Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
rear passenger side wheel well ,shock tower mount ,and sub frame .shock tower mount broke fell off hit the cement , chipped my rim and crushed my break lines i took it to lafountaine mazda and they have done an estimate for repairs and damage
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. …
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.
My 2004 Mazda Tribute has less than 100,000 miles and this past week while leaving a local mall there seemed to be more road noise than usual coming from the rear. A visual inspection of the rear passenger side wheel well revealed that the top of the strut, along with a portion of the metal mount was broken away from the body. The mount had completely rusted away from the wheel well exposing the interior of the cargo area. Most of my driving is done either in town or highway. It is very disappointing that Mazda (and Ford) has failed to take responsibility for its poor engineering. I hope it doesn't take a fatality or injury for either the manufacturer or the government to address this issue.
My 2004 Mazda Tribute (just like a Ford escape) has totally rusted out on the passenger back wheel well. The suspension is affected as well as the shock mounting is completely rusted away and bangs against the car and provides no stabilizing control. The repairs are going to be very costly and I found numerous reports of the same rust out and right rear suspension failure on Mazda tributes and Ford escape in the 2001-2005 model years. Mazda and Ford conducted a recall on tributes and escapes due to rust out of right front suspension. The same is immediately needed on the right rear suspension. The left rear suspension appears fine and does not show any of the same rust problem.
My 2004 Mazda Tribute (just like a Ford escape) has totally rusted out on the passenger back wheel well.my husband was doing about 20 MPH and heard the loud bang! The shock mounting is completely rusted away and bangs against the car and provides no stabilizing control. I found a bunch of complaints after I googled it - all right rear! The front was recalled but why not rear? Our mechanic said it was basically totaled. And good luck trying to find someone to fix it! It can not be driven at all! Cant sell it or trade it in! And we cant find anyone to touch it! Mazda's response was they can hook us up with a salesman to purchase another Mazda. Really?????????????
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?
Extensive rust in the back passenger wheel well which has caused the suspension to break away from the body of the car. First noticed a loud thumping when going over bumps a month ago and it has gotten so bad that it is putting me, my family, and others at risk of an accident and forcing me to buy another car. There is already an id # associated with this complaint (#10669545) and many complaints submitted. This issue needs be investigated as a recall. Please respond to me with information on the investigations on this matter and if I can expect any help for repair on this problem to prevent an accident.
Suspension complaints in other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2004 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Mazda Tribute, 31% of the model year's 157 complaints. The component named most often is rear (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Mazda Tribute suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2004 Mazda Tribute, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Mazda Tribute suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 141,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.