Problems · NHTSA complaints
2006 Mazda Tribute problems
Owners filed 135 complaints about the 2006 Mazda Tribute with NHTSA between Feb 2006 and Jun 2023. The most-cited component is vehicle speed control (49).
Complaints
135
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
3
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Vehicle speed control49
- Power train18
- Engine17
- Structure13
- Suspension12
- Electrical system10
- Fuel system, gasoline9
- Service brakes, hydraulic7
- Air bags6
- Fuel/propulsion system5
- Service brakes5
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Tires5
- Wheels4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
8
5
2
9
14
12
12
14
18
9
8
10
7
4
2
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2011 | 12 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Vehicle speed control
49 reports4 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING 85 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED MULTIPLE TIMES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE. THE CONTACT CALLED KINSEL FORD (LOCATED AT 3355 EASTEX FWY, BEAUMONT, TX 77706, (409) 899-4000) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V357000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL, THERE WOULD BE NO CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.”
Power train
18 reports
“THIS INVOLVES MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR THAT CAN NO LONGER BE OPENED BY MY REMOTE..IT ALL STARTED AFTER GETTING A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED..ALL THE OTHER DOORS ON MY SUV OPEN AND LOCK WITH THE REMOTE. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS THE ONLY DOOR THAT I HAVE TO USE MY CAR KEY TO OPEN. THERE MUST BE SOME DEFECT. I'VE READ THAT OTHERS WHO HAVE MAZDA TRIBUTES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER A NEW BATTERY IS INSTALLED.”
Engine
17 reports2 crashes1 fire
“WE PURCHASED A USED 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE WITH ABOUT 83,000 MILES ON IT FROM A CAR DEALER. LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING IT, THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE AND THE ENGINE FAILED. THE ENGINE FAILED AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT.”
Structure
13 reports
“THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL AREA WHERE THE SHOCK ABSORBER ATTACHES TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE BUSTED OUT. IT NO LONGER HOLDS THE SHOCK IN PLACE TO ABSORB A BUMP. I WAS RECENTLY INFORMED BY A BODYSHOP PERSON THAT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF. WOULD YOU LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE? *TR”
Suspension
12 reports1 related recall
“EXPERIENCING SAME ISSUES WITH THE FRONT SUBFRAME/ENGINE CRADLE AS INDICATED IN THE 2001-2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE/FORD ESCAPE RECALL. THIS IS A 2006, WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE OF THE SUBFRAME RUSTING OUT AND BREAKING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE! THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED 2005 AND 2006 VEHICLES AS WELL! I'M LOOKING AT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE A SUBFRAME PUT IN AND THE REST OF MY VEHICLE IS RUST FREE, SO YOU CAN OBVIOUSLY TELL I TAKE GOOD CARE TO WASH THE UNDERNEATH OF THE VEHICLE!”
Electrical system
10 reports
“2006 MAZADA TRIBUTE- Consumer sent a request to Mazda North America to request estimate for cost of repair for replacement of the sensor and switches on the doors and service to the "door ajar" alarm system. Mazda customer care stated they wouldn't be able to provide assistance in the issue. The vehicle is out of warranty and there is no open recalls or special service programs. Consumer resubmitted request to Mazda. Consumer states: "This is the responsibility of the manufacturer! This feature·, (Door Ajar) notification is a major preventative safety item that should have an interrupt feature within. It does not! The defect of malfunction, ringing of the chime, is a conscience detraction element that cannot be tolerated continuously!" The consumer stated the cost of repairs will cost $4590 and feels this is the responsibility of the manufacturer.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.