This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Refer to the applicable Workshop Manual or Owner's Manual for vehicle -specific manufacturer scheduled maintenance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Mazda Tribute powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2006 Mazda Tribute have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 140,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Tribute | 21 |
| 2006 Tribute (this page) | 15 |
| 2008 Tribute | 22 |
| 2010 Tribute | 11 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 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 powertrain 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.
Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission (A/T) oil cooler and lines must be power flushed completely before an overhauled or replacement A/T is installed (except SKYACTIV-DRIVE). The most common cause of repeat A/T failures is lack of lubrication to the front and rear planetary gears. This is usually caused by an accumulation of metal particles and debris (from a previous A/T failure) on the internal mesh type baffle of the oil cooler. Power flushing will remove the restriction by back flushing, followed by forward flushing to dislodge a restriction, then back flushing again. This will in turn ensure full ATF flow for the transmis
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Mazda Tribute shows a clear pattern of transmission failure complaints. Multiple owners describe stalling at intersections or stoplights, inability to shift into reverse or maintain gear engagement, and vehicles that will only crawl at 25–35 mph before the engine light and overdrive warning light come on. Diagnostic codes P0740 (torque converter clutch malfunction), P0741 (torque converter solenoid), and P0720 (output speed sensor) appear repeatedly across narratives.
Owners also report hard shifting between gears, with the transmission sticking in 2nd gear and RPMs spiking to 5,000 before an abrupt shift. One case involved a burned-out clutch in third gear at modest mileage. A transmission vendor told one owner the fluid was overheating and not cooling fast enough—a design flaw rather than maintenance issue. Internal transmission damage is documented despite relatively low mileage and proper maintenance.
Repair costs run $2,000–$3,700 for overhaul or replacement. Owners found a factory recall for 2001–2003 model years only and a service bulletin (SB-05-003-11) that dealerships refused to apply. The same CD4E transmission from Ford does not show equivalent failure rates in Ford vehicles. Owners also report axle ring failure at 50,000 and 70,000 miles, with Mazda forcing full driveshaft replacement ($800 each) rather than allowing u-joint replacement available at parts stores for $23.
Same Mazda Tribute powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Torque Converter Clutch System Malfunction
Transmission fails to engage properly, vehicle loses power and will not go into reverse or maintain gears. Owners report stalling during operation and inability to shift. Multiple diagnostic codes point to torque converter failure requiring complete transmission overhaul.
When: Throughout ownership; some cases occur at 50k–76.5k miles, others after years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls at intersections or traffic lights; Will not go in reverse or engage gears; Overdrive light flashing with engine light on; Vehicle will only go 25–35 mph max; Transmission revs but does not engage; Clutch burned out in third gear
Codes mentioned: P0740 (Torque Converter Clutch System Malfunction), P0741 (Torque Converter Solenoid malfunction), P0720 (Output Shaft Sensor Circuit Malfunction)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission overhaul $3,000–$3,700; rebuilt transmission costs similar; some owners cite burned clutch repair at ~$2,000
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mazda issued recall for 2001–2003 model years only; Service Bulletin SB-05-003-11 issued but dealerships cite it as non-mandatory; owners report dealership refusal to act on bulletin
Transmission Fluid Overheating
Transmission fluid becomes too hot and cannot cool down fast enough, causing transmission to fail. Vehicle loses power and will not move after sitting and cooling.
When: Occurred after three years of light local driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not go after overheating; Only achieves 35 mph after extended sit time; Vehicle revs but transmission does not engage
Repairs/costs cited: Complete transmission replacement required; $3,600 cost cited
Hard Shift and Gear Engagement Delay
Transmission fails to shift smoothly between gears, particularly from 2nd to 3rd. Vehicle sticks in lower gear with high RPMs before abrupt shift. Problem worsens over time and occurs regardless of terrain.
When: At 76,500 miles; adult-owned and well-maintained
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission does not shift from 2nd to 3rd gear; RPMs spike to 5,000 then hard shift occurs; Problem occurs more frequently after initial incident; Transmission sticks in 2nd gear until RPMs spike; Loss of power and acceleration until shift occurs
Transmission Failure and Loss of Engagement
Complete transmission failure where vehicle will not remain in gear. Vehicle stops and must sit before it will move again, repeating the failure cycle. Internal damage documented despite relatively low mileage.
When: At approximately 50,000–70,000 miles range; some cases after only weeks of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not stay in gear; Vehicle stops after 200 feet of driving; Requires sitting before it will move again; Transmission will not go into gear at stoplight
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission overhaul/rebuild required; internal damage present
ABS and 4WD Light with Axle Ring Failure
ABS light and 4WD flashing lights indicate axle ring failure on both front axles. Dealership initially misdiagnoses problem. Both u-joints required replacement. Dealership forces purchase of entire driveshaft rather than individual u-joint replacement.
When: First occurrence at 50,000 miles; second occurrence at 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS light comes on; 4WD light starts flashing; Occurs on both passenger and driver side axles
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quoted $800 per driveshaft; independent parts store had u-joints for $23 total
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mazda does not sell u-joints separately; forces complete driveshaft replacement
Throttle Sticking
Throttle becomes stuck, causing engine to race uncontrollably. Vehicle unresponsive to normal braking. Owner forced to shift to park while moving and turn off ignition to stop the vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Throttle stuck; Engine races; Vehicle unresponsive during incident
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Gas pedal got stuck during driving.
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2006 Mazda Tribute?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 76,014 and 151,000 miles, with the median around 140,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 76,014; a quarter make it past 151,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.