WASHINGTON, D.C. -

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Mazda North American Operations is recalling 109,000 Tributes from the 2001 through 2004 model years.

Officials indicated these recalled vehicles were manufactured between May 22, 2000 and Dec. 19, 2003 and were originally sold, or are currently registered in these locations:

—Connecticut
—Delaware
—Illinois
—Indiana
—Iowa
—Maine
—Maryland
—Massachusetts
—Michigan
—Minnesota
—Missouri
—New Hampshire
—New Jersey
—New York
—Ohio
—Pennsylvania
—Rhode Island
—Vermont
—West Virginia
—Wisconsin
—District of Columbia

“These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm,” NHTSA said. “A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Mazda told the agency it will notify owners, and franchised dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The automaker noted parts are not currently available, but Mazda expects to send an interim notification around May 19.

“When parts are available, owners will be mailed a second letter to come in to have the part installed. If customers bring their vehicles to a dealer before reinforcement crossbraces are available, dealers will inspect the subframe and either inform customers that the vehicle is safe to drive until the remedy parts are available or provide a rental vehicle until parts are available if an immediate repair is needed,” NHTSA officials said.

In the meantime, owners can contact Mazda at (800) 222-5500 and reference recall No. 7514D.