NHTSA — Suspension Problems

2004 Mazda Tribute (Page 2 of 3)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
118,991 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Mazda Tribute suspension problems

suspension problem

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2004 Mazda Tribute Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #28

Nov 022015

Tribute 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2004 Mazda Tribute. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle subframe corrosion issues. The consumer was informed the vehicle could not be repaired. Also, the consumer is seeking reimbursement for the replacement of the idle air control motor and the cleaning of the throttle body.

- Amherst, NY, USA

problem #27

Oct 282015

Tribute

  • 91,000 miles
In researching the NHTSA website it is clear that this is not a unique complaint. The vehicle has 91,000 miles. The rear passenger side upper shock mount has completely separated from the chassis due to excessive corrosion. This is the only area on this vehicle where such extensive corrosion exists. Numerous sources have stated that the damage to this vehicle is irreparable, and that further use of this vehicle would be extremely hazardous. Numerous complaints for this defect indicate that it is time for this manufacturing and design defect to be investigated. #10669545

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #26

Sep 302015

Tribute

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving approximately at 40 mph, there was an abnormal snapping sound. The brake pedal was applied, but the vehicle hesitated to stop and the front passenger tire seized. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for where the mechanic replaced the sub frame, cv joint, and the lower control arm. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle started to make a vibrating motion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- West Bath, ME, USA

problem #25

Sep 272015

Tribute

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle had an abnormal loud sound. The contact stated that the rear passenger side shock support in the wheel well had rotted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

- Wareham , MA, USA

problem #24

Aug 102015

Tribute

  • 140,250 miles
My 2004 Mazda Tribute (just like a Ford escape) has totally rusted out on the passenger back wheel well. The suspension is affected as well as the shock mounting is completely rusted away and bangs against the car and provides no stabilizing control. The repairs are going to be very costly and I found numerous reports of the same rust out and right rear suspension failure on Mazda Tributes and Ford escape in the 2001-2005 model years. Mazda and Ford conducted a recall on Tributes and escapes due to rust out of right front suspension. The same is immediately needed on the right rear suspension. The left rear suspension appears fine and does not show any of the same rust problem.

- Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, USA

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problem #23

Aug 012015

Tribute 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 142,631 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. While driving at 35 mph over a bump in the road, the vehicle made a loud abnormal sound. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the passenger side rear wheel well and the shock tower were corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,631. MA 10/25/15

- Lebanon, OH, USA

problem #22

Jul 202015

Tribute

  • 151,523 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Right rear shock has broken through wheel panel and can be seen from the trunk area. Left rear side has stress fractures and I assume will also break through eventually. Took car to body shop and was told that the wheel panel has rusted through and that it would be too expensive to fix because to properly fix the car one would have to replace the wheel panel and any other metal area on both sides of the car that is rusted. Is NHTSA willing to take the car to test the undercoating and metal to determine if they meet proper standards" I went online and have seen that this same problem with other madza Tributes and even Ford escapes. Can you help"

- Perry Hall, MD, USA

problem #21

Jan 082014

Tribute

  • 161,094 miles
Braking system (ABS) failed (I could have killed someone or myself) no back pressure going up hills resulting in failing suspension all front end has failed all door latches failed I'm terrified to operate this vehicle!!!!! recall notices where never sent to me and modern motors only completed recall numbers 7514D and 6812G why is it that recalls are closed when I obviously had issues and I never received notices? I purchased my Mazda Tribute 2004 at modern motors in 2008 as the second owner. I was never informed of these recalls and I think it's only fair that they should be done at no charge. Report receipt date: Dec 10, 2004 NHTSA campaign number: 04V583000 component(s): Vehicle speed control report receipt date: Dec 23, 2004 NHTSA campaign number: 04V605000 component(s): Latches/locks/linkages (my rear glass latches have been broken/defect) report receipt date: Mar 29, 2007 NHTSA campaign number: 07E023000 component(s): Service brakes, hydraulic report receipt date: Apr 10, 2007 NHTSA campaign number: 07V157000 component(s): Service brakes, hydraulic report receipt date: Jul 27, 2012 NHTSA campaign number: 12V357000 component(s): Engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control report receipt date: Apr 04, 2014 NHTSA campaign number: 14V174000 component(s): Structure since I was the second owner why wasn't I informed of such defects/recalls"?" this is what modern motors has typed on my work order that needs to be done. Gasket is leaking, front axle seals are leaking, front and rear pinion seals are leaking, rear shocks are leaking, front sway bar links have play, front and rear molded rubber brake hose are cracked. Exhaust hanger is broken, gas tank strap has been modified because there was no holder to hold the tank up and on. Needs tires and alignment which I can do.

- Goshen, CT, USA

problem #20

Feb 022015

Tribute 4WD 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
Shocking rod went though it.

