2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE Structurebody Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND SHOCK MOUNTS FRACTURED FROM EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL AND FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

REAR SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED, RIGHT SIDE. CAN NOT DRIVE MY CAR AND NO ONE WILL BUY IT IN THIS CONDITION. THE BODY SHOP CANNOT REPAIR AND HE SAID IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

EXTREME RUST/CORROSION IN THE WHEEL WELL AREA - FRAME DEGRADED AND FELL AWAY FROM THE BODY -- SHOCK COMING LOOSE - OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET - GOING STRAIGHT.

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS EXPOSED AND BARELY SUPPORTED. THE DRIVER SIDE IS FINE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PRIOR 4 YEARS TO THIS. IT WILL BE UN-DRIVEABLE SOON.

MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. MY BODY SHOP TOLD ME THIS SHOULD NOT EVER HAPPEN. ALSO TOLD ME IT WAS A BAD PIECE OF STEEL USED IN THE MANUFACTURE AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF IT HAD NOT BEEN DETECTED AND I KEPT DRIVING IT. THE REST OF MY SUV IS IMMACULATE. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS. IT IS COSTING ME $1500.00 TO REPAIR. I WAS DRIVING AND STARTED HEARING A RATTLING SOUND AND STOPPED AT A MECHANIC. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THANK GOD YOU STOPPED BEFORE YOU GOT HURT.

2005 MAZDA WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEELHOUSE HAD RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK TOWER HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF. THE LEFT WHEELHOUSE IS CLOSE BEHIND. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM ADDRESSED BY A MAZDA RECALL FOR 2001-2004 MODELS. WHY HASN'T MAZDA BEEN FORCED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 MODEL?

SIMILAR TO OTHERS, STARTED HEARING A KNOCKING/RATTLING IN THE RIGHT REAR. UPON INSPECTION THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT, AND THE KNOCKING CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. SIMILAR TO THE RECALL BY MAZDA FOR 2001 - 2004 MODELS. CAR WILL BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY MAZDA.

MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE AWD S IS RUSTED OUT IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEELHOUSE ALONG WITH THE SHOCK TOWER. NOT DRIVABLE AND SITTING STATIONARY. WHY RECALLS ONLY UP TO 2004 MODELS? VERY DISAPPOINTED. DOESN'T MAKE SENSE AS THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. I HAVE A CAR NOT DRIVABLE AND NO MONEY FOR A NEW ONE. RETIRED WITH A FIXED INCOME. HELP!!??

A NOISE IN THE LEFT REAR DEVELOPED AND THE REAR SHOCK BROKE OFF. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE ENTIRE FRAME FROM BEHIND THE FRONT SEAT AREA BACK RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I CONTACTED MAZDA CORP AND WAS TLD THAT YES THERE WERE KNOWN CASES OF EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THAT ER AS WELL AS FORD ESCAPES DUE TO DEFECTIVE METAL USED IN MANUFACTURING. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT MY FAULT AS I COULD NOT HAVE PREVENTED IT. THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AS THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTEE. THE MAZDA DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE STATED IT WAS NE OF THE WORST CASES THEY HAD SEEN AND NOT TO DRIVE IT. I WAS FORCED TO TRADE IT IN AT A GREAT LOSS BECAUSE I NEED A VEHICLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO OBSERVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE STRUT MOUNT FOR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR QUARTER PANEL ASSEMBLING AND WHEEL WELL WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

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...

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.

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.

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...

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.

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 800.00 CONCERNED THAT THE CORROSION ISSUE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE CAR IS UNDER 100,000 MILES IS THIS CAR A LEMON

TL* 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.

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAS A LARGE HOLE GOING THROUGH TO THE LIFT GATE AREA OF THE VEHICLE. IT'S ALL RUSTED OUT.

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.

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.

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.

TL* 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.

TL* 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.

TL* 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. *CN

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...

TL* 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.

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...

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*JB... UPDATED 09/30/15*BF

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

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.

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT. SUSPENSION IS NOW PROTRUDING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE EXTENT OF THE RUST IS ABNORMAL, EVEN FOR THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA. IT IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. CONDITION IS RESULT OF MANUFACTURING DEFECT. CONTACTED MAZDA USA TO ASK WHEN THEY WILL BE SCHEDULING RECALL BASED ON HUGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS RE: SAME ISSUE AND THEY STATED THAT THE ISSUE IS DUE TO IMPROPER WASHING OF THE CAR AND SENT PARAGRAPH ON HOW TO WASH A CAR. USELESS.

WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A LOUD THUD IN THE BACKSEAT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. I DROVE LESS THAN A MILE HOME AND SAW THAT THE WHEEL WELL HAD DISINTEGRATED COMPLETELY ABOVE THE TIRE FORCING THE SHOCK INTO THE BODY OF THE CAR.

WENT TO GET MY ANNUAL INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT MY RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER IS RUSTED OUT.

EXCESSIVE, LOCALIZED RUST HAS DEVELOPED IN THE RIGHT, REAR WHEEL WELL, RESULTING IN THE SHOCK BEING LOOSE AND MAKING A LOUD BANGING SOUND WHEN GOING OVER EVEN SMALL BUMPS. THE LEFT SIDE AND THE REST OF THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM INDICATING A LOCALIZED MANUFACTURING/ENGINEERING DEFECT. *TR

THE ENTIRE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED AWAY AND THE SHOCK IS COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE FRAME ON OUR TRIBUTE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AS THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD AND IT IS ONLY HAPPENING ON THE REAR PASSENGER. IT IS GOING TO COST ME A LOT TO FIX AND WILL DEFINITELY BE THE LAST MAZDA I BUY (UNLESS BY CHANCE MAZDA SEES HOW THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH TRIBUTES/ESCAPES AND MAKES IT RIGHT). *TR

I HAD A RATTLING NOISE THAT STARTED COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR AND SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS BOUNCING AROUND IN THE BACK COMPARTMENT. IT GOT WORSE FAST. I WAS STUNNED TO FIND NOT ONLY THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL, BUT BOTH SIDES COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THE SHOCKS WERE READY TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE MOUNTS. BOTH MY MECHANIC SHOP AND A REPUTABLE BODY SHOP INDEPENDENTLY TOLD ME THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE BODY SHOP IS HESITANT TO TOUCH IT. THEY SAID THAT THEY CAN TRY TO FABRICATE AND FIX IT, BUT THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THERE IS RUST INVOLVED, WHERE DO THEY STOP? I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, SUPPOSEDLY TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF, AS I DO. I STILL OWE THOUSANDS ON IT AND I'M NOT HAPPY! MY 2002 ESCAPE DIDN'T HAVE RUST PROBLEMS ... THE MOTOR WENT OUT BEFORE IT HAD...

DRIVING CROSS COUNTRY AND HEARD A LOUD THUMP IN RT REAR WHEEL WELL. AFTER THAT EVERY BUMP NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE THUMP BECAME MORE PRONOUNCED. STOPPED TO CHECK THINGS OUT, RT REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH EXPOSING SUSPENSION AND CORROSION ON ATTACHMENT TO FRAME. ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SAFELY, HAD DEALERSHIP CHECK IT OVER AND COST OF REPAIR TO FRAME DAMAGE OVER COST OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP REPORTS ONGOING ISSUE WITH RT REAR WHEEL WELL ON 2005 YEAR. WAY TO EARLY FOR THIS MUCH CORROSION. *TR

THE SUB FRAME AND AXLES COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND EVERYTHING SUPPORTED CAME LOOSE. IT ALL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT ON THE SAME VEHICLE YEARS 2001 - 2004 AS WELL AS MANY FORD ESCAPES. THEY HAVE BEEN RECALLED SO WHY WOULD NEWER UNITS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM NOT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. FOR A NEWER CAR TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WOULD MAKE THIS ISSUE BE EVEN WORSE THEN THE MANUFACTURER IS REPORTING. EVERY DEALER AND EVERY JUNK YARD TELLS ME THE SAME THING, THIS IS NOT ISOLATED TO THE 2001 - 2004 MODEL YEARS. I HAVE NO OPTION BUT TO FIX THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND HOPE THAT THEY ADMIT MORE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED. THEY SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM AND PAY FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR TO REPAIR...

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...

