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

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 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

Takata recall Mazda Tribute 2005 complete body underneath was rusted luckily I found a welder who installed a new bottom also had a brake job= $880.64 at 66,216 miles - had to replace 6 spark pugs 6 ignition coils and 1 intake plenum gasket set spent $1,204.25 also 800.00for a new bottom to be welded to the bottom of the car as the bottom was rusted at a cost of $800 concerned that the corrosion issue should not have occurred because the car is under 100,000 miles is this car a lemon

- South Charleston, WV, 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

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

The right rear strut tower has rusted causing the bracket to come loose from the body of the vehicle. I called a body shop to see if they could fix this and they knew the type of vehicle I have just based on the problem as it is so pervasive. In researching this it appears there is a defect in these Mazda and Ford escape models as it is a common finding.

- Overland Park, KS, 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

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving at approximately 45 mph, there was a loud abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger side. In addition, the vehicle jerked to the right. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear shock absorber was rusted and that the vehicle was irreparable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving, the contact noticed a loud abnormal rattling noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the rear passenger side wheel well was extremely corroded. The rear passenger shock also detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Pingree Grove, IL, 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

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 contact owns a 2003 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle independently veered to the right and crashed into a curb. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the sub frame was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V174000 (structure) and could not be repaired under the recall a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 92,000.

- Rochester, NY, 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

The upper rear shock absorber mount came apart due to rust, the shock absorber came loose and was hitting against the wheel well or tire. Repairs were made at a cost of 4600. The other rear shock absorber mount on the driver side did not show any signs of rust. Updated 09/29/15... updated 09/30/15

- Marquette, MI, USA

Rusted on left side rear wheel will not pass inspection new tires, brakes spark plugs and pistons rides like a dream but the rust will not support the shocks needs to be recalled by Mazda an inferior Ford body

- South Charleston, WV, USA

I own a 2005 Mazda Tribute with 80,000 miles, new tires, new brakes, new spark plugs and pistons (installed in April ) cost=1200.00 took my car in for an inspection in may and my mechanic told me there was considerable rust on the right wheel well and may not support the struts he advised me not to drive it and I took it to a body shop and they said D1500.+ not including labor and they could not guarantee they could GT rid of the rust, not involved in an accident-my car runs good but I afraid to drive it. 75 retired and this is my only mode of transportation and I cannot afford another car. I noticed on line Mazda has recalled a lot of cars for this same problem-do they nor undercoat cars anymore.

- South Charleston, WV, USA