The rear right wheel well has been completely rusted out to the point that the suspension broke through into the interior of the car. The left rear and both front wheel wells look to be in perfect condition which seems abnormal for just one wheel well to be affected by extreme rust and corrosion. We bought this Mazda Tribute less then a year ago from the dan wolf Chevrolet dealership in naperville Illinois, with it "passing inspection". since then my family and I have treated this car with extraordinary care by regular maintenance and overall cleanliness. The my family of five (three children) have used this vehicle everyday to drive to work and school not knowing the danger it apposed on us and other drivers on the road. When researching this particular problem we noticed that this very dangerous and unsafe incident has happened to owners of the 2005 Mazda Tribute across the U.S. (www.carcomplaints.com/Mazda/Tribute/2005/body_paint/wheel_well_completely_rusted_out.shtml) the dealership nor Mazda have been any help to solve this problem. I believe that a recall for this car should be made to avoid any harm or threat to families and drivers on the road.

- Wheaton, IL, USA

When I took my Tribute in to get my annual inspection sticker the mechanic told me there was considerable rust underneath my vehicle he said it would not support the shocks in researching this vehicle I found there were 332 complaints and 53 was for the same problem I have I think Mazda should recall my vehicle or pay to have it repaired or I think all of us should file a class action law suit against Mazda or Ford because they own Mazda

- South Charleston, WV, USA

The upper rear shock absorber mount came apart due to rust, the shock absorber came loose and was hitting against the wheel well or tire. Repairs were made at a cost of 4600. The other rear shock absorber mount on the driver side did not show any signs of rust. Updated 09/29/15... updated 09/30/15

- Marquette, MI, USA

The car began making a loud banging noise from the right rear. Upon inspection by our mechanic it was diagnosed as a complete rusting through of the right rear well, causing the shock to no longer be attached to the frame. The shock was actually visible from the inside rear of the car. We were told the car was no longer safe to drive. Mazda was unwilling to do anything about the failure, in spite of my finding numerous other complaints related to the same failure on blogs. A frame shop had to install a new inner wheel house panel. Cost of the repair was $2000.

- West Olive, MI, USA

No crash but the underside is rusted and unsafe to drive as it does not support the shocks this car should be recalled I understand Mazda recalled a lot of these cars from 2001-2004 with the same problem my car has new tires new brakes and new spark plus and pistons only 80,000 miles and runs good but it is rusted my daughter has a Honda with 123,000 miles and it runs perfect with no rust this is not acceptable to me that the Mazda is rusted. I would not advise anyone to buy a Mazda because they do not last very long.

- South Charleston, WV, USA

I own a 2005 Mazda Tribute with 80,000 miles, new tires, new brakes, new spark plugs and pistons (installed in April ) cost=1200.00 took my car in for an inspection in may and my mechanic told me there was considerable rust on the right wheel well and may not support the struts he advised me not to drive it and I took it to a body shop and they said D1500.+ not including labor and they could not guarantee they could GT rid of the rust, not involved in an accident-my car runs good but I afraid to drive it. 75 retired and this is my only mode of transportation and I cannot afford another car. I noticed on line Mazda has recalled a lot of cars for this same problem-do they nor undercoat cars anymore.

- South Charleston, WV, USA

The passenger side rear wheel well has rusted out. Suspension is now protruding into the interior of the vehicle. The extent of the rust is abnormal, even for the geographic area. It is no longer safe to drive the vehicle. Condition is result of manufacturing defect. Contacted Mazda usa to ask when they will be scheduling recall based on huge number of complaints re: Same issue and they stated that the issue is due to improper washing of the car and sent paragraph on how to wash a car. Useless.

- Ithaca, NY, USA

Turning into a parking lot on 17 June 2015, my 2005 Mazda Tribute suddenly gave a loud thump, a tire screech, and stopped. The car would not move under its own power, as the right front wheel was pointed in a different direction than the left one, and it was clear the drive shaft had been pulled out of the transaxle, as the wheel was too far out and almost back against the wheel well. Upon inspection at a repair shop, it was clear the right front subframe had rusted through, causing the lower arm to detach from the chassis. Research indicated that this problem had been the subject of a recall of previous model years. It seems that the rust-through problem with this assembly is still a problem. This is going cost a lot to fix. Not happy. Updated 09/03/15

- Edgewood, MD, USA

My Mazda 2005, has totally rusted out on the passenger back wheel well. The suspension is affected as well. The repairs are going to be very costly and I found out that the 01-04 models have done the same and there was a recall for the same exact issue. Mazda needs to extend the recall to include the 05 model as well. I am also filing a report with Mazda.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Passenger side rear wheel well completely rusted out causing strut to push through into interior trim. A minimum $1,000 repair estimate.

