Wheel Problems of Mazda Tribute

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.

Because of the rear end making loud noise and vibration upon contacting road bumps and holes vehicle taken to repair shop where inspection revealed significant deteriation of the metal forming the rear passenger side wheel well, oxidation (rust) to the extent of large hole exsposing enterior department. Replacement of the rear shocks did not correct the vibrations from road irregularities. Mechanic described the cause as a result of the wheel well loss of metal & change in shape enabling metal to metal contact. Structural integrity duration is of much concern.

The car began making a loud banging noise from the right rear. Upon inspection by our mechanic it was diagnosed as a complete rusting through of the right rear well, causing the shock to no longer be attached to the frame. The shock was actually visible from the inside rear of the car. We were told the car was no longer safe to drive. Mazda was unwilling to do anything about the failure, in spite of my finding numerous other complaints related to the same failure on blogs. A frame shop had to install a new inner wheel house panel. Cost of the repair was $2000.

After hearing rattling from the rear passenger-side when going over potholes, I took my car in for shock/struts. I was told that the noise was not my shocks, but that the wheel well was rusted out. The shocks were ok, but there was nothing to attach them to. I was further told by the mechanic that he had never seen corrosion this bad on a 10yr old car with 50,000 miles. Advice was to find a body shop to fabricate a part. I've read that this is occurring with lots of Mazda Tributes and Ford escape in different years. So why isn't Mazda/Ford making these repairs. This is a defect. I should have gotten a Honda: something I trust.

The right back side by the tired the chassis is all rust it and the shock is loose I can move it with my hands and the left side is about to get like the other side.

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. Brian revill, 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. 00. Charlie allen, 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.

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. The contact discovered that passenger's rear wheel housing had completely rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.

While looking for a knocking sound in the passenger side rear found that the shock mount assembly was broken loose from the body of the vehicle. You could see through to the interior fabric, leaving shock and mount attached to nothing. Serious design flaw.

Extensive rust in the back passenger wheel well which has caused the suspension to break away from the body of the car. First noticed a loud thumping when going over bumps a month ago and it has gotten so bad that it is putting me, my family, and others at risk of an accident and forcing me to buy another car. There is already an id # associated with this complaint (#10669545) and many complaints submitted. This issue needs be investigated as a recall. Please respond to me with information on the investigations on this matter and if I can expect any help for repair on this problem to prevent an accident.

While driving on the highway I began to notice a lound banging coming from the back of the car. After inspecting the rear door to verify the sound was not an open door, I found that the underside of the car, specifically the rear right axle, was rusted and deteriorating. Upon further inspection I found that the shock mount had rusted, a problem that will soon cause problems for the wheel mount. There are a multitude of complaints online, all pointing out that this is a factory issue, and all Mazda Tributes and Ford escapes in this year range have this exact problem. This is an issue that must be fixed in the next week or else I will not be able to drive my car- a car I have owned for less than a year.

The passenger side rear wheel well has rusted out such that the suspension is now protruding into the interior of the vehicle. This was discovered when regular rattling from the area progressed into loud bangs with each bump. The mechanic who discovered stated that the rust was abnormal, even for the geographic area, and that none of the other wheel wells exhibited any signs of rusting. He stated it was no longer safe to drive the vehicle and that this condition was most likely the result of some sort of manufacturing defect (as opposed to regular and expected oxidation).

While driving to work I started to hear a banging sound from the back of my vehicle. It sounded like the back window was open & banging every time I hit a bump. I pulled over and made sure everything was shut. I proceeded to work but the banging persisted. When I got to work I checked the back compartment & removed my cargo incase that was culprit. On my drive home the banging still persisted. My husband looked at the vehicle and said that the shocks/struts were blown. I took it to the garage that night & it turns out that the passenger side rear wheel well was completely rusted through & there was no where for the shock to mount. When the mechanic pulled up my cargo mat in the back it is amazing that nothing fell out, the size of the hole from the rust is comparable to the size of a basketball. Welding is not even an option to repair this damage. There is no other rust or body damage to my vehicle. There was a protective coating on the inner wheel well to prevent this. The driver side is fine and is showing no sign of rust/rot. While searching the web for support I see this is a very common problem in the Ford escape and Mazda Tribute (virtually one in the same). When will something be done about this costly problem? as a side note, this car has been a problem since I bought it in 2006. I filed a magnus and moss warranty act suit against Mazda and won for numerous issues regarding the transmission and power train system.

Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the passenger rear wheel well and shocks corroded and fractured due to the corrosion. The vehicle was not derivable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for further inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 121,000. Li.

