The passenger side rear wheel well has rusted out and the brake mount is deteriorating as well affecting the safety of the vehicle. I have been told that this is a common issue on Mazda Tribute and Ford Escape models for the years 2001-2005 by my mechanic as well as Mazda dealer reps. They stated the 2001-2004 models were recalled but not the 2005. However, t hey mentioned that these should likely have been recalled as well. One would think that if you take care of your car that the components of the frame should not rust out.

- Fairfield Township, OH, USA

I have found several complaints on the 2005 Mazda Tribute with the rear wheel well rusting out. Mazda did a recall on the 2004 but not the 2005. I previously had to replace the rear wheel in 2018 and it now needs replaced again due to rusting. With the number of complaints I have read, along with the outrageous cost to repair, I do not understand why Mazda, nor the NHTSA have done anything about this. A recall NEEDS to be issued ASAP.

- Kansas City, KS, USA

As a problem with many other Mazda trubutes, the wheel well is rusted through and the strut is no longer held in place, yet protruding into the interior of the car. This has been an issue that required a recall for other Mazda Tributes, but not the 2005 version. According to many forums, this is a problem with many other 05 Tributes.

- Taunton, MA, USA

Car is making a lot of noise and vibration and chatter from the right rear wheel well.I had new shocks put in and he mechanic '":told me the wheel well was rusting out.and I should get it fix as soon as possible!!!!!

- Melrose Pk., IL, USA

The rear wheel well rusted out causing the shock to poke a hole thru the back of my cargo area. This created a very dangerous situation for driving. My son was driving the vehicle and almost lost complete control over the car due to this. Mazda has recalled 2004 and older for this exact problem but they have not recalled 2005.

- Olathe, KS, USA

Our 2005 Tribute model has the same rusting out of the right and left rear wheel wells that the 2001-2004 models of the Tribute have experienced. Those models were repaired under a recall, but this year's model and forward still have the same rusting out problem. Dealers for Mazda and Ford won't even look at this to repair it. Car is now basically undrivable. And from what I've found, mazdaworld.com says that most of these vehicle were actually manufactured in 2004 but dated to 2005 model year. But avoided the 2004 recall because of this I can find a kit on ebay to fix, but no dealers will do the work. There have been plenty of complaints, but no action on this known problem that has existed in prior model designs.

- Alton, IL, USA

I would like a complete refund of all dollars spent in acquiring a 2005 Mazda Tribute VIN [xxx] on March 06, 2017 from certified auto brokers llc in hendersonville, tn 37075, license #[xxx]. (attached bill of sale) due to serious safety issues with this vehicle. Due to extensive rust and corrosion damage, the frame is likely to collapse in the event of a rear end collision endangering the safety of its passengers, rather than crush and absorb the impact as it was originally designed to do. In addition, it is prone to swerve and possibly tip over out of control on uneven pavement due to a missing passenger side rear shock that was not disclosed prior to purchase (photos attached). The left side shock is worn out and also ready to fall off at any moment as well. Because the fender wells are rusted through exhaust fumes can enter the passenger cabin which could have serious health consequences to its inhabitants. Evidence suggests at some point the damaged areas were covered with paint or undercoat in an attempt to hide these defects. The drive shaft, the frame and the underside of the vehicle are severely corrosion damaged. The parking brake is inoperative due to rust and could cause the vehicle to roll down hill while parked. There is significant rust hidden underneath the fender flares. Had I kept driving this vehicle I could have been severely injured and endangered the lives of others on the road. Certified auto brokers was negligent in representing this vehicle as being in excellent condition and selling it with known serious safety issues (refer to attached advertisement). Since the 2005 Mazda Tribute as sold is unsafe, unfit for the road and does not fulfill its implied usefulness, I am asking for a complete refund of the purchase price and all taxes and registration fees incurred in purchasing this vehicle. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Nashville, TN, USA

Passenger side inner rear wheel well rusted out and completely seperated shock from frame. I was driving along last week and suddenly started hearing a rattling sound. I pulled over to inspect only to find nothing in trunk. Took truck to mechanic only to be told the entire shock had seperated from frame. The other wheel well is rust free. This is a known problem in Mazda Tributes only recalled from 2001-2004, when Tributes from 2001-2006 have interchangeable parts and tons of people online in all forums are experiencing the same rust problem in the same locations all over the us.