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS EXPOSED DUE TO THE REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTING AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

ENTIRE RIGHT (PASSENGER) REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED AWAY, INCLUDING THE SHOCK MOUNT. *TR

THE FRAMEWORK UNDERNEATH AND AROUND THE VEHICLE'S REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAS ROTTED AWAY, AND THE SHOCK HAS PENETRATED THE WHEEL WELL. THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE VEHICLE "RATTLES" LOUDLY BECAUSE OF THIS. IT APPEARS THAT THIS DEFICIENCY WAS FIXED, TEMPORARILY, BEFORE THE SALE OF THE VEHICLE WAS PURSUED. *TR

RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR I HEARD NOISE UNDERNEATH, FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK AND AFTER PURCHASING IS WHEN THE DEALER SAID IT WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD ALREADY PURCHASED THE CAR AND PAID 9,000 DOLLARS FOR IT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO AND NOW I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF SAFETY. I WENT TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO HAS ESTIMATED THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR INCLUDING PARTS IS $20,000 AND COMMENTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FLOOD AND NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CHASSIS/FRAME AROUND THE BACK RIGHT STRUT IS ALMOST GONE DUE TO RUST AND THE OTHER SIDE IS GOING AS WELL. THERE IS RUST UNDER ALL PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW WHY THE DEALER WAS ALLOWED TO SALE ME THE CAR. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING AREA RUSTED SO BAD THAT THE TOP OF SHOCK BRACKET RUSTED AWAY AND SHOCK STARTED BANGING AGAINST FLOOR. TOOK IT TO MY MAZDA DEALER AND SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS NOT RIGHT THAT THIS SHOULD HAPPEN. HE KNOWS THAT I GARAGE AND TAKE CAR OF MY VEHICLES.HE GAVE ME THE NUMBER TO CALL MAZDA FOR HELP. MAZDA SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP! I CAN'T DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. BECAUSE OF FAMILY MEDICAL ISSUES I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED AND I WILL NOT TRADE IT OFF TO AN UNSUSPECTING BUYER. DON'T KNOW WHAT I WILL DO. LOOKED ON INTERNET AND FOUND MANY OF THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE TRIBUTE AND FORD ESCAPE (BOTH, WHICH I BEEN TOLD BY CAR DEALERS' SERVICE PERSONAL, ARE THE SAME VEHICLE). YOU WOULD THINK A AUTO COMPANY WOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. I'M NO...

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT CAUSING THERE TO BE NO CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BODY AND THE REAR SHOCKS. LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL IS STARTING TO RUST. NO OTHER RUST ON THE CAR OTHER THAN THE WHEEL WELLS. ESTIMATE FROM THE SHOP IS OVER $4000. ONLY 9 YEARS OLD AND 125,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE REAR WHEEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ON MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE STARTED TO KNOCK AND BANG. ONCE I ARRIVED HOME, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND ROTTED. I ALSO NOTICED THAT AND THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS FULLY RUSTED AWAY FROM THE BODY. FURTHER RESEARCH SHOWED ME THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE FRAMES. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT SUCH THAT THE SUSPENSION IS NOW PROTRUDING INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN REGULAR RATTLING FROM THE AREA PROGRESSED INTO LOUD BANGS WITH EACH BUMP. THE MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED STATED THAT THE RUST WAS ABNORMAL, EVEN FOR THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA, AND THAT NONE OF THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS EXHIBITED ANY SIGNS OF RUSTING. HE STATED IT WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THAT THIS CONDITION WAS MOST LIKELY THE RESULT OF SOME SORT OF MANUFACTURING DEFECT (AS OPPOSED TO REGULAR AND EXPECTED OXIDATION). *TR

I AM THE CURRENT OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE I. BOUGHT IT THROUGH NORTH SHORE BANK OFF LEASE... I TAKE GOOD CARE OF THE CAR AND HAVE IT MAINTAINED REGULARLY . RECENTLY THE REAR PASSENGER AREA HAS BEEN MAKING A LOUD BANGING NOISE, I THOUGHT IT MAY BE A BROKEN SHOCK OR SOMETHING TO THAT AFFECT. I TOOK IT INTO GOODYEAR IN RACINE WI. COME TO FIND THE WHOLE WHEEL WELL IS ROTTED OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.. THE MECHANIC SAID HE COULD NOT FIX IT AND TAKE IT TO RACINE AUTO BODY ALSO IN RACINE, WI. THEY ALSO SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT HAPPEN TO A CAR OR SUV EVER BEFORE. HE SAID IT HAS TO BE DUE TO A BAD FACTORY PROCESS OR SOME FLAW THAT HAD BEEN WHEN THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. THEY WANT $1600.00 TO FIX THE AREA AND I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD...