NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,027 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.

2005 Mazda Tribute electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 Mazda Tribute Owner Comments

problem #16

Sep 102019

Tribute

  • miles

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

Sensor alarm for doors is going off..can't figure out why ti solved this.

- Thomasville, NC, USA

problem #15

Aug 282019

Tribute

  • 178,000 miles
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

problem #14

Oct 032017

Tribute

  • 121,770 miles
Takata recall my seat belts do not tighten and my airbag light was fixed but is now on again I've been told that my airbag and seatbelt will probably not work properly and my locks are also not working properly. I paid $300 the first time to fix the airbag light and driver side seat belt. It was only fixed for about 3 months and now the light is on again and I have to keep children out of the passenger side back seat because that seat belt does not tension properly

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #13

Aug 152017

Tribute

  • 187,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. While the vehicle was stationary, the contact's wife noticed that the vehicle caught on fire. Upon inspection, the contact observed the front driver's seat in flames. The fire department was notified of the fire; however, the contact extinguished the flames. The vehicle was not towed. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. There were no injuries reported. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #12

Jul 012017

Tribute

  • miles
Seat belt is sticking and it is difficult to unbuckle. Alternator burned out, learned that tajata had a recall on 2005 Mazda and need to know if my 2005 Tribute series S is effected. Have been told that this particular model may have acceleration propulsion getting stuck. Need any documentation your Agency has sent snail mail to [xxx],[xxx] phone [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Eugene, OR, USA

problem #11

Nov 042016

Tribute

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda Tribute. The failure first occurred when the vehicle was purchased in 2012. While driving at low speeds, the motherboard blew out. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was an electrical issue with the computer and three cylinders were not working. The contact inquired with the manufacturer and no information was provided. The failure occurred three times. The failure mileage was unknown.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #10

Dec 262015

Tribute

  • 220,000 miles

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

Takata recall this 2005 Mazda Tribute. While driving down the road the light start to flash and there is a car that shows up on my dash I have had this looked at. And everyone said it was wiring problems this SUV has almost. Had me hit and in a car wreck. Because. It will shut down and no pull a hill. Or lose it power.

- Russellville, TN, USA

problem #9

Apr 012015

Tribute 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
2005 Mazda Tribute. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle engine issues and requests compensation for repairs. The consumer stated when started the vehicle, it sounded like a truck and the check engine light started flashing. A diagnosis revealed the coils and spark plugs needed to be replaced.

- South Charleston, WV, USA

problem #8

Nov 202009

Tribute 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
We took to the Mazda dealer (5900 North oak trafficway, Kansas City, mo 64118) in 2009 because the car did not start. They changed the starter motor and still it did not work then they replaced the battery and it did not work again them they said it is the alternator this all happened just within a week or two and had to spend lot of money. Then again we had to replace the battery four times with in 2009 to 2014. Right now we have the same problem and an auto dealer is saying it is the alternator. I strongly think there should be some kind of recall to this as I have not seen a car like this that has so many electrical problem and this is not safe. Thank you for checking on this and hope this problem will be solved and people will not have any problems in the future.

- Rocklin, CA, USA

problem #7

Oct 072014

Tribute 4WD 6-cyl

  • 101,655 miles
The vehicle was initially in the shop to repair shock tower on the right rear which was completed rusted out, that expense cost $1200, within the week, while driving 40mph, the check engine light came on, then the ABS light, then the car began to slow to a stop. The car felt like it was in neutral, there was no control of the car. I placed the car into park, I was along the side of the highway. The car was towed back to the shop and needed repair of fuel injection, engine computer, spark plugs and ignition coils. The total cost of repairs came to $1500 dollars. It was upsetting to deal with two major incidents in 1 week, especially expensive ones. The way the car came to a slow stop on a highway could have caused an accident as well.

- Dubuque, IA, USA

problem #6

Aug 262013

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles

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

Flashers came on when car was started and will not turn off.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #5

Apr 012013

Tribute

  • miles
2005 Mazda Tribute. Consumer writes in regards to several mechanical problems with vehicle. The consumer stated the computer caused the spark plugs to mis-fire. The dealer informed the consumer, the vehicle was unsafe to drive. However, on the last three occasions they sent her home without resolving the problem.

- Rogersville, MO, USA

problem #4

May 012007

Tribute 4-cyl

  • 9,000 miles
Since I have owned this car the 'door ajar' light is mostly on--all the time. It is a minor annoyance; however, I am reading tons of other Mazda Tribute owners with the same issue. No one I've had it to--including the dealer--could figure out what is wrong. It clearly is a defect. Sometimes I am concerned it will pose a safety issue as, for instance, it will be off (rare, but sometimes it turns off). Then I roll down a window, or sometimes do nothing, and then the light suddenly comes on. It dings and the interior lights come on in the car as though someone opened a door. I ask that you investigate this issue and hold Mazda responsible for fixing this issue. Thank you!

- Redwood City, CA, USA

problem #3

Jun 242012

Tribute 6-cyl

  • 73,000 miles
I have a karr car alarm, dealer installed prior to purchase. Recently, while the car locked in the drive way, the alarm went off unexpectedly. Then while driving the door ajar alarm went off constantly. Went to karr and had a new alarm system put in. Still happens. Went to Mazda and they found the rear passenger door lock assembly was defective. Had extended warranty and they fixed it. 11 days later the alarm went off again in the drive way while sitting there locked. Called Mazda again and am scheduled to bring the car in to check it out again. Karr mechanic stated that he had the same problems with Ford escape and Mazda Tribute customers all due to the door lock assemblies in the fact that the electrical mechanism seems to be reverse logic than other cars. This is becoming both annoying and frustrating. In the mean time I cannot lock the car in the drive way or when I am at stores - no security or theft-control.

- Thornton, CO, USA

problem #2

Oct 102009

Tribute

  • 60,000 miles
2005 Mazda Tribute with 60,000 miles, hazard flashers started going off in the middle of the night...would not turn off...stuck thin cardboard under switch to hold switch in..dealer says no problems like this before. Stopped on its on..then started again..will have to take to dealer to get this problem fixed, warranty is out...expensive job..never touched the switch before this happened...aggravated!

- Elberta, AL, USA

problem #1

Oct 012007

Tribute

  • 100,000 miles
In 2007 vehicle check engine light started flashing and came on. Before I could reach a dealer or shop the car completely stopped working in a construction zone. Dealer said there was a short in the electrical system and fried the main computer. Computer was replaced and electrical connections checked. Dealer found several electrical connections that were loose. I believe this is a direct result of the other electrical issues that caused a recall on the Tribute / escape.

- Farmington, NM, USA

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