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

- Westland, MI, USA

Top of wheel well on both sides in the back of the vehicle is almost completely rotted out - this is an on going issue and apparently has been happening for a while but it is hard to notice since it is behind the closed door that it is apparent and since I am usually driving, I would not have noticed it. I was having my flex pipe replaced and have been noticing some anging in the rear of the vehicle. At this point, I am assuming it is coming from the body rott which I believe to be a driving hazard at this point. I saw that some vehicles in 2004 and prior were recalled for this issue, but apparently not mine pr madza. Apparently it should have been!

- North Middletown, NJ, USA

Adding my Tribute to the list of rear passenger side shock/strut rusting through the body..very dangerous

- Clarksburg, WV, USA

The right rear shock tower broke away from the body, causing the vehicle to jerk hard right, as I was driving on the highway at about 60 miles per hour, this almost caused an accident, I crossed into the middle lane cutting off the auto in that lane. Had it not been for the driving skills off the other driver and myself there would have been an accident. The shock then tore the inside of the tire up causing a flat. When I called Mazda they said it was not a safety issue and had no plans to recall the vehicle for this most common problem.this vehicle has a recall for rust on the front frame mount but not on the rust problems in the rear of the vehicles. I feel they used inferior metal in the entire automobile and should repair this very dangerous problem.

- Massillon, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving at 35 mph over a bump in the road, the vehicle made a loud abnormal sound. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the passenger side rear wheel well and the shock tower were corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,631. MA 10/25/15

- Lebanon, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving 45 mph, a rattling sound emitted from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear passenger wheel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 199,000. Updated 5/12/15 the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. Updated 05/26/15

- Saint Joseph, IL, USA

Extensive rust in the back passenger wheel well which has caused the suspension to break away from the body of the car. First noticed a loud thumping when going over bumps a month ago and it has gotten so bad that it is putting me, my family, and others at risk of an accident and forcing me to buy another car. There is already an id # associated with this complaint (#10669545) and many complaints submitted. This issue needs be investigated as a recall. Please respond to me with information on the investigations on this matter and if I can expect any help for repair on this problem to prevent an accident.

- Mount Airy, MD, USA

While looking for a knocking sound in the passenger side rear found that the shock mount assembly was broken loose from the body of the vehicle. You could see through to the interior fabric, leaving shock and mount attached to nothing. Serious design flaw.

- Utica, NY, USA

Took vehicle to dealer and had them check out some noise coming from rear of vehicle. Dealer says the rear passenger wheel well is very rusted (actually rusted through in spots) and not stable. Noise is coming from around the rear shock area which is very deteriorated around the shock mount and it looks like the shock may not be adequately secured. The same thing is starting to happen on the other rear wheel well but most of the damage is on the passenger side. There is no visible rust on the exterior of the vehicle. We were referred to a local body shop but the repair would be too expensive too fix. We've regularly serviced this vehicle at the dealer since we bought it new. I've checked on-line and have found many other instances of this type of damage occurring in Mazda Tributes and Ford escapes in the 2004-2005 model years. The vehicle is not being repaired due to cost.

- Apple Valley, MN, USA

The right wheel well is completely rusted through including the rear shock mounts. The only thing holding the metal together was the outer undercoating spray. My 18 year old son was driving on the interstate in this condition. I searched the internet and see that other Mazda Tribute and Ford escape owners have the same problem. It's an obvious manfacture's defect that is occurring nationally and is a serious safety issue. Department of transportation federal highway administration.

- Marietta, GA, USA