Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mazda tribute. While driving, the liftgate flew open and several grocery items fell onto the street. The contact pulled over and closed the liftgate. The contact drove home without any further issues. In addition, the vehicle surged forward when the contact attempted to slow down. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 149,000.
2005 Mazda Tribute body complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 126, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving my 2005 mazda tribute on a paved city street, I noticed a sudden loud clanking/pounding in the passenger side, rear wheel well area. Assumed it was a bad shock but soon discovered that the the wheel well had rusted completely out, there is now a hole to the inside of my car. Some, but not much rust elsewhere on the vehicle (the other three wheel wells look great), but that part of the vehicle rusted through to the inside of the vehicle. Not driveable anymore until this is addressed. The vehicle itself is very mechanically sound and will cared for. There are lots of examples on online forums of this exact issue, on both tributes and ford escapes. Apparently there is a recall for these vehicles 01-04, but no further. Exact same issue, exact same wheel well. Please help!
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mazda tribute. While driving various speeds, a loud clanking noise was present coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger side wheel well was rusted and corroded, causing the metal to separate from the frame of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Began hearing loud banging noise in the rear of the vehicle while driving on city streets. Upon inspection, the passenger side rear shock mount in the wheel well was completely broken free and the shock banging around. It had pinched the brake lights and they stopped working as well. Upon research on the internet this has been a common issue with ford escapes and mazda tributes of this vintage but only on the right rear. So much so companies like dorman make a replacement part for it to replace the wheel well which requires welding. This is a safety issue the manufacturer should address. Never had this happened to any other vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mazda tribute. The contact stated that there was rust accumulation on the rear passenger side wheel well. As a result, the contact experienced rough driving and heard banging noises coming from the rear passenger side wheel. The contact drove to an independent mechanic who informed her of the rust. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall; therefore, the contact would be responsible for the repair cost. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v174000 (structure: frame and members), which was related to the 2001-2004 models. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 200,000. *bf
Many complaints of the rear frame of vehicle completely rusting out. The mechanics said it is unsafe to drive and costs thousands to fix. Most people will not notice this until it's too late.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mazda tribute. The contact stated that the rear passenger subframe and shock mount were extremely corroded. Halbinsel volkswagen mazda (located at 200 n 30th st, escanaba, mi 49829, (906) 789-9650) was notified, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
The entire passenger side wheel well is completely rusted out. When compared to the other wheel wells you can see the white foam that is supposed to be on the inside of my car. There is also a plastic piece missing due to the screws loosing their hold. The car makes a noise that sounds like there is something bouncing around in the back when in reality it is the suspension.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mazda tribute. While the contact was cleaning out the vehicle, he noticed that the frame was completely rusted. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
The rear wheel well is extremely rusted to the point of the shock being loose. Their is a recall for 01-04 but doesn't appear to offer same recall although numerous complaints from other owners with same issue. My wife recently noticed car made a lot of noise lately from rear wheel. When I investigated it, I noticed large rust issues all over rear wheel area and shock barely holding to frame. My wife's car has been garaged all its life. We bought it new off the show room. Doesn't make sense to have so much rust and now a huge safety concern. Undercarriage was even cleaned throughout winter months. We can't drive vehicle because it might fall apart on road and the car could lose control.
My mechanic noticed the shock support on the passenger side rear wheel well was badly rusted and said the shock could rust completely through and enter the rear of the car. I took the car to a body shop and they told me the same thing. They see it all the time in mazda and ford escapes and it would cost more to repair than the vehicle is worth. Basically this is a major problem with this model car and could potentially be very dangerous to continue driving the car and have the shock rust completely off.
The rear wheel well rusted out causing the shock to poke a hole thru the back of my cargo area. This created a very dangerous situation for driving. My son was driving the vehicle and almost lost complete control over the car due to this. Mazda has recalled 2004 and older for this exact problem but they have not recalled 2005.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mazda tribute. While driving at an unknown speed, there was a loud sound coming from the rear passenger wheel of the vehicle. The contact coasted to the side of the road and noticed that the rear passenger side frame was corroded. The vehicle was taken to pugi mazda (1850 ogden ave, downers grove, il 60515, (877) 827-9086) where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger side wheel well was completely corroded and the rear shocks needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 146,100.
