I am having problems with my automatic transmission in my Mazda 626 LX 1996 model. I bought this used car on Jan 2006 and it started to give problems by showing O/D lights off. Then check sign popped up and I fixed that one. Again popped up and found torque converter failure. I took it to transmission shop and they quoted $1700 to change the transmission. In online, I read many complaints about transmission and it advised to use this site to file a complaint against Mazda company. Many people had the same problem like me and this raises safety aspect of this vehicle, which is a manufacturing defect. Though I haven't invested any money now to change transmission but I am seeking whether Mazda company is providing any alternative change or offer to their customer related to transmission.

- St.Louis, MO, USA

Everytime I drive the overdrive light comes on and while driving it hesitste on freeyway I check to the mechenic he say its transmission problem and it is the problem with mazada 626 and never been corrected and they didnt buil T it correctly so I think mazada should bring them back

- Eagan, MN, USA

1996 Mazda 2.0 626 LX. Overdrive flashes from 4th to 3rd. Multiple attempts to fix/find problem to no satisfaction. Mazda dealer advised new transmission needed-sight unseen. Seems to be a more than prevelant situation.

- Amelia, OH, USA

My 1996 Mazda 626 had been experiencing trouble shifting and the O/D off light kept flashing so I took it in to the dealership. I was told that the transmission was about to go. I found this really strange since the car only has 81K miles on it and I thought Mazda was supposed to be really reliable. I have since found out that many have had this exact same problem (see these 2 websites: www.cartrackers.com/forums/live/yourlemon/189.html ; www.carsurvey.org/viewmorecomments_review_17103_3.html ) and Mazda has done nothing to remedy this problem.

- Baton Rouge, LA, 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