Rear inner wheel well shock mount is completely rusted through on passenger side of vehicle. Shock completely rusted away from frame on passenger side with drivers side condition soon to follow. Problem noted 04/27/15 at 95,000. Miles. Photos taken of issue. Problem occurred while driving 35 MPH on residential street. Heard noise in rear of vehicle followed by bouncing in the rear end.
2005 Mazda Tribute suspension complaints
Page 4 of 6: complaints 71 to 100 of 137, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mazda tribute. While driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger shock mount was corroded and the vehicle was unsafe to be driven. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
While driving, my passenger and I noticed a strange noise coming from the rear passenger wheel well. After inspecting it, we discovered that the entire wheel well was rusted out and that the suspension system was disconnected. Hence, the entire area is being cut out and rebuilt. After speaking with a representative from mazda, my vehicle is out of any consideration of assistance from mazda because of the age and mileage on the vehicle.
I have had this SUV since new and have taken very good care of it. We do not drive it in winter as we have another car in fla. But still like thousands of other tributes, escapes and mariners the right rear shock mount has rusted out along with inter finder wheel well!. Which has left us with a very unsafe vehicle.
The right rear wheel well has a large hole going through to the lift gate area of the vehicle. It's all rusted out.
Upon bringing my 2005 mazda tribute into the mazda service center for unrelated repairs and maintenance, I was informed that the right rear wheel well was heavily rusted and the shock would soon break through the rust and disengage from the vehicle. I contacted mazda corporation to initiate a complaint and investigation. After the customer complaint department investigated the issue (contacting the diagnosing mazda service center), I was informed mazda corporation would not repair my vehicle because this issue was not under a recall, the vehicle warrantee expired, and mazda was unaware of any similar additional consumer complaints. This tribute has 109.000 miles and based on the dealers service center assessment is in immaculate condition: always garage parked, no other rust exists (including the undercarriage) on the vehicle, all maintenance for the past 10 years has been completed by the mazda dealership service center, and this vehicle never incurred body damage (no accidents). As original owners of this vehicle, we initially purchased the corrosion protection and exterior paint sealant (the rustproofing material is still visible within the wheel well). We have been very responsible and loyal mazda original vehicle owners, although after investigating this issue I have discovered hundreds of identical complaints which obviously relates to a manufacturers defect causing a significant safety hazard for unsuspecting drivers of this vehicle. I am appalled that mazda and the federal safety agency have not investigated and recalled this vehicle to inform the public of this dangerous defect. It is time to take action and responsibility to reduce the safety hazard for all owners and drivers, especially since mazdas own investigation concluded they were unaware of other complaints. Obviously this was not the truth but instead a cover up response to avoid culpability.
I heard a loud thump coming from the rear of my vehicle. I asked my husband to look at it when I got home and found the rear passenger fender well rusted out around the shock mount. This car is not safe to drive in this condition and is only ten years old.
While replacing the brakes on my 2005 mazda tribute, I discovered the right rear wheel well compromised by excessive rust. After researching online, this appears to be a major quality defect in the manufacturing of this vehicle and similar ford and mercury models (escape and mariner). I recently purchased this car, but only now noticed the rust. Several people are calling for ford to issue a recall/repair for these vehicles for this issue. I agree with them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mazda tribute. While the vehicle was at the dealer for a routine repair, the technician diagnosed that the rear passenger side wheel housing and strut were corroded. As a result, the vehicle was deemed irreparable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000.
While turning into a business the lower control arm mount came apart at the subframe. There appears to be substancial rust in the area.
I was on the freeway when I heard a loud thud the wheel well rotted out so bad that broke the shock on the rear back passenger side. This caused me to swerve and almost had an accident.. You recall the 2001 and 2004 models for the same issue why not add the 2005 because there is been hundreds and hundreds of complaints about this.
2005 mazda tribute, rear wheel well completely rusted. While driving my wife hit a bump in the road, she then tells me there is a rattle. So I drive it the next day. The rattle was very easy to hear. Upon inspection the rear passenger wheel well had disintegrated and was almost completely gone, and the rattle was the strut that had come undone hitting the cargo compartment. Just had tires and brakes replaced and they inspected the vehicle as well only 2 months prior with no mention of any other problems. Now it is unsafe to drive. No help from mazda, insurance, or the super warranty that covers everything bumper to bumper(or suppose to). Come to find out while doing some research, this seems to be a problem for mazda. The 01-04 tribute has a recall for the same thing except calling for the front driver wheel well. When you take it in they replace all four. It also seems that the 05 model year has just as many problems with this as well. Both of us work and have to be able to get there as well as getting the children to multiple places. We bought this vehicle thinking that it was going to be a good and safe way to get where we need to go. Turns out it was just a matter of time with this issue. We are lucky that it was the back I guess and not the front as she had the kids with her while on the highway and if the front would have come loose at hway speed it could have been a different outcome. I hope this does not happen to anyone else. 2 estimates to repair both are $5-7000. Can't pay to fix, and can't trade it in as it is worthless right now. This is a problem that the federal safety agency and mazda needs to address. It is not only monetary but a safety issue as well. We work hard for what we have and feel like we just got robbed of our money. The dealers and mazda got theirs though.
