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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Vehicle speed control49
  2. Power train18
  3. Engine17
  4. Structure13
  5. Suspension12
  6. Electrical system10
  7. Fuel system, gasoline9
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic7
  9. Air bags6
  10. Fuel/propulsion system5
  11. Service brakes5
  12. Engine and engine cooling5
  13. Tires5
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20068
20075
20082
20099
201014
201112
201212
201314
201418
20159
20168
201710
20187
20194
20202
20210
20220
20231

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2019Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11195477

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2018Power train, Electrical systemODI 11109964

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 16, 2020EngineODI 11374918

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2020StructureODI 11328591

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!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2017SuspensionODI 11014117

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 7, 2023Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11525841
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.