Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Mazda Tribute. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Speed Control Cable Connector Interference
- Summary
- Mazda is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2006, and 2008, Tribute vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
- Consequence
- A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.
FMVSS 201/UPPER INTERIOR HEAD IMPACT
- Summary
- CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOON ROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.
- Consequence
- IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
MAZDA/FMVSS 206/LIFTGATE LATCH
- Summary
- CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
- Consequence
- IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (377)
377 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The suspension is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 377 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 137 | 36.3% |
| Structure | 126 | 33.4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 85 | 22.5% |
| Service brakes | 25 | 6.6% |
| Power train | 24 | 6.4% |
| Engine | 23 | 6.1% |
| Wheels | 22 | 5.8% |
| Electrical system | 19 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 19 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 14 | 3.7% |
How 2005 compares with other Tribute years
Best and worst Tribute years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 563 | 13 |
| 2002 | 384 | 7 |
| 2003 | 199 | 6 |
| 2004 | 157 | 5 |
| 2005 | 377 | 3 |
| 2006 | 130 | 2 |
| 2007 | 4 | 0 |
| 2008 | 202 | 4 |
| 2009 | 35 | 1 |
| 2010 | 39 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 24 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,800
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 370 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 24 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 23 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 24 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 20 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2005 Tribute for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2005 Mazda Tribute FAQ
How many recalls does the 2005 Mazda Tribute have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 12V357000 (engine), 06V116000 (seat), 04V605000 (latch). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2005 Mazda Tribute problems?
Owners filed 377 complaints with NHTSA. Suspension (137), Structure (126), Vehicle speed control (85) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2005 Mazda Tribute get?
EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 21 city, 27 highway and 24 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2005 Tribute compare with other years?
Among the 2001–2010 Mazda Tribute model years at least five years old, the 2007 drew the fewest complaints (4) and the 2001 the most (563). The 2005 drew 377. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.