Mazda Tribute owners have reported 113
problems related to body (under the structure category).
Body problem of the 2005 Mazda Tribute
26
Failure Date: 04/04/2016
2005 Mazda while driving on a city street I heard a loud clunk coming from the right rear of the vehicle. I discovered that the right rear wheelhouse had rusted out and the shock tower had completely broken off. The left wheelhouse is close behind. This is the same problem addressed by a Mazda recall for 2001-2004 models. Why hasn't Mazda been forced to address the problem with the 2005 model?.
Similar to others, started hearing a knocking/rattling in the right rear. Upon inspection the right rear wheel well is rusted out, and the knocking continues to get worse. Similar to the recall by Mazda for 2001 - 2004 models. Car will be unsafe to drive and should be addressed by Mazda.
Body problem of the 2005 Mazda Tribute
28
Failure Date: 03/13/2016
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving 35 mph, a rattling noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to observe the vehicle and noticed that the strut mount for the rear passenger side was severely rusted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the entire rear quarter panel assembling and wheel well were severely rusted and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Body problem of the 2005 Mazda Tribute
29
Failure Date: 03/12/2016
My 2005 Mazda Tribute awd s is rusted out in the right rear wheelhouse along with the shock tower. Not drivable and sitting stationary. Why recalls only up to 2004 models? very disappointed. Doesn't make sense as there are many complaints on this issue. I have a car not drivable and no money for a new one. Retired with a fixed income. Help!!??.
Body problem of the 2005 Mazda Tribute
30
Failure Date: 03/03/2016
A noise in the left rear developed and the rear shock broke off. Upon inspection it was determined that excessive corrosion on the entire frame from behind the front seat area back rendered the vehicle unsafe to drive. I contacted Mazda corp and was tld that yes there were known cases of excessive corrosion on that er as well as Ford escapes due to defective metal used in manufacturing. I was told it was not my fault as I could not have prevented it. That there was nothing they could do as the vehicle was out of warrantee. The Mazda dealer who inspected the vehicle stated it was ne of the worst cases they had seen and not to drive it. I was forced to trade it in at a great loss because I need a vehicle.
Body problem of the 2005 Mazda Tribute
31
Failure Date: 03/03/2016
There is excessive corrosion of the rear structure of my Mazda. The noise from the passenger rear became a thunking and today I found the top portion of the strut had rusted and broke off. Upon further inspection it was found that the entire rear has excessive rusting to the structure. I found that this problem resulted in a recall of the same vehicle 2001-2004. Upon further inspection the mechanic stated he could not put the vehicle on a lift due to the extensive corrosion of the frame. I contacted Mazda customer service and they stated that although there was a recall for corrosion it did not include my VIN. The rear strut being broken and the bracket that holds it in place are no longer attached.
Body problem of the 2006 Mazda Tribute
32
Failure Date: 03/01/2016
I heard a banging sound coming from the back of my vehicle only to discover that the passenger right side wheel well had completely rusted away and the rear suspension was banging around, I could actually see the bed lining of the vehicle scary when your driving around a 3 year old! I brought to a frame shop and was quoted $2500 for repair and basically told to scrap the vehicle (very disconcerting when there are only 140,000 miles on it),. After researching it sounds like this is a very common problem in this vehicle and I am hoping that it is addressed with a recall. I did end up finding an auto body repair shop to complete the repairs for $800 who told me he is seeing many drivers with this exact issue with this type of vehicle. After taking the back end off he said that the other side is about to go as well. I am now stuck in an ethical dilemma do I sell to another party to get my money back on a down payment for another vehicle or do I junk this vehicle that is unsafe and take the loss so that this doesn't become someone else's problem. Thank you for any help you can give me with this issue!.
A very load banging sound is coming from my right passenger wheel well area. It appears the shock-absorber mounting location is rusted away and breaking off. I can see inside my car through the speaker grill now. First occured when the car was in motion and driving over a road with small potholes. The rest of the underside of the car seems ok.
Start hearing loud noise thumbing sound in the right side of the back end by the shocks as we were driving. It started getting louder and more consisted. Took to Ford dealer they looked at it said it would cost about $3,000+ to fix. Then we find out that the 2001-04 had a recall on them for the same issue, but they overlooked the 05 this is not right. Ford should take responsibility for this because I am sure they new that they should of recalled these trucks as well. Look how many just on here have the same issue. Ford said they just had several in that they just fixed. Obviously there is a problem. When we first took it to get look at cause we were not sure what the noise was they told us we need to get it fixed the shock could possibly come through the floor board if not.