Our 2005 mazda tribute passenger side rear wheel well is rusted out to the point the strut has detached from it's mounting making it unsafe to drive the vehicle. This vehicle has been garage kept. A thumping noise was noticed while driving on a city street. This is what prompted me to take a look in the wheel well. The other 3 wheel wells have no rust. After doing some research, I found this is a common problem with other 2005s as well as previous model years that have a recall for the same issue. I don't understand why this year hasn't been included in the recall when it's the same issue that was occurring in earlier model years. I contacted the mazda dealership, and they reported not hearing of this issue with any 05s but they are currently fixing a 2003 with the same issue. They reported because there isn't a recall there wasn't anything they could do to help me out other than for me bringing it in to determine if they could fix it at my cost. Without seeing the vehicle, they said it would likely cost at least $700 to fix depending on how extensive the rust is. I'm concerned about the safety of driving this vehicle and don't feel this is a normal occurrence for a vehicle
Entire upper mounting area for right rear shock rusted away; shock insecure at top inner fender. Reattachment not possible due to extensive rust; extensive repairs required that would exceed vehicle value. Our mechanic was shocked when he saw the level of rust. We were told by our auto shop that this was not normal & we should contact mazda. Mazda did not resolve. We believe that this defect is similar to the defect that caused the recall of mazda tributes through year 2004 - the year before our tribute was manufactured. Our vehicle cannot be repaired. We did not take photos at the shop & cannot get a good picture of the undercarriage. We can submit the documents we received from our mechanic or take the truck back to the shop for a picture of the undercarriage. Thank you for helping us address our concern.
This mazda tribute has extensive and unrepairable rust to the body, understructure and suspension parts than makes it unsafe to drive. Structural integrity is compromised in the event of a collision, vehicle is prone to veer out of control due to missing suspension pieces and gas and exhaust fumes leak into the cabin due to rusted out and missing inner body panels.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mazda tribute. While driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was severe corrosion on the a-frame and rear suspension support of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the rear suspension support fractured. Wilkins mazda (750 n york rd, elmhurst, il 60126, (630) 279-3000) was contacted, but was unable to provide assistance with having the vehicle repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.
Our 2005 tribute model has the same rusting out of the right and left rear wheel wells that the 2001-2004 models of the tribute have experienced. Those models were repaired under a recall, but this year's model and forward still have the same rusting out problem. Dealers for mazda and ford won't even look at this to repair it. Car is now basically undrivable. And from what I've found, mazdaworld.com says that most of these vehicle were actually manufactured in 2004 but dated to 2005 model year. But avoided the 2004 recall because of this I can find a kit on ebay to fix, but no dealers will do the work. There have been plenty of complaints, but no action on this known problem that has existed in prior model designs.
Mount shock completely destroyed by rust. I did not know this until it began creating strange noises. Its dangerous to drive like that. Its impossible to know until it collapsed.
I would like a complete refund of all dollars spent in acquiring a 2005 mazda tribute VIN [xxx] on march 06, 2017 from certified auto brokers llc in hendersonville, tn 37075, license #[xxx]. (attached bill of sale) due to serious safety issues with this vehicle. Due to extensive rust and corrosion damage, the frame is likely to collapse in the event of a rear end collision endangering the safety of its passengers, rather than crush and absorb the impact as it was originally designed to do. In addition, it is prone to swerve and possibly tip over out of control on uneven pavement due to a missing passenger side rear shock that was not disclosed prior to purchase (photos attached). The left side shock is worn out and also ready to fall off at any moment as well. Because the fender wells are rusted through exhaust fumes can enter the passenger cabin which could have serious health consequences to its inhabitants. Evidence suggests at some point the damaged areas were covered with paint or undercoat in an attempt to hide these defects. The drive shaft, the frame and the underside of the vehicle are severely corrosion damaged. The parking brake is inoperative due to rust and could cause the vehicle to roll down hill while parked. There is significant rust hidden underneath the fender flares. Had I kept driving this vehicle I could have been severely injured and endangered the lives of others on the road. Certified auto brokers was negligent in representing this vehicle as being in excellent condition and selling it with known serious safety issues (refer to attached advertisement). Since the 2005 mazda tribute as sold is unsafe, unfit for the road and does not fulfill its implied usefulness, I am asking for a complete refund of the purchase price and all taxes and registration fees incurred in purchasing this vehicle. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
The passenger rear wheel well rusted out almost allowing the shock absorber to break free while the vehicle was in operation. Heard a tapping sound while driving that became louder. I checked the wheel well to see if anything was wrong and saw a small piece of rusted metal had broken away. The tapping became a banging and then I felt a sway. When I got home I found that the shock had almost broke free. The vehicle is undrivable now.
