Most common 2006 Mazda Tribute problems
Share of the 130 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda Tribute complaints by model year
Best Tribute years: 2011, 2000, 2009. Years to avoid: 2001, 2002, 2005, 2008. Compare all years →
2006 Mazda Tribute recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control › Cables
Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
On certain trucks and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor May have been produced without grease applied to the output shaft gear.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on November 28, 2005. Owners May contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
What 2006 Mazda Tribute owners say
Speed control & acceleration all 49 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mazda Tribute. While driving 85 MPH and depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle accelerated without warning. The brake pedal had to be depressed multiple times to slow the vehicle down. The contact drove the vehicle home. Also, while the vehicle was in drive, it accelerated at full throttle. The contact called kinsel Ford (located at 3355 eastex fwy, beaumont, tx 77706, [phone]) and was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V357000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). The dealer stated that if the failure was related to the recall, there would be no charge. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
I was unable to stop my vehicle in time to avoid a collision with another car. It felt to me that I had no control over the car because the engine was racing. I applied the brakes hard but the car would not stop. The traffic light had just changed and I was accelerating to go through the light. That is when the vehicle went out of my control. After the accident, I tried to drive my car away from the scene but the engine was racing and I could not control the car. That is when I realized that the vehicle is not drivable because the engine appears to be stuck with the throttle open. I tried to drive it but had to use the emergency brake to stop it.
Engine & cooling all 21 →
Vehicle traveling on interstate highway of major metropolitan city when smoke from engine brought vehicle and traffic to standstill. Two fire trucks and police responded. Oil found sprayed on highway and throughout engine compartment, with total loss of engine oil. Vehicle taken to dealership service department for diagnosis. Per dealership report, oil leak found emanating from a large gaping hole on bottom of engine block (v6) where it appears cylinder rod #5 disconnected and went through the bottom of the engine block and ruptured the oil filter, releasing all engine oil content. Engine considered blown by dealership and given out of warranty, an $8500 engine replacement is required at the total expense of the owner given the vehicle is beyond the 36,000 mile engine warranty period, and therefore Mazda is not responsible. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mazda Tribute. While driving 85 MPH and depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle accelerated without warning. The brake pedal had to be depressed multiple times to slow the vehicle down. The contact drove the vehicle home. Also, while the vehicle was in drive, it accelerated at full throttle. The contact called kinsel Ford (located at 3355 eastex fwy, beaumont, tx 77706, [phone]) and was informed that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V357000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). The dealer stated that if the failure was related to the recall, there would be no charge. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Fuel & propulsion system
On 2/10/11 my son was in an accident with our 2006 madza Tribute. The gas pedal would stick every now and then, and the only way to release it was to push down on it with you foot and it would resume. Unfortuntly, he was driving on the I-5 freeway near grants pass, oregon when it stuck and he lost control of the vehicle. He hit a semi truck, then a 2nd semi truck, and was cited for reckless driving, although driving the legal speed limit on dry pavement. My son is 31. The state police gave him a blood test for alleged driving under the influence, but it came up negative. He is suffering muscular injuries as is his girlfriend who was a passenger in the vehicle. The gas pedal sticking would happen a couple of times a month, just off and on, and I currently only work part time since loosing my full time employment this past June (2010). The vehicle is totaled as a result of the accident. …
My Mazda Tribute v 6, 3.0 all of a sudden stopped on the highway. I had it towed to my son's house, than to the Mazda dealership. It was at the dealership when I was told what had occurred. My coils had blown out and damaged my (PCM)computer. They said it would cost $2689. I could not afford the dealership's cost so I had it towed again to a private mechanic where he replaced the coils. I went on ebay and found a reasonably priced PCM where it was programmed keys included. My research has LED me into writing this letter. I found that Ford motors and their affiliates have known about this problem with the coils blowing out the PCM for quite some time and have never told the owners of their vehicles about this problem. If I had known I would have never purchased the vehicle.
2006 Mazda Tribute engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | 4WD/AWD | 28 / 26 / 27 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 27 / 23 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 23 / 21 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 23 / 20 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 22 / 20 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 21 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Mazda Tribute a good car?
Based on 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Tribute rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Tribute at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Mazda Tribute?
The speed control & acceleration — 49 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cruise control. Next are the engine & cooling (21) and fuel & propulsion system (18).
How many recalls does the 2006 Mazda Tribute have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2006 Mazda Tribute, the most recent from July 27, 2012 (cables). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda Tribute?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2000 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2008. See the full Mazda Tribute years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Mazda Tribute problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 76,000 miles; 29% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.