Entire upper mounting area for right rear shock rusted away; shock insecure at top inner fender. Reattachment not possible due to extensive rust; extensive repairs required that would exceed vehicle value. Our mechanic was shocked when he saw the level of rust. We were told by our auto shop that this was not normal & we should contact Mazda. Mazda did not resolve. We believe that this defect is similar to the defect that caused the recall of Mazda Tributes through year 2004 - the year before our Tribute was manufactured. Our vehicle cannot be repaired. We did not take photos at the shop & cannot get a good picture of the undercarriage. We can submit the documents we received from our mechanic or take the truck back to the shop for a picture of the undercarriage. Thank you for helping us address our concern.

- Orono, MN, USA

This Mazda Tribute has extensive and unrepairable rust to the body, understructure and suspension parts than makes it unsafe to drive. Structural integrity is compromised in the event of a collision, vehicle is prone to veer out of control due to missing suspension pieces and gas and exhaust fumes leak into the cabin due to rusted out and missing inner body panels.

- Nashville, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was severe corrosion on the A-frame and rear suspension support of the vehicle. The contact was informed that the rear suspension support fractured. Wilkins Mazda (750 N york rd, elmhurst, il 60126, (630) 279-3000) was contacted, but was unable to provide assistance with having the vehicle repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.

- West Chicago, IL, 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

Mount shock completely destroyed by rust. I did not know this until it began creating strange noises. Its dangerous to drive like that. Its impossible to know until it collapsed.

- Union City, NJ, 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

The passenger rear wheel well rusted out almost allowing the shock absorber to break free while the vehicle was in operation. Heard a tapping sound while driving that became louder. I checked the wheel well to see if anything was wrong and saw a small piece of rusted metal had broken away. The tapping became a banging and then I felt a sway. When I got home I found that the shock had almost broke free. The vehicle is undrivable now.

- Townsend, DE, USA

Passenger rear wheel well completely rusted through leading to failure of the shock mount. Shock entering the vehicle cargo area through the body.

- Lancaster, OH, USA

Right (passenger) rear wheel well rusted out so that shock is exposed and unattached. Suspension affected to the extent that car is not safe to drive.

- St. Charles, MO, USA

The rear right wheel well is completely rusted out and cracking. As the body shop owner explained to me that this is a huge problem with the Tributes. I then looked online to find many complaints about the same problem. This is not safe to drive

- Riverside, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving approximately 30 mph, a loud noise was heard underneath the vehicle. The contact checked and fond that the rear passenger wheel well was rusted out. The dealer was contacted (oaklawn Mazda in oaklawn, Illinois) who stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer also stated that there was no recall. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Evergreen Park, IL, USA

Both rear wheel wells rusted out (passenger side much worse) causing shocks to come unmounted. Discovered by hearing thumping noise while driving.

- Batavia, OH, USA

This vehicle is owned by me but used by my son in Colorado. On a recent trip near moab, ut on the way to a camp site, my son heard a strange noise. Upon investigation he noted the frame in the right rear wheel well holding the upper end of the shock absorber had broken in two places from rust intrusion. An inspection of the left rear wheel well indicated minimal rusting. Since the tires were recently replaced this failure was a surprise as the mechanic didn't note excessive rust, cracking or signs of metal fatigue. When the incident occured my son was driving on a gravel road toward a designated campground just a short distance from a paved highway. Although the vehicle has 4 wheel drive, it was never used in a rough manner such as for 4 wheeling or on rough uneven surfaces. This was my personal vehicle until a year ago. We had just spent $1,500 for new tires, a carburator repair and a new windshield that a rock had cracked. It was our intent to own the vehicle a few years longer since it has only 135,000 and is in good condition. My son was able to safely return to steamboat, a 5 hour drive from moab, but was very concerned the entire shock would push through the wheel well causing the vehicle to list or drift resulting in loss of control or a rollover, I.e. serious injury or death. A local body shop refused to make repairs due to the extensive damage. To make the vehicle salvage based on its current value and condition is unthinkable, yet if repaid cannot be made at a reasonable cost, this may be our only choice. My research suggest the right rear wheel rust is fairly common in Tributes and escapes, yet no recall.

- Lincoln, NE, USA

Loud banging from rear of auto during drive, found that rear passanger side shock mount and housing completely rusted out. Cannot drive auto as its a safety problem as shock is not attached to anything

- Framingham, MA, USA

The right, rear wheel well is completely rusted through and looks like a major accident waiting to happen. The shock mount is connected to this portion of the frame and will more than likely shear off soon. Upon searching this issue, it appears that several other 2005 Mazda Tribute and Ford escape owners have experienced the same defect. Mazda/Ford recalled 2001-2004 models for the same problem, but has yet to address the problem for the 2005 model year. Based on the widespread nature of the problem, it is obvious that this a factory defect and should be recalled either willingly or unwillingly.

- Bremerton, WA, USA

Rust inside the rear right wheel well has corroded the frame and metal. Now it has started to rattle and I'm afraid my car will detach from that area. I've heard of many complaints about this problem. The manufacturer built it very poorly and easy for water and salt to get in that area and rust it out. There should be a recall on this. The Ford escape and the Mazda Tribute are know for these problems. I see that for did a recall on their escape. Mazda should do the same.

- Liberty Twp, OH, USA

I was driving on an icy road, heard a loud bang, followed by a loud thumping noise from rear of vehicle. It caused me to lose control and slide into a snow bank. The right rear shock had broken loose and broke through the inside of cargo floor. I needed the SUV for going to work and had to get it repaired at the cost of over $1000. I feel Mazda should reimburse me for the repair bill. The whole shock tower was rusted through.I still have a hole in the inside cargo floor.

- Rhinelander, WI, 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

2005 Mazda Tribute rear right wheel well rusted through shock protruding into the interior of the vehicle. Clear factory defect. Mazda will not fix this issue.

- Hazle Township, PA, USA