Body problem of the 2004 Mazda Tribute
35
Failure Date: 02/01/2016
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v174000 (structure) and the dealer was unable to supply the remedy parts for the recall repair within a reasonable time frame. The vehicle was due to receive an inspection and may not pass due to extensive premature rust and corrosion that progressed for months before notification of the manufacturers recall. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified and were unable to provide a specific time frame to provide the repair. The contact was uncertain of when the vehicle would be repaired. Parts distribution disconnect. The failure mileage was not available.
Body problem of the 2005 Mazda Tribute
36
Failure Date: 01/24/2016
With no previous visible indication, rust ate away at the right rear wheel well around the shock mount. We noticed a loud squeaking one day from the back and, upon inspection, noticed teh sever rust damage. The metal had corroded behind the undercoating. The shock mount is no longer attached and the vehicle is not safe to drive. Inspection does not show excessive rust anywhere else on the body.
Body problem of the 2005 Mazda Tribute
37
Failure Date: 01/04/2016
The passenger side rear strut upper mount rusted and broke away from the body after 11 years and 126, 500 miles. The Mazda was purchased new in June 2005; and routine and as needed maintenance and repair was performed by the same Mazda dealer. I noticed rust in the passenger rear side wheel well in 2014 and began asking the Mazda dealer about it. During all Mazda full circle suspension checks performed by the Mazda dealer, the suspension was marked or checked "ok" "green", and then in Jan 2016- the strut mount rusted out of the body and the dealer said the car was unsafe to drive. I believe this was way too early for the car to rust out. I also question the integrity of Mazda's full circle inspection and the Mazda dealer. Had the Mazda dealer been candid and told me about the rust problem with this model and year rather than year after year continuing to suggest other maintenance and repair service, most likely I would have traded or sold this Mazda before it rusted out. Based on this experience, I will not purchase another Mazda.
Body problem of the 2003 Mazda Tribute
38
Failure Date: 12/08/2015
The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. While driving approximately 25 mph over a bump, a loud noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was noticed that the front subframe exhibited excessive rust and corrosion. In addition, the front passenger side wheel was partially detached from the vehicle due to rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 166,000.
The rear passenger wheel well has excessive corrosion through the frame of my vehicle. The corrosion has split my frame in half and left wholes surrounding the split. My shock tower is exposed and corroded making it unsafe to drive. The rear driver side is splitting in the same exact place. This is a serious safety hazard and obvious defect. Driving straight down a dirt road at 35 mph (approx. ) a loud snap and dust rolling thing through the rear speaker mounted on the wheel well. I then pulled over and inspected the car and found that it was all rusted out.
Body problem of the 2005 Mazda Tribute
40
Failure Date: 10/28/2015
Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at 30 mph there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The contact was informed that the rear passenger shock mount was corroded and the vehicle was unsafe to be driven. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Ah.
Body problem of the 2005 Mazda Tribute
41
Failure Date: 10/06/2015
The right rear wheel well has a large hole going through to the lift gate area of the vehicle. It's all rusted out.
Body problem of the 2005 Mazda Tribute
42
Failure Date: 09/30/2015
The right rear strut tower has rusted causing the bracket to come loose from the body of the vehicle. I called a body shop to see if they could fix this and they knew the type of vehicle I have just based on the problem as it is so pervasive. In researching this it appears there is a defect in these Mazda and Ford escape models as it is a common finding.
Body problem of the 2004 Mazda Tribute
43
Failure Date: 09/27/2015
Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle had an abnormal loud sound. The contact stated that the rear passenger side shock support in the wheel well had rotted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unknow. Bd.
Body problem of the 2003 Mazda Tribute
44
Failure Date: 09/15/2015
The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the entire frame on the vehicle was completely corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was deemed as unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Body problem of the 2002 Mazda Tribute
45
Failure Date: 09/11/2015
Tl-the contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at approximately 25 mph, the front passenger side tire turned inward without warning. The driver observed that the lower control arm fractured. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v174000 (structure). The failure mileage was approximately 131,000. Sg.
I heard a loud thump coming from the rear of my vehicle. I asked my husband to look at it when I got home and found the rear passenger fender well rusted out around the shock mount. This car is not safe to drive in this condition and is only ten years old.
Body problem of the 2005 Mazda Tribute
47
Failure Date: 08/26/2015
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving, the contact noticed a loud abnormal rattling noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the rear passenger side wheel well was extremely corroded. The rear passenger shock also detached from the vehicle . The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Body problem of the 2005 Mazda Tribute
48
Failure Date: 08/26/2015
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.
Body problem of the 2001 Mazda Tribute
49
Failure Date: 08/22/2015
The vehicle that I own has corrosion around the lift gate's rear window hinges and has completely fell off. This is very dangerous as I fear the window will completely fall off. I'm not sure if its ok for the rear lift-gate window hinge to be falling off like that.
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.
Body problem of the 2005 Mazda Tribute
26