Passenger rear wheel well completely rusted through leading to failure of the shock mount. Shock entering the vehicle cargo area through the body.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mazda tribute. While driving 65 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal banging/clacking noise and the vehicle swayed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (kings ford inc., 9555 kings auto mall rd, cincinnati, ohio 45249) where it was diagnosed that the wheel well on the rear passenger side was rusted and referred the contact to a body shop. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and did not assist. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 157,000.
Right (passenger) rear wheel well rusted out so that shock is exposed and unattached. Suspension affected to the extent that car is not safe to drive.
The rear right wheel well is completely rusted out and cracking. As the body shop owner explained to me that this is a huge problem with the tributes. I then looked online to find many complaints about the same problem. This is not safe to drive on
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mazda tribute. While driving approximately 30 MPH, a loud noise was heard underneath the vehicle. The contact checked and fond that the rear passenger wheel well was rusted out. The dealer was contacted (oaklawn mazda in oaklawn, illinois) who stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer also stated that there was no recall. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was not provided.
Both rear wheel wells rusted out (passenger side much worse) causing shocks to come unmounted. Discovered by hearing thumping noise while driving.
This vehicle is owned by me but used by my son in colorado. On a recent trip near moab, ut on the way to a camp site, my son heard a strange noise. Upon investigation he noted the frame in the right rear wheel well holding the upper end of the shock absorber had broken in two places from rust intrusion. An inspection of the left rear wheel well indicated minimal rusting. Since the tires were recently replaced this failure was a surprise as the mechanic didn't note excessive rust, cracking or signs of metal fatigue. When the incident occured my son was driving on a gravel road toward a designated campground just a short distance from a paved highway. Although the vehicle has 4 wheel drive, it was never used in a rough manner such as for 4 wheeling or on rough uneven surfaces. This was my personal vehicle until a year ago. We had just spent $1,500 for new tires, a carburator repair and a new windshield that a rock had cracked. It was our intent to own the vehicle a few years longer since it has only 135,000 and is in good condition. My son was able to safely return to steamboat, a 5 hour drive from moab, but was very concerned the entire shock would push through the wheel well causing the vehicle to list or drift resulting in loss of control or a rollover, I.e. Serious injury or death. A local body shop refused to make repairs due to the extensive damage. To make the vehicle salvage based on its current value and condition is unthinkable, yet if repaid cannot be made at a reasonable cost, this may be our only choice. My research suggest the right rear wheel rust is fairly common in tributes and escapes, yet no recall.
Loud banging from rear of auto during drive, found that rear passanger side shock mount and housing completely rusted out. Cannot drive auto as its a safety problem as shock is not attached to anything
The right, rear wheel well is completely rusted through and looks like a major accident waiting to happen. The shock mount is connected to this portion of the frame and will more than likely shear off soon. Upon searching this issue, it appears that several other 2005 mazda tribute and ford escape owners have experienced the same defect. Mazda/ford recalled 2001-2004 models for the same problem, but has yet to address the problem for the 2005 model year. Based on the widespread nature of the problem, it is obvious that this a factory defect and should be recalled either willingly or unwillingly.
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