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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Mazda Tribute fuel system problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 13 fuel system complaints filed for the 2006 Mazda Tribute, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA fuel system complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SLOW FUEL FILL CONCERN DURING WINTER/FREEZING CONDITIONS, OR A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0451 PRESENT. MAY BE CAUSED BY WATER/MOISTURE ENTERING THE FUEL FILLER VENT LINE, THEN FREEZING. UPDATED 6/2/08.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SLOW FUEL FILL OR FREQUENT FILLING STATION PUMP SHUT-OFF.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a stuck or sticking accelerator pedal that occurs intermittently or persistently. The pedal becomes difficult or impossible to depress, requiring excessive force or stomping to move it. In some cases, when forced down hard, the pedal suddenly releases and causes abrupt acceleration — sometimes in a "jump-like" manner that surprises the driver.
Several owners note the problem worsens in cold weather or immediately after starting the engine, with one reporting the issue disappears once the engine warms up or ambient temperature rises above 60 degrees. Others report the pedal sticks when resuming acceleration from a stop, or locks in idle. One owner experienced the pedal stuck at a high RPM after releasing it, and had to shift to neutral and use the emergency brake.
Related complaints mention erratic cruise control that suddenly accelerates or drops out unexpectedly. One owner reported a loose ground connection on the fuel pump driver module found by a dealer; Mazda apparently issued a service bulletin for this condition. Owners stress the danger: hesitation or loss of power when accelerating at highway speeds, inability to accelerate when merging or passing, and pedal lockup during routine driving. Two accidents are reported, including one that totaled the vehicle and injured occupants on an interstate freeway.
Same Mazda Tribute fuel system reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Accelerator pedal sticking or difficult to depress
Gas pedal becomes stuck, sticks intermittently, or locks in place, requiring excessive force or stomping to depress. When forced down, can release suddenly and cause abrupt acceleration. Pedal may be completely immobile or extremely resistant to movement.
When: Year-round, but worsened in cold weather (below 60 degrees F). Often occurs immediately after engine start (less than 10 minutes of running), or when resuming acceleration from a stop.
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal stuck or sticking during normal acceleration; Pedal will not depress or is extremely hard to press; Requires stomping or excessive force to move pedal; Sudden unintended acceleration after pedal is forced down hard; Jump-like acceleration pattern rather than smooth increase; Pedal locked in idle position leaving vehicle unable to move; Pedal stuck at high RPM after driver releases it
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's dealer found and cleaned/tightened a loose ground connection on the fuel pump driver module. Service bulletin exists for this condition (bulletin number unknown to complainant).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mazda service bulletin exists for loose ground on fuel pump driver module; one dealer performed the repair. No recall issued as of the dates of these complaints.
Loss of power or hesitation during acceleration
Vehicle loses power or hesitates to accelerate normally while driving at highway speed. Driver must pump the accelerator pedal repeatedly to maintain or achieve target speed.
When: At 62 mph; hesitation lasted 40-50 miles before resolution
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle appeared to lose power without warning; Would not accelerate normally; Vehicle hesitated during sustained driving
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostic identified loose ground on fuel pump driver module; cleaned and tightened the connection.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin available for this exact condition
Cruise control malfunction with sudden acceleration
Cruise control exhibits erratic behavior, including sudden unintended acceleration spikes and unexpected dropout without driver input. Dealer replaced a switch but problem persisted.
When: Intermittent; erratic and cannot be reproduced for service departments
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control suddenly accelerates for an instant before returning to normal; Cruise control drops out (turns off) without warning; Erratic behavior that cannot be replicated in service
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced a switch without resolving the issue
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
When vehicle has been running for less than 10 minutes the accelerator pedal will not depress unless unusual amount of force or tapping of pedal is used.*tr
When the air temp is below 60 degrees, the accelerator sticks upon acceleration. Once this happens, the gas pedal cannot be depressed unless you exert extreme force on it with your foot. This is extremely dangerous if you need to accelerate to cross traffic or similar type of situation. Once the engine warms up, or if the air temp warms up above 60 degrees, the problem will not occur. *tr
Had fuel system trouble with your 2006 Mazda Tribute?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the fuel system problem on the 2006 Mazda Tribute?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,200.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 50,000 and 105,000 miles, with the median around 76,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 105,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Mazda/Tribute.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.