The magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus of this invention records/reproduces information on/from a magnetic tape by drawing out the magnetic tape from a tape cassette and allowing the magnetic tape to pass around a rotary head cylinder having a rotary head for a predetermined arc. The apparatus includes: a capstan shaft for driving the magnetic tape; a pinch roller for pressing the magnetic tape against the capstan shaft; a supply reel base rotatably attached to a shaft, the supply reel base engaging with a supply reel for holding the magnetic tape wound onto the supply reel located in the tape cassette; a winding reel base rotatably attached to a shaft, the winding reel base engaging with a winding reel for holding the magnetic tape wound onto the winding reel located in the tape cassette: a reel driving source for rotating the supply reel base and the winding reel base and abnormality detection means for detecting an abnormality in the magnetic recording/reproduction apparatus, wherein in response to the detection of the abnormality by the abnormality detection means, the reel driving source performs an abnormality relief operation including rotating one of the winding reel base and the supply reel base in a direction of winding the magnetic tape by a predetermined amount and then rotating the other of the winding reel base and the supply reel base in a direction of winding the magnetic tape by a predetermined amount.