Rear Suspension Shock Absorber Problems of Mazda Tribute

The passenger side rear wheel well is rusted out and the shock absorber is exposed and barely supported. The driver side is fine. There was a recall for this problem for the prior 4 years to this. It will be un-driveable soon.

See all problems of the 2005 Mazda Tribute.

Left rear shock absorber mount separated from the vehicle frame during normal driving (slow speed - 25mph) due to what appears to be a faulty design. All connecting bolts, washers and nuts are intact and secure in the shock absorber and mount area. This has resulted in a serious safety issue when driving the vehicle and it was fortuitous that the driver was not operating in highway or more intense conditions when the vehicle failed. I have contacted Mazda north America and have received a service report from the local Mazda dealer in charlotte, nc. (information available if needed). While the vehicle is 10 years old, a failure of this type is unusual and rare but identified from multiple sources as corrosion issues that Ford / maza have on the 03 to 05 models which should result in a recall and remedy by the manufacturer. Having researched this issue it's clearly a manufacture flaw in the design of this model, not just because as an owner I have an issue to deal with, but as a consumer with knowledge of the unusual nature of this failure.

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.

See all problems of the 2004 Mazda Tribute.

The upper rear shock absorber mount came apart due to rust, the shock absorber came loose and was hitting against the wheel well or tire.

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.

I own an 2003 ES 4x4; during my last two scheduled maintenance inspections I noticed the rear shocks started leaking. They have been replaced twice and are getting ready to be replaced again. We don't go off road with this vehicle so the only thing I could think is that the factory motorcraft parts are defective or not properly matched to this vehicle. If you see an oily residue on your shocks they need to be replaced due to leakage.

See all problems of the 2003 Mazda Tribute.