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2005 Mazda Tribute

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tribute years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Mazda Tribute are substantially higher than the model-year median of 143.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

314 reports with mileage · 63 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 137 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 126 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 85 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports4 fire reports12 injury reports

What owners actually said

377 reports
25,000 miles · Nov 12, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

THE GAS PEDAL ON MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE FREQUENTLY LOCKS UP/ JAMS IN PLACE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IT LOCKS IN THE UP POSITION AND WILL NOT RELEASE WITH ANY AMOUNT OF PRESSURE- SOMETIME IF I PULL UP ON THE PEDAL AND THEN TRY TO PRESS BACK DOWN, IT WILL RELEASE, BUT NOT ALWAYS. THE PEDAL STAYS IN THE UP POSITION AND WILL …

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THE GAS PEDAL ON MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE FREQUENTLY LOCKS UP/ JAMS IN PLACE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IT LOCKS IN THE UP POSITION AND WILL NOT RELEASE WITH ANY AMOUNT OF PRESSURE- SOMETIME IF I PULL UP ON THE PEDAL AND THEN TRY TO PRESS BACK DOWN, IT WILL RELEASE, BUT NOT ALWAYS. THE PEDAL STAYS IN THE UP POSITION AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING- THE CAR CANNOT GO LEAVING ME STRANDED UNTIL IT UNLOCKS. TWO TIMES NOW IT HAS LOCKED UP FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME (MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES) WHILE I WAS OUT ON THE ROAD. LUCKILY EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS ABLE TO GET OVER, AND IT WAS NOT AT A BUSY TIME OF THE DAY. NOTHING WILL UNLOCK THE PEDAL WHEN IT JAMS- PRESSING ON IT AS HARD AS I CAN, TRYING GENTLY, OR TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON. I HAVE JUST HAD TO WAIT FOR IT TO RELEASE. I HAVE FOUND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND CANNOT BELIEVE NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS- IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC, AN INTERSECTION, OR ON THE HIGHWAY- THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE, AND THE DRIVER IS POWERLESS TO DO ANYTHING! I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDS A TOTAL THROTTLE ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT- BUT BASED ON OTHER PEOPLE TESTIMONIALS THIS WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM- MULTIPLE PEOPLE HAVE SAID THEY HAVE HAD THIS REPLACEMENT AND IT STILL LOCKS IN PLACE, SO I AM WARY TO SPEND $400 FOR SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT WORK. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN OUT ON THE ROAD IT COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING CONSEQUENCES- BEING UNABLE TO MOVE YOUR VEHICLE BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL IS JAMMED IS A VERY UNNERVING EXPERIENCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248542

84,000 miles · Oct 20, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

THROTTLE STICKS ON THE GET-GO WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP GIVING A WHIPLASH TYPE START. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT IT AS OF YET. 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE 4 CYL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10246085

30,000 miles · Sep 29, 2008
SeatsVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT THE GAS PEDAL STICKS ON. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED TWICE AND IT IS RECURRING. IT IS A BIG SAFETY RISK BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO STICK. IT TYPICALLY STARTS OUT ONLY HAPPENING IN THE MORNING BUT IT PROGRESSES TO ANY TIME THROUGHOUT THE DAY. YOU MAY BE DRIVING AND STOP OR DE…

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I HAVE A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE THAT THE GAS PEDAL STICKS ON. I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FIXED TWICE AND IT IS RECURRING. IT IS A BIG SAFETY RISK BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO STICK. IT TYPICALLY STARTS OUT ONLY HAPPENING IN THE MORNING BUT IT PROGRESSES TO ANY TIME THROUGHOUT THE DAY. YOU MAY BE DRIVING AND STOP OR DECELERATE AND THEN WHEN YOU START TO GO YOU CANT BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL IS STUCK. AND IT WILL TAKE MULTIPLE TRIES OF PRESSING IT BEFORE IT WILL GO. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I KNOW I WILL TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY WILL FIX IT AND CHARGE ME AND THEN IN A FEW MONTHS THE PROBLEM WILL REOCCUR. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON WHAT TO DO. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE METAL INTERIOR OF THE SEAT PROTRUDING UNDER THE FABRIC OF THE SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243868

84,000 miles · Sep 16, 2008
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE WAS REPLACED ON 9/05 AT 24,000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY NOW AT 84,000 MILES ITS BAD AGAIN SAYING IT NEEDED REPLACING AT 60,000MILES ON THE NEW ONE AND WANT TO CHARGE ME $3600.00 A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT GO BAD ALREADY WITH 60,000 MILES OF AGE. IT HAD BEEN FLUSH LIKE IT SHOULD , BUT THE DEA…

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THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE WAS REPLACED ON 9/05 AT 24,000 MILES UNDER WARRANTY NOW AT 84,000 MILES ITS BAD AGAIN SAYING IT NEEDED REPLACING AT 60,000MILES ON THE NEW ONE AND WANT TO CHARGE ME $3600.00 A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT GO BAD ALREADY WITH 60,000 MILES OF AGE. IT HAD BEEN FLUSH LIKE IT SHOULD , BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ONE THEY PUT IN HAD A WARRANTY FOR 12MTH/12000 MILES. SO I OUT OF LOOK , I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THE 626 ENGINE ON THE MAZDA IS THE SAME ENGINE IN THE TRIBUTE A4LD AND IT TOO GAVE RECURRING PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242461

43,000 miles · Sep 2, 2008
Steering

POWER STEERING WENT OUT SUDDENLY 2 DAYS AGO. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER CLAIMS THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND SWITCH WERE AFTER MARKET PARTS. THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE AS THE CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY OUR LOCAL MAZDA DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THEY ARE COVERING IT UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHEN …

