Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Mazda Tribute owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop as, a result the contact rear ended another vehicle. The contact mentioned that her vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V357000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained whiplash. The other driver did not sustain injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
I purchased the car new in 2004. I have been complaining about the brakes losing pressure since I purchased my car but the dealership always told me they were fine. I have always had to push my brakes to the floor to stop the vehicle. Sometimes when at a red light I'd sit and pump air into the brakes so they would stop properly. Yesterday I was driving in stop and go traffic and a lady stopped ahead of me but my car would not stop. I had adequate distance to stop. I had the brake pedal to the floor and it felt as if the tires were stuttering/hopping in an attempt to stop. I pressed so hard that my whole leg was in a cramp. I hit the car ahead of me damaging the bumper. I did not slide, the tires are semi-new and in great condition. Also, my rotors failed a few years ago. Had to have them replaced all round as well as another part of the braking system. …
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. [redacted] , 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. …
Had just returned from driving on freeway, pulled into gas station, needed to move for another vehicle when brakes failed and pedal went down to floor. Rolled car into snow bank to avoid accident. Noticed fluid leaking around front tires. Had to fill brake fluid reservoir and drove car across street to mechanic. Both front brake hoses were split near base of connector and very stiff. Both were replaced along with 1 caliper for $300. Mechanic stated he never saw both hoses go at once and was surprised they split at only 100,000 miles. Per the internet, many Ford escapes and mazdas have been experiencing this problem. We could have been killed if we had still been driving on the freeway. I'm sure Ford and Mazda are both aware of this on going problem and have chosen not to remedy it. Have owned many different cars throughout the years and have never had to replace a brake hose. …
The undercarriage of this vehicle is rusted as per the complaints, only year not recalled and should have been. But unrelated to that. Driving daughters 2005 Mazda Tribute and brakes went all the way to the floor not allowing me to stop the car. I had to pull the emergency brake to stop the car. It was a torn brake hose that was spewing out fluid that immediately drained and left the vehicle undrivable. Had towed to shop to repair brakes, leak ruined calipers, replace front lines to accept new hoses, etc. $877 to fix. If 18 year old daughter had taken car back to college, 6 hours on interstate, could've been catastrophic!
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond without warning. In addition, the contact discovered that the accelerator pedal was stuck to the floorboard and the emergency brake had to be engaged to avoid a crash. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 174,848.
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.
I would like a complete refund of all dollars spent in acquiring a 2005 Mazda Tribute VIN [redacted] on March 06, 2017 from certified auto brokers llc in hendersonville, tn 37075, license #[redacted]. (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. …
After the 2005 Mazda Tribute is highway driven for 4 to 6 hours the brakes fail to stop the car within normal distances. It feels like there are no power brakes; much like stopping 1960's cars with drum brakes. These failures, do not occur in around town driving; and cannot be duplicated by the Mazda dealership during around town test drives. As it only occurs after the vehicle has been driven for hours, and particularly in hot climates like arizona, it appears the problem is heat related. When trying to stop exiting a freeway, and standing on the brakes, and still blowing through a stop, it scares the hell out of driver, passengers and other traffic and has the potential of being lethal to persons and property.
The rotors on my 2005 Mazda Tribute after two years and 31,000 miles were replaced free of charge. I was told that the 2005 Tribute rotors were made of asbestos and that is why the rotors wore so quickly because they were made of a very soft material. I was told that the rotors have been improved with a more durable material. Mazda told me that they could not put the new improved rotors on my 2005 because I had to stay with 2005 parts. I don't understand this, why wasn't the 2005 tributes recalled because of this defect in the rotors?
Brake complaints in other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Mazda Tribute, 7% of the model year's 377 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Mazda Tribute brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2005 Mazda Tribute, though it has 3 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 2005 Mazda Tribute brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes 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.