2006 Mazda Tribute Problems and Recalls (134 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2006 Mazda Tribute is Cruise / speed control (31% of 134 owner reports). There are 3 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Cruise / speed control — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 134 complaints · 3 recalls

What problems show up on the 2006 Mazda Tribute?

41 of 134 filings named Cruise / speed control (31% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (17 reports).

There are 3 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras and Suspension. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2005 has 375 reports on file; this year has 134. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2006 Mazda Tribute

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 3 campaigns on file below.
  2. Cruise / speed control. Test cruise control and ask about unintended-acceleration reports on this year.
  3. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  4. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Cruise / speed control. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Cruise / speed control 41 complaints · 30.6% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 9
  • Fires 1
  • Injuries 4
  • Deaths 3
All Mazda Tribute years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) appears in 41 of 134 owner complaints (30.6%) in this vehicle snapshot. Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 41 complaints, 30.6% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 3 crash reports 41 · 30.6% Engine (ENGINE): 17 complaints, 12.7% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 crash reports 1 fire reports 17 · 12.7% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 13 complaints, 9.7% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 13 · 9.7% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 11 complaints, 8.2% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 2 crash reports 11 · 8.2% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 10 complaints, 7.5% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 1 crash reports 10 · 7.5% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 9 complaints, 6.7% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 9 · 6.7% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 6 complaints, 4.5% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 6 · 4.5% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 5 complaints, 3.7% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 5 · 3.7% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 4 complaints, 3.0% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 2 crash reports 4 · 3.0% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 35 complaints, 26.1% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 2 crash reports 35 · 26.1% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 41 30.6% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 17 12.7% 1 crashes · 1 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 13 9.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 11 8.2% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 10 7.5% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 9 6.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 6 4.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 5 3.7% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 4 3.0% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 35 26.1% 2 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 2006; the first recall shown was reported in Nov 2005. 2006-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2006-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2007-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2009-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2009-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2010-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2011-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2011-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2012-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2012-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2013-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2013-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2013-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2014-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2014-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2015-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2017-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2017-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2017-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2018-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2018-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2019-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2019-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2020-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Nov 2005 Apr 2023 Recall campaign 05V525000 ◆ Recall campaign 05V525000 Recall campaign 12V357000 ◆ Recall campaign 12V357000 Recall campaign 15E045000 ◆ Recall campaign 15E045000
  • Campaign 15E045000 was reported 2,896 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2006-Q1 Owner reports 1
2006-Q2 Owner reports 6
2006-Q4 Owner reports 1
2007-Q1 Owner reports 3
2007-Q2 Owner reports 1
2007-Q4 Owner reports 1
2008-Q3 Owner reports 2
2009-Q1 Owner reports 1
2009-Q2 Owner reports 5
2009-Q3 Owner reports 1
2009-Q4 Owner reports 2
2010-Q1 Owner reports 7
2010-Q3 Owner reports 2
2010-Q4 Owner reports 5
2011-Q1 Owner reports 7
2011-Q3 Owner reports 1
2011-Q4 Owner reports 3
2012-Q2 Owner reports 1
2012-Q3 Owner reports 6
2012-Q4 Owner reports 5
2013-Q1 Owner reports 2
2013-Q2 Owner reports 3
2013-Q3 Owner reports 7
2013-Q4 Owner reports 2
2014-Q1 Owner reports 2
2014-Q2 Owner reports 8
2014-Q3 Owner reports 3
2014-Q4 Owner reports 5
2015-Q1 Owner reports 1
2015-Q2 Owner reports 3
2015-Q3 Owner reports 3
2015-Q4 Owner reports 2
2016-Q1 Owner reports 2
2016-Q2 Owner reports 2
2016-Q4 Owner reports 4
2017-Q1 Owner reports 4
2017-Q2 Owner reports 2
2017-Q3 Owner reports 3
2017-Q4 Owner reports 1
2018-Q1 Owner reports 2
2018-Q3 Owner reports 3
2018-Q4 Owner reports 2
2019-Q2 Owner reports 3
2019-Q3 Owner reports 1
2020-Q2 Owner reports 1
2020-Q4 Owner reports 1
2023-Q2 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 05V525000
Recall campaign 1 12V357000
Recall campaign 1 15E045000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (3)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras and Suspension.

  1. Recall campaign 05V525000

    Glass / wipers / cameras

    Report date
    Component:
    Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)
    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.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 12V357000

    Safety recall 12V357000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    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.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 15E045000

    Suspension

    Report date
    Component:
    Suspension (SUSPENSION)
    Consequence:
    Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 10 of 134 complaints · page 1 of 6
2023-06-07Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11525841
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2020-11-16Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11374918
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2020-06-12Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11328591
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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
2019-07-31WHEELS
NHTSA ODI 11241502
CrashFireInjuryDeath
2006 MAZDA TRIBUTE ,RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED AWAY,LEAVING SHOCK FLOATING AND BANGING AROUND IN WHEEL WELL FIRST NOTICED IN JUNE 2015
2019-06-17Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11220761
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2019-04-24Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11203316
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2019-04-10Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
NHTSA ODI 11195477
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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, ([redacted]) 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.
2018-11-21Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL)
NHTSA ODI 11153042
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2018-10-25Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11142753
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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/
2018-09-20Airbags (AIR BAGS)
NHTSA ODI 11130399
CrashFireInjuryDeath
"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!

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2006 Mazda Tribute?

Owners named Cruise / speed control most often — 41 of 134 reports (31%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2006 Mazda Tribute?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Glass / wipers / cameras and Suspension. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2006 Mazda Tribute?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Test cruise control and ask about unintended-acceleration reports on this year. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources