Transmission problem with 1996 Mazda 626-I bought the car (a demonstrator) from allentown Mazda in allentown pa. On may15, 1997 with 10,000 miles on it. I stopped at a light 2 miles before I was about to get onto onto the ne extension of the pa turnpike. As I pulled out, the car barely picked up enough speed to make the turn and I pulled to the side of the road. Although the engine revved, the car wouldn't move. I had the car towed to a garage where they told me the transmission had failed - at 56,000 miles! I had a rebuilt transmission put into it for $2000. There is now 86,000 on the car and I am having trouble with the car shifting into 2nd and 3rd gear and I am afraid, after reading about everyone else's problems with this car that it is the transmission again. My engine light has also been on continuously, almost from the time I bought it. No one has been able to fix it. I understand this has also been a common problem with this model and year and would like to add my name to the list of dis-satisfied Mazda owners who would like to make Mazda accountable in some way for these expensive, dangerous, and chronic problems.

- Bethlehem, PA, USA

At 59,000 miles I paid for a needed, new transmission at a Mazda dealer. Now @ 106,000 miles it is in needed again.

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

Less than a year a 3rd automatic transmission had to be replaced. The 2nd one failed while driving back from repair shop, car was leaking fluid. Repair shop diagnosed leaking transmission fluid, and recommended dealer replacement. Dealer service dept advised front pump failed, and replaced. This was now the 4th transmission on a car with exactly 60,000 miles. Front pump failed on this transmission after only 6,000 miles in one year.

- San Diego, CA, USA

While driving and without warning the transmission shifted out of gear but still indicated that it was still in drive on the gear panel.

- Oneonta, AL, USA

I have a 96 626 that has 125,000 miles. I purchased my car in 98 with 60,000 miles. In may of 2000 I had to replace the oxygen sensor. I have also had to replace the left front axel and the right cv joint boot in Feb. 2003. Now I have replace my entire transmission which is going to cost around 2300. I had no indications that I had transmission problems until it just quit. On my way to work my car just stopped moving on the interstate. When I pressed the accelerator it wouldn't pull. So I got off the road safely and attempted to see what the problem was. The car was not moving forward or backwards. I had to have it towed to the transmission shop to be told the wonderful news. I have been doing research and I'm finding this car has lots of problems. I am also having problems with oil leaking and occasionally the accelerator pedal appears to be hard to press as if it's stuck for a few minutes or it's real tight. I would not advise anyone to purchase a Mazda. Don't even take it if it's free because it would be cheaper to purchase a car. I realize my car has 125,000 miles but I had a Nissan that I drove 180,000 miles for before major problems occurred. I'm filing this complaint in hopes something can be done because this is a major problem.

- Holly Springs, NC, USA

I am sending this E-mail in regards to my 1996 Mazda 626 that has been having constant transmission problems. Mazda won't do jack. I will never by another again, but they should be held responsible for these transmissions. Plain and simple they are defective and Mazda should step up to the plate and take responsibilities.

- Milaca, MN, USA

My 1996 Mazda 626 transmission burned up approximately 100 miles into a road trip to houston. The transmission had been rebuilt in Dec 2001 and only had 11,000 miles put on since the repair. I brought the car to a mechanic in houston who said the transmission would have to be replaced, at around $2200. I called my dealer in austin and was told to bring the car back to them and if the transmission was failing we would contact Mazda and maybe they would work with me on the cost. I had the car towed back to austin and left it at the dealer. The next morning the service writer calls to tell me all my transmission needed was a "cooler" installed and I would be good to go. Although I felt this could not be anything but a band-aid, I paid for the repair and went on my way. I decided to do some research and found countless stories similar to mine on the internet. Mazda was aware of this transmission problem when the transmission was rebuilt and should have offered me the cooler then. I did complain to the general manager of the dealer and he reimbursed me for the cooler. My purpose in filing this complaint is just to get the word out there about these crummy transmissions. I used to believe Mazda were reliable, safe cars but my confidence has been shaken. I plan to sell the car and buy another kind of vehicle just for peace of mind.

- Austin, TX, USA

Have attempted numerous repairs of over $2,000, because mechanics could not identify the nature of the problem due to car speedometer frequently changing into over drive, and the car's mph never reaches 60 mph with out going into over drive.

