While driving I heard a thumping sound coming from right rear of vehicle. Mechanic checked it out and found the right rear wheel well completely rusted out stating it was a danger to drive the car he checked with a body shop and was told they did not want to repair because of liability issues.

- Ravenna, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact heard a banging noise underneath the front passenger seat. The contact pulled the vehicle over, looked underneath, and found that the shock of the rear passenger tire was detachted. The shock would lean against the tire while the vehicle was being turned. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the shock was detached and the area were the shock was located was completely rusted. The inside finder panel and the shock needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact the vehicle was not covered by a recall. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

- Harrisville, OH, USA

I own a 2005 Tribute that has been kept in meticulous condition. Always garaged and taken to the dealership for maintenance. The vehicle runs like new with no signs of wear and tear, and has been a great car. That all changed when a few weeks ago I was driving about 40 mph down a residential street, and hit a small patch of bumps in the road (not potholes, just normal uneven pavement spots) and all of a sudden heard a jackhammer noise from the back of the car. The passenger side rear wheel well had completely disintegrated, leaving the wheel/suspension detached from the vehicle body/frame. Nothing was holding the suspension tower to the car. Had I been going faster or didn't stop right away this could have killed me. I have three small kids and I am so upset that such a dangerous condition is well-known. The way I found out was that I immediately went to the Ford/Mazda dealership when the noise happened. They took in the car and called me the next morning to say they wanted nothing to do with it because their corporate Ford/Mazda policy instructed them not to accept or work on vehicles with this defect. I'm shocked that Ford/Mazda would conceal such a dangerous known condition in their vehicles, putting thousands and thousands of people at risk without any warning. If I had received some kind of notification that the problem existed I would have gone to get it fixed right away at my own expense if needed, but instead I drove thousands of miles on the highway with my kids in the car ignorant to the fact that the car could have broken apart and caused us to crash without any warning.

- Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, USA

Started hearing banging noises while driving. Finally realized it was coming from the passenger side rear wheel well, which was completely rusted. This caused the shock absorber to detach and bang on the car while driving. The car is in otherwise good condition, with no other rust problems. There was a recall for the same issue on the 2001-2004 models, but not 2005.

- Bartlett, IL, USA

While driving loud banging noise from rear of vehicle.right rear inner fender well and shock mount rusted out. Shock mount no longer attached to vehicle. Possible suspension collapse if driven. Mazda issued a previous recall on models up to 2004.

- Milan, IL, USA

While driving at any speed, the vehicle made a loud bumping noise. My mechanic diagnosed that the entire rear passenger side wheel well was rusted out and the shock tower was unsupported.

- Detroit, MI, 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 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

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

Loud clunking on bumps and a tendency for an unusual sway in some circumstances while driving on the highway led to taking a look under the right rear of the car. A whole 8"X12" roughly oval piece of the right rear inner wheel well has rusted through where the upper shock mount is attached. Right rear shock is no longer attached to the car at the top. Vehicle is not safe to drive. It appears this was a recall issue in prior years, which was not corrected for the 2005 year.

- Edgewood, MD, 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

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving at any speed, the vehicle made a loud bumping noise. The dealer diagnosed that the vehicle was corroded near the rear passenger side suspension and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

- Omaha, NE, USA

Inner wheel well rusted cracked leaving shock tower unattached. Mazda has issued a recall for this problem on 2001-04 models. The problem persists on the 2005 models as well but there is no recall.

- Augusta, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving 40 mph, the rear passenger side tire felt like it was flat. The contact had to steer the vehicle in excess to keep it in position. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- Overland, KS, 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