NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Mazda Tribute Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2006 Mazda Tribute has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 130 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mazda dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 Mazda Tribute, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2006 Mazda Tribute owner complaints

Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Mazda Tribute, describing incidents dated February 21, 2006 to May 16, 2023.

Most-cited components

Vehicle Speed Control 49 complaints
Engine 21 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 18 complaints
Power Train 14 complaints
Structure 13 complaints
Service Brakes 12 complaints

Of the 130 complaints on file, 9 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 130 complaints, owners report 4 injuries and 3 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11525841 · Filed June 7, 2023
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…
ODI #11374918 · Filed November 16, 2020
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.
ODI #11328591 · Filed June 12, 2020
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

Read all 130 complaints

Owner-reported

2006 Mazda Tribute mileage at failure

104 of the 130 complaints on file for the 2006 Mazda Tribute give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Vehicle Speed Control	Median 65,000 miles	Middle half 40,000–115,000 miles	Based on 39 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

Front Wheel Bearing has Wrong Dimensions

NHTSA #15E045000 · Suspension — Front — Wheel Bearing · NHTSA notice

Reported June 3, 2015 · Timken Company

Potentially affected: 576 vehicles

Repair completion: 58.24% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified May 20, 2015

Defect description

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 incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.

Safety consequence

Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Speed Control Cable Connector Interference

NHTSA #12V357000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported July 27, 2012 · MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

Potentially affected: 217,500 vehicles

Mazda campaign 6812G · Owners notified September 13, 2012 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Safety consequence

A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. Remedy parts are now available. The safety recall began on September 13, 2012. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6.

Notes

Mazda's recall campaign number is 6812G.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

WIPER MOTOR GREASE

NHTSA #05V525000 · Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Motor · NHTSA notice

Reported November 17, 2005 · MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

Potentially affected: 3,982 vehicles

Mazda campaign 3705K · Owners notified November 28, 2005 · Vehicles built August 29, 2005 – October 17, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.

Safety consequence

AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TEETH TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Notes

MAZDA RECALL NO. 3705K.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2006 Mazda Tribute 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

21% rollover risk

Safety Technology

130 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Mazda Tribute.

Electrical System; Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #11525841

Incident: May 16, 2023 · Filed: June 7, 2023

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.

Engine

ODI #11374918

Incident: October 25, 2020 · Filed: November 16, 2020

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

ODI #11328591

Incident: June 8, 2019 · Filed: June 12, 2020

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

Wheels

ODI #11241502

Incident: June 20, 2015 · Filed: July 31, 2019

2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE ,RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED AWAY,LEAVING SHOCK FLOATING AND BANGING AROUND IN WHEEL WELL FIRST NOTICED IN JUNE 2015

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11220761

Incident: August 16, 2014 · Filed: June 17, 2019

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.

Air Bags

ODI #11203316

2 injuries

Incident: April 19, 2019 · Filed: April 24, 2019

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.

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11195477

Incident: April 8, 2019 · Filed: April 10, 2019

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.

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11153042

Incident: November 21, 2018 · Filed: November 21, 2018

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.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11142753

Incident: October 25, 2018 · Filed: October 25, 2018

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/

Air Bags

ODI #11130399

Incident: November 16, 2016 · Filed: September 20, 2018

"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!

Other Mazda Tribute model years

Check your 2006 Mazda Tribute VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mazda Tribute at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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