Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
1325–50K
2150–75K
1975–100K
27100–150K
9150K+
107 reports with mileage · 23 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.
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
130 reports
32,000 miles · Feb 1, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. AT THE FIRST INCIDENT THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, BUT SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKE. DURING THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE EMERGEN…
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TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. AT THE FIRST INCIDENT THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, BUT SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKE. DURING THE SECOND INCIDENT, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PULLED UP AND THE VEHICLE REVVED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION. *AK RETURNED USPS, 2ND ATTEMPT MADE 02/27/07 FAILED. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10181346
10,000 miles · Jan 12, 2007
Tires
TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 11000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE IT SERVICED AND THEY TOLD HER THAT ALL FOUR TIRES ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF CUPPING. DUE TO THE VEHICLES LOW MILEAGE THE CONTACT FEELS THAT SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF TIRE DAMAGE…
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TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 11000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE IT SERVICED AND THEY TOLD HER THAT ALL FOUR TIRES ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF CUPPING. DUE TO THE VEHICLES LOW MILEAGE THE CONTACT FEELS THAT SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF TIRE DAMAGE. THE SHOP STATED THAT UNEVEN TIRE TREAD WEAR WAS THE REASON FOR THE CUPPING. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10178557
10 miles · Nov 7, 2006
Electrical SystemStructure
I PURCHASED A MAZDA TRIBUTE 2006 MODEL ON 9/4/06 AND I TOOK IT IN ON 11/1/06 FOR WATER IN HEADLAMP, WATER WAS GETTING DOWN THE IN WINDOWS, AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT BLINKING. I WAS TOLD AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT THE CAR WAS NOT READY BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT PROBLEM AND THEY ORDERED A PART. WELL,…
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I PURCHASED A MAZDA TRIBUTE 2006 MODEL ON 9/4/06 AND I TOOK IT IN ON 11/1/06 FOR WATER IN HEADLAMP, WATER WAS GETTING DOWN THE IN WINDOWS, AND TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT BLINKING. I WAS TOLD AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT THE CAR WAS NOT READY BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT PROBLEM AND THEY ORDERED A PART. WELL, THE NEXT DAY IT WAS THE SAME THING, NEEDED ANOTHER PART AND THEY HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH MAZDA TECH SUPPORT. WELL TODAY IS 11/7/06 AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE MY VEHICLE BACK. THEY ARE NOW SAYING THAT THEY HAVE ORDERED ANOTHER PART AND IT WILL BE THREE TO FOUR DAYS BECAUSE THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. I FEEL I HAVE BOUGHT A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE AND MAZDA SHOULD GIVE ME ANOTHER VEHICLE TO REPLACE IT. THIS VEHICLE (FROM THE SOUNDS OF SOUTHERN STATES) HAS HAD ALL OF THE COMPUTER CENSORS REPLACED MINUS THE MAJOR ONE (ACCORDING TO SOUTHERN STATES) AND FOR A VEHICLE TO BE NEW AS THIS ONE IS WITH THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS, I FEEL IS DEFECTIVE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10172878
100 miles · Apr 28, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT AN UPHILL GRADE--APPROX A 20 DEGREE INCLINE, AS SOON AS THE BRAKE IS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARDS. THE ONLY MEANS TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACK IS TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE AGAIN OR TO IMMEDIATELY PRESS HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL. HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTS MOVING UPHIL…
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AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT AN UPHILL GRADE--APPROX A 20 DEGREE INCLINE, AS SOON AS THE BRAKE IS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARDS. THE ONLY MEANS TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING BACK IS TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE AGAIN OR TO IMMEDIATELY PRESS HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL. HOWEVER, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTS MOVING UPHILL, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF BACKWARD TRAVEL PRIOR TO THE ENGINE PRODUCING ENOUGH POWER TO OVERCOME THE BACKWARD ROLL. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN SINCE THERE MIGHT BE VEHICLES DIRECTLY BEHIND ME WHEN THIS OCCURS. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE NOT HAD TO STOP AT ANY STEEP GRADES THAT MIGHT CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLLBACK FASTER AND FURTHER AND POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10156361
