The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stopped and noticed there was rust on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear shock had detached due to rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 203,350.
2004 Mazda Tribute body problems
45 complaints (29% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 140,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 45
- of this car's complaints
- 29%
- typical mileage
- 140,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Body36
- Frame and members: underbody shields1
- Frame and members1
- Body: hatchback/liftgate1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Mazda Tribute body problems in other years
Related recalls
Structure: frame and members
- What is wrong
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Tribute vehicles manufactured May 22, 2000, through December 19, 2003, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
- Risk
- A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 29, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7514D.
Recall number 14V174000 · Recall details
What 2004 Mazda Tribute owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was driving down the highway when I heard a noise like the roof was being ripped off. When I pulled over to inspect I noticed that the glass from my skylight was gone. Appears the glue deteriorated letting window become loose and therefore blowing off. Good thing didnt hit any other vehicles.
Driving one day, the car veered suddenly into the oncoming traffic lane. Fortunately no cars were there. I took it to my mechanic who told me the front suspension was cracked and the car's frame was rusted so badly the car could not be jacked up.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda tribute. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal thumping noise. The contact later noticed that the rear passenger wheel well was rusted out and the shock mount was fractured. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, the manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 1-2341658425. The failure mileage was 181,000.
I own a 2004 mazda tribute from new. It currently have around 94000 miles, mechanically and cosmetically maintained. Just recently I started hearing a banging noise from the passenger rear area. I have some stuff in the cargo area on that side so I figured it was bouncing around. So I removed everything and still had the banging. Upon further inspection I discovered a passenger side rear wheel well and shock tower rotting away...this is not acceptable...it presents much danger to all occupants and other vehicles occupants!!! This should never be and should be taken seriously by the manufacturer but it is not. Lots of 2001 to 2010 mazda tributes, ford escapes and mercury mariners, are affected by this problem. Please have the manufacturer make good on this defect.
"takata recall" my car is rusted underneath from the gas pump and under. On july 11th, 2019 . I was driving my vehicle on a street when my passenger side rear strut came out from the rust. Sometimes after putting gas in my car and driving off inside of my car will start to smell like gas. Since it is rusted under and around.
Rusted off right rear strut mount. Driving in city, started hearing banging noise from right rear.
Undercarriage corrosion has caused total corrosion to right rear wheel, which as caused the right rear shock to break off. The corrosion is not normal and seems to be a manufacturing defect
Top of wheel well on both sides in the back of the vehicle is almost completely rotted out - this is an on going issue and apparently has been happening for a while but it is hard to notice since it is behind the closed door that it is apparent and since I am usually driving, I would not have noticed it. I was having my flex pipe replaced and have been noticing some anging in the rear of the vehicle. At this point, I am assuming it is coming from the body rott which I believe to be a driving hazard at this point. I saw that some vehicles in 2004 and prior were recalled for this issue, but apparently not mine pr madza. Apparently it should have been!
Subframe corroded and a piece of it fell off compromising the axle, wheel bearing, and seized the right rear roter. Upon mazda taking the truck to repair the subframe they noted that the entire undercarriage had corroded right with the subframe beyond repair. So far I have been denied a loaner vehicle even though there is a current recall on subframe for corrosion. I am still waiting to see what the outcome is going to be. I've missed 2 days of work already due to this
Questions about the 2004 Mazda Tribute body
Does the 2004 Mazda Tribute have body problems?
Owners have filed 45 complaints about the body of the 2004 Mazda Tribute, 29% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2004 Mazda Tribute body problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 140,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Mazda Tribute body?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V174000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Mazda Tribute have the most body problems?
The Mazda Tribute model years with the most body complaints are 2005 (126 complaints), 2001 (45 complaints) and 2004 (45 complaints).
Other 2004 Mazda Tribute problems
Suspension 49Acceleration 34Airbags 22Engine 22Transmission 14Brakes 10Wheels 10Electrical 3Fuel system 3Steering 3Tires 2Visibility 2Driver assistance 1Lights 1Locks 1Seat belts 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2004 Mazda Tribute?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history