- Decatur, GA, USA

Mazda 1996 626 automatic transmission horror story here! why is the NHTSA.dot not forcing Mazda to recall or pay damages to the hundreds and hundreds of folks like me who are out thousands for repeated transmission failures? bought used car from transmission shop owner 2 years ago now. He warranted transmission (claimed "new") one year. This itself shows transmission was failed and replaced once already. Brought it in twice under warranty, told me "he didn't know what work was done because mechanic was not in that day". for all I know, he did nothing and waited until warranty lapsed on purpose. Now after warranty on transmission completely failed. Fluid was black sign of burning. Only 2nd year from purchase now, expensive price. Unmatching Ford transmission has different liquid/pressure specs which do not match Mazda engine specs. This is how Mazda is selling it, the two parts don't work together. This is why even the "rebuilds" and "replacements" still fail 1-2 years.(ridiculous!!!!) the website www.carreviews.com contains hundreds of similar horror stories about this transmission on this model, all automatic. Exploding transmission fluid on my way home from repair/replace, failing at only 100 miles on brand new Mazda for another new buyer!!!!, 3-4-5 replacements per consumer in 2-3 years is the most typical complaint!!! this is outrageous that you have done nothing to punish them< they know all about it!!!!! why is there no investigation in your investigations page?

- Enumclaw, WA, USA

While driving the car on the expressway or anywhere for that matter the car engine light comes on and the "over drive off" light begins to blink and my overdrive turn off. I usually have to pull over to the shoulder or at a red light and turn the car off and back on to fix it. This is very unsafe and annoying because it happens almost everyday. I have to do this during rush hour on I-294 in Chicago. I am reluctant to take it to Mazda repair because they charge $100 just to take the car in the shop and they try to find little ways to slap on a bigger bill. I had them change my transmission fluid and a week later it leaked and they told me there was a hole in the transmission. Apparently it was not there before the transmission fluid change and they did not notice it during. So I had them just refill it and I added sealant from auto zone. I checked my transmission fluid weekly and its just fine. Engine light comes and goes at will. There seems to be a problem with the computer chip or something which is Mazda's fault and I should not have to pay to replace or fix. Everything on the car is stocked and I maintain the car better than Mazda suggests. I check all fluids, oil change every 2000 miles, etc... I know that many people (thousands of them) that have the same problems with the engine lights and the "over drive off" light blinking.

- Glen Ellyn, IL, USA

Transmission problems with 1996 Mazda 626: Mazda has a very high failure rate on the automatic transmissions in the Mazda 626 vehicles. My car is on the second transmission and probably needs a third. I beleive that Mazda should fix the problem without cost to the owner. Thanks for listening gary

- New Hartford, NY, USA

'96 Mazda 626 (bought new). Transmission failed at 83,000+/_ mi. Initially took car to a dealer for oil leak (replaced oil pressure switch). They brought car to me, it started & died repeatedly. The speedometer needle jumped all around the dial and odometer would spin, adding mileage. Service writer said the service tech. Noticed the problem when working on it/they could check it out for additional $75 fee. I told her I hadn't had that problem before. She said they didn't repair anything in the area of transmission or speedometer that they might have damaged to cause this. I spoke to the tech. & he had no idea what the problem might be. He opened the hood and checked something as I talked to the service writer and started the car and it ran okay. While driving home, speedometer needle intermittently did the same thing, adding extra mileage, but drove ok. On another day, after driving approx. 15 - 25 mi. & return home, car won't run after stop and restart try. Turned the ignition/speedometer needle jumped all around the dial/the odometer spun/added mileage/car not moving. It starts and dies repeatedly. After sitting a few hours, it starts & drives ok. Drove to another dealer; they say problem won't manifest while they had it. Report: Moisture in sensor contacts/dried them & car ok. Drove car home. The next time that I drove the car; same thing happened. Towed it back to the dealer. Their report report: Transmission shot/torque converter falling apart & that caused all the problems. $2,900 for madza re-built trans. While researching this, I find that madza 626 (& other models) is notorious for transmission failures. I feel madza is aware of inferior and apparently defective transmissions in their cars. It seems that their replacement transmissions develop same or additional problems and have to be replaced repeatedly. Madza should recall and repair/replace them.

- Dallas, TX, USA

Automatic transmission the weekend of Dec 14, 2002 I couldn't put the car in gear, so I advise to take the car to the shop. I was told the transmission had gone bad.

- Memphis, TN, USA

Consumer states while driving 60mph the transmission failed causing the vehicle to lose acceleration. Please provide any additional information.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

Consumer stated that while driving at any speed and without warninf the transmission will lock up and it will be hard to control the vehicle and the consumer will be forced to pull over. Dealer notified.

- San Diego, CA, USA

"O/D off" light began flashing, engine revved and would not shift from 1st gear. Diagnosis is that a new transmission is needed at the cost of $2300.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

Consumer stated the vehicle felt like it had gone into neutral on two occasions, and would not accelerate altogether on one occasion. Consumer had to replace the transmission. Scc

- Rockford, TN, USA

Faulty transmission

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Transmission is slipping badly in lower gears. Shifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd is very bad and often the rpms are approx. 5000 before the shift occurs. (even on a downhill slope) as of early November, the transmission will periodically not go into reverse. I have changed the transmission fluid on the recommended schedule of every 5K miles.

- White, GA, USA

Please hlep me with this. The car is no longer driveable and I am still paying on it. What do I do?.

- San Diego, CA, USA