24 miles · Apr 28, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD HIGH PITCH WHINING NOISE WHEN ENGINE IS AROUND 1000 RPM BUT DISAPPEARS WHEN THE ENGINE IS BELOW OR ABOVE THE 1000 RPM. THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CAR IS PARKED OR DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS SO LONG AS THE ENGINE IS AROUND 1000RPM. IN ADDITION TO THE HIGH PITCH WHINING NOISE, THERE IS A NOT…
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VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD HIGH PITCH WHINING NOISE WHEN ENGINE IS AROUND 1000 RPM BUT DISAPPEARS WHEN THE ENGINE IS BELOW OR ABOVE THE 1000 RPM. THIS OCCURS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CAR IS PARKED OR DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS SO LONG AS THE ENGINE IS AROUND 1000RPM. IN ADDITION TO THE HIGH PITCH WHINING NOISE, THERE IS A NOTICEABLE AMOUNT OF VIBRATION THAT IS FELT. ALSO, AFTER COMING TO A FULL STOP, WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED, AFTER HAVING REVVED DOWN TO ABOUT 650 RPM, THE ENGINE SOMETIMES REVS BACK UP TO ABOUT 1000 RPM AND PRODUCE THE WHINING NOISE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10156360
24 miles · Apr 13, 2006
Steering
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 4/7/06 AND ON 4/8/06 I OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS. VEHICLE PRODUCES A NOTICEABLE WHINING/HUMMING NOISE AND VIBRATION THAT IS FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL DURING THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS: 1) WHEN THE CAR IS INITIALLY STARTED, 2) WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS SLIGHTLY PRESSED WHILE THE GEAR IS IN THE …
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PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 4/7/06 AND ON 4/8/06 I OBSERVED THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS. VEHICLE PRODUCES A NOTICEABLE WHINING/HUMMING NOISE AND VIBRATION THAT IS FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL DURING THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS: 1) WHEN THE CAR IS INITIALLY STARTED, 2) WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS SLIGHTLY PRESSED WHILE THE GEAR IS IN THE PARK POSITION 3) WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COMING TO A STOP WITH OR WITHOUT PUSHING ON THE BRAKES, 4) WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED EITHER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. UPON NOTICING NOISE AND VIBRATION, I TOOK IT TO BACK TO THE DEALER ON 4/10/06. I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT 8:30 A.M ON 4/11/06. AT 3:30 ON 4/11/06, THE DEALER CONTACTED ME AND SAID THAT THE TECH NOTICED THE NOISE AND VIBRATION BUT DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT. DEALER TESTED ANOTHER VEHICLE OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND SAID THAT BOTH VEHICLES WERE MAKING THE SAME NOISE AND THAT IT WAS JUST PROBABLY NORMAL ENGINE NOISE. UPON ARRIVING AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE TECH TOOK ME TO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WE LISTENED TO THE ENGINE. I INDICATED TO THE TECH THAT THE TEST VEHICLE WAS NOT BEHAVING SIMILARLY AS MY VEHICLE AND SO I WAS REFERRED TO THE ASST. SERVICE MANAGER. THE ASST. SERVICE MANAGER TESTED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THAT HE THOUGHT THE NOISE WAS NOT NORMAL AND THAT HE COULD FEEL THE VIBRATION FROM THE ENGINE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. HE SAID THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME GRINDING OCCURRING WHEN THE ENGINE WAS THROTTLING DOWN BUT THAT HE COULD NOT TELL PRECISELY THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE OR VIBRATION AND THAT HE WOULD CONTACT MAZDA ENGINEERS TO SEE IF THE NOISE AND VIBRATION WERE INHERENT TO THE VEHICLE. ON 4/12/06, THE ASST. SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED ME AND SAID THAT HE CALLED THE MAZDA HOTLINE AND THAT THERE WERE NO INCIDENTS OF NOISE OR VIBRATION REPORTED. HE SAID THAT HE COULD NOT FIND ANY REASON FOR THE NOISE AND THAT IT MUST JUST BE NORMAL ENGINE NOISE CAUSED BY THE VEHICLES POWER STEERING. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10155257
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2006
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
I BOUGHT NEW MAZDA TRIBUTE IN 1/17/2006 FIRST TIME DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL ON FREEWAY SUDDENLY MY CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, LUCKILY CHP OFFICER WAS THERE WITH IN MINUTE HE HELP ME.... MY MILEAGE WAS ONLY 2300 SOMETHING THIS IS REALLY CRAZY THING BECAUSE I HAVE WIFE AND 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE …
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I BOUGHT NEW MAZDA TRIBUTE IN 1/17/2006 FIRST TIME DRIVING IN CRUISE CONTROL ON FREEWAY SUDDENLY MY CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY, LUCKILY CHP OFFICER WAS THERE WITH IN MINUTE HE HELP ME.... MY MILEAGE WAS ONLY 2300 SOMETHING THIS IS REALLY CRAZY THING BECAUSE I HAVE WIFE AND 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE SUV....I CALLED MAZDA THEY SAID THEY CAN NOT HELP BECAUSE 7:20PM ON SATURDAY..AND I HAVE 50,000 MILE WARRANTY PLUS 24X7 DAYS A WEEK ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE ALSO,,,SO WHAT HAPPENED ALL THE ASSISTANCE....IF POLICE OFFICER NOT THEIR RIGHT TIME IT'S GOING TO BE NATIONAL NEWS BIG CHAIN ACCIDENT IN FREMONT 680 NORTHBOUND YESTERDAY....THANK MR. CHP OFFICER...I BUY THIS SUV FROM ALMADEN MAZDA SAN JOSE...CAREFUL GUY'S WITH THE DEALERS...*NM
NHTSA ODI #10154381
2,350 miles · Apr 3, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
I BOUGHT NEW MAZDA TRIBUTE V#4F2YZ02Z3614682 IN JANUARY 17TH 2006, YESTERDAY 04/01/2006 WHEN I DRIVING TRIBUTE WITH MY WIFE AND MY DAUGHTER 3 YEARS OLD GOING NORTH BOND FROM FREEMONT TO LIVERMORE, I DID NOT TRY CRUISE CONTROL SO FAR SO I TURNED ON CRUISE CONTROL AFTER 2 MINUTES MY TRIBUTE NOT GOING FORWARD, I WAS IN 2ND LINE FRO…
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I BOUGHT NEW MAZDA TRIBUTE V#4F2YZ02Z3614682 IN JANUARY 17TH 2006, YESTERDAY 04/01/2006 WHEN I DRIVING TRIBUTE WITH MY WIFE AND MY DAUGHTER 3 YEARS OLD GOING NORTH BOND FROM FREEMONT TO LIVERMORE, I DID NOT TRY CRUISE CONTROL SO FAR SO I TURNED ON CRUISE CONTROL AFTER 2 MINUTES MY TRIBUTE NOT GOING FORWARD, I WAS IN 2ND LINE FROM LEFT,,,,KEEP GIVING GAS TO MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREE WAY...BUT GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY DOWN AND MY TRIBUTE NOT MOVING ANY WAY,,,SLOWLY I MAINTAIN PULL OVER LEFT SIDE IN EMERGENCY AREA STOPPED...THANK YOU MR.CHP OFFICE WITHIN MINUTE HE WAS THERE,,,I WAS VERY SCARED BECAUSE I HAVE 3 YEARS OLD BABY IN THE SUV...AND MY WIFE.. THIS IS FIRST TIME HAPPENED WITH ME,,,SO I DON'T NO WHAT TO DO...IT'S GOING TO BE BIG CHAIN ACCIDENT BUT EVERYBODY CONTROLLED SAFELY... THEN I CALLED 1800 MAZDA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I HAVE 50,000 THOUSAND MILES WARRANTY AND 24 HOURS 7 DAYS A WEEK ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE..THEY SAID THEY CAN NOT HELP BECAUSE SATURDAY AND TIME WAS 7:20PM...... SO HOW CAN I GO AND HOW I GET HELP...WHAT EVERY THEY(MAZDA) PROMISED ME AT THE TIME BUYING IT'S NOT TRUE AND CHEATING WITH THE CONSUMER....THE CHP OFFICER HELP ME TO CALL TOW TRUCK AND I WENT TO FREMONT MAZDA DEALER BUT NOBODY WAS THERE... THIS IS NOT FAIR WITH THE PLAY WITH THE CONSUMER WE PAID THE MONEY FOR SERVICE...AND MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY WITH WIFE AND 3 YEARS DAUGHTER HOW I AM GOING TO HANDLE..THEY SAID I AM GETTING ANY TIME ANY THING WRONG ON THE ROADSIDE THEY GIVE US LOANER CAR...I ASK HOW I AM GOING TO HOME THE MAZDA PEOPLE SAID TAKE THE TAXI..I AM REALLY UPSET ABOUT MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY PROMISE ME ONE THING THEY DID ONE THING....AND MY MILEAGE NOT MORE THAN 2300 MILES...SO WHAT HAPPENED THE WARRANTY THEY SAY 24 HOURS 7 DAYS A WEEK, ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE.... PLEASE I NEED HELP AND JUSTIFY...*NM
NHTSA ODI #10154380
2,500 miles · Apr 3, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
MAZDA TRIBUTE CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE ENGINE PROBLEMS MY NAME NAGESWAR KARRI I HAVE A MAZDA TRIBUTE, 2006 MODEL. AFTER 2500 MILES,FIRST TIME I TRIED CRUISE CONTROL FOR 2 MINUTE THEN MY CAR CAN NOT GO FORWARD ON THE FREE WAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY I TRY TO PULL OVER BUT I COULDN'T SLOWLY I PULL OVER LEFT LINE. I H…
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MAZDA TRIBUTE CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE ENGINE PROBLEMS MY NAME NAGESWAR KARRI I HAVE A MAZDA TRIBUTE, 2006 MODEL. AFTER 2500 MILES,FIRST TIME I TRIED CRUISE CONTROL FOR 2 MINUTE THEN MY CAR CAN NOT GO FORWARD ON THE FREE WAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY I TRY TO PULL OVER BUT I COULDN'T SLOWLY I PULL OVER LEFT LINE. I HAVE 3 YEARS BABY IN MY TRIBUTE I WAS SCARED. I CALLED MAZDA 1800 NUMBER THE ANSWER IS THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE SATURDAY, AND I HAVE FULL COVERAGE 50,000 MILES BUMPER TO BUMPER AND NEW SUV. THANK FOR CHP OFFICER STOPPED AND HE HELP ME TO CALL TOW TRUCK TO NEAREST MAZDA DEALER. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR MAZDA..THEY SAID 24 HOURS 7 DAYS A WEEK ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE?..WHERE IS THE ASSISTANCE THAT TIME 7:00PM...I REALLY GET MAD BECAUSE I HAVE 3 YEARS DAUGHTER IN MY SUV... IT IS CRAZY.... *NM
NHTSA ODI #10154379
4,123 miles · Feb 21, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DECELERATING AT 40 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM
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.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TEETH TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY 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.
2006 Mazda Tribute Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year