- Shinnston, WV, USA

Passenger back wheel carriage is completely rusted out. Suspension is exposed along with shocks. Made loud noises while driving over bumps - I had no idea that my entire wheel carriage was completed rusted. This will cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to fix. Worst car I have had. Will never ever purchase another Mazda. I am amazed and disgusted that Mazda has not recalled these cars. What a disgrace to owners of these cars.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

The right rear wheel well completely rusted out and left the shock attached to absolutely nothing.

- Saratoga Springs, NY, USA

Shock mount has rusted out and the strut is hanging loose. You look up from under the vehicle and see into the interior insulation. Strut can cause loss of control of the vehicle. Rotted out wheel well can allow exhaust fumes to enter the vehicle causing serious injury or death.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Excessive, localized rust has developed in the right, rear wheel well, resulting in the shock being loose and making a loud banging sound when going over even small bumps. The left side and the rest of the car does not have this problem indicating a localized manufacturing/engineering defect.

- Clinton Twp, MI, USA

The right rear top shock mount on my 2005 Mazda Tribute totally rusted off the unibody frame.

- Edinboro, PA, USA

Left rear shock absorber mount separated from the vehicle frame during normal driving (slow speed - 25mph) due to what appears to be a faulty design. All connecting bolts, washers and nuts are intact and secure in the shock absorber and mount area. This has resulted in a serious safety issue when driving the vehicle and it was fortuitous that the driver was not operating in highway or more intense conditions when the vehicle failed. I have contacted Mazda North America and have received a service report from the local Mazda dealer in charlotte, nc. (information available if needed). While the vehicle is 10 years old, a failure of this type is unusual and rare but identified from multiple sources as corrosion issues that Ford / maza have on the 03 to 05 models which should result in a recall and remedy by the manufacturer. Having researched this issue it's clearly a manufacture flaw in the design of this model, not just because as an owner I have an issue to deal with, but as a consumer with knowledge of the unusual nature of this failure.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

The entire rear passenger wheel well has rusted away and the shock is completely detached from the frame on our Tribute. This is obviously not normal wear and tear as the vehicle is only 10 years old and it is only happening on the rear passenger. It is going to cost me a lot to fix and will definitely be the last Mazda I buy (unless by chance Mazda sees how this is a major problem with Tributes/escapes and makes it right).

- Sugar Grove, OH, USA

I purchased my 2005 Mazda Tribute brand new from martin Mazda, located in newark, de. My vehicle has never been in an accident and I just drive it back and forth to work. In January I started hearing a loud noise in the rear of my vehicle which started to get louder and louder. It sounded like something in the rear of the vehicle was bouncing/rattling around. On February 10, 2015 I took my car to nucar Mazda in new castle who has serviced my vehicle since 2005. [xxx], Mazda service advisor informed me that the right rear subframe and wheelwell had rusted away and that it was unsafe for me to drive. The brake line had started to rust, as well. The shock attached T the vehicle had rusted away, as well. He explained that the rear could collapse. I contacted Mazda headquarters and they said that due to the way that Delaware salts their roads is why this rust occurred only on the right side. A family member suggested that I get an estimate from a body shop. Northeast body shop was able to repair all of the parts that had rusted out at a cost of $2,710. [xxx], owner stated that this rusting out was due to the undercoating was not covering the parts that rusted out. He provided me with the entire piece that had to be replaced and you can clearly see what the problem is. I feel that Mazda should take some responsibility for this defect on my vehicle. I believed in Mazda and I am very upset that I was driving an unsafe vehicle for this period of time. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Newark, DE, USA

Rear suspension support on passenger side rusted and broke off from frame while driving.

- Mankato, MN, USA

After hearing rattling from the rear passenger-side when going over potholes, I took my car in for shock/struts. I was told that the noise was not my shocks, but that the wheel well was rusted out. The shocks were ok, but there was nothing to attach them to. I was further told by the mechanic that he had never seen corrosion this bad on a 10yr old car with 50,000 miles. Advice was to find a body shop to fabricate a part. I've read that this is occurring with lots of Mazda Tributes and Ford escape in different years. So why isn't Mazda/Ford making these repairs. This is a defect. I should have gotten a Honda: Something I trust.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA