A bolt (Mazda #10) holding the caliper assembly of the brake system fell off after only 280 miles of driving, less than 24 hours of ownership of the vehicle. The vehicle was driving at a residential area at low speed (25 miles/hr), otherwise a catastrophic results could have resulted in the interstate freeway. The vehicle's front-passenger side brake system locked the vehicle and the vehicle skidded (single-wheel locked) about 15 feet before a complete stop. Driver has picked up the loose bolt from the road and presented to the nearest dealership service department. Congressional Mazda at rockville, md has inspected the brake system, secured caliper assembly and reinstalled the loose bolt. The vehicle owner was told that the loose bolt could have been caused by assembly failure at the factory. The duncan Mazda at blacksburg, va (where the new vehicle purchased) has replaced the right front wheel and tire. The accident has caused the owner and his family to stay involuntarily out of town for 36 hours due to inability to obtain dealer services over the weekend days. Phone number of customer relations of Mazda usa (800-222-5500) was very difficult to go through. After more than two hours of trying, the case was orally reported to Mazda usa on July 2, 2001. The case was again reported to david duncan, general manager of Mazda dealer at blacksburg, va on July 3, 2001.

- Blacksburg, VA, USA