Engine problems of the 2001 Mazda Tribute

I own a 2001 Mazda Tribute, which I purchased used in 2007. The vehicle went through six master cylinders within the first few months we owned it. It has been an ok car, but frequently and I mean frequently visits the mechanic to get fixed, whereas my other (foreign-made) vehicle rarely has problems - I will never buy american again! Wednesday evening I picked up my 2001 Tribute up at the mechanic from getting four new engine coils which had just been replaced two years previously, which my mechanic says should not have gone bad. Thursday morning I had my two children in the car when I reversed out of my parking spot at a local church when the brake pedal went straight to the floor! the car kept going back and I had to use the emergency break to stop!!!! luckily I did not hit anything and no one was hurt. I had the truck towed back to the mechanic, which I had just picked it up from (this was the car's 4th visit in two weeks for broken parts). The mechanic said that the front left brake line had ruptured and the right one was cracked, so both were replaced. I am so thankful the brakes hadn't failed minutes later when my family would have been on the interstate!!! no recall has been made by Mazda for this problem, but I have seen many similar stories from this vehicle. It is a disgrace and threat to not only the driver and passengers of these vehicles, but to everyone on the road!!! I'm scared to drive my car, not knowing if it will get me home safely or even go. I would never have purchased the car if I could go back and only wish I could purchase something different now.

Mazda Tribute 2001. While stopped in drive (automatic transmission; cruise control off) with foot on brake, engine suddenly revved to 4000 rpm. Had to use hard, full braking plus emergency brake to keep SUV from moving forward and hitting car in front of me. In neutral, engine revved at 4000 rpm. Turned engine off and restated -- situation has not repeated yet.

While driving on the mass. Turnpike on 04/23/06, my vehicle was suddenly engulfed in thick gray smoke. It was determined by my insurance agency that it was a "mechanical failure', which resulted in my vehicle needing a new engine. I was unable to pay for a new engine, and was refused any assistance from Mazda USA and dealer vehicle was purchased from. Vehicle has 45,000 miles on it.

The driver side door handle failed, I was trapped inside the car on the driver side. I had to lower the power window, reach outside of the car and open the door. I purchased a handle and paid to have the door handle replaced on 6/29/2005. The passenger side door handle failed , leaving the passenger trapped inside the car on the passenger side. Passengers had to lower the power window, reach outside the car and open the door. I purchased a handle and paid to have the door handle replaced on 3/13/2006. Recently, every time I crank my car a large cloud of gray smoke comes from the tailpipe. Today, 6/16/2006, I went to put the key into the ignition and the key would not go in. After several attempts the key went into the ignition but, the key would not turn. I was unable to start the car. With assistance from a local mechanic, after numerous attempts, the key went in, turned and the car started. It was suggested to me, do not make any stops on the way home that would require turning the car off. Once I arrived at home I turned the car off and attempted to start the car again. The key will go in but, after several attempts, the key will not turn to start the car. With the Mazda being my only vehicle I feel this is a safety issue for my son and I. While driving the Mazda the rear glass on the hatch opened. I pulled over to close the glass and it would not close and latch. With the help of a local mechanic he was able to close and engage the latch on the glass door. We avoid opening the rear glass but on accident the glass door was opened and it was the same scenario.

I have a 2001 Mazda Tribute. Recently I started having trouble starting the vehicle. It started but immediately stopped. I had to leave my foot on the gas for awhile before it would respond normally. This problem was completely random, not occurring everyday. The condition increased in frequency and finally my car started to die while I was driving it (if I released the gas for a turn, it would occasionally die). This almost caused a serious accident as I had no steering or braking when the car died. I returned the car to the dealership but they said there were no recall notices. Their diagnostic equipment could find no problems, but the manager said this was happening to several early Tributes and I should replace the idle air valve. Replacing this has fixed the problem but this is a serious defect that needs to be fixed before someone is killed.

While traveling on the highway without prior warning vehicle will shut down and restart.