WE TOOK TO THE MAZDA DEALER (5900 NORTH OAK TRAFFICWAY, KANSAS CITY, MO 64118) IN 2009 BECAUSE THE CAR DID NOT START. THEY CHANGED THE STARTER MOTOR AND STILL IT DID NOT WORK THEN THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AND IT DID NOT WORK AGAIN THEM THEY SAID IT IS THE ALTERNATOR THIS ALL HAPPENED JUST WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO AND HAD TO SPEND LOT OF MONEY. THEN AGAIN WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY FOUR TIMES WITH …
2005 Mazda Tribute electrical problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
TAKATA RECALL THIS 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE LIGHT START TO FLASH AND THERE IS A CAR THAT SHOWS UP ON MY DASH I HAVE HAD THIS LOOKED AT. AND EVERYONE SAID IT WAS WIRING PROBLEMS THIS SUV HAS ALMOST. HAD ME HIT AND IN A CAR WRECK. BECAUSE. IT WILL SHUT DOWN AND NO PULL A HILL. OR LOSE IT POWER.
SINCE I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR THE 'DOOR AJAR' LIGHT IS MOSTLY ON--ALL THE TIME. IT IS A MINOR ANNOYANCE; HOWEVER, I AM READING TONS OF OTHER MAZDA TRIBUTE OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. NO ONE I'VE HAD IT TO--INCLUDING THE DEALER--COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. IT CLEARLY IS A DEFECT. SOMETIMES I AM CONCERNED IT WILL POSE A SAFETY ISSUE AS, FOR INSTANCE, IT WILL BE OFF (RARE, BUT SOMETIMES IT TURN…
MY 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE BEGAN TO VIBRATE UNCONTROLLABLY, SKIPS AND MAKING LOUD POPPING NOISES. THE CAR THAN SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY IN TRAFFIC. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE COMPUTER WAS COMPLETELY BURNED UP. THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND SO THEY FIXED IT AT NO COST TO ME WHICH WAS 2,000 DOLLARS. HOWEVER, I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR BUYING NEW KEYS WHICH COST 600 DOLLARS…
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2005 Mazda Tribute?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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