Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Mazda Tribute owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3 MPH pulling into a parking space, the engine rpms suddenly increased before the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The driver lost control and crash into a brick building. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. There were no injuries. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number 12V357000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mazda Tribute. When the vehicle was started in the morning, the accelerator would not engage when the gear was in drive. Even after driving, when stopped at a light, the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was very difficult to depress. Occasionally, the pedal would respond normally when it was depressed on the right side. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it could not be diagnosed. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
When cold, gas pedal will not depress. Becomes firm and resistant to pressure. Have to slam on pedal, but receive no power from engine---happens alot when trying to turn corners, will not accelerate- can cause severe if not fatal accident if this occurs at the wrong time. Please force Mazda to issue recall for this part, could be related to throttle body as well
When cold, gas pedal will not depress. Becomes firm and resistant to pressure. Have to slam on pedal, but receive no power from engine---happens alot when trying to turn corners, will not accelerate- can cause severe if not fatal accident if this occurs at the wrong time. Please force Mazda to issue recall for this part, could be related to throttle body as well.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mazda Tribute. While driving at 60 MPH, the contact disengaged the cruise control and attempted to accelerate. The contact noticed that the accelerator pedal independently depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,592.
For the past year, the vehicle's accelerator/gas pedal has at times felt "stuck" so that the driver must press down harder than normal to accelerate. Originally the driver was under the impression that the mat was obstructing the gas pedal's ability to be depressed. Over time however, the vehicle has shown an increased difficulty in the gas pedal being depressed. Most recently, on January 23, 2014, the vehicle was idling while in traffic. When the driver attempted to press down on the accelerator, the gas pedal did not move. The driver was forced to press hard on the accelerator, and when doing so, the accelerator became "stuck" and quickly jolted the vehicle forward. The driver had to immediately press down on the brake to avoid collision with the vehicle in front. The speed at the time was less than 15 miles per hour and the driver was able to come to a stop avoiding collision. …
My gas pedal gets stuck..help!! I was on my way to work. I put my foot on the gas pedal and it was stuck. I quickly pushed the brake and was able to pull over. I remember hearing about this so I pulled up my carpet thinking it might be that. I started back on my way to work and the pedal was "sticky". After work I was trying to pull out of my parked spot. My gas pedal got stuck again. My car was accelerating on its' own. I tried the brake it would not help. I put it in neutral and it slowed down. I was finally able to stop the car. I got out of the car to see what was going on and could not figure it out. I got back in the car and tried again, it was still stuck. This was so bad because not only was it dangerous for me, I am a teacher and the students walk through the parking lot all the time. It was dangerous for everyone. …
While passing a slower vehicle on a two lane road, the Mazda Tribute's accelerator stuck. I let off the gas at 65mph but the engine continued to accelerate to over 4000 RPM and 85 MPH. The brakes did little to slow the car(I got it down to 80mph). Trying to raise or move the gas peddle did nothing to change the speed. I was able to shift into neutral gear and as the car slowed down, I applied the hand (emergency) brake and pulled off the road onto a wide shoulder. Starting the engine again later, it started at the previous high RPM's. I called for a tow truck and did not drive it further .I have had problems with the cruise control suddenly accelerating for an instant before returning to normal settings. This has been erratic and cannot be reproduced for the service departments. Two weeks ago, the cruise control started dropping out (turns off) with out warning. …
Related recalls
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.
Acceleration complaints in other Tribute years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2006 Mazda Tribute?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2006 Mazda Tribute, 38% of the model year's 130 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Mazda Tribute acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-357 (cables, Jul 27, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Mazda Tribute acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration 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.