1 month ago (4/10/06) I experienced the first of many problems with my brakes. While driving at only 30 mph my vehicle's RPM gauge went up to 4.5 on the scale and stayed that way for 15 minutes. Producing the smell of burning rubber or metal. Cars and tractor trailers were approaching me faster than I could move to get out of the way. Many times I can sit idle at the traffic light without my foot on the brake pedal. The brakes stick so much that I don't even have to apply them in order to stop. The car abruptly stops when I release pressure from the brake pedal. It was suggested by a certified Mazda technician that I must have my calipers replaced because they were locking. And so I did on 5/8. after driving the car for one week, the very same problem occurred again. On 5/16 my car was repaired by the same technician who said that we must replace the brake lines because they could have collapsed. And so I did on 5/22. Before driving off, I test drove the car and nothing happened. Much to my surprise the problem had been fixed. Little to my surprise two short days later on 5/24 at 11:00 pm on bladensburg road and New York avenue in Washington, DC my cars' speed was reduced to 15 mph with an RPM reading of 5! this scared me as it was late and I was in a not so desirable neighborhood along with my mother who walks with a cane and I am 3 months pregnant. Drivers were blowing their horns and yelling obscenities to us to move out of the way. Finally I reached an area where there was a shoulder to pull off on. I called my insurance company for emergency road side assistance and it took 1 1/2 hours & $125 cash for an emergency tow vehicle to come pick us up. In summary, I have received new brake pads and rotors have been serviced. I've had multiple days off of work and a tremendous dent in my purse. I was told my car does not qualify for this recall. I am in desperate need of some sort of assistance. Is there anything NHTSA can do??

- Columbia, MD, USA

The rear brakes squeaked very loudly when coming to a stop. The consumer had the brakes inspected by the dealer three times but the dealer has noyt been able to find or correct the problem.

- Apopka, FL, USA