Mazda Tribute Suspension Problems

Suspension complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Front
  6
• Rear
  5
• Front › Wheel bearing
  4
• Front › Control arm
  3
• Front › Springs › Coil springs
  1
• Front › Stabilizer bar
  1
• Front › Hub
  1
• Rear › Shock absorber
  1

Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  73%
• 25k–50k
  42%
• 50k–75k
  126%
• 75k–100k
  3819%
• 100k–150k
  9948%
• 150k+
  4522%

What owners report

I have a 2008 Mazda Tribute with 13,000 miles on it. Last week I noticed the right rear wheel was tilted out or in technical terms it had extreme negative camber. I got underneath the vehicle and saw that the lower ball joint had come out of the control arm. The lower control arm is designed for the ball joint to fit in a stamped steel sleeve then bolt tight to the rear spindle once the ball joint is dislodged from the control arm the integrity of the ball joint and the control arm are compromised. I called the dealer and explained what had happened and he told me to bring it in right away for fear that the rear wheel could collapse under the vehicle. I'm well aware of what could happen but I'm more concerned that a warranty repair would not solve the cause of the problem. I'm also concerned the problem would die at the dealership and not be brought to the proper personnel attention. …

2008 Mazda Tribute always maintained good, first when driving on wet bridges SUV tends to glide. This happens the time a bridge is wet. Car is no longer under warranty and im scared they might overcharge me. $100.0 just to check it. Another problem is the front bearings in the front had to be replaced, and brakes make a swushing noise ever time I apply the brakes . Ignition key has to be push while turning it to start car. Took it to my mechanic and he says that the ignition switch is bad. This car is laced with problems please advise Ford to recall this SUV. It will kill people , you don't want it to be raining and you slam your brakes and your car slides and runs into people. Please address this with Ford urgently. Thank you btw when your braking the seat kind of feels like its going forward and increasing speed kind of goes back.

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. …

Experiencing same issues with the front subframe/engine cradle as indicated in the 2001-2004 Mazda Tribute/Ford escape recall. This is a 2006, with the same exact issue of the subframe rusting out and breaking on the passenger side. This is absolutely insane! The recall should have included 2005 and 2006 vehicles as well! I'm looking at thousands of dollars to have a subframe put in and the rest of my vehicle is rust free, so you can obviously tell I take good care to wash the underneath of the vehicle!

The wheel well rusted out, completely leaving the shock tower and stability of the car at risk, rusted out completely, I'm a light backyard mechanic and I've seen the Ford do the same . The repair is almost the value of the car, and unless you trust them your basically buying a new vehicle, because while you're there may change the set of shock's and absorber that's about 700. To include. This car had a rumor of being as good as the Everlasting Santa Fe, and Toyota 4runner. Vehicle is in pristine shape aside from the fatal rust.. recall recall recall recall

Right rear frame has rusted out enough to cause brake and shock issues causing a perfectly good vehicle to become unsafe and dangerous for my family and others. The shock and brake line broke and the vehicle slid to a stop.

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. …