Total Complaints
181 filings
MAZDA TRIBUTE · model year
181 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2006MAZDATRIBUTE carries 181 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries, and 3 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 TRIBUTE is vehicle speed control with 44 filings, followed by engine (16) and suspension (12). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2006 TRIBUTE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
181 filings
Crashes Reported
11 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 44 |
| ENGINE | 16 |
| SUSPENSION | 12 |
| POWER TRAIN | 12 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 10 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 9 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 8 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 7 |
| AIR BAGS | 6 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 4 |
| WHEELS | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 3 |
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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-ful
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have
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.
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.
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.
Mileage: 83,000
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
Mileage: 7
2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE ,RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED AWAY,LEAVING SHOCK FLOATING AND BANGING AROUND IN WHEEL WELL FIRST NOTICED IN JUNE 2015
HEARD NOISE OF KNOCKING RATTLING 2014-15 HAD IT TOWED TO MACHANIC AND THEY INFORMED ME OF I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. GOT IT REPLACED WITH A JASPER REBUILT. RIGHT AT 4 YEARS IT HAPPENS AGAIN, ONE YR AFTER WARRANTY. RESEARCHING FOR EITHER RESELL VALUE OR NEW ENGINE GAME ACROSS A PLEATHERA OF SEEZED ENGINES AND THROWN RODS. MOST VEHICLES HAS GREAT BODY BUT BLOWN ENGINE.
Mileage: 54,000
HEARD NOISE OF KNOCKING RATTLING 2014-15 HAD IT TOWED TO MACHANIC AND THEY INFORMED ME OF I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. GOT IT REPLACED WITH A JASPER REBUILT. RIGHT AT 4 YEARS IT HAPPENS AGAIN, ONE YR AFTER WARRANTY. RESEARCHING FOR EITHER RESELL VALUE OR NEW ENGINE GAME ACROSS A PLEATHERA OF SEEZED ENGINES AND THROWN RODS. MOST VEHICLES HAS GREAT BODY BUT BLOWN ENGINE.
Mileage: 54,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHEN THE CONTACT'S SON EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE DOOR, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS, ALONG WITH THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER WERE BOTH INJURED, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS CLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Mileage: 105,000
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.
Mileage: 115,000
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.
Mileage: 115,000
GAS PEDAL STICKS MAKING IT HARD TO ACCELERATE. DANGEROUS WHEN IN TRAFFIC AND GAS PEDAL WILL NOT MOVE. WHETHER IT IS SUMMER OR WINTER TRYING TO ACCELERATE IS BECOMING VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING.
Mileage: 138,050
HELLO - OUR 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE RECENTLY HAD ISSUES RELATED TO SPIDER WEBS IN THE VENT HOSE - IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOTES, THE FOLLOWING ISSUES WERE NOTED RELATED TO THE FUEL TANK: CANISTER VENT FILTER AND HOSE: END OF VENT HOSE AT TOP OF FILLER KNECK PLUGGED WITH SPIDER WEBS THIS RESEMBLES ISSUES THAT PROMPTED THE RECALL OF LATER MODELS, HOWEVER IN CONTACTING MAZDA, NOBODY HAS RESPONDED TO MY CONCERN, BASICALLY STATING THAT THIS RECALL DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS YEAR - I DO UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT SINCE THE ISSUE IS IDENTICAL, I WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD AT LEAST WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT AND HAVE A REPORTING SYSTEM FOR IT? BEFORE TAKING THE CAR TO THE MECHANIC, IT WOULD ONLY ACCEPT 10 DOLLARS OF GAS AT A TIME, WHICH SHOWS PRESSURE BUILD UP. THIS SAME VEHICLE WAS FOUND TO HAVE WATER IN THE TANK ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND I WONDER IF THE VENT HOSE IS ALSO THE CULPRIT HTTPS://WWW.USATODAY.COM/STORY/DRIVEON/2014/04/09/MAZDA-SPIDERS/7494105/
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAD AN AIRBAG FAILURE AFTER HITTING A DEER AT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HWY. THE CHARGE IN THE AIRBAG WENT OFF BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAINS ON. I NEED THIS FIXED!
Mileage: 100,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WALKED TO SULLIVAN FORD LINCOLN INC (759 MAGEE DR, BROOKHAVEN, MS 39601, (601) 833-7521), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO BILL HOOD MAZDA (333 N MORRISON BLVD, HAMMOND, LA 70401, (866) 726-1249) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 250,000.
Mileage: 250,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WALKED TO SULLIVAN FORD LINCOLN INC (759 MAGEE DR, BROOKHAVEN, MS 39601, (601) 833-7521), BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO BILL HOOD MAZDA (333 N MORRISON BLVD, HAMMOND, LA 70401, (866) 726-1249) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 250,000.
Mileage: 250,000
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.
Mileage: 140,000
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.
Mileage: 140,000
DRVING ON THE HIGWAY AND THE CAR TURN OFF LOST POWER ,LOST STEEING, I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEICLE .PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGWAY, WAITED FOR A WHILE , STARTED AGAIN BUT THE SPEED WAS DO MILES , ENGINE BIBRATING,MECHANIC SAYS THAT NEED TO REPLACE THE PCM AND 6 IDG COILS
Mileage: 70,000
LAST NIGHT 01/11/2018, I WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THIS MORNING MY GAS PEDAL WAS STICKING, AND IT WAS HARD TO DRIVE/GO. ONCE I REACHED THE MAIN STREET, IT WAS HARD TO ACCELERATE. NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT WON'T GO OFF.
Mileage: 140,000
LAST NIGHT 01/11/2018, I WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. THIS MORNING MY GAS PEDAL WAS STICKING, AND IT WAS HARD TO DRIVE/GO. ONCE I REACHED THE MAIN STREET, IT WAS HARD TO ACCELERATE. NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT WON'T GO OFF.
Mileage: 140,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.