Completely rusted out right side rear wheel well and suspension support. Seems to be a common and dangerous problem. Visual inspection of the rear passenger side wheel well revealed that the suspension arm was broken away from the body of the vehicle, making it unsafe to drive based on a mechanic's opinion. The suspension mount rusted completely away from the wheel well and has now exposed the interior portion of the rear cargo area. There was a recall on the front side for this issue for up to model year '04, but not including '05 which has the same body??

- Boston, MA, USA

I went to get my oil changed and the mechanic showed me my rear wheel well. The shock mount is completely rusted out and unsafe to drive. He said he has never seen anything that bad. I have to go to a body shop and get a whole new wheel well and shock system. It is going to cost around $1100.

- Green Mountain, NC, USA

I am also a victim of the rear passenger wheel well rotting out so bad that it can not be repaired. Vehicle only has 90,000 miles on it. Mazda should take responsibility for this since it is not an isolated case

- Milford, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving 65 mph, there was a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. It was diagnosed that the rear tail pipe had fallen off and the passenger side wheel well was rusted out. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

- Madison, IN, USA

We heard a loud drubbing sound, like the back seat had come undone. In fact, the underneath of the seat, under the car had become so rusted that the shock was detached from the rest of the car, which was making that sound. I was driving with my kids in the car for 100's of miles like this! Mazda had a recall on 2002-2004 Mazda Tributes but did not include my Mazda 2005, though made in 2004 and has the same issues as the recall, rust in the wheel well. Mazda will not fix it and will not pay for it since I had to fix it. I paid $1,086 to fix this, being without a car for a month. I was lucky that it was this cheap, only because they gave me a break. It was estimated to be over $2K. Even the clerk at Mazda said these vehicles "are all known to rust", so I can obviously sue Mazda on just that testimony, but otherwise, I have no recourse except to pay for this and wait and hope that a recall will pay me back some day.

- Marion, MA, USA

In the rear passenerger side wheel well, rusted out so bad rear shock has pulled away from body, causing jole all wsy thru car. Saw online this is a commom problem with this model and sister Ford escape heard recalls for 02 thru 04 models.

- Newport, MI, USA

While driving the vehicle at a speed of about 35 mph I felt what appeared to be a flat tire. After checking the tire, there was nothing obvious showing. At speeds about 55 mph the sensation of a flat tire ceased, however, as soon as I would slow down, it would return, along with a loud noise. I took the car in to Firestone tire. They discovered that the passenger side rear wheel well is completely rusted out. The strut housing is exposed and the wheel is at risk for literally separating from the vehicle. We were told that any small rear impact could cause the rear end of the vehicle to completely separate from the rest of the car. After having the vehicle checked by several different mechanics and body shops we were told that the vehicle is unsafe to drive and requires over $5800 in repairs. After contacting Mazda, they refuse to acknowledge this as a recall and the only off they made was for $1,500-$3,000 off the purchase of a brand new Mazda. We have cared for our vehicle impeccably. It only has 135,000 miles on it and has always had all maintenance performed. All other areas of the vehicle are in good condition. This is obviously an issue with the parts that were used on the assembly line during production. I find it very hard to believe that only one side in one area of the vehicle would rust out like this. Mazda should take responsibility for this before someone is seriously hurt or killed.

- Cottleville, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving at various speeds, a popping sound emitted from the vehicle. The contact pulled over and discovered that the rear passneger side wheel well was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,720.

- Los Alamos, NM, USA

The underside and even the fuel entry area is rusted and is beginning to affect the exterior paint job around the truck and doors.

- Hamtramck, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving 30 mph, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated that there was a grinding sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the subframe and shock mounts fractured from excessive corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.

- Centennial, CO, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal sound emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger side wheel well and frame was rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,000.

- Lancaster, OH, USA

Rear shock mount rusted, right side. Can not drive my car and no one will buy it in this condition. The body shop cannot repair and he said it is too dangerous to drive. It can cause an accident.

- Delaware, OH, USA

Extreme rust/corrosion in the wheel well area - frame degraded and fell away from the body -- shock coming loose - occurred while driving on city street - going straight.

- Forest Park, IL, USA

The passenger side rear wheel well is rusted out and the shock absorber is exposed and barely supported. The driver side is fine. There was a recall for this problem for the prior 4 years to this. It will be un-driveable soon.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

My right rear wheel well is completely rotted out. My body shop told me this should not ever happen. Also told me it was a bad piece of steel used in the manufacture and I could have been killed if it had not been detected and I kept driving it. The rest of my SUV is immaculate. I have seen other complaints on this. It is costing me $1500 to repair. I was driving and started hearing a rattling sound and stopped at a mechanic. My mechanic told me thank god you stopped before you got hurt.

- Conshohocken, PA, USA

2005 Mazda while driving on a city street I heard a loud clunk coming from the right rear of the vehicle. I discovered that the right rear wheelhouse had rusted out and the shock tower had completely broken off. The left wheelhouse is close behind. This is the same problem addressed by a Mazda recall for 2001-2004 models. Why hasn't Mazda been forced to address the problem with the 2005 model?

- Augusta, MI, USA

Similar to others, started hearing a knocking/rattling in the right rear. Upon inspection the right rear wheel well is rusted out, and the knocking continues to get worse. Similar to the recall by Mazda for 2001 - 2004 models. Car will be unsafe to drive and should be addressed by Mazda.

- Algonquin, IL, USA

My 2005 Mazda Tribute AWD S is rusted out in the right rear wheelhouse along with the shock tower. Not drivable and sitting stationary. Why recalls only up to 2004 models" very disappointed. Doesn't make sense as there are many complaints on this issue. I have a car not drivable and no money for a new one. Retired with a fixed income. Help!!?"

- North Providence, RI, USA

A noise in the left rear developed and the rear shock broke off. Upon inspection it was determined that excessive corrosion on the entire frame from behind the front seat area back rendered the vehicle unsafe to drive. I contacted Mazda Corp and was tld that yes there were known cases of excessive corrosion on that er as well as Ford escapes due to defective metal used in manufacturing. I was told it was not my fault as I could not have prevented it. That there was nothing they could do as the vehicle was out of warrantee. The Mazda dealer who inspected the vehicle stated it was ne of the worst cases they had seen and not to drive it. I was forced to trade it in at a great loss because I need a vehicle.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving 35 mph, a rattling noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to observe the vehicle and noticed that the strut mount for the rear passenger side was severely rusted. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the entire rear quarter panel assembling and wheel well were severely rusted and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Gwinn, MI, USA