The wheel well rusted out, completely leaving the shock tower and stability of the car at risk, rusted out completely, I'm a light backyard mechanic and I've seen the Ford do the same. The repair is almost the value of the car, and unless you trust them your basically buying a new vehicle, because while you're there may change the set of shock's and absorber that's about 700. To include. This car had a rumor of being as good as the Everlasting Santa Fe, and Toyota 4runner. Vehicle is in pristine shape aside from the fatal rust.. recall recall recall recall

- Louisville, KY, 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

Right rear frame has rusted out enough to cause brake and shock issues causing a perfectly good vehicle to become unsafe and dangerous for my family and others. The shock and brake line broke and the vehicle slid to a stop.

- Villa Ridge, MO, USA

The passenger side rear wheel well has rusted out such that the suspension is now protruding into the interior of the vehicle. This was discovered when regular rattling from the area progressed into loud bangs with each bump. The mechanic who discovered stated that the rust was abnormal, even for the geographic area, and that none of the other wheel wells exhibited any signs of rusting. He stated it was no longer safe to drive the vehicle and that this condition was most likely the result of some sort of manufacturing defect (as opposed to regular and expected oxidation).

- Long Grove, IL, USA

Have had vehicle since new in 2005. Passenger side rear well severely rusted out, upper portion of shock has become detached from the vehicle frame and mounting bracket disintegrated. Shock swaying from being detached and body shops will not touch due to liability issues. Vehicle unable to be safely driven. Please issue a recall.

- Council Bluffs, IA, USA

While driving my 2005 Mazda Tribute on a paved city street, I noticed a sudden loud clanking/pounding in the passenger side, rear wheel well area. Assumed it was a bad shock but soon discovered that the the wheel well had rusted completely out, there is now a hole to the inside of my car. Some, but not much rust elsewhere on the vehicle (the other three wheel wells look great), but that part of the vehicle rusted through to the inside of the vehicle. Not driveable anymore until this is addressed. The vehicle itself is very mechanically sound and will cared for. There are lots of examples on online forums of this exact issue, on both Tributes and Ford escapes. Apparently there is a recall for these vehicles 01-04, but no further. Exact same issue, exact same wheel well. Please help!

- Cottage Grove, MN, USA

Began hearing loud banging noise in the rear of the vehicle while driving on city streets. Upon inspection, the passenger side rear shock mount in the wheel well was completely broken free and the shock banging around. It had pinched the brake lights and they stopped working as well. Upon research on the internet this has been a common issue with Ford escapes and Mazda Tributes of this vintage but only on the right rear. So much so companies like dorman make a replacement part for it to replace the wheel well which requires welding. This is a safety issue the manufacturer should address. Never had this happened to any other vehicle.

- Eureka, MO, 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

Takata recall the rear passenger shock mount has rusted to the point to where it makes a horrible clunk severe metal to metal rattle while driving. I refuse to allow my wife to drive it due to safety concerns of the shock coming loose and causing an accident. This noise can be heard driving as slowly as 5mph while driving straight and turning on a flat smooth road. Please make a recall for this year of Mazda Tribute as this is a major safety issue

- Frankfort, IN, USA

Many complaints of the rear frame of vehicle completely rusting out. The mechanics said it is unsafe to drive and costs thousands to fix. Most people will not notice this until it's too late.

- Saint Joseph, MN, USA

Rear passenger side wheel well is rusted out so the shock that is mounted to said wheel well is freely swinging around. Mazda recalled Tributes up to the year 2004 but the 2005 which has essentially the exact same design was not recalled. This is a known problem and a common problem for the 2005 Mazda Tribute. The wheel well is designed with thin sheet metal and neither the grade nor thickness prevent rusting. While the wheel well is designed to withstand the forces generated by the shock it does not seem to be designed to withstand those forces under conditions in which the wheel well has rusted. This is extremely unsafe and very easy to over look or not notice on a day to day basis which could lead to a failure at medium to low speeds.

- Mishawaka, IN, USA

Truck started making a loud noise coming from the rear passenger side. Upon inspection it was discovered that the inner wheel had rusted badly and left shock mount hanging on by a small metal band. Took it to a body shop they said because of the way the vehicle was constructed that it was impossible to fix. I have noticed there was a recall for this vehicle for 2001-2004 models and it appears for the number of complaints about this model on this registry that 2005 should be next.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the rear passenger subframe and shock mount were extremely corroded. Halbinsel Volkswagen Mazda (located at 200 N 30th St, escanaba, mi 49829, (906) 789-9650) was notified, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.

- Negaunee, MI, USA

The entire passenger side wheel well is completely rusted out. When compared to the other wheel wells you can see the white foam that is supposed to be on the inside of my car. There is also a plastic piece missing due to the screws loosing their hold. The car makes a noise that sounds like there is something bouncing around in the back when in reality it is the suspension.

- Lakeville, MN, USA

The rear passenger wheel well has rusted out. All of the other wheel wells look fine. I have owned this vehicle since it was new. 2000-2004 is covered in a recall. Why is 2005 not covered? looking online it looks like this is a common problem with the 2005 and for some reason an unsafe 2005 Tributes seems to have made it past being covered

- Crystal, MN, USA

Right rear starting making a loud knocking sound, investigated and found shock tower mount was rusted out, and banging into the inner body of the vehicle causing damage. Banging happens when driving.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Passenger side rear wheel well severely rusted, shock/strut detached from vehicle while driving. Loud thumping/banging noise coming from rear wheel. Took to mechanic to have inspected, deemed unsafe to operate on any roadway.

- Merrill, WI, 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

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving at an unknown speed, there was a loud sound coming from the rear passenger wheel of the vehicle. The contact coasted to the side of the road and noticed that the rear passenger side frame was corroded. The vehicle was taken to pugi Mazda (1850 ogden ave, downers grove, il 60515, (877) 827-9086) where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger side wheel well was completely corroded and the rear shocks needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 146,100.

- Westmont, IL, USA

Right rear wheel well is completely rusted where it holds shock. This is the same problem of recalled 2001-2004 Mazda. This year should be recalled also.

- St Charles, MO, USA