Problems · by component

2004 Mazda Tribute structure problems

45 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Mazda Tribute cite structure, 25% of all 182 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
45
25% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the structure

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stopped and noticed there was rust on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear shock had detached due to rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 203,350.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 8, 2023StructureODI 11520878
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A NOISE LIKE THE ROOF WAS BEING RIPPED OFF. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO INSPECT I NOTICED THAT THE GLASS FROM MY SKYLIGHT WAS GONE. APPEARS THE GLUE DETERIORATED LETTING WINDOW BECOME LOOSE AND THEREFORE BLOWING OFF. GOOD THING DIDNT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 16, 2021StructureODI 11403297
“DRIVING ONE DAY, THE CAR VEERED SUDDENLY INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE. FORTUNATELY NO CARS WERE THERE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS CRACKED AND THE CAR'S FRAME WAS RUSTED SO BADLY THE CAR COULD NOT BE JACKED UP.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2020Steering, Suspension, StructureODI 11355270
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL THUMPING NOISE. THE CONTACT LATER NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS FRACTURED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-2341658425. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2019Suspension, StructureODI 11257292
“I OWN A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE FROM NEW. IT CURRENTLY HAVE AROUND 94000 MILES, MECHANICALLY AND COSMETICALLY MAINTAINED. JUST RECENTLY I STARTED HEARING A BANGING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER REAR AREA. I HAVE SOME STUFF IN THE CARGO AREA ON THAT SIDE SO I FIGURED IT WAS BOUNCING AROUND. SO I REMOVED EVERYTHING AND STILL HAD THE BANGING. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I DISCOVERED A PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK TOWER ROTTING AWAY...THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE...IT PRESENTS MUCH DANGER TO ALL OCCUPANTS AND OTHER VEHICLES OCCUPANTS!!! THIS SHOULD NEVER BE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT IT IS NOT. LOTS OF 2001 TO 2010 MAZDA TRIBUTES, FORD ESCAPES AND MERCURY MARINERS, ARE AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HAVE THE MANUFACTURER MAKE GOOD ON THIS DEFECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2019StructureODI 11253127
“"TAKATA RECALL" MY CAR IS RUSTED UNDERNEATH FROM THE GAS PUMP AND UNDER. ON JULY 11TH, 2019 . I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A STREET WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR STRUT CAME OUT FROM THE RUST. SOMETIMES AFTER PUTTING GAS IN MY CAR AND DRIVING OFF INSIDE OF MY CAR WILL START TO SMELL LIKE GAS. SINCE IT IS RUSTED UNDER AND AROUND.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2019Suspension, Structure, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11231662

Showing 6 of 45 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Structure: frame and members

Free remedy

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Tribute vehicles manufactured May 22, 2000, through December 19, 2003, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.

StructureReported Apr 4, 2014NHTSA 14V174000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.