As others have stated the 2005 Mazda Tribute has a serious factory/manufacturing defect that Mazda has blatantly ignoring. While driving in the city limits the vehicle began making a loud thumping noise coming from the passenger rear. Upon inspection found that there was beyond major rust making the vehicle unsafe. The vehicle currently has 123,817 miles. The rest of the vehicle is in very good condition. The passenger side rear wheel well and shock mount are completely rusted out. It is unsafe to drive and Mazda needs to address this issue immediately. Maybe they prefer to see someone killed or seriously injured by the kind of accident this failure could cause. A vehicle in otherwise good condition with this mileage should not relegate the vehicle to the junk yard or leave the owner with a $2000- $3000 repair.

- Ithaca, NY, USA

Start hearing loud noise thumbing sound in the right side of the back end by the shocks as we were driving. It started getting louder and more consisted. Took to Ford dealer they looked at it said it would cost about $3,000+ to fix. Then we find out that the 2001-04 had a recall on them for the same issue, but they overlooked the 05 this is not right. Ford should take responsibility for this because I am sure they new that they should of recalled these trucks as well. Look how many just on here have the same issue. Ford said they just had several in that they just fixed. Obviously there is a problem. When we first took it to get look at cause we were not sure what the noise was they told us we need to get it fixed the shock could possibly come through the floor board if not.

- Waukesha, WI, 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

As research has shown the 2001 - 2004 Tributes have recalls on the subframe of the vehicle, my 2005 has the same problem on the subframe and is so rusted out that it is ready to break apart. I believe this is the same part as the earlier models and my VIN has been left out of the recall, I would really be great full if we can have this matter resolved before it becomes a tragic matter while driving the vehicle. Thank you very much for your time. I remain. My vehicle will be going into the dealer tomorrow morning for a different recall matter at bay shore Mazda in long island N.Y. if you have any questions please feel free to contact me at [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Rego Park, NY, USA

With no previous visible indication, rust ate away at the right rear wheel well around the shock mount. We noticed a loud squeaking one day from the back and, upon inspection, noticed teh sever rust damage. The metal had corroded behind the undercoating. The shock mount is no longer attached and the vehicle is not safe to drive. Inspection does not show excessive rust anywhere else on the body.

- Parkville, MO, USA

The undercarriage of this vehicle is rusted as per the complaints, only year not recalled and should have been. But unrelated to that. Driving daughters 2005 Mazda Tribute and brakes went all the way to the floor not allowing me to stop the car. I had to pull the emergency brake to stop the car. It was a torn brake hose that was spewing out fluid that immediately drained and left the vehicle undrivable. Had towed to shop to repair brakes, leak ruined calipers, replace front lines to accept new hoses, etc. $877 to fix. If 18 year old daughter had taken car back to college, 6 hours on interstate, could've been catastrophic!

- Dyer, IN, USA

The passenger side rear strut upper mount rusted and broke away from the body after 11 years and 126, 500 miles. The Mazda was purchased new in June 2005; and routine and as needed maintenance and repair was performed by the same Mazda dealer. I noticed rust in the passenger rear side wheel well in 2014 and began asking the Mazda dealer about it. During all Mazda full circle suspension checks performed by the Mazda dealer, the suspension was marked or checked "ok" "green", and then in Jan 2016- the strut mount rusted out of the body and the dealer said the car was unsafe to drive. I believe this was way too early for the car to rust out. I also question the integrity of Mazda's full circle inspection and the Mazda dealer. Had the Mazda dealer been candid and told me about the rust problem with this model and year rather than year after year continuing to suggest other maintenance and repair service, most likely I would have traded or sold this Mazda before it rusted out. Based on this experience, I will not purchase another Mazda.

- Bloomington, IN, USA

Rear inner wheel well shock mount is completely rusted through on passenger side of vehicle. Shock completely rusted away from frame on passenger side with drivers side condition soon to follow. Problem noted 04/27/15 at 95,000. Miles. Photos taken of issue. Problem occurred while driving 35 mph on residential street. Heard noise in rear of vehicle followed by bouncing in the rear end.

- Broadview Heights, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving 30 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger shock mount was corroded and the vehicle was unsafe to be driven. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Hamden, CT, USA

While driving, my passenger and I noticed a strange noise coming from the rear passenger wheel well. After inspecting it, we discovered that the entire wheel well was rusted out and that the suspension system was disconnected. Hence, the entire area is being cut out and rebuilt. After speaking with a representative from Mazda, my vehicle is out of any consideration of assistance from Mazda because of the age and mileage on the vehicle.

- Wyoming, MI, USA

I have had this SUV since new and have taken very good care of it. We do not drive it in winter as we have another car in fla. But still like thousands of other Tributes, escapes and mariners the right rear shock mount has rusted out along with inter finder wheel well!. which has left us with a very unsafe vehicle.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

The right rear wheel well has a large hole going through to the lift gate area of the vehicle. It's all rusted out.

- Southfield, MI, USA

Upon bringing my 2005 Mazda Tribute into the Mazda service center for unrelated repairs and maintenance, I was informed that the right rear wheel well was heavily rusted and the shock would soon break through the rust and disengage from the vehicle. I contacted Mazda corporation to initiate a complaint and investigation. After the customer complaint department investigated the issue (contacting the diagnosing Mazda service center), I was informed Mazda corporation would not repair my vehicle because this issue was not under a recall, the vehicle warrantee expired, and Mazda was unaware of any similar additional consumer complaints. This Tribute has 109.000 miles and based on the dealers service center assessment is in immaculate condition: Always garage parked, no other rust exists (including the undercarriage) on the vehicle, all maintenance for the past 10 years has been completed by the Mazda dealership service center, and this vehicle never incurred body damage (no accidents). As original owners of this vehicle, we initially purchased the corrosion protection and exterior paint sealant (the rustproofing material is still visible within the wheel well). We have been very responsible and loyal Mazda original vehicle owners, although after investigating this issue I have discovered hundreds of identical complaints which obviously relates to a manufacturers defect causing a significant safety hazard for unsuspecting drivers of this vehicle. I am appalled that Mazda and the NHTSA have not investigated and recalled this vehicle to inform the public of this dangerous defect. It is time to take action and responsibility to reduce the safety hazard for all owners and drivers, especially since Mazda own investigation concluded they were unaware of other complaints. Obviously this was not the truth but instead a cover up response to avoid culpability.

- Wheeling, IL, USA

I heard a loud thump coming from the rear of my vehicle. I asked my husband to look at it when I got home and found the rear passenger fender well rusted out around the shock mount. This car is not safe to drive in this condition and is only ten years old.

- Presque Isle, ME, USA

While replacing the brakes on my 2005 Mazda Tribute, I discovered the right rear wheel well compromised by excessive rust. After researching online, this appears to be a major quality defect in the manufacturing of this vehicle and similar Ford and Mercury models (escape and mariner). I recently purchased this car, but only now noticed the rust. Several people are calling for Ford to issue a recall/repair for these vehicles for this issue. I agree with them.

- Traverse City, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While the vehicle was at the dealer for a routine repair, the technician diagnosed that the rear passenger side wheel housing and strut were corroded. As a result, the vehicle was deemed irreparable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,000.

- Hazelton, PA, USA

While turning into a business the lower control arm mount came apart at the subframe. There appears to be substancial rust in the area.

- Farmington, NH, USA

I was on the freeway when I heard a loud thud the wheel well rotted out so bad that broke the shock on the rear back passenger side. This caused me to swerve and almost had an accident.. you recall the 2001 and 2004 models for the same issue why not add the 2005 because there is been hundreds and hundreds of complaints about this.

- Lakewood, OH, USA

2005 Mazda Tribute, rear wheel well completely rusted. While driving my wife hit a bump in the road, she then tells me there is a rattle. So I drive it the next day. The rattle was very easy to hear. Upon inspection the rear passenger wheel well had disintegrated and was almost completely gone, and the rattle was the strut that had come undone hitting the cargo compartment. Just had tires and brakes replaced and they inspected the vehicle as well only 2 months prior with no mention of any other problems. Now it is unsafe to drive. No help from Mazda, insurance, or the super warranty that covers everything bumper to bumper(or suppose to). Come to find out while doing some research, this seems to be a problem for Mazda. The 01-04 Tribute has a recall for the same thing except calling for the front driver wheel well. When you take it in they replace all four. It also seems that the 05 model year has just as many problems with this as well. Both of us work and have to be able to get there as well as getting the children to multiple places. We bought this vehicle thinking that it was going to be a good and safe way to get where we need to go. Turns out it was just a matter of time with this issue. We are lucky that it was the back I guess and not the front as she had the kids with her while on the highway and if the front would have come loose at hway speed it could have been a different outcome. I hope this does not happen to anyone else. 2 estimates to repair both are $5-7000. Can't pay to fix, and can't trade it in as it is worthless right now. This is a problem that the NHTSA and Mazda needs to address. It is not only monetary but a safety issue as well. We work hard for what we have and feel like we just got robbed of our money. The dealers and Mazda got theirs though.

- Shawnee, KS, USA

The rear right wheel well has been completely rusted out to the point that the suspension broke through into the interior of the car. The left rear and both front wheel wells look to be in perfect condition which seems abnormal for just one wheel well to be affected by extreme rust and corrosion. We bought this Mazda Tribute less then a year ago from the dan wolf Chevrolet dealership in naperville Illinois, with it "passing inspection". since then my family and I have treated this car with extraordinary care by regular maintenance and overall cleanliness. The my family of five (three children) have used this vehicle everyday to drive to work and school not knowing the danger it apposed on us and other drivers on the road. When researching this particular problem we noticed that this very dangerous and unsafe incident has happened to owners of the 2005 Mazda Tribute across the U.S. (www.carcomplaints.com/Mazda/Tribute/2005/body_paint/wheel_well_completely_rusted_out.shtml) the dealership nor Mazda have been any help to solve this problem. I believe that a recall for this car should be made to avoid any harm or threat to families and drivers on the road.

- Wheaton, IL, USA