- New Haven, CT, USA

Passenger side rear wheel well completely rusted out, exposing and causing failure in the associated shock. The rear bumper now rattles over even the tiniest bit of uneven pavement and the car will sway in the back rear over larger bumps hit with that back wheel. First noticed going over uneven pavement after being parked for about 4 hours. Nothing prompted it other than a piece of uneven road may have been the final straw. This is apparently becoming a common problem in the 2005 Mazda Tributes and was addressed in a recall for 2001-2004 Tributes. Same problem, same area (passenger side rear wheel well) this is not safe!

- Shaker Heights, OH, 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

There is excessive corrosion of the rear structure of my Mazda. The noise from the passenger rear became a thunking and today I found the top portion of the strut had rusted and broke off. Upon further inspection it was found that the entire rear has excessive rusting to the structure. I found that this problem resulted in a recall of the same vehicle 2001-2004. Upon further inspection the mechanic stated he could not put the vehicle on a lift due to the extensive corrosion of the frame. I contacted Mazda customer service and they stated that although there was a recall for corrosion it did not include my VIN. The rear strut being broken and the bracket that holds it in place are no longer attached.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

I own a 2005 Mazda Tribute with 80,000 miles, new tires, new brakes, new spark plugs and pistons (installed in April ) cost=1200.00 took my car in for an inspection in may and my mechanic told me there was considerable rust on the right wheel well and may not support the struts he advised me not to drive it and I took it to a body shop and they said D1500.+ not including labor and they could not guarantee they could GT rid of the rust, not involved in an accident-my car runs good but I afraid to drive it. 75 retired and this is my only mode of transportation and I cannot afford another car. I noticed on line Mazda has recalled a lot of cars for this same problem-do they nor undercoat cars anymore.

- South Charleston, WV, USA

My Mazda 2005, has totally rusted out on the passenger back wheel well. The suspension is affected as well. The repairs are going to be very costly and I found out that the 01-04 models have done the same and there was a recall for the same exact issue. Mazda needs to extend the recall to include the 05 model as well. I am also filing a report with Mazda.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Went to get my annual inspection and was told that my right rear shock tower is rusted out.

- Ithaca, NY, USA

Right rear wheelhouse has completely rusted out at 146,000 miles, and the strut is disconnected from the frame. Mazda has denied any responsibility for this issue and offered no assistance despite the fact that there are hundreds of complaints of this very issue on the NHTSA website, and despite the fact that the 2001-2004 Tributes were recalled and repaired for corrosion issues. The mechanic and collision repair center said they have never seen rust this bad in the same area of makes of vehicles. The collision repair center also stated that this is a $4,000-$6,000 repair that the owner should not be stuck with as it is a manufacture defect. They manufactured the 2005 Ford escape frame in the same plant and they share the same problem. This occurred while I was traveling down the highway at 70mph and the shock broke free right behind my sons carseat, the shock was touching the inner plastic. Luckily I pulled over to find out what the noise was. Mazda seems to have no concern for their customers safety. Customer beware.... and if you have a child at least put them on the drivers side for some safety. Lets all hope Mazda will stand up for their defective product........

- Bridgman, MI, USA

Entire right (passenger) rear wheel well rusted away, including the shock mount.

- North Haledon, NJ, USA

The framework underneath and around the vehicle's rear passenger tire has rotted away, and the shock has penetrated the wheel well. The entire rear of the vehicle "rattles" loudly because of this. It appears that this deficiency was fixed, temporarily, before the sale of the vehicle was pursued.

- Auburn, NY, USA

2005 Mazda Tribute. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle recalls.

- Oregon City, OR, USA

While driving on freeway at 70 mph, vehicle swerves violently. Drove straight on rain groove surface, nearly roll over.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA