Problems · by component

2004 Mazda Tribute vehicle speed control problems

34 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Mazda Tribute cite vehicle speed control, 19% of all 182 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
34
19% of all complaints
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the vehicle speed control

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I am submitting this formal complaint regarding a potential recall failure involving a 2005 Mazda Tribute driven by my fiancé, [XXX], who died following a crash on [XXX]. Mazda has opened Case #[XXX] in response to my inquiry, and I am requesting federal oversight of this investigation. Joey’s vehicle may have been affected by NHTSA Recall 12V357000, which addresses throttle body malfunction and unintended acceleration. Service records show that a dealership performed a recall service, but the parts used may have been ineffective or incomplete. The crash sequence—rear-ending a stopped vehicle followed by veering into oncoming traffic—matches known symptoms of this defect. I am requesting: •A formal review of Mazda’s handling of Recall 12V357000 •Verification of Joey’s VIN-specific recall compliance •Investigation into the dealership’s repair actions and part quality •Oversight of Mazda’s internal case (#[XXX]) and its findings This issue raises serious concerns about manufacturer accountability and public safety. I am submitting supporting documentation and service records for review.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2025Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherCrash reportedODI 11696863
“The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would accelerate unintendedly, and the brakes would fail during the unintended acceleration. The ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the code reader was not able to read any codes. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the accelerator and brakes were repaired years prior and would not cover the cost for repair. The failure mileage was 189,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2021Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11427833
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PARKED THE VEHICLE IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2017Vehicle speed controlODI 11016125
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED NUMEROUS TIMES. IN ORDER TO REDUCE SPEED, THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT NOT RAPIDLY. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. IN 2015, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V583000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT AND FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2016Vehicle speed controlODI 10837982
“2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUBFRAME CORROSION ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. ALSO, THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE IDLE AIR CONTROL MOTOR AND THE CLEANING OF THE THROTTLE BODY. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 19, 2015Suspension, Structure, Vehicle speed controlODI 10807025
“I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO STOP BEHIND ANOTHER CAR AT A RED LIGHT AND MY CAR SLOWED DOWN BUT DID NOT FULLY STOP. I BARELY BUMPED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT PROBABLY LESS THAN 5 MILES PER HOUR BUT MY AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO MY CAR OTHER THAN THE AIR BAGS EXPLODING AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY WANTS TO TOTAL MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE AIR BAGS EXPLODING. I HAVE SECOND DEGREE BURNS AND A CUT FROM THE AIR BAG.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 12, 2015Air bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10733502

Showing 6 of 34 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

Vehicle speed control: cables

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Vehicle speed controlReported Dec 10, 2004NHTSA 04V583000
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.