been hundreds and hundreds of complaints about this.

When I took my Tribute in to get my annual inspection sticker the mechanic told me there was considerable rust underneath my vehicle he said it would not support the shocks in researching this vehicle I found there were 332 complaints and 53 was for the same problem I have I think Mazda should recall my vehicle or pay to have it repaired or I think all of us should file a class action law suit against Mazda or Ford because they own Mazda.

The rear right wheel well has been completely rusted out to the point that the suspension broke through into the interior of the car. The left rear and both front wheel wells look to be in perfect condition which seems abnormal for just one wheel well to be affected by extreme rust and corrosion. We bought this Mazda Tribute less then a year ago from the dan wolf Chevrolet dealership in naperville illinois, with it "passing inspection". Since then my family and I have treated this car with extraordinary care by regular maintenance and overall cleanliness. The my family of five (three children) have used this vehicle everyday to drive to work and school not knowing the danger it apposed on us and other drivers on the road. When researching this particular problem we noticed that this very dangerous and unsafe incident has happened to owners of the 2005 Mazda Tribute across the u. S. . Read more...

2005 Mazda Tribute, rear wheel well completely rusted. While driving my wife hit a bump in the road, she then tells me there is a rattle. So I drive it the next day. The rattle was very easy to hear. Upon inspection the rear passenger wheel well had disintegrated and was almost completely gone, and the rattle was the strut that had come undone hitting the cargo compartment. Just had tires and brakes replaced and they inspected the vehicle as well only 2 months prior with no mention of any other problems. Now it is unsafe to drive. No help from Mazda, insurance, or the super warranty that covers everything bumper to bumper(or suppose to). Come to find out while doing some research, this seems to be a problem for Mazda. The 01-04 Tribute has a recall for the same thing except calling for the front driver wheel well. When you take it in they replace all four. It also seems that the 05 model year has just as many problems with this as well. Both of us work and have to be able to get there as well as getting the children to multiple places. We bought this vehicle thinking that it was going to be a good and safe way to get where we need to go. Turns out it was just a matter of time with this issue. We are lucky that it was the back I guess and not the front as she had the kids with her while on the highway and if the front would have come loose at hway speed it could have been a different outcome. I hope this does not happen to anyone else. 2 estimates to repair both are $5-7000. Can't pay to fix, and can't trade it in as it is worthless right now. This is a problem that the NHTSA and Mazda needs to address. It is not only monetary but a safety issue as well. We work hard for what we have and feel like we just got robbed of our money. The dealers and Mazda got theirs though.

Turning into a parking lot on 17 June 2015, my 2005 Mazda Tribute suddenly gave a loud thump, a tire screech, and stopped. The car would not move under its own power, as the right front wheel was pointed in a different direction than the left one, and it was clear the drive shaft had been pulled out of the transaxle, as the wheel was too far out and almost back against the wheel well. Upon inspection at a repair shop, it was clear the right front subframe had rusted through, causing the lower arm to detach from the chassis. Research indicated that this problem had been the subject of a recall of previous model years. It seems that the rust-through problem with this assembly is still a problem. This is gonna cost a lot to fix. Not happy.

My Mazda 2005, has totally rusted out on the passenger back wheel well. The suspension is affected as well. The repairs are going to be very costly and I found out that the 01-04 models have done the same and there was a recall for the same exact issue. Mazda needs to extend the recall to include the 05 model as well. I am also filing a report with Mazda.