The Lemon Index
200420061st generation
Avoid · most complaints: speed control
Better years to buy
51 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Toyota RAV42005 Honda CR-V 842005 Ford Escape 127
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Mazda Tribute
- Rust / frame corrosion178 complaintsmostly at 100,000–146,000 miles (161,000–235,000 km)
- Struts / shocks46 complaintsmostly at 89,000–134,000 miles (143,000–216,000 km)
- Engine stalling17 complaintsmostly at 80,000–132,000 miles (129,000–212,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 376 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Mazda Tribute (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,000 and 34,000 miles (13,000–54,000 km) (the middle half of the 30 complaints, of all 51 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 15E045000 (suspension), 12V357000 (engine) and 06V116000 (seats) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Mazda sent dealers 139 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mazda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 51 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 8K to 33K miles (13K to 54K km) on the car (30 of all 51 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Front tire rotors are defective and had to be replaced. It could have caused a brake failure.
2005 Mazda Tribute owner · NHTSA complaint 10229983
More owner reports
When the brakes of the consumer's 2005 Mazda Tribute were applied the vehicle pulled to the left or right.
NHTSA complaint 10115552
My gas pedal sticks when going from a dead stop, causing the car to accelerate to fast. This happens mostly when it is cold but has been reoccuring more frequently. It is very dangerous when driving in the snow and ice.
NHTSA complaint 10252049
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 139 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
- Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
- Shock absorber replacement guidelines
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Suspension · recall issued 2015
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.
- Engine · recall issued 2012 3.0L engines only
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.
- Seats · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOON ROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TEST…
Show all 4 recalls
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2004
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$3,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Mazda Tribute year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-tribute/?y=2005" title="Mazda Tribute reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="376" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mazda-tribute/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Mazda Tribute reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Mazda Tribute reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 200; 100 is average, lower is better). The Mazda Tribute year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2004.
What are the most common 2005 Mazda Tribute problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (25%), brakes (16%) and suspension (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Mazda Tribute have?
4 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Mazda Tribute get?
17 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Mazda Tribute problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 8,000 and 34,000 miles (13,000–54,000 km) (the middle half of the 30 complaints, of all 51 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2005 Mazda Tribute have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Mazda Tribute cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Mazda Tribute have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Mazda Tribute year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works