- Maine, NY, USA

problem #19

Mar 092015

Tribute 4WD 6-cyl

  • 154,000 miles
Extensive rust in the back passenger wheel well which has caused the suspension to break away from the body of the car.

- Mountainville, NY, USA

problem #18

Feb 112015

Tribute 4WD 6-cyl

  • 140,683 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While on highway, loud thump. Upon inspection, passenger side wheel well is rusted through. Damage is very significant. Shock absorber mount is separated from the frame. Driver side does not show damage, at least from outside inspection. The car is not safe to drive. Have not called the dealer yet, but messages about this problem indicate that Mazda is not honoring the design flaw as a manufacturing defect. No word yet upon what it will cost to fix. Sounds like a recall needs set up.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #17

Oct 012014

Tribute

  • 218,000 miles
Extensive rust in the back passenger wheel well which has caused the suspension to break away from the body of the car. First noticed a loud thumping when going over bumps a month ago and it has gotten so bad that it is putting me, my family, and others at risk of an accident and forcing me to buy another car. There is already an id # associated with this complaint (#10669545) and many complaints submitted. This issue needs be investigated as a recall. Please respond to me with information on the investigations on this matter and if I can expect any help for repair on this problem to prevent an accident.

- Mount Airy, MD, USA

problem #16

Jan 032015

Tribute 4WD 6-cyl

  • 141,000 miles
The rear passenger wheel well has excessive corrosion through the frame of my vehicle. The corrosion has split my frame in half and left wholes surrounding the split. My shock tower is exposed and corroded making it unsafe to drive. The rear driver side is splitting in the same exact place.this is a serious safety hazard and obvious defect. The front end of my vehicle was just recalled and repaired for the same issue. I don't understand why Mazda has not addressed this issue already. Excessive corrosion has also occurred on the Ford escape made from the same line. Mazda needs to be responsible and correct this before a serious injury or fatality occurs.

- Cleveland , OH, USA

problem #15

Dec 232014

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
My Mazda Tribute only has 114,000 miles on it and the shock mount has completely rusted off the frame and is not in any way safe to drive. How there is no recall for this is a load of [xxx]. I have put a lot of money into my truck and for there to be no recall? what a joke Mazda is. Im 25 years old working full time and cant afford to junk my car and buy a new one. So Mazda puts me in this situation and wont fix it. I will never purchase another Mazda. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Saddle Brook, NJ, USA

problem #14

Oct 132014

Tribute 4WD 6-cyl

  • 108,477 miles
While looking for a knocking sound in the passenger side rear found that the shock mount assembly was broken loose from the body of the vehicle. You could see through to the interior fabric, leaving shock and mount attached to nothing. Serious design flaw.

- Utica, NY, USA

problem #13

Oct 042014

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 114,377 miles
We were driving on the highway and went over a spot where the pavement had been cut back for repaving and there was a loud, sharp thump from the rear wheel well. It was raining and dark so I couldn't tell what happened. It happened a few more times before we reached home. In the light of day I saw that the wheel well has rusted through and the shock is no longer attached to the body of the car. We have been told not to drive it until we have seen a mechanic.

- Danbury, CT, USA

problem #12

Sep 082014

Tribute 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
This was not an accident. I recently have had to have the right and left inner wheelhouse panels on my 2004 Mazda Tribute replaced due to excessive corrosion. The inner wheelhouse panels were rusted thru and the shocks that were attached to those panels were loose due to cracks in the panels and were banging up against the car. I don't consider that much corrosion that caused the panels to break loose from the car body as normal wear & tear nor part of something that should be watched under routine maintenance. I have kept cars longer than 10 years and never had this problem! it was definitely a safety hazard and someone could have been hurt in a serious auto accident. Please recommend a recall on 2004 Mazda Tributes due to excessive corrosion due to the manufacturer's defect in their quality control and processes.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #11

Jun 272014

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
I noticed the problem when I was driving down the road and heard a knocking coming from the rear of the vehicle I thought it was a bad shock at first so I pulled over to check it out and the rear shock brackets are completely rusted through and are breaking away from the main frame. I contacted Mazda on July 11, 2014 and they said they will not do anything until teh car is recalled. They havent provided any other info on assitance with repairs or a recall. The car is no longer driveable until it goes through massive reconstruction of the sheet metal and framing in the rear wheel well.

- Mundelein, IL, USA

problem #10

Jun 262014

Tribute

  • miles
Excessive corrosion at rear shock mount. Rear wheel well and shock mount requires replacement.

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #9

Apr 092014

Tribute

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that the frame, rear shock tower, and wheel well were completely corroded. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V174000 (suspension) and stated that the manufacturer was not providing a sufficient remedy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Cold Brook, NY, USA

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