The rear right wheel well has been completely rusted out to the point that the suspension broke through into the interior of the car. The left rear and both front wheel wells look to be in perfect condition which seems abnormal for just one wheel well to be affected by extreme rust and corrosion. We bought this mazda tribute less then a year ago from the dan wolf chevrolet dealership in naperville illinois, with it "passing inspection". Since then my family and I have treated this car with extraordinary care by regular maintenance and overall cleanliness. The my family of five (three children) have used this vehicle everyday to drive to work and school not knowing the danger it apposed on us and other drivers on the road. When researching this particular problem we noticed that this very dangerous and unsafe incident has happened to owners of the 2005 mazda tribute across the u.s. (http://www.carcomplaints.com/mazda/tribute/2005/body_paint/wheel_well_completely_rusted_out.shtml) the dealership nor mazda have been any help to solve this problem. I believe that a recall for this car should be made to avoid any harm or threat to families and drivers on the road.
When I took my tribute in to get my annual inspection sticker the mechanic told me there was considerable rust underneath my vehicle he said it would not support the shocks in researching this vehicle I found there were 332 complaints and 53 was for the same problem I have I think mazda should recall my vehicle or pay to have it repaired or I think all of us should file a class action law suit against mazda or ford because they own mazda
The upper rear shock absorber mount came apart due to rust, the shock absorber came loose and was hitting against the wheel well or tire. Repairs were made at a cost of 4600. The other rear shock absorber mount on the driver side did not show any signs of rust. Updated 09/29/15*jb... Updated 09/30/15
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.
No crash but the underside is rusted and unsafe to drive as it does not support the shocks this car should be recalled I understand mazda recalled a lot of these cars from 2001-2004 with the same problem my car has new tires new brakes and new spark plus and pistons only 80,000 miles and runs good but it is rusted my daughter has a honda with 123,000 miles and it runs perfect with no rust this is not acceptable to me that the mazda is rusted. I would not advise anyone to buy a mazda because they do not last very long.
I own a 2005 mazda tribute with 80,000 miles, new tires, new brakes, new spark plugs and pistons (installed in april ) cost=1200.00 took my car in for an inspection in may and my mechanic told me there was considerable rust on the right wheel well and may not support the struts he advised me not to drive it and I took it to a body shop and they said d1500.+ not including labor and they could not guarantee they could gt rid of the rust, not involved in an accident-my car runs good but I afraid to drive it. 75 retired and this is my only mode of transportation and I cannot afford another car. I noticed on line mazda has recalled a lot of cars for this same problem-do they nor undercoat cars anymore.
The passenger side rear wheel well has rusted out. Suspension is now protruding into the interior of the vehicle. The extent of the rust is abnormal, even for the geographic area. It is no longer safe to drive the vehicle. Condition is result of manufacturing defect. Contacted mazda USA to ask when they will be scheduling recall based on huge number of complaints re: same issue and they stated that the issue is due to improper washing of the car and sent paragraph on how to wash a car. Useless.
Turning into a parking lot on 17 june 2015, my 2005 mazda tribute suddenly gave a loud thump, a tire screech, and stopped. The car would not move under its own power, as the right front wheel was pointed in a different direction than the left one, and it was clear the drive shaft had been pulled out of the transaxle, as the wheel was too far out and almost back against the wheel well. Upon inspection at a repair shop, it was clear the right front subframe had rusted through, causing the lower arm to detach from the chassis. Research indicated that this problem had been the subject of a recall of previous model years. It seems that the rust-through problem with this assembly is still a problem. This is going cost a lot to fix. Not happy. Updated 09/03/15
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.
Passenger side rear wheel well completely rusted out causing strut to push through into interior trim. A minimum $1,000 repair estimate.
Passenger back wheel carriage is completely rusted out. Suspension is exposed along with shocks. Made loud noises while driving over bumps - I had no idea that my entire wheel carriage was completed rusted. This will cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to fix. Worst car I have had. Will never ever purchase another mazda. I am amazed and disgusted that mazda has not recalled these cars. What a disgrace to owners of these cars.
The right rear wheel well completely rusted out and left the shock attached to absolutely nothing.
Shock mount has rusted out and the strut is hanging loose. You look up from under the vehicle and see into the interior insulation. Strut can cause loss of control of the vehicle. Rotted out wheel well can allow exhaust fumes to enter the vehicle causing serious injury or death.
Excessive, localized rust has developed in the right, rear wheel well, resulting in the shock being loose and making a loud banging sound when going over even small bumps. The left side and the rest of the car does not have this problem indicating a localized manufacturing/engineering defect.
The right rear top shock mount on my 2005 mazda tribute totally rusted off the unibody frame.
Left rear shock absorber mount separated from the vehicle frame during normal driving (slow speed - 25mph) due to what appears to be a faulty design. All connecting bolts, washers and nuts are intact and secure in the shock absorber and mount area. This has resulted in a serious safety issue when driving the vehicle and it was fortuitous that the driver was not operating in highway or more intense conditions when the vehicle failed. I have contacted mazda north america and have received a service report from the local mazda dealer in charlotte, nc. (information available if needed). While the vehicle is 10 years old, a failure of this type is unusual and rare but identified from multiple sources as corrosion issues that ford / maza have on the 03 to 05 models which should result in a recall and remedy by the manufacturer. Having researched this issue it's clearly a manufacture flaw in the design of this model, not just because as an owner I have an issue to deal with, but as a consumer with knowledge of the unusual nature of this failure.
The entire rear passenger wheel well has rusted away and the shock is completely detached from the frame on our tribute. This is obviously not normal wear and tear as the vehicle is only 10 years old and it is only happening on the rear passenger. It is going to cost me a lot to fix and will definitely be the last mazda I buy (unless by chance mazda sees how this is a major problem with tributes/escapes and makes it right).
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. [xxx] , 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. [xxx] , 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. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
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