Pulled away from house to leave for work and at about 30 mph I heard the worst sound. It came from the rear right side of the car. It was worse over bumps, stopping etc. Took it to auto mechanic who drove it first and brought me back to show me a rusted out wheel well with interior exsposed. All remaining 3 wheel wells are perfect, fine he stated. I started by calling Mazda who is sending me to a dealership to have it inspected. The dealership will then pass that info on. It is outside the warranty period and I the representative told me this would not be covered. It was bought brand new in 2005 and we are the original owners. No accidents or mishaps to that area of the car. We know this will cost a bundle and read so many complaints online about the Ford escape 2005 having the exact same problem. It said the 2 are "mechanical siblings. " I wrote down websites I visited with complaint/question forums and the quotes for repairing are astranomical for a error made on the manufacturers end. This is a safety issue when you have the potential for the shocks to go through the rear of the car right behind my sons carseat.

The contact owns a 2002 Mazda Tribute. While driving approximately 20 mph, the front passenger side wheel unexpectedly detached from the vehicle. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact experienced a failure related to NHTSA campaign number: 14v174000 (structure: frame and members). The vehicle was not repaired because the location of the dealer was far away. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.

The front wheels felt like they were loose & the tire could come off at any moment. The power steering went out went I was making a left turn. Took it to the dealer and was charged approx $2100 to replace the steering problem. Mazda was contacted and they stated that there was nothing they would do about it.

See all problems of the 2008 Mazda Tribute.

Took vehicle to dealer and had them check out some noise coming from rear of vehicle. Dealer says the rear passenger wheel well is very rusted (actually rusted through in spots) and not stable. Noise is coming from around the rear shock area which is very deteriorated around the shock mount and it looks like the shock may not be adequately secured. The same thing is starting to happen on the other rear wheel well but most of the damage is on the passenger side. There is no visible rust on the exterior of the vehicle. We were referred to a local body shop but the repair would be too expensive too fix. We've regularly serviced this vehicle at the dealer since we bought it new. I've checked on-line and have found many other instances of this type of damage occurring in Mazda Tributes and Ford escapes in the 2004-2005 model years. The vehicle is not being repaired due to cost.

The right wheel wheel well is completly rusted through including the rear shock mounts. The only thing holding the metal together was the outer undercoating spary. My 18 year old son was driving on the interstate in this condition. I searched the internet and see that other Mazda Tribute and Ford escape owners have the same problem. It's an obvious manufature's defect that is occuring nationally and is a serious safety issue. Department of transportation federal highway administration.

I have a 2008 Mazda Tribute with 13,000 miles on it. Last week I noticed the right rear wheel was tilted out or in technical terms it had extreme negative camber. I got underneath the vehicle and saw that the lower ball joint had come out of the control arm. The lower control arm is designed for the ball joint to fit in a stamped steel sleeve then bolt tight to the rear spindle once the ball joint is dislodged from the control arm the integrity of the ball joint and the control arm are compromised. I called the dealer and explained what had happened and he told me to bring it in right away for fear that the rear wheel could collapse under the vehicle. I'm well aware of what could happen but I'm more concerned that a warranty repair would not solve the cause of the problem. I'm also concerned the problem would die at the dealership and not be brought to the proper personnel attention. I'm going to take pictures of the ball joint and control arm before I take it in for the repair. I really don't feel safe driving the vehicle now that I know what could possibly happen. I can't believe that this has never happened to any other Tribute or escape. I don't plan on driving this vehicle until I receive a return response from your department.

I was driving up 101 north at 45-50 mph when the driver's front tire blew out. I immediately firmed my grip on the steering wheel, and braked in a safe manner, but then the car started violently shaking, and veering towards the left to the point where I could not control it, even though the car had slowed to around 20 mph. I grazed the center median, scratching the side of the car, then was able to regain control. I then had to pull over on the freeway going about 5 mph. I then got out of the car, called aaa, and looked at the damage. To my amazement, three of the five spokes on the rim had cracked severely, and the wheel was wobbling badly. A chp officer stopped at the scene, and was likewise amazed at the broken wheel. He checked the road for debris, but found none, confirming that the tire had blown on its own. The tow truck driver then arrived, and helped put the spare on, which also wobbled and was unsafe to drive on. It turns out that some suspension components had broken along with the wheel. He later towed the car to Mazda of marin, where they blamed us for the damage. The bottom line is that wheels don't just break from blououts, and that wheels like this pose a threat to motorists.

On wet pavements wheels lock. Dealer has not been able to duplicate or correct problem.

See all problems of the 2001 Mazda Tribute.