RecallMyCar

2005 Mazda Tribute Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 2005 Mazda Tribute, and owners have filed 377 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
377
owner complaints to NHTSA
16 / 4
complaints citing a crash / fire
17–24
MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 2005 Mazda Tribute

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Cables (vehicle speed control) and engine and engine cooling

    NHTSA 12V357000 Reported 217,500 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

    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. This risk exists…

    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. Owners may contact…

  2. Head restraint (seats)

    NHTSA 06V116000 Reported 23,100 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA MOTOR CORP

    Certain sport utility vehicles equipped without side air curtains or moon roofs fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impact." during testing, the free motion head form registered a measurement above the permitted limit at the left hand a-pillar trim area.

    Remedy: Dealers will make modifications to the energy absorbing material located above the headliner in the affected area free of charge. The recall began on may 31, 2006. Owners may contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

  3. Lock (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 04V605000 Reported 49,800 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

    Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utility vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components.' the rear liftgate latching system does not meet…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

377 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2005 Mazda Tribute have filed 377 complaints with NHTSA; 16 describe a crash and 4 describe a fire. Reports cite 13 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 100,710 miles. Complaints peaked in 2015 with 55 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Passenger rear shock mount toatly rusted through. A big hole!”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 21, 2024 · Structure

“Rear passenger shock mount rusted out completely”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 25, 2023 · Suspension

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2005 Mazda Tribute (Tribute 2WD, Tribute 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined17–24 mpg
City / Highway16–21 / 20–27
FuelRegular
EPA classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engine4/6 cyl, 2.3/3 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Mazda Tribute model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Mazda Tribute model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2000 Mazda Tribute05
2001 Mazda Tribute13563
2002 Mazda Tribute7384
2003 Mazda Tribute6199
2004 Mazda Tribute5157
2005 Mazda Tribute3377
2006 Mazda Tribute2130
2007 Mazda Tribute04
2008 Mazda Tribute4202
2009 Mazda Tribute135
2010 Mazda Tribute239
2011 Mazda Tribute07

Checking a specific 2005 Mazda Tribute

How do I know if my 2005 Mazda Tribute has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2005 Mazda Tribute; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mazda dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V605000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Mazda models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.