Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Mazda Tribute owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. After the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14V174000 (structure), the technician stated that there was excessive rust on the undercarriage. As a result, the undercarriage needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while pulling into the garage at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed into the garage and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained bruising that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V357000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact mentioned a burning odor inside the vehicle. The contact pulled over and discovered that part of the frame was fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger side of the frame was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving 50 MPH, the subframe fractured. The failure caused the contact to momentarily lose control of the vehicle. The contact regained control and brought the vehicle to a stop. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact sustained some minor bruising and swelling to the lower portion of the body, but did not recall how they occurred. Medical attention was not required. The vehicle was left at the scene and retrieved by an eyewitness. The contact later verified that the subframe was fractrured. The vehicle was driven home very slowly. The local dealer (oak lawn Mazda, 6750 95th st, oak lawn, il, 60453) was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was driven very slowly to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the subframe had fractured. A remedy was not provided due to the dealer awaiting a response from the manufacturer. …
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.
The right rear shock tower broke away from the body ,causing the vehicle to jerk hard right ,as I was driving on the highway at about 60 miles per hour,this almost caused an accident, I crossed into the middle lane cutting off the auto in that lane . Had it not been for the driving skills off the other driver and myself there would have been an accident. The shock then tore the inside of the tire up causing a flat. When I called Mazda they said it was not a safety issue and had no plans to recall the vehicle for this most common problem.this vehicle has a recall for rust on the front frame mount but not on the rust problems in the rear of the vehicles. I feel they used inferior metal in the entire automobile and should repair this very dangerous problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving at an unknown speed, a loud abnormal noise emitted from the front of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the passenger side wheel house panel and shock were severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for further inspection, whom also confirmed that the front passenger wheel house panel and shock were severely corroded due to defective material. The technician advised that the rear passenger side wheel house panel and shock and the driver side wheel house panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.
The rear passenger wheel well has excessive corrosion through the frame of my vehicle. The corrosion has split my frame in half and left wholes surrounding the split. My shock tower is exposed and corroded making it unsafe to drive. The rear driver side is splitting in the same exact place.this is a serious safety hazard and obvious defect. The front end of my vehicle was just recalled and repaired for the same issue. I don't understand why Mazda has not addressed this issue already. Excessive corrosion has also occurred on the Ford escape made from the same line. Mazda needs to be responsible and correct this before a serious injury or fatality occurs.
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!
Right rear shock has broken through wheel panel and can be seen from the trunk area. Left rear side has stress fractures and I assume will also break through eventually. Took car to body shop and was told that the wheel panel has rusted through and that it would be too expensive to fix because to properly fix the car one would have to replace the wheel panel and any other metal area on both sides of the car that is rusted. Is NHTSA willing to take the car to test the undercoating and metal to determine if they meet proper standards? I went online and have seen that this same problem with other madza tributes and even Ford escapes. Can you help?
Related recalls
Structure › Frame and members
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…
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.
Body complaints in other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2004 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the body & structure of the 2004 Mazda Tribute, 29% of the model year's 157 complaints. The component named most often is body (36 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Mazda Tribute body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-174 (frame and members, Apr 4, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Mazda Tribute body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 140,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.