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POWER STEERING WENT OUT SUDDENLY 2 DAYS AGO. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER CLAIMS THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND SWITCH WERE AFTER MARKET PARTS. THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE AS THE CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY OUR LOCAL MAZDA DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THEY ARE COVERING IT UNDER THE WARRANTY, BUT CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHEN THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND SWITCH WERE "REPLACED". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240716

29,380 miles · Aug 10, 2008
Power Train

MAZDA TRIBUTE 2005 TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 29,380 MILES . REPLACED WITH REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AND WAS NOT GIVE A WARRANTY ON THE (THEY SAID NEW) TRANSMISSION--WAS TOLD THE REMAINING WARRANTY ON MY CAR WAS ALL I GOT. OTHER TRANSMISSION SHOPS NEARBY SAID THEY GAVE 12 TO 24 MONTH WARRANTY AND OFFERED EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON THE…

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MAZDA TRIBUTE 2005 TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 29,380 MILES . REPLACED WITH REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AND WAS NOT GIVE A WARRANTY ON THE (THEY SAID NEW) TRANSMISSION--WAS TOLD THE REMAINING WARRANTY ON MY CAR WAS ALL I GOT. OTHER TRANSMISSION SHOPS NEARBY SAID THEY GAVE 12 TO 24 MONTH WARRANTY AND OFFERED EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON THEIR REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSIONS. I WAS INFORMED BY THE TRANSMISSION SHOPS THAT MAZDA AND FORD ESCAPE WERE KNOWN FOR THEIR UNRELIABILITY AND FREQUENCY OF FAILURE OF THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. THE "OTHER " SHOPS GOT THESE CARS AT 80,000 MILES USUALLY, WHICH MEANS TO ME THAT MAZDA DEALERS ARE MORE THAN LIKELY GETTING A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES THAT ARE UNDER WARRANTY AND THEN MAKING THE CUSTOMER LIABLE FOR THE NEXT TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT A SUBSTANTIAL COST BETWEEN 2200 TO 2800 DOLLARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10237566

45,500 miles · Jul 29, 2008
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES, SIZE P235/70R16. AND DOT# A30846JB3604. WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TREAD SEPARATED, LOST AIR, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISH TAIL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES, SIZE P235/70R16. AND DOT# A30846JB3604. WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TREAD SEPARATED, LOST AIR, AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISH TAIL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE HAD TO PURCHASE TWO NEW REAR TIRES BECAUSE HE WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS TREAD SEPARATION ON THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT, STEP GUARD WAS BENT, GLASS WAS CHIPPED IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, AND THE MOLDING IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS BROKEN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,500. UPDATED 08/18/08 *BF UPDATED 08/19/08

NHTSA ODI #10236273

33,684 miles · Jun 4, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT TIRE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229983

100 miles · Apr 22, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RANDOMLY LOCKS IN PLACE. SHE LITERALLY HAS TO STOMP ON THE PEDAL TO GET IT TO RELEASE. THE FAILURE HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED AND SHE HAS TO MAKE 4 OR 5 ATTEMPTS TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE WEATHER AND DRIVING SPEED WERE NOT FAC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RANDOMLY LOCKS IN PLACE. SHE LITERALLY HAS TO STOMP ON THE PEDAL TO GET IT TO RELEASE. THE FAILURE HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED AND SHE HAS TO MAKE 4 OR 5 ATTEMPTS TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE WEATHER AND DRIVING SPEED WERE NOT FACTORS. THE PEDAL WAS REPAIRED, BUT BEGAN STICKING AGAIN WEEKS LATER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100.

NHTSA ODI #10225400

200 miles · Apr 19, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

I PURCHASED THE 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE IN DEC '04. WITHIN ONE MONTH, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK IN THE UP POSITION AND IT WOULD TAKE SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO UNLOCK THE PEDAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT *STILL UNDER WARRANTY* AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. HOWEVER, IT HAS CONTINUED …

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I PURCHASED THE 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE IN DEC '04. WITHIN ONE MONTH, THE GAS PEDAL WOULD STICK IN THE UP POSITION AND IT WOULD TAKE SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO UNLOCK THE PEDAL, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT *STILL UNDER WARRANTY* AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. HOWEVER, IT HAS CONTINUED TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM EVER SINCE. I'VE BROUGHT IT BACK SEVERAL TIMES TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP (ROYAL MOORE MAZDA) AND THEY TELL ME EVERY TIME THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY RECORD OF REPAIRS (SINCE THEY SAID THEY NEVER FOUND ANYTHING TO BEGIN WITH) AND THAT THEY STILL CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THE ISSUE IS GETTING WORSE. I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND FIND HUNDREDS OF OTHER MAZDA TRIBUTE OWNERS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. AT WHAT POINT DOES THIS BECOME A RECALL ISSUE? I'VE NARROWLY MISSED BEING REAR ENDED MANY TIMES DUE TO THE GAS PEDAL BEING STUCK IN PLACE. AND THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK IT IS TO "STOMP" ON IT. WE NEED ASSISTANCE BEFORE PEOPLE DIE - IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY AND THEREFORE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TELL ANYONE ABOUT WHY THEY DIED. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND IT IS GETTING SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE. THE DEALERSHIPS CONSTANTLY DENY THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND I HONESTLY BELIEVE IT'S DUE TO THE BIGGER ISSUE OF ALL MAZDA TRIBUTE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224992

Official recalls

3

12V357000 · Engine And Engine Cooling; Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Jul 27, 2012

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Consequence: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

06V116000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

Apr 12, 2006

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOON ROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

04V605000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

Dec 23, 2004

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.