Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I heard a banging sound coming from the back of my vehicle only to discover that the passenger right side wheel well had completely rusted away and the rear suspension was banging around, I could actually see the bed lining of the vehicle scary when your driving around a 3 year old! I brought to a frame shop and was quoted $2500 for repair and basically told to scrap the vehicle (very disconcerting when there are only 140,000 miles on it),. After researching it sounds like this is a very common problem in this vehicle and I am hoping that it is addressed with a recall. I did end up finding an auto body repair shop to complete the repairs for $800 who told me he is seeing many drivers with this exact issue with this type of vehicle. After taking the back end off he said that the other side is about to go as well. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Mazda Tribute. While driving at various speeds, the contact heard abnormal noises coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe was corroded and needed to be welded. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 07/19/16 the consumer stated the vehicle was so badly rusted, the body of the truck came off the frame. Updated 07/19/16.
owned since day one, bought brand new, religiously maintained, perfect shape other than completely rusted wheel house back left passenger side. Shock went through rusted area all the way to trunk. Mazda recalled models 2003 to 2004 for this problem yet so many 2005 Mazda Tribute owners are having exact problem especially when manufactured in 2004! This is serious and I had my granddaughter with me when this happened and yet Mazda wants to do nothing about it when it's a serious hazard and ongoing problem with the 2005's. It is always the back passenger side with this problem! I have no money to purchase a car and now my lifeline to support my family is broke!
The rear wheel well was completely rusted out while the other side is fine. The shock broke loose causing the vehicle to drop down. I have a 17 year old that is not an experienced driver and this could have resulted in her getting seriously hurt. From what I read they recalled the vehicle to to 2004 and I don't understand why they did not recall this one. They should have and this is a serious safety issue. Does someone have to die before they see that this needs to be fixed?
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). …
The contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact had taken his vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that there was severe corrosion on the lower control arm. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V174000 (Structure) which he linked to the failure. After performing a VIN search, the contact also discovered that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The dealer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacture had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the steering wheel veered to the right causing the vehicle to crash into a curb. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side subframe fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V174000 (structure) but the remedy failed to prevent the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,800. Ma 10/25/15
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda Tribute years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (126), 2001 (45), 2004 (45), 2003 (29) and 2002 (26) model years. Body complaints make up 33% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Mazda Tribute body problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 14V-174 (frame and members, Apr 4, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mazda Tribute body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 123,000 miles; 6% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (194 mentions), followed by the body › door (28).
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.