Cruise Control problems of the 2001 Mazda Tribute

2001 Tribute was in cruise control cresting a hill when traffic slowed, I applied the brakes but soon realized that not only was the car still in cruise, but that the engine was beginning to race and I was having to brake hard. I was able to get to the shoulder and placed the car into neutral whereupon the engine revved so high that it shut itself down. I had it towed to my mechanic who was unable to find anything wrong with the car. I feared the worst but some system shut the engine down before it self-destructed.

Driver accelerated, with pedal, while cruise control was set at 70 mph. Removing foot from accelerator pedal and applying the brake did not seem to disengage the cruise; "the engine seemed to surge". The cruise control off button also seemed to have no effect on the cruise. The resistance in the brake pedal increased and engine continued to surge as the vehicle speed was decreased to around 50 mph. Driver shifted into neutral; the engine rpm shot up. Driver then shifted into progressively lower gears and applied the brake until vehicle stopped. Driver then shifted into park, and shut off the engine. Smoke was coming out of the engine compartment. Vehicle was towed and determined to have a blown engine. Owner alleges that Mazda dealer (flow Mazda in fayetteville) stated that there is recall campaign (00v-210 002) for this issue, but that her vehicle is not covered due to her vehicle's build date. Per relevant 573, the effected build date range is Ford's kcap 4/17/00 through 7/24/00; subject vehicle build date is unknown. VIN range is 4f2******1km00137 through 4f2******1km11634. Owner's VIN is 4f2cu09101km05648. Owner alleges to never have received an owner notification for this recall.

I was shopping at the local walmart with my wife, who was driving the vehicle. We were parked in the walmart parking lot. On leaving, she engaged the car in drive and began to ease out of the parking space. The car suddenly surged forward and she was unable to stop it even though she was applying the brakes very hard. This had happened to me several times before but always in a place that was safe and where I could bring the car to a stop. It always happened as I was moving from a parked position. On this occasion, it was not safe, and we crashed into another car. The Tribute was damaged at a cost of $5,000 to repair. The other car also had extensive damages. I asked the dealer who repaired the car to examine the cruise control and accelerator pedal for a defect. He only told me that it looked "normal". My wife is afraid to drive this car now and I have a lot of apprehension when I first start the car and begin to drive. I think that there must be a subtle defect in either the cruise control or the accelerator that causes this unexpected surge when first starting from a parked position.

While going 35-40mph down long hill engine quit. Steering and brakes failed. Consumer doesn't remember if dashboard lights illuminated. Vehicle coasted down hill while standing on the brakes to stop. This was the first time vehicle experienced the problem. Dealer rplaced bypass air control vavle due to vehicle idling too low. Please provide more information.

May 23, 2002 - cruise control stopped working. Light on console comes on but doesn't engage. June 01, 2002 - lost all power while going approx 35 mph around a slight curve. Pulled to the side, put in neutral and started again.