NHTSA Complaint #10644871 — 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE

RIGHT REAR WHEELHOUSE HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AT 146,000 MILES, AND THE STRUT IS DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. MAZDA HAS DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS VERY ISSUE ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, AND DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE 2001-2004 TRIBUTES WERE RECALLED AND REPAIRED FOR CORROSION ISSUES. THE MECHANIC AND COLLISION REPAIR CENTER SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN RUST THIS BAD IN THE SAME AREA OF MAKES OF VEHICLES. THE COLLISION REPAIR CENTER ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS A $4,000-$6,000 REPAIR THAT THE OWNER SHOULD NOT BE STUCK WITH AS IT IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THEY MANUFACTURED THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE FRAME IN THE SAME PLANT AND THEY SHARE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS OCCURRED WHILE I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH AND THE SHOCK BROKE FREE RIGHT BEHIND MY SONS CARSEAT, THE SHOCK WAS TOUCHING THE INNER PLASTIC . LUCKILY I PULLED OVER TO FIND OUT WHAT THE NOISE WAS. MAZDA SEEMS TO HAVE NO CONCERN FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY. CUSTOMER BEWARE.... AND IF YOU HAVE A CHILD AT LEAST PUT THEM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FOR SOME SAFETY. LETS ALL HOPE MAZDA WILL STAND UP FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCT........ *TR